Whew ... glad there is a long weekend ahead. My foot has been so tired the past two days. It has felt good to get it wet in the shower, since the stitches are now gone. All looks to be healing well. The little "mountain peak" of skin that was pulled up, between the two incisions, is now flat and you'd never know it was once there. The small scab has come off and it should have stayed on longer ... there is a tiny area that needs to heal yet - just at the surface level, but nonetheless it needs to heal together. It will easily take 3-5 months for the swelling to completely disappear.
It amazes me how the toes are now relaxed and the increased tone that was there before is totally gone ... it is like nothing ever happened. I have to keep reminding myself that we are only at the two-week mark, so don't over do it ...... I am still not doing any more than needed. Tonight it is sore, tender, and it looks like it needs some rest and TLC.
I wore a sandal to work this morning on both feet and lasted until about 2:00 on the operative foot (had the incision covered w/a bandage) and then the swelling became a bit much, so I went back to the surgical shoe. Someone could me making big money if they sold surgical shoes in colors.
We are headed to central IL tomorrow morning to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday with relatives and will be there for the weekend. We have student visits at JA next week Tuesday through Thursday, then one day to set up for summer camp and that begins the following Monday with 85 kids. Of course the first week of camp is the biggest & there is a waiting list!
I am so grateful for having the scooter at work.
Thankful that all is healing well, no immediate complications, pain is diminishing each day and that Dr. C was able to fix the toe problem with a relatively minor surgery. I'd never have dreamed that feeling the floor with all five toes would be such a big accomplishment and reason for celebration .... God is good!
Happy Holiday Weekend to you ....
Jenny
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Post-Op Appt. Summary ....
The post-op surgery appointment went well today. We removed the stitches and the two incisions look to be healing well. There is a scab area on one part, so you never know what is under there until it comes off. It is very sore tonight, but that will go away over the next few days ... always somewhat "traumatic" for the skin.
Dr. K thought it looked good. I asked what he thought on the probability of it lasting and he said it should under normal circumstances, but my case is not normal. He stated again that if this does last long term, he is fairly confident another problem will occur at some point (no guesses on time) .... this is like the fourth time I've heard this and so far, he has been right.
I asked about pursuing an underlying nerve condition aggressively, but he didn't think it would surface anything. He said we've done all the nerve tests - not surprising. Dr. K's advice was to simply get through the latest set-back (will take another 4-6 weeks before it is fully back to normal) and then see how things progress and try to roll with whatever happens. He reiterated that although we anticipate there being ongoing problems, you can't worry about it constantly and have to carry on as best as possible with life activities. He said we'll just keep treating whatever develops ..... taking that to mean that he (Dr. K) is in this for the long haul.
Dr. K joked at the end of the appt. that I need to tell Dr. C that he has to come to St. Louis next time to do the surgery and Dr. C can stay at Dr. K's house! Good thinking, except doctors have permits for surgery by state. Overall it was a good appointment .... can't believe the turn around in two weeks. I can return to a normal shoe, as the swelling goes down and strength returns. For now, no pt is needed .... we are being overly cautious and want to allow it to heal fully.
In another week, I am to manually move the toes downward and try to encourage them to stay down. Sometimes during the healing process the toes start to contract back up, which is what we just fixed .... don't want that to happen.
Please continue to pray that all heals fully and that the work we have done will remain permanent. The idea of on-going problems is all in God's hands .... thanks for continuing to faithfully pray!
Love,
Jenny
Thursday, May 20, 2010
One Week Post-Op ....
Today is the one week post-op mark .... yippee! I returned to work on Monday and have been using the scooter at JA , but it has been a very tiring week. I was in bed by 9pm last night, as I've not had much energy/stamina this week. There has been more pain with this than I anticipated, but I am managing. Hopefully I can taper off the prescription pain medication by the end of the weekend.
On Tuesday, I carefully looked at the incision again and realized that there are two parallel incisions on the top center of the foot with about a 1/2" gap between the two incisions. I'm guessing that Dr. C had to do this to have enough skin to draw up to close it properly. It looks like a mini mountain peak in between the two incisions. I believe the skin will go down eventually after the stitches come out. The toes are so stiff and sore.
Dallas did call me on Monday to make sure we got home okay and that everything was still going well. My first follow-up appt. w/Dr. K is on Wednesday afternoon of next week ... stitches will likely come out then. It looks to be healing well - nothing is obviously open or draining, so that is a positive start. Still a lot of swelling, but that is common .... swelling could be my middle name by now.
I did take a shower last night and could feel the shower floor with all my toes (even with the cast cover over the bandages). I have walked around the house a little as well without the boot and can feel that I am weight bearing in the proper places. I am so thankful that there was no forefoot structural issue ..... thankful that tomorrow is Friday and I'll have the weekend to rest. After tomorrow I will have seen almost 800 kids this week .... a bit much for the first week back.
We're finishing a week of great healing and a grateful heart filled with thanks to Him above ....
Many thanks for your encouraging cards, calls, e-mails, and flowers. I have loved them all!
Love,
Jenny
On Tuesday, I carefully looked at the incision again and realized that there are two parallel incisions on the top center of the foot with about a 1/2" gap between the two incisions. I'm guessing that Dr. C had to do this to have enough skin to draw up to close it properly. It looks like a mini mountain peak in between the two incisions. I believe the skin will go down eventually after the stitches come out. The toes are so stiff and sore.
Dallas did call me on Monday to make sure we got home okay and that everything was still going well. My first follow-up appt. w/Dr. K is on Wednesday afternoon of next week ... stitches will likely come out then. It looks to be healing well - nothing is obviously open or draining, so that is a positive start. Still a lot of swelling, but that is common .... swelling could be my middle name by now.
I did take a shower last night and could feel the shower floor with all my toes (even with the cast cover over the bandages). I have walked around the house a little as well without the boot and can feel that I am weight bearing in the proper places. I am so thankful that there was no forefoot structural issue ..... thankful that tomorrow is Friday and I'll have the weekend to rest. After tomorrow I will have seen almost 800 kids this week .... a bit much for the first week back.
We're finishing a week of great healing and a grateful heart filled with thanks to Him above ....
Many thanks for your encouraging cards, calls, e-mails, and flowers. I have loved them all!
Love,
Jenny
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Home from Dallas with corrected toes ....
We're home from Dallas and the trip went well .. yeah! We had a good meeting with Dr. C on Wednesday and it went better than I anticipated.
As we were on the elevator riding up to his office, there was a nurse and mom & I on the elevator. She asked us who were going to see, so we told her. She said that he was the BEST doctor in the practice .... another office person told me that people come from all over the US to consult with him. Sometimes he has two operations happening simultaneously.
The problem was not what Dr. C thought he was going to see, so it was good for him to see it in person. He really felt like since we had previously lengthened the main tendon in the foot (Anterior Tib) and it was weak, another tendon (EDL) had "taken over" and was majorly over compensating for the weak one .... to the point that it caused the toes to become contracted and stay in a fixed position. He had know idea why it happened, but he wasn't totally surprised by it. His suggestion was to lengthen the EDL tendon, which is the main tendon that causes the toes to work, pull up & function. This would cause the toes to go back down and hopefully remain down. It was more of a problem w/the tendon leading to the toes than an issue with the toes themselves. Lengthening anything does cause weakness, but it is better than cutting the tendon totally, which would cause the toes to be limp & that can lead to the foot drop issue.
The toes would still have structure to them, but would likely not be able to grip. The operation involved a 2" incision on the top center of the foot, so we did not have to open up anything near the toes.
He wasn't convinced it is a nerve problem, but he said diagnosing a nerve issue in something complex like my situation is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Dr. C compared this to playing one the those carnival games where the mole or animal pops up at various spots/times and you have to keep trying to hit it down ....... in my case he said we're just going to have to treat whatever arises as things surface. He was excited that we had 15 mo. of things being nearly perfect.
We did the EDL lengthening surgery at 2:30 on Thursday, May 13th. As procedures go, it was relatively minor and uneventful. The surgery was about 40 minutes and I left in a surgical shoe. We stayed with friends and rested on Friday ... weather in Dallas was rainy. The flight home was fine ... we know the drill w/using a wheelchair and getting through security.
The pain is better now ... first few days are always rough. I can walk on it w/the surgical shoe or boot, but I'm doing only what is necessary ..... I'll use the scooter at work. I can see that the toes are down again and are back in the correct position.
Thank you so much for praying for us this week .... everything went very smoothly and we felt your prayers! I can't think of any glitches or problems ... the medical trip went very well.
The stitches come out in two weeks, so we are praying that all heals well and for no wound issues. There really was no "extra skin" on the top of my foot to draw up to stitch together .... it looks to me like Dr. C pulled enough together to sew it closed, but I'm praying that it remains closed. He did not have a lot to work with.
I will be at mom & dad's house for the next two weeks and plan to return to work tomorrow. We were thrilled that there was a relatively minor "fix" and that we were able to get the problem corrected while we were in Dallas last week. I will do post-op care with my STL ortho doctor. Thankful to Him who provides in our time of need!
Jenny
As we were on the elevator riding up to his office, there was a nurse and mom & I on the elevator. She asked us who were going to see, so we told her. She said that he was the BEST doctor in the practice .... another office person told me that people come from all over the US to consult with him. Sometimes he has two operations happening simultaneously.
The problem was not what Dr. C thought he was going to see, so it was good for him to see it in person. He really felt like since we had previously lengthened the main tendon in the foot (Anterior Tib) and it was weak, another tendon (EDL) had "taken over" and was majorly over compensating for the weak one .... to the point that it caused the toes to become contracted and stay in a fixed position. He had know idea why it happened, but he wasn't totally surprised by it. His suggestion was to lengthen the EDL tendon, which is the main tendon that causes the toes to work, pull up & function. This would cause the toes to go back down and hopefully remain down. It was more of a problem w/the tendon leading to the toes than an issue with the toes themselves. Lengthening anything does cause weakness, but it is better than cutting the tendon totally, which would cause the toes to be limp & that can lead to the foot drop issue.
The toes would still have structure to them, but would likely not be able to grip. The operation involved a 2" incision on the top center of the foot, so we did not have to open up anything near the toes.
He wasn't convinced it is a nerve problem, but he said diagnosing a nerve issue in something complex like my situation is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Dr. C compared this to playing one the those carnival games where the mole or animal pops up at various spots/times and you have to keep trying to hit it down ....... in my case he said we're just going to have to treat whatever arises as things surface. He was excited that we had 15 mo. of things being nearly perfect.
We did the EDL lengthening surgery at 2:30 on Thursday, May 13th. As procedures go, it was relatively minor and uneventful. The surgery was about 40 minutes and I left in a surgical shoe. We stayed with friends and rested on Friday ... weather in Dallas was rainy. The flight home was fine ... we know the drill w/using a wheelchair and getting through security.
The pain is better now ... first few days are always rough. I can walk on it w/the surgical shoe or boot, but I'm doing only what is necessary ..... I'll use the scooter at work. I can see that the toes are down again and are back in the correct position.
Thank you so much for praying for us this week .... everything went very smoothly and we felt your prayers! I can't think of any glitches or problems ... the medical trip went very well.
The stitches come out in two weeks, so we are praying that all heals well and for no wound issues. There really was no "extra skin" on the top of my foot to draw up to stitch together .... it looks to me like Dr. C pulled enough together to sew it closed, but I'm praying that it remains closed. He did not have a lot to work with.
I will be at mom & dad's house for the next two weeks and plan to return to work tomorrow. We were thrilled that there was a relatively minor "fix" and that we were able to get the problem corrected while we were in Dallas last week. I will do post-op care with my STL ortho doctor. Thankful to Him who provides in our time of need!
Jenny
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
We're Off to Dallas ....
I'm heading to the airport in the next few minutes (10:30am flight). We meet with the orthopedic surgeon at 3:30 today, so pray hard between 3:30-4:00pm ..... this is the time that we will need to make a decision about the next step. I've slept well all week, so I'm ready to go. Dallas is supposed to be really warm - upper 80s. I am not taking the laptop, so I'll update the blog when we return home on Saturday afternoon.
Thanks for praying ...
Jenny
Thanks for praying ...
Jenny
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Pray hard & often this week ....
Only 3 days until we leave for Dallas! Last week was a very long week filled with pain and growing frustration with not being able to do things that I could do two months ago. I was in significant pain on Saturday evening and was ready to settle for any treatment suggestion. I was on my feet a lot on Saturday and paid for it dearly by Saturday evening.
I never heard back as to whether or not my STL surgeon spoke with Dr. C … hopefully it will still happen before the Wednesday appointment. Tomorrow is my last pt “evaluation” at 4pm so I can hand carry a report to Dallas that tells what we’ve tried, the loss of ROM measurements, etc. I had a new, fun pedicure over the weekend and am ready to go!
We arrive in Dallas around noon on Wednesday (5/12) and our appt. w/Dr. C is at 3:30pm. Here are a few specific prayer requests:
- Wisdom for Dr. C … may he have a “plan” after seeing the foot.
- Pray that Dr. C will be willing to continue w/my medical case.
- Surgery details to occur on Thursday, if needed.
- Travel Safety
- Strong medical team during surgery
- If surgery is not recommended, where do we go or what do we do next?
- Peace, strength & contentment to deal w/whatever we learn.
- Pray that the amputation topic will not surface again.
- Health otherwise … mom & I stay healthy.
- Open heart; to accept whatever lies ahead.
This is a very “up-in-the-air” trip, as we really don’t know what we are facing this week. There could be no “fix,” a minor resolution or it could be something more major. Flexibility and trusting in Him is going to be our best hope. The sermon at church this morning was on suffering and trusting in God – very appropriate timing. I have been at peace over the weekend about Dr. C’s willingness to continue to work with us ….. I will be devastated if he sends us to another doctor.
I have accepted the possible need to operate again, but I don’t have my head around a cast and no-weight for 4-6 weeks if that is needed. I am trying to just take it one day at a time and not think ahead too much.
The best case scenario on Wednesday would be that Dr. C knows the problem, has a “fix” that is relatively minor and if surgery is needed he is willing to move forward w/our tentative surgery time on Thursday … pray for this to become a reality.
I am undecided yet as to if I am taking the laptop. It is hard to manage with the laptop, carry on bag and crutches on the plane … especially if I am in a wheel chair through the airport on the way home. However, I hate not being able to update you with the latest information.
“Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and fine grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:11
Pray hard & often this week!
Jenny
I never heard back as to whether or not my STL surgeon spoke with Dr. C … hopefully it will still happen before the Wednesday appointment. Tomorrow is my last pt “evaluation” at 4pm so I can hand carry a report to Dallas that tells what we’ve tried, the loss of ROM measurements, etc. I had a new, fun pedicure over the weekend and am ready to go!
We arrive in Dallas around noon on Wednesday (5/12) and our appt. w/Dr. C is at 3:30pm. Here are a few specific prayer requests:
- Wisdom for Dr. C … may he have a “plan” after seeing the foot.
- Pray that Dr. C will be willing to continue w/my medical case.
- Surgery details to occur on Thursday, if needed.
- Travel Safety
- Strong medical team during surgery
- If surgery is not recommended, where do we go or what do we do next?
- Peace, strength & contentment to deal w/whatever we learn.
- Pray that the amputation topic will not surface again.
- Health otherwise … mom & I stay healthy.
- Open heart; to accept whatever lies ahead.
This is a very “up-in-the-air” trip, as we really don’t know what we are facing this week. There could be no “fix,” a minor resolution or it could be something more major. Flexibility and trusting in Him is going to be our best hope. The sermon at church this morning was on suffering and trusting in God – very appropriate timing. I have been at peace over the weekend about Dr. C’s willingness to continue to work with us ….. I will be devastated if he sends us to another doctor.
I have accepted the possible need to operate again, but I don’t have my head around a cast and no-weight for 4-6 weeks if that is needed. I am trying to just take it one day at a time and not think ahead too much.
The best case scenario on Wednesday would be that Dr. C knows the problem, has a “fix” that is relatively minor and if surgery is needed he is willing to move forward w/our tentative surgery time on Thursday … pray for this to become a reality.
I am undecided yet as to if I am taking the laptop. It is hard to manage with the laptop, carry on bag and crutches on the plane … especially if I am in a wheel chair through the airport on the way home. However, I hate not being able to update you with the latest information.
“Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and fine grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:11
Pray hard & often this week!
Jenny
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
6 Days Until TX Trip ....
Post #400 .....
All is about the same - no better, but not a lot worse. I am very ready to go to Dallas and get on with this, as walking on your big toe only and the side of your foot is just exhausting. I had to pull the car over on the way home from work today and take off my shoe, as the swelling was more pain than I could tolerate. On Monday at pt, my therapist thought the height of the gap (between toes and floor) had increased - possibly, it is hard to tell. I have pt again tomorrow, but it is not helping significantly .... at least it gives you peace of mind that we are attempting to not let it get a lot worse. My therapist and I are frustrated beyond belief with the current situation .... it is hard to still believe that this all declined so rapidly.
I did a lot of research last night on a treatment called, extensor tenotomies .... one thing that has been suggested. It basically involves cutting the tendons that are contracted and allowing all the toes to go limp. I have mixed feelings about it .... I am very anxious to see what Dr. C recommends. I have tried to read up on foot tendons, muscles, etc. this week so I can understand it all better next week. I am REALLY hoping this doesn't involve being non-weight bearing or a cast ... won't know until after our appt. next week.
I need to call TX this week and make sure all is still scheduled/set for next week. I have flight reservations and car rental in place. We will stay with our Dallas friend, so no hotel needed. I'll write out some specific prayer requests this weekend ... wisdom for Dr. C, a "solution" to the current problem and continued willingness on the part of Dr. C to work with us (he hasn't given any indication that he will stop helping us) are the biggies. Pray that the next 6 days go quickly, as I'm ready for some pain relief.
In His Grasp,
Jenny
All is about the same - no better, but not a lot worse. I am very ready to go to Dallas and get on with this, as walking on your big toe only and the side of your foot is just exhausting. I had to pull the car over on the way home from work today and take off my shoe, as the swelling was more pain than I could tolerate. On Monday at pt, my therapist thought the height of the gap (between toes and floor) had increased - possibly, it is hard to tell. I have pt again tomorrow, but it is not helping significantly .... at least it gives you peace of mind that we are attempting to not let it get a lot worse. My therapist and I are frustrated beyond belief with the current situation .... it is hard to still believe that this all declined so rapidly.
I did a lot of research last night on a treatment called, extensor tenotomies .... one thing that has been suggested. It basically involves cutting the tendons that are contracted and allowing all the toes to go limp. I have mixed feelings about it .... I am very anxious to see what Dr. C recommends. I have tried to read up on foot tendons, muscles, etc. this week so I can understand it all better next week. I am REALLY hoping this doesn't involve being non-weight bearing or a cast ... won't know until after our appt. next week.
I need to call TX this week and make sure all is still scheduled/set for next week. I have flight reservations and car rental in place. We will stay with our Dallas friend, so no hotel needed. I'll write out some specific prayer requests this weekend ... wisdom for Dr. C, a "solution" to the current problem and continued willingness on the part of Dr. C to work with us (he hasn't given any indication that he will stop helping us) are the biggies. Pray that the next 6 days go quickly, as I'm ready for some pain relief.
In His Grasp,
Jenny
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