Let's see - a year ago I was rejoicing because my doctor said I could get out of that damn boot for Christmas! Well, yes, I am a year out of the boot but - silly me - I expected my life and leg to be back to normal by now.
I am beginning to slowly realize, and accept, that my ankle and leg may never be the same again. I mean, my doctor basically told me that, but I think I blocked that part out of my psyche.
Good news - I can walk without a limp. Bad news - I still limp anytime I have been sitting for awhile, or when I get up in the morning. I limp because - IT HURTS. However, after 8 or 10 steps, the tendon loosens up and I can walk with little or no pain.
Even better news - long, arduous walks and even hikes don't make my leg hurt any worse. In fact, walking makes my leg feel BETTER. So...I guess that's good, right?
Fifteen months after surgery, my calf is still a little smaller than the other one, but honestly, no one could tell unless they are scrutinizing my leg. And if that's the case, well look all you want - I'm not ashamed of my gams!
The scar is definitely there - but it lends an aura of adventure. It's not an eyesore. It's just an anklesore. OK, bad joke, but I'm serious about the pain. Locally, right around the scar, and all up and down the tendon, it really is very sore even now. One of my biggest paranoias is that someone will run into my ankles from behind with a shopping cart! That, my friends, would take me to my knees, howling all the way to the floor.
I'm glad I had the surgery - I'm still much better off than without it. But, I guess it's just difficult to get my head around the idea of a permanent adaptation, and not a positive one, to the only body that I have.
Ah well - life goes on! And a fine life it is. At least I HAVE achilles tendons, right? ; )
I am beginning to slowly realize, and accept, that my ankle and leg may never be the same again. I mean, my doctor basically told me that, but I think I blocked that part out of my psyche.
Good news - I can walk without a limp. Bad news - I still limp anytime I have been sitting for awhile, or when I get up in the morning. I limp because - IT HURTS. However, after 8 or 10 steps, the tendon loosens up and I can walk with little or no pain.
Even better news - long, arduous walks and even hikes don't make my leg hurt any worse. In fact, walking makes my leg feel BETTER. So...I guess that's good, right?
Fifteen months after surgery, my calf is still a little smaller than the other one, but honestly, no one could tell unless they are scrutinizing my leg. And if that's the case, well look all you want - I'm not ashamed of my gams!
The scar is definitely there - but it lends an aura of adventure. It's not an eyesore. It's just an anklesore. OK, bad joke, but I'm serious about the pain. Locally, right around the scar, and all up and down the tendon, it really is very sore even now. One of my biggest paranoias is that someone will run into my ankles from behind with a shopping cart! That, my friends, would take me to my knees, howling all the way to the floor.
http://skygellatly.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/lichtenstein-crying-girl-jpg.jpeg?w=500&h=420
I'm glad I had the surgery - I'm still much better off than without it. But, I guess it's just difficult to get my head around the idea of a permanent adaptation, and not a positive one, to the only body that I have.
Ah well - life goes on! And a fine life it is. At least I HAVE achilles tendons, right? ; )
