Well the "step down" day arrived and it went as we had hoped. Though Bob felt a lot of apprehension last night that he still wouldn’t be allowed to walk on his foot, today's x-ray showed healing has progressed as expected six weeks post surgery. And, the redness and swelling have subsided considerably.
So as of noon today, Bob took his first steps. And though he must still walk with his boot, he can take it off at night. He can also go back to taking showers rather than tub baths that have been easier for him during this recovery time.
The next thing he wants to do is start weaning himself off the scooter. He’s asked me to bring him one crutch for getting around at the gym with his personal trainer this afternoon. And, I must say I won't miss lugging that thing in and out of the trunk of the car and up and down our stairs. He can't be weaned off of it fast enough for me.
I know he is anxious to be walking again, and I'm anxious to have him walking, but I hope he doesn’t go too fast and furiously. If he listens to the doctor who says he should walk with an awareness of pain and only walk if his foot is pain-free, all should be well.
The next hurdle is getting him back to driving. However, he cannot drive with the boot, so his going back to driving is about three weeks down the line. Guess what that means? I’m still the chauffeur. Well, at least it's not as bad as yesterday, and I expect tomorrow to be even better.
One more thing. He needs to go to physical therapy twice a week for the next six weeks. Bob tried out the idea of having his personal trainer work with him, but that got nixed. The doctor feels that trainers can get a little too aggressive. Well, duh?
He's made such good progress up until today, what's another few weeks to ensuring a completely healed foot.?
4 comments:
Let's hope the foot continues down the healing road. I read your Facebook announcement of your first book signing. May 12 is actually the day we're leaving CO for N CA - I'll be thinking of you! We're heading for Lake Tahoe where the Tour of CA bike race begins but will also be in Sacramento, Monterrey, Sausalito, and San Fran before heading N up the coast to OR. Let me know if you'll be in any of those places. Good Luck and Congratulations!
So glad to hear of his progress- oh, those first wonderful showers after not being able to take them, there is no heaven quite like that in my book.
Hoping you won't be lugging that scooter long- you deserve a spa day (or whatever kind of relaxing day just for you that you want to spend!) after all this! Caregiving is so stressful- unless you've done it, it's impossible to describe it.
I'm sure that he's glad the less you have to do too- I hated when my husband had to blend my food last year for so long. I felt so bad putting him to the trouble. I hate that he has to cart me around to appointments (I haven't been able to drive since the stroke in 2000) It's rough on everybody when somebody is injured.
Better days ahead!
<3 bru
I'm so glad to hear that Bob's foot is healing as it should and that you no longer have to deal with the scooter. I bet the next three weeks will go by fast. Also, for what it's worth, I had physical therapy after my knee operation and it is amazing the specific things they have you do; I don't think even the best trainer would do the same type of things, or at least all of them.
Seen any good movies lately, or has that been off the schedule with the need for the scooter? I hope you'll be able to get back to your usual schedule soon!
Janice
Thanks so much Barb. Too bad you're not coming to So. Ca so we could meet. Perhaps I'll be in OR. My sister is trying to set something up for me at Powell's late in May.
Bru, the scooter just left our house this morning. No more lugging or black and blues anymore. He's walking pretty much on his own with the boot. But still no driving. I think he's gotten very tired of having to rely on me for so much. It makes him ornery.
Janice, Bob has already seen the benefit of one PT session, so he looks forward to more.
Yes, I have gotten to a movie -- with my movie buddy, Madison, AKA, The Sundance_Kidd (and the photog for my book's cover). We saw "Win Win" last Sunday and I highly recommend it.
Thank you all for reading my blog and your comments. xoxoxo Madeline
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