Vitamin D

Yay we have sunshine on our holiday! I have been soaking up a little vitamin D in the lovely cottage gardens.
Yesterday I had my first shower. It took a lot of energy out of me but is was bliss. Soaked my pinsite dressings off so I didn't damage any healing tissue. They came off very easily, the sites look clean and good. I can manage to dress the top four pinsite but struggle to dress the cluster sites around my foot and ankle. The metal work is in the way. My husband has to dress them. I hope that I will be told I won't have to dress them once they are healed. Which they practally have. But at the moment I am dressing them every 5 days.
Still find it difficult to get comfortable at night. I have managed to go onto my side but only for a short period.
I must take some photos so I can see the difference throughout the four months.
My Mum & Dad went home, back to Cumbria to day. They face a long journey. I am ready to go home and get organised in managing around the home.

A Little Bit Of Sea Air

I have increased my length of walking, gradually going further. It's quite difficult walking on uneven ground with my crutches. The cottage grounds are part gravel so I have to take it very easy.

I walked along the sea front today, it is so nice to get fresh air. I have been cooked up inside for over two weeks. If it's raining I will struggle to get out. I am very reliant on the weather.

My foot still swells if left down for a short period of time. I can probably last for about 40 minutes maximum then it's foot up time.

My pain has settled. Today I have not taken any pain killers. I just get the odd twinge, mostly on the ankle. When I walk it pulls my groin and hip muscles, I guess with the weight of the fixator I am not use to using these muscles. Hopefully this will improve in time.

I am managing to put the foot plate on by myself. I have to lie on my back with my leg up in the air and fiddle with the screw attachments. It takes a bit of skill and perseverance, if there's a will there's away!

Holiday in Norfolk

Yesterday was a very different day for me.  I managed a four hour journey to our holiday destination, Norfolk! The journey was comfortable as we used our campervan. I was able to spread my leg out on the long seat and move it about.
The good thing is I had the most comfortable night last night. It is so nice to be in a different environment. The cottage we are staying in is old and cosy. Following my risk assessment I have decided to go up and down the stairs on my bum!
I woke this morning with a wrinkled foot, good news the swelling must be going down after a nights rest. It still swells when I put the foot down. I seem to be moving around confidently, but still need to think what I am doing. It's a balancing act of resting and exercises.
I am really pleased that I am able to stretch out my leg when walking instead of feeling like I am limping.
Today my Mum and Dad saw me for the first time with the leg. They are amazed at my leg and it's frame work. I am soon glad to see them.
My pain levels are much better, today I have decided to try 8 hourly Paracetamol so I am doing 06:00, 14:00 & 22:00. I'll give it ago, so far so good. I have codeine for breakthrough pain of which I have said previously I am reluctant to take, but will if needs must.

A cold day

It's a cold day. My leg is feeling the cold as I'm not moving about like I normally do. When I am resting I wrap my leg & foot in a fleece blanket. It seems to help a little.

When I bring my foot down it is more tolerable, I am not getting as much tightness. The foot looks less swollen. I am very pleased with my toe movements to day. However I am still reluctant to really weight bear on my leg. I am sure this will come in time.

Two weeks following the eventful day

I have reached the two week mark since my accident.

I had a comfortable night last night and managed to drift off to sleep for short periods of time.
Having a good night has given me the strength to do that little extra today. I managed to do a few house jobs with the help of my children. I seem to be finding it easier to keep my foot down, however it does balloon up quite quickily so I put my foot high up on pillows to rest it. My day tends to be exercise, rest, exercise, rest, blah blah! I am finding it a little easier to lift my leg with the fixator. My muscles seem to be able to handle it. My hip feels a bit unusual as the foot plate is higher that my good foot. I am going to have to look out for some raised footwear.

I have found that my toe exercises have become controlled, they are not as painful as previously. The bruising is now showing, my foot is all different colours!

I was looking at my wardrobe, I have very limited clothes. It is mostly skirts or dresses. I am going to have to find some very baggy stretchy trousers to use when it is a cooler day. Glad it's summer!

Home Sweet Home

Oh it is so good to be home.
I faced the demon stairs and have been having flashbacks of the eventful day. It is getting easier as I write this blog. Writing it down has been cathartic. I am moving on and have a positive mind. There are down moments but I embrace them and remind myself I am doing OK.

My life is very basic at the moment. I am very focused on my goals. Rest plays an important part in my activities. I am not good at rest I get frustrated and it's quite difficult to get into a comfortable position. My sleep is poor due to positioning and discomfort.  I did need to take a stronger pain killer last night. I don't like taking them they make me feel woozy and dazed.  I think the extra walking in Outpatients contributed to the discomfort. So today is my recovery day with a light bit of exercising.

The TL-Hex Frame, My Friend!

Boy this frame is heavy. My thigh muscles are getting a good workout!
The amazing thing is I can weight bear with this frame on my leg.

The Physio applied a removable foot plate to the frame. This foot plate has a pump that inflates the insole to support the structures of the foot when walking. It is taken off over night when in bed. Wow! This truely is an amazing piece of technology. I feel very grateful for having this piece of kit.
It has allowed me to become mobile in such a short space of time. I could give you a long list of benefits but the main one is I am able to be discharged from hospital. Yay!

I add to my list of goals to apply daily excerises as directed by the Physio. The minimum three times a day, but I will try more if my body allows.

This Is Me

Yesterday was my first Orthopaedic Outpatients appointment. My Consultant suggested that I wrote a blog. So here goes.....

I thought I would start with a bit of background history as to how I have found myself to be in this position.

I am a 44 years old busy mum, balancing home and work life. On 9th July it was my day off, my children were at school, my husband at work. I had the day all planned to get the house jobs done. 

Half an hour into my jobs I slipped whilst RUNNING down the stairs, yes running down the stairs. How many times do I say to my children don't run on the stairs?!

I slipped and twisted around and found myself sat looking up at the stairs. I looked at my leg, it did not look good. Somehow I managed to get down the rest of the steps and get to the phone. The pain was very intense. I found my inner strength to focus on what I needed to do. Yes I did scream! But that's was a good sign I thought to myself. I did a lot of controlled deep breathing, followed by some screaming whilst waiting for an ambulance.

I managed to get hold of my husband on the phone and he arrive just before the ambulance. The ambulance crew were amazing and placed my leg in a splint whilst using Entonox.

In ED I had X-rays and pain relief.  I was given the news that I had a broken distal Tibia, the break being near my foot. I had also sustained a fracture to my fibia, which apparently is common for a spiral fracture with the twisting motion.

During my time in ED they manipulated the broken leg and applied a temporary plaster using Entonox. The process was intense at the time but once the plaster was on I felt safer and had some comfort.

I was admitted to a Trauma Orthopaedic ward and to await surgery.

I was lucky to be on the list for surgery the following day.  I was planned for a TL-HEX External Fixator frame. 

I was very pleased that I made a good recovery from the anaesthetic. I was off my IV drip and eating and drinking quite quickly.

I set myself goals to achieve. They were very basic;

Drink at least the two jugs of water, 2 litres daily.

Ditch the tea & coffee and drink milk instead.

All meals must contain good source of Protein and Vitamin C from the hospital menu.