First day back to work

I went back to work today, just for the afternoon.  All the students loved my "scooter" and want one.  I did pretty well, although I did notice I was yawning all afternoon.  My desk is definitely not as restful as my recliner!  I am a little concerned that I still can't put any weight on the foot.  I'll go back to get my stitches out on Thursday.  Then I'll be able to ask all my questions.  And I can't wait to get this dressing off my foot!

First trip out!

Blackened Mahi Mahi at Sharkys

Tonight Jon and I took Zach and Elizabeth out to eat. After an entire week holed up in the house, every bit of cool evening air felt amazing, every bite of food was scrumptious, and the company was delightful!  It was sooooo great to be out of the house.  I would make a terrible hermit.  I'm not even that great of a couch potato.  My foot did fine propped up on a chair during dinner, but it was tiring on the crutches, and I'm glad to be back in my recliner.  It's always interesting to me how a bit of deprivation makes the small pleasures in life that much sweeter.  I thoroughly enjoyed going out to eat, something I do almost weekly without even really thinking about it.  The lesson of gratitude is a good one.

Day 6 . . .

Progress:  

• Yesterday was the first day I was able to space out the pain meds somewhat.
• This morning I actually slept in--not woken up at 6 am needing to take something for the pain.
•  I can wiggle my toes!

Frustration:

• I still can't put any weight on the foot, even just to touch it down for balance.
• Last night I put on the surgical shoe that I'm supposed to be wearing each time I get up, and it made my foot ache so badly within minutes that I took it off.  What's that about?

This process obviously takes patience.  I can't WAIT until Thursday when I get my stitches out.  I want to see my new foot!  I'll try to put a bit of weight on my foot today and let you know how it goes.  After all, I can't live in this recliner forever, can I?

Day 4 . . .

This is my landscape . . . has been for 4 days now.  Can't complain, really.  Comfy room, lots of good reading, yummy food, and great company.  I did get the first wave of stir-craziness today.  I tried to quell it by getting up to rinse some dishes, but the foot throbs in any position but propped.  So . . . propped it is.  All in all, I'm THANKFUL on this Thanksgiving Day 2010.

The big reveal . . .

Credits . . . Videography by Kayla . . . Ripstick Stuntman Jono.

Uphill from here . . . I hope

So here's the pain meds story: as we left the hospital, the nurse told me to start with the hydrocodone, but right before bed, change over to the stronger pain medicine, something new called Nucentra, so that I could stay ahead of the pain that would come when the local block wore off in the night.  Nucentra was hard to find (Jon had to go to four pharmacies, and when he did find one that had it, the pharmacist had to get it out of the safe!)  I started taking it, but had a horrible night. I would take the Nucentra and fall asleep, then be woken up two hours later in severe pain, but not able to take anything for two more hours.  This went on all night and all day Tuesday.  Finally, exhausted by fighting this incredible pain all day, I called and spoke to the doctor on call. She said, "Don't mess with the Nucentra.  My patients only ever have hydrocodone, and they never have a problem staying ahead of the pain.  Switch to the hydrocodone and stay on it.  Elevate your foot, and you should be fine."  It actually occurred to me in the middle of the day to try switching back to hydrocodone, but I had been convinced by the doc and nurses and pharmacists that the Nucentra was so much stronger.  As soon as I switched over, at 7 pm this evening, I felt so much better.  What an ordeal!

C'mon clock . . . go FASTER!

Eight more minutes until the next pain pill.  This is some pretty intense pain!