Achilles tendon decompression and debridement with flexor hallucis longus
transfer and gastrocnemius extention.
According to my surgery paperwork...that is what I had done on Wednesday.
My translation: A very long and painful surgery with lots of incisions.
Surgery was scheduled for 10:45. I was supposed to arrive at the hospital at 9:45. At 9:00, my phone rang and it was the nurse telling me that Dr Faux was already way behind so I didn't need to arrive until 11:00. I thought that only an hour behind wasn't bad so I continued to watch a little tv and waited to head to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 11:00, got the IV placed and then began to wait, and wait, and wait. There were still two surgeries ahead of me...so we waited. FOREVER! Finally at 2:30 they arrived to put the block in my leg and by 3:00 I was being wheeled to the OR.
I then went to sleep under a warm blanket, and woke up under a warm blanket. I love that part!
I awoke to my new friend "Big Bessie". Bessie is the biggest cast I've ever seen. I swear she weighs 20 lbs. And yes, Bessie is pink. Let's just say that a small hospital doesn't have many colors to choose from....
Because of all the tendons that were taken out of my toes. The cast has to go high enough so that my toes are immobile too. Libby was here the other night and I asked her if my toes were in there. She grabbed my phone and took a picture and said "yep, and here, you can see them"
It has been a pretty painful recovery so far. I thought I was doing so well, and feeling so good until the nerve block wore off. Then I wanted to die!
Today the pain is better and is under control for most of the time. Until I have to get up for the bathroom or something. :) I'm stuck down in my bed for another 2 days and then I finally will be able to leave my bedroom and go see my kitchen, or living room...and hopefully by the middle of next week I will be able to see outside again.
The original recovery plan was 2 weeks with a cast and no weight bearing and then 12 weeks of a walking boot. After the surgery when the doc saw how bad it was and had to do so much more repair then he expected, the recovery plan is now 4 weeks non weight bearing and about 6 months in a walking boot. As long as this will fix me for good, I will do whatever it takes!
I've had a lot of visitors and meals brought in every night. I have the best family and friends and it's times like these that I realize just how blessed I am.
Some of my favorite visitors:
London came to paint my toenails. She was a bit sad that she couldn't paint the nails on my bad foot, but she did an awesome job on my other foot.
McCall came and sat by me and made me laugh. She is such a funny girl and got a hold of my chocolate licorice. She loves it! Just like her Aunt Kim!
And now we continue on the recovery...one day at a time....
AND, I'm still taking donations of diet coke and chocolate!
