One week post-op

Thursday night I was watching television and noticing how people just "stood up and walked".  UGH!  I got so mad that I can't do that.  I just wanted to stand up, move away from the chair and WALK.  I saw no walking in my future.  Ever!  I was in such a funk.

I knew Friday was the day I was cleared for weight bearing on my foot.  But I just couldn't imagine I would be able to put weight on it the next day.

Friday came and I kept trying to put my foot down on the floor.  Nope.  I'd try again and again.  Each time, pulling it up as soon as it touched the floor because of the pain.  By late afternoon, I was trying SO hard to just take one little step.  Finally, holding both crutches, I took a step.  It hurt, I'm not going to lie.  I called it good for the day.

Yesterday morning I started trying again.  After having a couple cups of coffee, I just started hobbling on my crutches, from one end of the house to the other and kind of placed my foot down with each step.  Pretty soon, I was putting more weight on it.  After a few trips back and forth, before I knew it, I was walking on it.  I took a little break then got up and tried again.  I was a bit stiff at first but just kept going back and forth.  Finally, I felt comfortable enough to drop a crutch.  Ta-da!  One crutch down!

I did take two crutches when I left the house though, because I was going to be moving around a lot and wasn't sure how long I would hold up. 

Sara picked me up at 3:00 and drove me up to Lake Chabot.  I strongly suggested to Stacey, the last time I saw her, that she would probably LOVE running the Golden Hills Marathon.  I have run this marathon twice, and I volunteered last year.  Since I couldn't run it with her this year, I wanted to be at the finish to see her come in.

The course starts at Tilden Park in Berkeley and takes you through the gorgeous parks I love to run in Oakland and ends at Lake Chabot.  There is always a wonderful crowd hanging out and TONS of food, drinks and desserts.  There is a 50-mile race going on at the same time and ends at the same place.  This year, there were 450 runners registered, between the two distances.  Stacey did absolutely awesome, finishing the 26.2 grueling trail miles in a little over seven hours.  She said she thought the course was beautiful and I did not mislead her in any way. 

After we left Lake Chabot, Sara and I went to see a movie where I laughed a lot and ate popcorn and Junior Mints.  I got home about 8:30 and was exhausted.  I iced my foot and elevated it because it felt a tad swollen from letting it hang down at the movie.  It was a great day though and felt wonderful to get outside.

I was feeling sorry for Boomer last week because the poor guy is not getting the kind of exercise he is used to.  I called a friend of mine that we do dog-sitting back and forth with and told her about my surgery and limitations.  She walks her dog around Lake Elizabeth twice a day.  She came that afternoon (Wednesday) and both Thursday and Friday morning to take Boomer out with her and Hannah, the Portuguese Water Dog.  When she dropped Boomer off Friday morning, she said she would call me after the weekend, which makes me believe she is going to keep doing this for a little while.  That was a big load off of my shoulders. 

Pain medication is not needed during the day anymore.  I am taking one at night time and sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and need one.  Sleeping is a challenge.  I have been sleeping on top of the covers with a blanket over me and a pillow under my foot.  Last night I tried to sleep under the covers but I was just too worried about my foot getting moved the wrong way.  This caused me to have trouble falling asleep.  I got back on top of the covers and ended up being woken up two or three times during the night from pain.  I have faith that it will only get better. 

This morning when I woke up, it looked so beautiful outside.  I put on some shorts and stepped out onto the porch.  I decided I wanted to go for a walk.  Since Keith had to work, I sent Sara a text and told her I wanted to go around the block.  She asked if I had a wheelchair.  I told her I didn't, I wanted to walk!  She said she'd be right over.  She took Boomer on his leash and we all walked (VERY SLOWLY) around the block - without crutches!!!  It took forever, but I did it.  I was very excited. 

So, all in all - a pretty good last couple of days.  Wouldn't you say?  I think it's only going to get better from here on out.


Until later.............