I wish I had something profound or awesome to update. But, I don't really. I've spent a lot of time thinking and reflecting on what the injury has meant for me and what it has changed in my life. I have had plenty of emotional moments over the last few weeks, but that seems to be passing and I'm back on track to being my normal self again. Despite getting all of the "You have memories on Facebook today!" notifications on my phone, and seeing all of the struggles I went through last year during this time. My first trip out with the scooter, the night of my surgery (where I was in so much pain, I posted a billion cat videos on my wall apparently to distract myself), getting discharged from the hospital. I'll be getting those foot memories for a while!
I have seen some really good progress within the last few weeks as well, and I'm still amazed that I continue to progress even a year after surgery. The doctor said one of the last things to come back usually was coming up on the toes, and that has been true. I've seen some awesome improvement in being able to do that - the muscles are finally starting to engage and it is becoming second nature again with minimal discomfort/pain. I thought I was never going to be able to come up on my toes on my right foot ever again. But a year later, I can! It is something so small that you don't even think about until you can't do it.
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| On the left, sitting in the ER shortly after my fall. On the right, 1 year and 3 surgeries later! Toes are still cute AF |
I called Dr. Van Boerum's office at TOSH to schedule my yearly post-op appointment. I've been so excited and anxious to go in, get my x-ray, and just talk to the doctor. He is a really busy man, however, and the first available appointment wasn't until August! So, the post about my year op visit will have to wait until then.
I've also started up my walking routine again. I had stopped for a while, frustrated with progress and feeling remorseful about being unable to run. I really do enjoy being outside and walking along the trails out on the lake near our house, especially with an earful of music and a pocketful of sunshine. When I did my first attempt at a fast walking pace back in March, I walked a 5k in 1 hour, 17 minutes. Now I can do it in just under 50 minutes. I'm hovering just around a 15 minute mile. Pretty good for a lisfrancer and I'm hoping to work at it so that I just get better and better. I think I look kind of silly (I look like one of those race walkers that I've seen during the Olympics!) when I am trying to walk fast. It feels awesome to be out there. For the most part, my foot doesn't bother me during my walk...unless a storm is coming... and I'm not too sore or have much pain afterwards. I'm only going maybe a couple of times a week for now.
I'm also very close to my pre-surgery weight again! I gained quite a bit after surgery being unable to move, walk or be my normal active self. Mostly that's been attributed to the ketogenic diet I am following. That's for sure helped my confidence and physical well-being.
So, what's next? I don't know. I feel pretty normal. Even though my foot feels alien, and I limp sometimes. The new normal. I'm always aware of my injury, but I refused to be defined by it.
Hang in there everyone!
