The Cast Is Off

One week down, 5 to go:

Today was my first doctor's visit since my ankle surgery. It is still hard for me to get around, even with the walker, but I got down the stairs by sliding, one step at a time, on my butt. I was then able to use the walker to get to the car, where I sat in the backseat with both legs straight in front of me. After spending a week indoors, it really was wonderful to be out in the fresh air! Once I got to the doctor's office, I was able to use one of their wheelchairs to get around, and that made it so much easier.

Before now, I had a cast on my ankle, covered by ace bandages. The first thing the nurse did was remove these. The cast turned out to be more of a solid brace, open on the front and back of my leg, than what I typically think a cast is. I was apprehensive about what I would see when it was off -- I was expecting a Frankensteinian conglomeration of scars, bolts, and swelling, but instead I only had two incisions, one at each side of my ankle, several healing bruises, and a bit of swelling.

The doctor said I am doing well, re-wrapped the ankle, and gave me large, foam-and-velcro boot to wear instead of the cast. I am still not allowed to put weight on that foot, but I am supposed to take the boot off periodically and flex my ankle.

Here are some photos from today (the nurse told me that almost everyone wants photos, and she takes them on her cell phone for people who forget their cameras). The last photo below shows the path where I fell, although the actual location was further downhill, closer to the lake.