A couple days ago my orthopedic doctor examined my leg (x-ray images) and informed me that I could start walking. Of course, it’s not that simple. My leg is very weak after a couple months of bearing no weight. And I think I have a bruised heel bone (calcaneus), which hurts like hell. Never mind the fact that my knee is painful and stiff… But I can live with all of this — I get to walk again. As soon as I re-learn the skill. 
Archive for the ‘Medical’ Category
Re-learning to Walk
Thursday, April 1st, 2010Knee at 6 Weeks
Friday, March 5th, 2010
6 weeks after the accident, 5 weeks after surgery (approx)
Pain Killers Are Killing My Brain, Oh My!
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010Lately, I’m sleeping sound for 12 hours at night, napping for a couple hours during the day, and slow-witted for most of what’s left. My nerve-pain medications have always caused this sort of thing, but layering-on an opioid pain-killer and an opioid potentiator just makes it worse. I’m lucky if I can get a single productive thing accomplished in a day. 
Ortho Follow-up, Stitches Removed
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010Today I visited my new Orthopaedic doctor, and he removed my stitches.
After removing my bandage (uncompressed, access to the open-air for the first time in weeks!) his staff took x-ray images. The doctor compared the new versus previous x-ray images and said that the leg appears to be healing fine. Unfortunately he also said that I need to remain home-bound for now.
My hope is that after a few weeks of physical therapy, and a transition to lower levels of pain killers, I might start working from home part-time. But this will depend on how things go over the next few weeks–my doctor doesn’t want me to take on the stress for at least the next two weeks. Please cross your fingers for me in the meantime.
After Surgery
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
I don’t remember this, because I was pretty doped-up… But I think this photo captures the way I’ve felt for the past couple weeks.
