Still Progressing - 9 Months Later!

I've been trying to find something newsworthy for an update, but I just really don't have much!  I still am seeing progress with my foot, and I think I've had some really, really good days - the first since having surgery.  It has been 9 months since my injury.

I am continuing to go for walks on the lake trails around my house, about 3.5 miles each time, once or twice a week.  Last week, I officially got my time under an hour for the route (57 minutes!).  My foot was pretty sore that night and the next day, but I was really pleased with the progress.  

I've also been experimenting with different shoes.  Each shoe that I wear feels different, and I am more aware of what each type of shoe feels like, and what different muscles I engage.  I now can cycle through several different tennis shoes, without inserts.  I am wearing flats, and flat-heeled boots.  I also like wearing my trail running shoes, and my hiking boots.  I splurged and also bought a really expensive pair of orthopedic flip flops (a girl's MUST for summer).  I cringed at the price, but as the doctor said, I will be getting what I pay for.  They seem to be working out just fine - minimal and sometimes no pain at all while wearing them.

I can say that I'm starting to have more good days than I do bad days. I feel really positive about things!  I think about my foot less and less, but it's always there in the back of my mind with every step.  I'm a little terrified of heights, uneven ground, and tripping.  I still can't come up on my toes yet, but I've been slowly seeing some progress there.  The nagging big toe pain still kind of bothers me.  I wish that would go away.

I have also started introducing some lower body weight lifting into my strength routine.  The doctor encouraged me to keep it light when first starting out, and I should be able to do 3 sets of 20 reps.  I feel kind of wimpy squatting with a body bar, but I absolutely do not want to push too much too soon.

The foot is slowly starting to turn into "just a foot."  I still limp occasionally, when I've been on my feet more than usual, first thing in the morning, or after I've been sitting for a while.  I always think it is not that noticeable, but I was at Costco on Saturday and got attacked by a sample man who noticed I was limping and asked if it was arthritis.  He sold me some Wellense Joint Movement supplements, that may help with arthritis pain.  I figured I didn't have anything to lose by trying it!  My limp seems to be getting me into trouble it seems.

Hiking season is so close!  We had a big snow storm this week, but in the next couple of weeks the snow should start to be melting and opening up some trails.  That's the next milestone.  For now, I'm taking advantage of the nicer weather in the valley and spending some time gardening.  It's very therapeutic and I'm just happy to be outside again on my own two feet!

Encouragement

I have been really encouraged with my progress the past few weeks.  I am feeling really positive about recovery for the first time in a long time!

Things aren't perfect but I feel like they've gotten so much better.

I started going for walks on the trails around my neighborhood; they used to be my old running trails.  It's beautiful - there is a lake nestled in with a gorgeous view of the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain ranges.  This has been the first time that I've gone for a walk on my own for any extended period of time.  I was a little discouraged the first time I went out.  I walked my 5k loop, and it took me 1 hour & 14 minutes to complete it.  But, since then, I've done that loop a few more times, and I've already gotten my time down to 1 hour & 2 minutes, and I feel each time I go, I am getting faster and better.

I find that going uphill is actually the easiest thing to do.   Followed by flat ground.  Going downhill is the worst though.  It's still slow going, and that is where I get most of my discomfort from walking.

So, after walking 3.2 miles at a respectable pace, my foot is a little sore for the rest of the day (my limp is probably a little more noticeable too), and first thing the next morning.  But, it's not nearly as sore as I expected it to be.  I actually find that it feels better when I go for walks, than when I don't.  So that's really exciting!

I also have been wearing some of my cuter shoes without my Superfeet.  Swelling isn't much of an issue anymore, so I can fit into my old shoes again!  It feels really nice to not be confined to my tennis shoes anymore.  Today, I'm wearing a dress with a pair of cute flats!  My surgery scars are exposed, and I can't help but look down and be proud of them, and what they represent for me.

Also, hiking season will be starting soon!  I'm so very excited for that, because I've been so pleased with how much progress I have made over the last month or so.  I have not felt ready, but I AM READY NOW!  Most of the trails are still snow-covered at this point in the season, but we should start getting some slow melt soon.  Nate has promised me that we are going to do all the hikes this summer.  We are going to have to start really slow and easy, but I'm totally OK with that.  Some snaps of my favorite hiking memories!  I assure you I will be posting updates once I start again - Hiking with a Lisfranc Injury :)

(White Pine Lake - 10,080ft)

(Doing Yoga at Gobbler's Knob - 10,246 ft)

(Mount Raymond wildflowers)

(Lake Blanche - 8,920 ft)

(Reynolds Peak/Dog Lake - 9,422 ft)

(Bells Canyon)

(Waihee Ridge - Maui)

I am finally feeling so great about things!  8 months later :)

Spectator

I've had quite an eventful couple of weeks!

I went in for a check-up at TOSH last Monday.  Doctor visits are always hard for me because it is a reminder of just how bad my injury was, and how life-changing it has been for me.

I got a set of x-rays taken, and everything appears to be lined up properly and healing well.  My bones are still not quite as strong as they were before, and it will just take time to build back the bone density.  Otherwise, the x-rays looked great and there were no major issues that could be seen.  The doctor did say that he could see evidence of very mild arthritis through my midfoot already, but it was nothing to be concerned about at this point.

I am still having quite a bit of pain and stiffness in my big toe.  There wasn't anything on the x-ray that could point to the cause.  The doctor examined my foot, and he thinks that it is just stress on the foot after not using it for so long.  He said to continue with my plantar fascia stretches, and to also work calf stretches in, by hanging my right heel off a step and dropping it down.  I also still cannot really come up on my toes at all on my right foot, and the doctor said that that is usually one of the last things to come back.

I was also given clearance to start weaning out of my Superfeet.  I have been wearing those inserts for arch support ever since I started weight-bearing, so I've become quite accustomed to them.  But, my arch has built up enough strength now to be able to support my foot on it's own, so I can begin to phase them out.  I wore a pair of boots to the grocery store over the weekend without them, and I didn't really notice too much of a difference - other than there was a lot more room in my shoe!  Walking barefoot has certainly gotten a lot easier; it's not my favorite thing to do, but at least I can stand walking around on it a bit after I get out of the shower without running for my shoes first thing.

I got the standard set of instructions for the next 4 months until my next appointment:  low or no impact exercises, a stiff supportive shoe, and monitor for pain.  The next time I see the doctor will be the 1 year post-op mark.  

I also took another trip last weekend, to Phoenix.  The hubby was doing the Spartan Race, and I signed up to be a Spectator, so I could watch him compete.  It was HOT down there - 90 degrees - compared to about 50 here in Salt Lake.  I had a lot of mixed emotions about him doing the race, though.  We had an agreement that I would NOT cry the entire trip or there would be consequences.  It was incredibly hard though, because every fiber of my being wanted to be out there with him running the race.  He was also running it by himself, and that made me so nervous for him, and I felt bad I could not be his support.  But, as a Spectator, I still was able to see him quite a bit on the course.  They block off an area for "spectators" in the main festival area, and you are able to see about 6 of the obstacles.  But, there were 22 of them in the race!  

I don't do well with "rules" so after he took off from the start line, I started my own race around the course to find him and cheer him on! I had a course map and an iPod.  I was really surprised at how my foot held up during my escapades.  I was climbing hills and walking around with no real pain, or problems!  Descending was another story - although it was mostly psychological.  I didn't have the confidence or trust in my foot when I was coming down a steep hill, so it was very slow, and steady.  But, I made it, with no falls!  I trekked my way to 6 obstacles (Over-Wall, Rope Climb, Herculean Hoist, Rolling Mud, Barbed Wire Crawl, Bucket Brigade), plus the 8 in the designated area.  So, I got to see him do over half of the race!!  I took pictures and provided vital nutrients such as Gatorade and water.

I also watched him tackle the obstacle that caused my injury!  It was nerve-wracking and really hard to watch, (and exponentially harder not to cry while watching), but he conquered it like a boss.  He later admitted that he was shaking the whole time, and that he had "words" with the obstacle.

He finished the race (mostly) injury free!

And I didn't cry!