Back home ... tough news.

We made it to Texas and back safely. The San Antonio appointment didn’t quite go as I expected & I’m still processing it all. It was good to see Dr. I and fun to stop at the hospital to visit with nurses. He said …
- Still 2 spots that need to heal yet (1 above toes & 1 on the ankle)
- No exercise for two months. Stop doing physical therapy.
- Return to wearing the boot for two months; don’t try a shoe.
- Asked about swimming or walking on the treadmill and both were “no.”
- Pain issue – no suggestions; “live with it” for one year and see what happens.
- He wants to see me back in three months.
- He wants the swelling to go down further; continue daily wrapping with bandages.

I met with the STL surgeon this morning and he was surprised at the above recommendations, but said to go along with the advice. The toe motion (or lack of) now is not enough to wear a shoe or walk (i.e. step correctly). There is no flicker or toe motion left. The STL surgeon said today that he had hoped for better results from the April toe surgery. As of today, it has been eight weeks since the toe surgery (no toe movement left), so another two months would be no motion for 16 weeks …. it is too long is all I know to say. A normal patient can usually regain movement in the first 5-6 months after surgery, but in my case I have only 1-2 months after surgery. I am already at eight weeks.

Waiting another two months with no exercise or attempting a shoe were both tough to hear, because I know from past experience that the longer I go with no movement, the less & less likely it is to be regained. It is more stiff today than it was a week ago. I am also only doing about 10% (activity wise) of what I would normally do, which will continue with having to wear the boot shoe ….. so much for summer sandals.

I’m not sure why no one seems concerned about the increasing pain, but to me it is mentally draining & frustrating. Better close as I’m pretty down on it all tonight … it was hard to cancel all my physical therapy appointments today. This goes against my better judgment to comply with this medical advice.

je