I've been remiss: an update

Started physical therapy on April 18, three times a week (only approved for seven sessions so far). It started off easy, but by the second session the therapist was stretching and pulling and pushing so much I was actually pounding the table. Youch! The good part is that there is no pain afterward, although my ankle -- especially my heel -- becomes quite sore during the night. I've been taking some ibuprofen on PT nights, but the heel thing can only be relieved by stretching -- not something I particularly want to lay in bed and do at 2 a.m. Nevertheless, there has been some progress. I've lost most of my lurch and I'm trying to correct a weird lean to the left. I'll never be an Olympic athlete, but then again, I was a long way from that before all this happened. I don't start working my foot side to side until later in May, and it will be interesting to see how that feels. I have five more sessions to be approved on this prescription and Dr. Healey wrote a prescription for another two months of bi-weekly sessions.

My four-week follow-up with Dr. Healey was on Monday, and he said everything looks good. I'm permanently done with the Herman Munster boot, can now get my incision wet (although I still can't soak my foot), and no longer have to wear the aircast to bed. I'll be wearing the aircast when I'm up and about for at least another six weeks, although I don't wear it when I'm at PT. I gave him the CD of my MRI, and he said he didn't expect to see anything on the films. I assume he'll call me if he finds anything.

I made it into the city four days in a row this week. It's a record since the end of January. I think four days was actually too much, as I am physically exhausted and my foot is not too happy with me during the day either. It's amazing how quickly I lost my energy and how long it's taking for it to return.

Next up is our trip to Florida. Hurray! I haven't thought of what to pack (one of each shoe, perhaps), but we plan to spend most of our time in shorts or bathing suits. Unfortunately, I have to wear the aircast on the beach and I need to keep my incision out of the sun, but it will be relaxing nonetheless and great to see our many Florida-based cruise friends. We'll be visiting Tallahassee, Orlando, Boynton Beach, Sanibel Island and Bradenton in a whirlwind 10-day trip. (Not looking forward to the price of gas is in Florida.) It will be so wonderful to relax and not worry about tests, appointments or PT. It's been a while since we had a real vacation (can't count the Thanksgiving cruise since it immediately followed Dad's funeral) and being home certainly wasn't a vacation. Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine and gentle breezes.