Laurie's Heart Update

Monday, February 17, 2025

First: Update on me

 Will be posting someone else's story soon, should have already done that. 

Deneen: Part of my reason for not publishing is there no way to tell my story without making my bosses look really, really bad. At some point....

Since the stress fracture of my left foot--fourth fracture--I've never been without pain. But the ortho podiatrist assured me that it was ok for me to walk on it, despite the pain. I had worked my way back up to 9-10K steps a day, outside, plus inside. Was getting rid of stuff in my garage, making progress clearing out and becoming more organized. There was one pair of sneakers that didn't hurt, they were the ones with the most 'give'. But hey, what's some pain?

Nov 20, while negotiating around the end of the recliner so as not to disturb Spice, I stepped on one of his toys. Trapped between the coffee table with breakable stuff plus glass inserts and the bookcase there was nothing I could use to stop my fall. I heard and felt the bone break as I landed. At that point my concern was that it was comminuted--fractured in pieces, difficult in the best of circumstances but virtually impossible to heal in that area. 

Called my neighbor, had to make it out to my car to drive to my storage unit as she would not have been able to find, sent her in to get the knee scooter. I'd been keeping it right at the door, knowing that it had to be in the front if needed, ironically I'd just been there the day before. Got appt with ortho PA for the following day, found someone who could not only take me but could lift the scooter in & out of their car repeatedly. Then I ordered an 'all terrain' knee scooter, which I think is ridiculous because who's going four wheeling with a foot injury? But it had larger wheels, and the original one felt pretty unstable with any floor or street irregularity. 

X-ray was, of course, positive, but thankfully it's a straight break, right where the stress fracture was, confirming that despite months of staying off of it and babying it probably wasn't fully healed and wasn't going to be. It's called a Jones fracture, notorious for difficulty with healing since it's an area with poor blood supply. And, in case you've lost track: fracture #5 of the left foot, and #3 in the 5th metatarsal. 

Was very glad of getting the heavier scooter: it's much sturdier, although it also weighs more. Aunt Beth invited me down for 3-4 weeks for Christmas, she's also in a one floor cottage, in retirement community, plus with family nearby coming over often. Was completely non-weight bearing for 7 weeks, appt Jan 7 with surgical podiatrist and the X-rays could have been interchangeable--no healing. Decided on really the only option: surgery. You can look it up, it's a rather medieval looking long screw that goes the entire length of the bone. It's how they treat pro-athletes.

Surgery Jan 22, it's now coming up on 4 weeks of continual non-weight bearing, which has gotten really old after THREE MONTHS. Several people have cooked with me or for me, and my neighbor Linda has been here every single day there wasn't someone else here. While I can get around fairly well (and have had lots of practice) there is no way to get my mail, get packages inside, get anything from the garage (did get a ramp installed, but it's steeper so could fit in without affecting car), and clean out the litter box and do Spice's food. She also hangs out when I shower as well. Had grips installed at both doors, ramp into garage and handheld shower wand.

It'll be four weeks in two days, I'm going to double check that I can walk on it a bit, already have two weeks of PT scheduled, but doesn't start until March 3. I did bear weight for a couple short times when standing and am disheartened that it's a bit painful. But a friend who had a plate put in her wrist said it was a full year until she didn't have pain. 

So, back to the couch and have it raised, it's been down for several hours and that still makes a difference, unfortunately. I am keeping very positive that this is going to heal and allow me to resume the function I had back in fall 2022. 






4 Comments:

  • At 4:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Laurie,

    I can not believe how that leg/ankle has treated you over the years. I am praying this is the last event.!!!
    Hoping the warming weather and less ice will at least allow you more time out side enjoying fresh air and the birds.

    Ref books; clarifying.
    I was really looking for your story to be written. I learned three main things from following you.
    ..1..you have a great communication style that is easy to understand and even picture what you are saying/describing.
    ..2..you have a great way of explaining how what we common folksay is hurtful to long term sick/injured people, And what would help people more.
    .3..I learned a lot about dealing with my dad's medical issues and some of my own frustrations about a disability post mva fromyou explained the stress / disabilities /

     
  • At 4:10 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Not sure why it cut me off.
    .3..cont.
    What and how you explained your feeling /frustrations / etc going through your learning your diagnosis / surgeries /disability/ and continued challenges opened my eyes and thaught me alot to approach others differently. Hopefully better.

    Those were the points I thought would make two great short ooms

     
  • At 4:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    On A roll
    Last sentence should read .... Make two great short books!!!

    I would not expect the leading up story, that would over power the other two points .

    Have an awesome healing Spring!
    Deneen

     
  • At 4:18 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Darn it. It must my internet keeps kicking me off.

    The very start under clarifying . Should have read . I was NOT looking for the whole story. But two parts.

     

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