Healing Well ... yahoo!

Quick update from my appointment today with the orthopedic foot surgeon . . . Thankfully, all continues to heal well! Since there were many "snow cancellations," I was able to go for an appointment early afternoon ... I was excited to be able to go earlier.

Awesome news ..... NO INFECTION! The fact that no infection has developed is a huge deal .... for our 8th surgery, this is a miracle in itself. The Chicago surgeons thought that it was nearly guaranteed that I'd develop an infection & then would need plastic surgery to correct the scarring that would develop.

The past few days have been rough with the cast being extremely uncomfortable inside. I initially thought it was just itchy, but as days have passed this has gotten worse. For some odd reason, the cast material about halfway up inside the cast had become "bunched up" and was too tight. This was causing pressure, increased swelling, purple coloration and appeared like it was beginning to cut off circulation somewhat. This was all relieved today, when we changed the cast and it already feels significantly better. I now have a red, candy-cane colored cast and bought fun green/red polka-dot ribbon to tie a bow around the toe area.

We removed the stitches today and the surgeon continues to feel that it is holding in the correct position. He showed us x-rays from surgery and we could see the new hardware that was placed inside. We took new x-rays today and everything continues to hold in the correct position. He was extremely careful today to hold the foot in the right spot, while removing the stitches, as to not let the tendon come out of place. The two pins that are now in place will also be removed in three weeks.

I have this cast for another three weeks and two hours and then I can begin to put weight on the foot in a walking boot. I will then wear a walking boot for 2-3 weeks and then will begin physical therapy. December 22nd is our final "cast off" day - yahoo! My surgeon is going to take digital camera pictures at the next appointment. If for some reason the foot would shift in the next few months, he wants to be able to visually show that it was once in the correct
positon. I think we need to send the picture to all those surgeons that said this couldn't be fixed! It is going to take some time to get back into a shoe and have it feel comfortable, although it will happen eventually.

The four small toes continue to be extremely stiff, "droopy" and have no movement on their own. They are all lower than the big toe, so the positioning on these toes will need to be corrected eventually. This is a minor surgical procedure - involves no cast and just a surgical shoe. Obviously, we won't do this immediately - likely early March sometime. The "droopy toes" is not a new problem and is something that will be more of an issue since the foot will be flat.

It is amazing how much better the new cast feels already. I'm very thankful for no infection, such a patient and intelligent surgeon and his caring office staff. The end is in sight .... yahoo!