Crutches, Boots and Scooters Part 4

After this week, I may be able to drop the boot. 

I had my staples removed and all seems to be healing fine. I'll find out more info on 12/27 regarding weight bearing and rehab. My return to work is looking very Super Bowl week-ish and for me, I want to ensure I can wear work shoes and Brooks good and do regular activities first. I'm not going to rush this. 

This past week was of course Christmas and things were well and festive leading up to those days. With COVID, flu and record low temperatures, I wasn't too disappointed about being shut-in. 

I am doing more and more for myself and am still reading, watching sports and KendraG live. I can tell this is really getting to my mom. We do have help but she wants so much to be done at once and I wouldn't be able to at full health. She did cook Christmas dinner and I did some pickups. 

I have found out how dry your feet get when you don't use them and that my front yard is basically sinking. Filling that hill area where I was injured and where two cars were stuck on a rainy Thursday are top priorities. I have noticed over the years that's a high risk area but I did not realize the danger of it. The backyard is similar at times. 

This is of course the last post of 2022 also. Part 5 will be in a new year with hopefully new ways to walk, stand, balance and wear shoes.

Crutches, Boots, And Scooters Part 3 (The Gauze Edition)

This week was very relaxing and interesting. I felt less pain, slept more on a regular schedule as the pain meds are out of my system and got into the holiday spirit. It typically takes 21 days for a habit to kick in and now I'm on day 22 of being injured and shut in.

I would be lying if I said I didn't miss going to holiday parties along with the coffee shop, especially since this past Saturday was one of my circles annual holiday party. They all texted me that evening before the inebriation kicked in. The goal is this week is hopefully to get them on a formal group chat (COVID and some pushback against WhatsApp has held that up). 

This was a good weekend to be stuck on my couch watching sports as it was one of the best sporting weekends (several great NFL games, World Cup final, Coach Prime's final game at Jackson State, Devin Booker's 59 point game, etc.) I've also gotten into Kendra G live and have been binging past episodes. 

It hasn't been easy to keep busy and eat healthy on limited activity but I am doing it. I am out of work formally until 1/19 but my recovery may take longer. Stay tuned as I return to the doctor to have stitches removed, have a full Holiday week and do my own end of year stuff

Crutches, Boots and Scooters Part 2

This was a week where I started settling into a healthy routine and cadence following my surgery. 

I had several calls and texts the first two days of the week from people checking on me and such. I also had several calls with medical professionals and the leave team with Amazon for housekeeping and business items. 

I'm unsure if it was the meds I was given after surgery but I slept a lot the first two days as well. Talking to all of these people really wore me out as well along with using my crutches. My hallway is still congested but I started using the scooter around the house more and in the kitchen and it has made a difference. I love it! It's a challenge to transport but it's overall a solid piece of equipment for me. 

I went to both of my post-op appointments on this past Thursday and the doctors were pleased with my progress. I'm out of the splint now and do not need to wear my boot all the time now. I was instructed to still not bear any weight on my foot until 12/27 which means no driving and definitely no walking nor standing. I was also instructed to run water (not submerge nor soak) on my foot daily and wrap the area where the stitches are daily. My stitches will be removed on next Monday the 19th.

Overall I've been catching up on reading, writing and television, eating healthier as I am more prone to gain more weight since I am not as physically active, and having positive vibes around me. This past weekend was quiet and relaxing and I liked that.

This upcoming week is the first since the injury where I don't have a scheduled appointment. I can finish my holiday shopping, continue to rest, and make the most of this opportunity. I do look forward to returning back to the coffee shop and other places I like to go. My scooter allows for that access.

Crutches, Boots and Scooters Chronicles Part 1

I'm going to do a weekly chronicle following my nasty, freak injury on November 27th. For those that I haven't contacted, I fell down the hill between my driveway and front porch when I got off from work. My left foot slipped underneath me and I came down in some mud as it was raining. I immediately heard a pop and then when I tried to get up, I came down again as I heard a snap. I tried once more to elevate myself but it was evident as the pain was throbbing that I wouldn't be able to walk into my own home. I had to crawl guerilla war style into my home up my porch and I elevated myself near my door enough to unlock it and come inside. 

I then spent the next two days in Urgent Care and ER facilities. I learned that you don't go to urgent care for possible sprains nor fractures. By the time I left the ER on Monday afternoon, I was even more spent and tired. I had a sprained and dislocated ankle, a fractured fibia (calf) bone and surgery was pushed forward to this past Friday since I had developed infection and MRCA in my left big toe and amputation was necessary before the orthopedic specialist operated on my ankle.

I hadn't been hampered like this in my entire life. I am consistently a glass full type of guy but I have limited mobility aside from crutches, a walker and a foot controlled scooter that my friend gave me. I need assistance with so many things. I am missing out on my company's busiest season as I got the schedule that was more desirable to me and was training for a role that I was excited about performing. I am also at odds with my mother who is having a hard time grasping everything and doesn't adjust well to sudden change.

There are positives. I get much needed rest, others get to drive me for a change, I have lots of free time to blog, vlog, podcast, work on my turkey fryer and other delayed projects, and catch up on sports and streaming services. I have quite a village around me per #imjustdrew as I recover, recuperate and get back to full strength. I do not want this time to go wasted as apparently I have wasted time in the past.

This has been quite a week mostly spent on my reclining couch with my TV, cat, and resting. I have short and long term goals for the coming days and weeks but the #1 is to recover fully, adjust smoothly to these changes, and come out of this a much more physically and mentally stronger person.

Stay tuned for next week as I attempt to rearrange my home for accessibility purposes, I have post-op and attempt to cook for myself. I also need to brew some coffee as I haven't had any in over a week!