Sunday, April 10, 2016
Holding Steady: Day 9 after Cheilectomy
Not much change to report, but each day my foot seems a bit better. Today I spent hours helping my parents prepare to sell their house, although my role was small and I took frequent ice and elevation breaks. As I sat on a plastic chair scrubbing the kitchen cabinets inside and out, I suddenly realized that I'd been sitting for quite awhile--- twenty minutes or more, perhaps--- and my foot had not developed it's usual throb and cry. It's easy for me to get frustrated and impatient, but I have to remind myself that it's only been nine days since the surgery. While I'd like to put my dancing shoes on and join my team for practice today, that's not realistic, and I'm actually recovering quite nicely!
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I've noticed that the pain is worse first thing in the morning--after my foot has been elevated all night. Still hobbling around and not comfortable going anywhere. I'm also concerned about the fact that my surgeon hasn't recommended any exercises. When I asked, he said walking was the best I could do. Sutures come out next week, so I'll bring it up again. Can't wait for the bruising to disappear. It definitely feels worse than the actual surgery site!
ReplyDeleteI just checked my day 6 post and the memories come back... My surgeon, Dr. Kessinger, said it was important for me to manually extend and flex my big toe daily, and that I had to push to the point of pain--- pain that would almost bring tears. She also wanted physical therapy to begin as soon as possible. My PT confirmed later that different surgeons give radically different advice. There's no one widely-accepted protocol. Surgeons are very good at performing surgery, but they're not the best ones for advice about rehabilitation.
DeleteI can see how surgeons would be that way. I'll definitely inquire about PT at my next appointment. Meanwhile, I'm walking as much as I can. Even down to check the mail yesterday! It's the furthest I've walked since my first post-op appointment. :-)
DeleteFirst I want to thank you Kathy for this blog, it is my life saver! I agree with the idea that surgeon are so bad at post op instruction. I had pretty much no info besides, put shoes on asap, move this toe asap. By the way one light pain killer after the surgery and I was sent home with nothing to go through the night!!!Unbelievable pains, then the prescription I had was so light that even with pain killers, I was not able to have any relief post surgery. I live in Switzerland and I believe the regulation about pills are way stricter here. A friend had hip replacement and was only proposed morphine as long as he would stay at the hospital, back home, all he got is the same I got (candies:))). Anyways this is my first surgery and I usually do not take pain killer but for once I would have loved a bit of help. Same for the dressing, no instruction, had to deal with it all on my own although after a week and after having change my first dressing myself halfway, I called my family doctor to show him the cut so he can give me feedback on the healing. I started physiotherapy on day 8 (just because this is when they gave me the first appointment) but I had no clue when I should start. Now I do my thing at home based on my researches in google and the info I gathered here and there, until Friday when I get my second appointment at PT. What a ride!!! But it is great that you created this blog so we can assess where we are at in the progress and exchange with one another. At this point I have limited flexion, still feel the heat and a persistent need to sit and elevate this foot.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment! I had hoped this blog would be a help to other folks who are undergoing the same procedure. I hope you will keep checking in about your recovery. Hang in there!
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