So its been about a 1 year (and a month) since I completely broke my ankle (broke every bone and dislocated it) and I’m proud to say my ankle is basically healed. I have scars on both sides of my ankle and it still swells bigger than my non-broken ankle but overall I can do everything again that I could do before I broke it. In fact I have started running at the Gym and it holds up well. Every so often my ankle will tell me if I’ve done too much by causing some pain or if the weather is changing. I still have all of the metal in my ankle as I figure that I’m going to at least enjoy the summer before deciding if I want to get the metal removed or not. Any of you out there who have broken an ankle before do you still have the metal or not? Is it as simple a procedure as the doctor says to remove it? Do I have to go back on crutches at all?
Randomness of Christi
Catch-all of what's on my mind! From Movie Reviews to TV and Cats.
Celinda
The words that Anklequest says are words from the heart. She knows that the most precious thing in life, is life and the only thing better then life is being able to share it with someone. You have two people in your corner right now and they love and care a great deal for you . They are your son and your Mom.
And on the outside looking in and standing thee with you is all of us you will make it through this time. Breath and smell the sweet smell of life.
Well put Anklequest
Don
Celinda,
One little suggestion about your son. How about having his friends come over one at a time. This will be a good thing for both of you and lift your spirits.
A little suggestion about your mother. She is probably as shocked and depressed as you are. So see her as a victim of an accident too.
Finally, if it was not for modern medicine, as Achilles states, we could be dead or would be dead. In my case I would be a peg leg or in a wheel chair the rest of my life. So I am grateful for every little thing, every little step, when I think about it. Don is grateful just to be alive, considering his severe enjuries. How about working just a little more every day on some of the things you can already do so you can have a sense of getting better and moving forward. YOU WILL GET BETTER!
Sandra
Yup we have them in USA when you go up in the store they will ask you plastic or paper? you can have either. As for them not wanting you to use them there put the plasticbad inside a paper one to keep the paper dry and help yourself that way you can use one plastic bag and all the paper ones you want. 🙂
Celinda
Remember no one will love you more then your son and next in line will be your Mom. So your son only see’s his Mom and nothing ever changes that he understands and you will have the rest of his life to make it up to him for 1 year of down time. Above all just make it fun for him when you get the chance, and you will get the chance this condition we have is not permenant. Only our mind playing tricks on us can hold us back.
Don
On Plastic Bags. These have proved really useful with broken for throwing things downstairs, carrying them upstairs, picking stuff up and carrying it around the house, tying to my frame when I had one, balancing out shopping at supermarket, etc. . .
But now on a guilt trip as we have a mega media campaign to get rid of plastic bags because they collect in the sea, strangle birds, get inside whales stomachs and so on . . .
Find something helpful, then find I really should not be doing it all.
C’est la vie.
Bags for life now, I suppose.
Do you have those in the States?
Sandra
Celinda,
Just wanted to add that if your son needs help and support in the future you will provide it because you love him and want to. That’s what your mum is doing now. Try and see her as a mum like you.
A lot of things out there to help you through this. One of them is focusing on the positive. You have a loving parent and a loving child.
At present you are disabled, but that is only part of your body. The rest of it functions, and you can give your son and mum lots of hugs. Your mind is also working well, as we can see from the emails.
Put your energy into valuing what you have, and thinking about how much better things will be in the future.
Having broken ankles is a bind, but time passes, your body mends, and you will start to move. That’s a real pleasure when it happens.
So try and grow some positive thoughts. However small to start with, they will grow.
Bye for now,
Sandra
Greetings ankle breakers.
Celinda.
There are plenty of church groups that are looking for places to be of help. We received requests to have the local youth groups help with gardening, snow shoveling, shopping and all shorts of things. Get in touch with your local outreach programs Such as meals on wheels or just look for handicap services they do not charge a lot if anything at all.
Now as for your Mom , I can tell you that she is or was more scared that you would not recover or that something else would happen and it is never easy for a Mom to watch their child when their injured and there is nothing you can do to repair what is wrong except be there for them. So she is scared also that at times comes out as frustration because we do not know how to fix the situation.
There will be a time when you are the one that people need help from. Weather it be your Mother or someone else you meet or know about. Then it will be your chance to repay the kindness that you are now receiving. Call you local social workers or local assistance that is what they are there for. To give breaks for those that assist us.
Not as for your son, you need to do everything you can to get yourself in line and back on track. That is the best thing you can do for him and you. He will need you in the future and that is when it will be most important. In a year or so he won’t even remember this situation just that you are there for him and you’re his MOM that is what he will remember. Be the Best one you can. And all the rest is gravy. You have all of us to listen and be there for you and someday, sometime it will be your turn to shine and return this for someone else.
Don
Celinda,
Not sure where all of these feelings of guilt for your mother having to help you is coming from? She is your mom! That is what mums are for! Bless them! Just remember that one day you will have to return the favor. How you ask, well aside from the fact that calamity befalls us all (everyone) she is going to get to a point where she may not be able to walk and she will need you. Try to keep that in perspective. Do not take the fact that she yelled at you to heart. It is a shock on her as well as you. More for you of course. People react differently and some at first become so fearful that they react with anger and shouting however it is not personal it is just human nature. As far as your young one goes. You should not feel guilty that you cannot take care of them. You need to be more concerned with you right now and getting better. It is alright to be selfish at this point. I’m not saying that you should turn into a queen and become overly demanding and bossy. I am just saying that you BROKE YOUR ANKLE! BADLY! You are the priority right now! Do yourself a favor and reread all of the wonderful comments from the wonderful folks on this board.
Anyway feel better! Tell your mom to get you some Waffle house! 😉
Hi Julie, Good question. My husband attached a small basket to my walker, so when I needed items transfered that didn’t spill, I had that. He also created a table with everything at my reach when I was in the wheelchair, it did not look good but for 41/2 months, it was convenient. I also made a path from my kitchen to my chair, so when I had things that could spill, I created a setting the item down point til I got there. We all developed creative ways. Next!!
Hi everyone,
Thank you all for your support, it really means alot. I finally got my check the other day and it was quite a relief. My mom is already doing so much for me, I hate to ask her to do anymore. I feel as though I am a huge burden. I have no health insurance at this time, and I really can’t afford to pay anyone to help me, do any of ya’ll have any suggestions.
Erika suggested someone with Jehovah’s Witness. I would feel so guilty asking a complete stranger to helop me, due to the fact that I would feel as though I am using them, and I cannot do that to anyone. It makes me feel horrible for my mother to help me.
I hope to talk with ya’ll soon. Take care everyone.
Celinda
Don,
Thanks. for great message. Today was a really hard day for some reason. I was so depressed, and didn’t want to do anything, so I slept. I figured it would help some, and I would go at it again tomorrow.
Big day! I took the boot and sock off and washed my poor bruised, black, blue, and yellow foot. I’m feeling a little more comfortable with it now, and it is beginning to feel like a part of me again. I have to say there are some really unusual pains shooting up my leg, and I can feel the hint of the ligament damage that the surgeon alluded to. Good thing he bolted everything together.
I was thinking about the funny things we do to get around and maneuver things. I’m lucky in that my mother lived for 22 years after she had a stroke that partially paralyzed her. She used a walker and only had the use of one hand, but she continued to do nearly everything. Watching her, I saw her parcel out a task and move things from surface to surface so she could maintain her balance. She also used baggies a lot and filled her pockets with gum, etc. on her trips through the kitchen. She always grabbed a drink of water as she went by the sink. So here is my crowning achievement in honor and memory of my mom – when I want fresh coffee, fill up my no-spill stainless steel travel coffee cup and slip it into the pocket of my robe or jacket. Then I can hobble into the den, put my feet up, and sip luscious, hot coffee just as if nothing was wrong!! Alright everyone, your turn. How creative have you been?
Julie
Hey all you ankle breakers
Hope all is well with you all and that the proper end is on the floor?
Julie, Karen and Janie
I can indeed understand what you are going through. People that have never had a broken ankle have no clue as to how much pain and trouble this type of injury is. Yes people have had broken arms, broken legs and other bones but it is nothing in comparison to having a broken ankle. The ankle is the major support of the body, it covers balance, walking. The pain and effort that it takes to get around due to an injury makes you age a lot quicker then you should. The pain that is there is nothing like you ever felt and people that see you walking even if it is only a month or so after your break think everything is fine and it mustn’t have been so bad if you can walk if they only knew how much you want to just sit down and cry!!! If they only had even the smallest inkling of how much you just hurt and how much excursion it takes to just sit on the side of the bed and put your feet on the floor, and when you do you pray that the blinding pain won’t shoot into your head and bring tears to your eyes. But all in all you have to remember that things can always be worse.
As for kids OH YEAH especially boys think they are being a big help and doing the things that need to be done. But let’s face it they never had to do the work before so they never paid attention to what needs to be done. Or even how to go about doing a lot of the things they take for granted. I am lucky I had two daughters and YUP they knew what had to be done. The 16 year old was the one that took the phone call from the police the night of the accident and got herself down to the hospital to identify us and made all the phone calls to the family, work, the oldest Daughter who was at college and Doctors. So to that extent I was fortunate. But boys they do indeed seem clueless when it comes to everyday work. Or a lot of the everyday work that goes on with the family everyday especially if there is trouble.
Now is the time we all get to reflect on the things we thought were the most important things that we do. As you said cleaning the kitchen making sure that the house is vacuumed everyday or that the kitchen floor is washed every time. There are things we need just let go by instead of pushing to get everything done like we use to. A lot of times we have all we can do to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other without falling. Our little kids we don’t need to do as much as we did we just need to be more creative. Keep them interested in simpler things even getting a nurf ball and playing catch in the house, or blowing bubbles inside the house. But either way we now need to keep more in reserve just for healing and keep our wits about us so we do not overdue and push to get ahead fast because we think we have to because people are relying on us. Sound selfish? It might be but in the end it will be for the better of all rather then having us push and not ever be 100% again. Then they will have to deal with the injuries forever and loose the person that we have always been. Look at them and explain to them that this is the hardest thing that you have ever gone through or done let them know the extent of the pain don’t leave them out of this. They need to understand what you are battling and how much you need their help and support even if it is unlike you to ask for it. They may surprise you and understand more then we all think when it is explained to them and they feel they are part of the solution and part of the help in getting us to that ultimate goal. Who knows it could even bring the family closer together. But most of all fight struggle work and above all keep up your sense of Humor. Just look at the things you are doing and how silly we all look at times when we contort , spin, twist and the impromptu tools we use or create to reach things. Aww come on think hard, the tools you found scratch that itch inside the cast reaching that bottle of drink that you pushed over and then rolled it down to yourself because you couldn’t reach it. Yeah well things we think about in our loneliness our pain and at times it seems like our solitude.
Always remember were not alone there are all these people that understand what you are going through and were all in one place right here waiting and wanting to hear others stories. And as I said it could be worse as my Daughter says if I start taking myself to serious, she tells me she’ll push me over and leave me in the corner. So keep working keep smiling and keep safe were always here
Don
Janie and Karen,
I know what you mean and I feel the same way. No one stopped to realized how lonely and hard the break was, because they did not understand. I always felt, everyone’s life went on and here I was in the same place. Everyone thinks everything is ok now and life should just go on, but it hasn’t yet. I am so glad we all have each other. Everyone take care and hang in there.
Nancy
Gina,
Thanks for the info! They actually have me in a fiberglass cast and I have to attach this little boot thing with Velcro straps to the foot. It is kind of a goofy thing if you ask me. Surprised they did not just give me that moon boot.
Anyway I think I am going to get another boot for my left foot as the right leg is now way too tall for walking.
I/we were were all just doing our normal things, walking, jogging, running, climbing, biking, and then, suddenly, we were not. Suddenly I am falling, let me catch myself, I am falling, I hope it won’t hurt much, I am falling, what happened?, I am falling, how did I do this?, I am falling, rip crunch tear, I am falling, why is my foot in that position, I am down, why doesn’t it hurt, I am down, man this really hurts, I am down, I know that nothing will ever be the same again, I am down, waiting for shock to set in, I am down, taking stock of myself, what else is wrong, I am down, where is the pain, I am down, how do I get help? I am down, when will someone come? I am down, man this really hurts, I am down, I know my life has changed forever, I am down, I know that my life as I knew it has changed forever, I am down, panic, fear, realization, composure, clarity, I need help, what to do? I am down, my life has changed forever, I am down. Nothing will ever be the same. I am down. HOW IN THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN TO ME? I am down! And it never was, again!
But I survived, and all of you will too, regardless the difference of your injuries, your circumstances, right ankle, left ankle, both ankles, whatever else!
We are not predisposed to give up easily. If we do, we die. 10,000 years ago if we gave up we were food for a Sabre Toothed Tiger, or cushioning for a Wooly Mammoth. Or troph parts for another tribe of warriors. Now, its just our lives that change, but we usually survive.
But there are not always happy endings, a good outcome, some get it all back, some get most of it back, some never do. Some have help, some don’t. Most all of us will make it, a few won’t.
When you write in and ask for help or advice, then take it. Do something with it. Don’t keep writing in and saying the same old thing. We all need help. We all offer the best advise we can. If someone writes back and offers you help, then take it, and use it, and if that doesn’t work, then write back and complain. Do the work.
I have been reading this blog since it opened up, havea never written in, but read along, and it is a good thing. All good people here, willing to help. It’s not easy being afflicted with these kind of injuries. Not many are aware just how devastating an injury a seriously broken ankle is. Now you know, and probably never gave it a thought before. I never did either because I was not aware. Now that I took the wrong step, I am very aware. As are you. For some reason this injury doesn’t make it to the front page. Nor does its consequenses. It may have been a death sentense 100 years or more ago. Not so now, but still bad.
But that doesn’t change that fact that you are still stuck with it. That you must survive it, no matter the remaining disability, and go on, you must survive it, the best you can. Your relationship with your family and friends and the continuation of your life depend on it.
If you can’t handle it, then give up. If you give up, write to another blog, write to the I’VE GIVEN UP AND CAN’T GO ON ANKLEBREAKERS BLOG, if there is such a thing.
If you are not ready to give up, then do the work, get better, and be very glad with what you end up with. And quit your bitchin and deal.
Achilles
Janie,
Thanks for your post. You expressed my sentiments exactly. I never felt my family lived up to my expectations either. Even with four children, husband, and parents, I felt lonely, sad and even resentful when I would hear about their day’s activities. Depressed, I would ask them why they didn’t take me here or there with them, but deep down, I knew it would be too painful and difficult for me anyway.
Even now, everybody in my family thinks because the cast if off, crutches are long gone, that I’m OK but I’m not. It is good to be able to vent here. Thanks.
Karen
Julie,
When I fall, I’m typically a hands and knees kind of faller. I brush myself off, put some neosporin on my knees and I’m good to go. However, on December 15th, I ran out the laundry room door to go down the three steps into the garage (something I do numerous times a day in the 20 years we’ve lived in this house), and don’t know how it happened, but I ended up with both ankles sideways under me onto the garage floor. I had always heard you would know when you had a broken bone and it was true. I just knew. After the initial pain, my feet were numb and the right one was just hanging there. I was alone so had to crawl back up the steps on my stomach, pushing myself to get to the phone.
My husband got home and tried to transfer me to his car to go to the ER and kept saying to hop on my good foot but problem was I had no good foot. I was in such shock that I had damaged both ankles that I felt like passing out. They were so blunt in the ER about the facts of the injury and I could feel myself swooning. They kept asking me if I was OK, but what was I to say? Who could be OK with a sudden life changing injury like that? (albeit temporary, know things could always be way worse!), but still, one’s life stops. I expected a bone doctor who could see me there who would set it but all they did was wrap it in gauze, hand me crutches and send me home, saying I could try to get in to see a bone doctor in a few days. I spent the first several days in bed sleeping a lot. I think it was the shock to my system that knocked me out. I took no pain pills, only tylenol.
I think I will never look up again when walking. I feel like this experience will age me in that it will take away the spring in my step and interest in things around me. My husband installed big handles and new deeper steps where I fell. I open the door and grab one of the handles. I used to bounce down those steps, feeling young and alive. Now our son teases me that he feels he’s walking into a geriatric house. Does anyone else feel this has made them older in this way?
wish I had found this site a year ago .For all of you who feel like you are going off the deep end, just trust that it will get better.It is been a long year but I was able to use the time to learn some computer programs, read and try to meditate
not always easy, but the time does pass. I did find that no one (friends/family) ever know how lonely and afraid I was. I would suggest do whatever you can to break the isolation and use the time to improve and focus on yourself. May sound selfish, but it can be a wake up call to reflect on what is really important—- simplification is key— I think I set my expectations of others too high— initially being disappointed—- but gratefully able to move beyond that—- hang in there friends— it does get better
Hi there,
Nate- i remember being in a lot of pain when i was switched into the boot from the regular cast- so just don’t be surprised if you need pain medication again as your leg, ankle, and foot get used to the change for a couple of days. Also, you may notice the skin on your feet will peel a lot- its gross but they told me it was normal when you have been in a cast. I wish someone had told me these things which is why I am sharing.
I went to PT for the first time today- 7 weeks after my break. I am hoping to be off of the crutches and back to driving in a few weeks. Hopefully this is reasonable.
Hope you all are healing and getting lots of help- I have kids too and they were very traumatized by my fall. They have really stepped up to the plate to help out. I am proud of them! I also would be sunk without my partner and my sister- its been so much on them and I will be forever grateful.
Hello Ankle breakers,
Went in for a follow up visit today. Has been 4.5 weeks since the surgery. Doctor said everything looked great. Took off my cast and put me in a walking cast which is just putting me in another cast and giving me a strap-on shoe/boot. I guess I can start walking anytime now.
I guess the hospital put down that I had a trimalleolar break but it really is not the case. The doc explained that the break was an energetic distal fibia break with a break to the post of my tibia which was cracked (screws going every which way). So I am not sure how this will compare with the other breaks here. I am not sure how serious it is.
But the doc says that the foot is ready for full weight bearing in the boot now. In two more weeks I get the cast off and will be able to walk in a shoe I guess. Should be able to return to work in 7 more weeks from today give or take.
I am not sure how I am going to walk though when one foot is a good 3-4″ taller then the other with the combo of the boot and cast ya know. I think I will be hobbling. Should I maybe get another boot for the other foot to help even them out?
Anyway hope everyone is well!
Hi everyone,
I thought I had sent this message this morning, but I don’t see it. So, I was wondering if anyone else was at home alone with teenagers. I have a daughter who is 21 and too far away to come home. I also have a 19 year old who is about 1 hour away at school, and a 14-year old at home. I am amazed at how clueless the boys have been about what to do. I am a no-maintenance patient, and I still feel like I have to ask for every little thing. Do I really have to say “Put that glass in the dishwasher.”? My older son came home the day I broke my ankle to see me, and really didn’t do anything to help, although he “thought” he did. He came home again this past weekend, and really tried to contribute – grocery, cooking, etc. He had an epiphany about how much work it is to run a household. In addition, his brother got into some trouble, so, he got the full effect of being in charge. He was totally overwhelmed, and told me he was starting to realize how hard I had worked all these years (house, job, kids, etc., etc., etc.). I am hoping that he will remember these lessons, so he will be more observant of others. I grew up in a Lebanese-American household, and we were taught to care for each other from a very early age. My kids are brilliant and amazing, but tend to be a little more self absorbed than I would like. Oh well….
DON
I got a little irritated at the things that were not getting done (see above)and spent about 45 minutes this morning cleaning up the kitchen. It would have been about 5 minutes on a normal day, but with crutches it took forever and required some fancy maneuvering. Anyway, when I was finished, my leg was killing me. So, I have spent the rest of the day in my chair, trying to get soem work done. I need to remind myself that the kitchen will be there after my ankle heals, if I am really compelled to clean it up.
CELINDA
It is so hard to be forced to slow down. Please take it easy on yourself. You mentioned your mother was helping you. Can she help you get through some of the red tape stuff to get your money? Also, don’t feel guilty about not being able to be there as usual for your son. I had major emergency abdominal surgery when my kids were 3, 7, and 10. It put me off the grid for 6 months. During the first part, I was totally out of commission, except for having survived, but my kids and I devised some special things we did together that made up a little for the fact that I was not up and about. We had special TV watching parties, and reading parties, and managed to get through it. Your being there for your son is not soley tied to your ability to get up and do stuff. You can be there for him even with a broken ankle.
It works, though does not appear to!
Don, I am from humble English origins.
On dad’s side, grandfather and great grandfather both shepherds in the Fens. Family living around same area for about 200 years. Maybe more, but need to check. Other grandfather a gardener/groom, and grandfather on that side a small farmer/inn keeper. Can go further back for some of family, but it’s theoretical until I check original documents. All close to the land, and a hard life at times. Some emigration, so may have ‘cousins’ in the States.
On Scottish side, definitely relatives over there. Did a search for greatgrandfather and ggmother’s wedding, and by chance happened upon someone searching for another family member from the States – who actually knew my granny.
My scottish grandfather had Irish parents. On my grandmother’s side, her father’s (my great grandfather) parents were both Irish, and he may have been born there. Have traced her mother back to east coast of Scotland, and she has an ‘Irish’ name. Get back to great-great-great-grandparents that side.
150 years of miners on Scottish side, but then get back to mill workers – and one ‘occasional’ mariner. Women work too, but don’t always get recorded.
Scotlands People is an excellent site – charging clear, and you can really refine search terms. Irish site, you can spend money like water, as you cannot refine search enough – and as you can imagine searching by last name is a nightmare (too many all the same).
A lot of Northern Ireland data may have been lost in ‘the troubles’ which adds to frustration. We use the term ‘Scottish-Irish’ here, and there was a lot of coming and going.
Lots you can do online in UK, but I am at the stage where I really need to go and look at parish records, burial records etc. to check info and get further back.
Have ended up with some fascinating insights though, and I enjoy checking out census data – helps build up ‘stories’. And I like to research the places they lived. Can get a bit obsessed with the searching, so tend to back off for a while – in this mode at present. Enough else to think about!
Off to sleep as I am commuting to work tomorrow.
Bye Sandra
Hi, mega problems with broadband connection, so may be flying in and out again quickly. Catch up when I can. I can at least read what you all have to say.
Sandra
Hi to all. Having mega problems with broadband connection costing me huge amounts of time on the phone to try and sort it.
Tim, the food sounds great.
Clark, Erika and anyone else writing out there, I did a creative writing course a couple of years ago and did really well – great for focus. Course, I still have not done anything about getting my novel published, but still on it . . . Clark, revisit some of your old stuff, the thing we learned about was drafting, re-drafting and revising. It can really help.
Celinda – from the UK, so not sure what support is available for you in the US. Do you have any voluntary organizations/charities that might help? – practical support, help with sorting out finances etc. . . What about seeing your own doctor on the depression? It is a trauma breaking bones, and takes a lot out of the body which is bound to affect how you feel. I really hope you can get some more support.
Best wishes, Sandra
Celinda,
So sorry you are having such a hard time. My thoughts are with you. I also found that this broken ankle ordeal has been a lot to handle. I was depressed many days. You just have to try your hardest to get through each day. Fight the feelings, as hard as it seems. Days will get better, it just takes time and we want to feel good now. Good luck.
Nancy
CELINDA: I am so sorry that you are down. Please email me directly if you would like.
[email protected]
ERIKA
Hi again,
I would like to know how everyone else has coped with their broken ankles. I am not doing to well. I feel as though I am going to loose my mind. My right ankle is o.k. But my left one is still in a cast and I am going mad. I am drawing disability at this time and I do not know what I am going to do. This month, my disability check has not arrived and that is what I depend on to pay my bills. I have talked with them and I have to call back in a couple of days if I have not received it and they will cut me another one. Has anyone else experienced this before. I feel so bad, I had the money to pay my rent, thank goodness, but I am so worried and depressed.
Can someone please help me, I do not know what to do.
Thank You
Celinda
Hello all,
Hope everyone is doing well these days, Ive been kicked back and reading all the good stuff here lately. more snow here last night, 9+ inches and cold, guess I will be hanging out on the couch for the coming days, oh well I just put a crockpot of chilli on so it’s sure to smell great in here later….if you know what I meen.
last night I baked some red snapper that my son and I caught in Florida last summer. wow it was great.
anyway, hope everyone is doing well and free from any smashes,crashes,slips or falls.
Take care Ya’ll
Well, I am a 37 year old single mother of a 5 year old little boy. My mother is helping me out, taking me to the doctor and my little boy to school for me. I feel so ashamed and embarrased and I feel like my son deserves better, to have a mother that can take him places and do things with him, especially take him to school. I really feel like he is ashamed and embarrased of me to.
I do not know how to control these feelings that I have, and I have noone here in Texas to talk to about it.
I am going to contact someone with Jehovah’s Witness here and see what they say. I know alot of churches does not want to mess with someone in a wheelchair.
I thank all of you for your care and concern.
Celinda
CLARK: Your welcome. I actually have written a couple of children’s stories – but have never done anything with them. Where do you begin?
My medicine/alcohol combination actually came back to bite me in the butt – I was up until 2am – could not fall asleep. Serves me right I guess. At least the cough med w/ codeine lessened the cough for a while 🙂
On a lighter note – at least I watched Jay Leno and Garth Brooks was on. He sang a nice song. Couldn’t tell you what it was – but, he has a good voice. He was very funny telling stories about being “Mr. Mom”.
Take care everyone….
ERIKA
ERIKA,
Sorry I haven’t written back sooner to thank you for your kind words several posts ago about making you laugh and writing an ANKLEBREAKERS book, or whatever.
Your comments also made my day, and I wanted to let you know that, and I should have let you know sooner.
I hope you are doing well and getting better every day.
I have written hundeds, thousands, of police reports and investigations, and when writing to this blog I just shoot from the hip, in a conversational style, which seems to work for me. I’ve actually tried to write several novels, fiction, semi-autobiographical, names changed to protect the innocent, but haven’t seemed to get any off the ground. Can’t achieve lift off. Have many outlines and drafts, but putting those to a comfortable reading style, engrossing the reader and making him/her not want to put the page down, is harder than it looks. Haven’t given up, completely. Actually have 3 chapters of a novel about a relationship starting during the Loma Prieta earthquake and going on from there. But it fizzled. Harder than it looks.
But should be doing something constructive with myself during this downtime, with the ankle and all, like learning guitar, or writing that novel.
Who knows! I think I am stuck in the Horse Latitudes with no wind in my sails. Thanks again for the kind words though. You made my day, that day.
Take care,
Clark
Clark
good to hear all is well and the weather is nice. Gives the rest of us something to hope for. You’ll make the move soon enough and then you will be where you started out for. Wish you luck
Julie
Congratulations on the progress. NOW keep doing exactly what your told and do not be impatient and all will continuie to go well and you will be free soon enough.
Don
Julie: Wow! You are healing quick. My breaks were on September 23rd. I still don’t feel the last two little toes on my right foot. and the bottom right side is still tingly/numby feeling. Went grocery shopping yesterday. Have been ordering from Peapod lately – but I tried it. I did ok, but my foot was still very swollen and sore when I got home. Now I have bronchitis and possibly pneumonia (sp?) – I am on antibiotics, cough syrup w/ codeine, an inhaler, sleeping medication (have had insomnia for years) and my anti anxiety meds. All that with a glass of wine should put me out…. 🙂
Take care all. Step and breathe well.
Erika
Don,
As I said a week ago with a post, “WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL MORNING!” and that remains indicative of the rest of the weather. A threat of storm that never materialized. Just dropped snow up past the snowline, and kept the skies rather clear. Spring and and early hot summer are right around the corner. The mosquitoes are out and have kidnapped several travellers and are holding them for ransom. They get so big out here, because of the rice fields, that several of them can just pick up a small import and off they go. And then they call in their ransom demands.
As for me and my move, I broke my ankle just before I was to go look at two different properties. Lost them both, and will have to wait a year from the upcoming surgery date to actually move again. This last move from one town to the other cost over $5000.00. Not cheap. Will have to save up for the next move, but at least it will be a good distance, up to the Oregon border, almost.
Hope all is well with you. And all you ANKLEBREAKERS OUT THERE. REMEMBER TO WATCH YOU STEP(S)!.
Clark
Ok, guys. Second stage. The cast is off, and I am back in the boot for two weeks before starting PT. I guess sitting here since 2/14 was a good idea since the surgeon said it was healing perfectly. Honestly, I could barely see the break on the new x-rays – of course the break was infinitely less noticeable than the plate and screws.
All the skin on my ankle and top of my foot is numb, but guess that’s for the best since they took the staples out today. I feel a little naked not being held together with plaster and fiberglass, but I’m hoping that feeling will begin to fade gradually.
I know one thing. When I am done with this, I am going to get a pedicure. In fact, I suggested to the ortho PA today that they should offer pedi’s in the office. Sort of a “going away” present when you finish your therapy. Hmmmmm
Erika
You can count on it. IO have been looking forward to this chance all my life. When that music starts and I take my Daughters hand it will be the compleation of my second major promise I made to my Daughters.
The first one was that if they made it into college My wife and I would pay for it. I promised that the money would be there and they would never have to be indewbt for college. I am finishing the oldest daughters college right now. She was in the first Semester of her Senior Year when we had the Car Accident.
Well we surprised everyone and sent our Daughter back to college right after Christams break to finish that smester and we went to the graduation in May of that same year to her graduation. So the Wedding will be my second promise and then my second Daughters start to college. One of the things that kept me working and going was not wanting to break those promises. Almost there Almost. 🙂
Don
Hey All you ankle breakers out there.
Hope the world finds you all well, back to work so I get to check this board, missed you all over the weekend.
Sandra
Yup you have to watch the junkyards they have those big magnets and if there on we can get caught up in them and clink thrown on the pile with the rest of the metal. My family can be traced back a long way but the thing is you can see we get scared if we wonder to far from where we started Hope your getting around better and that the weather is improving over there? So tell me a little about your family history.
My Wife’s family is Scotts and Irish. I could give you the family names but my spelling is atrocious.
Clark
Hope all is well with you? How is the weather on your side of the country? I am ready for spring on this side. Getting cabin fever at times from being cooped up inside. So I either never heard or missed it, Did you make your move like you wanted when this all started for you?
Julie
Welcome to ankle breakers there are a lot of people that can give you advice here and help you along. As for having the metal out I can’t help you there as I will never be able to get mine out so maybe one of the others here can give you advice on that. But keep working the system, with your Doctors and with your PT people you will get better slowly and then much faster as time goes on.
Celinda
Not a problem, as for support we are always here and that is how we got this far by the people that came before and listened to us and told us when we first got here. You can do this even better now since you know your not alone and that all of us are here. So t3ell us a little about yourself what interests you? And what do you want to do once you get up and walking again
Don
Thank You very much Don for your support and everyone else. It has made me feel alot better about myself knowing that I can talk to ya’ll and not be critizied about it.
Thank you for the advise about church, I will do that.
Thank Ya’ll
Celinda
On physio, I actually started this in hospital after my surgery. So, despite having both legs in plaster, you can still exercise. Buttock clenching! Quad tensing. Toe wiggling. None of that hurt. Plus I exercises top half of body – stretches and so on.
After coming out of plaster had to wait two weeks to get any physio, and agree that it helped make me better. There is a degree of pain/soreness/tightness and you work through it, but learn the difference between a ‘good’ and a ‘bad’ pain. And always ask for advice.
Hello again Don, missed some posts due to being off-line. Interesting to hear about your family. You can get a long way back.
And I hereby swear to avoid being attracted to junkyards by their compelling magnetism.
Sandra
Hi to Karen and Julie – about the same age as me and the first time I ever broke anything.
Julie – yes I had – and still have numbness to three toes – the middle ones, and across top of foot. It’s six months on for me. I think the plaster may be responsible for some of the numbness or ‘weirdness’. There has been some marginal improvement, but they don’t move the same as before. I can walk with crutches or one – or none in the house. Crutches do give you an upper body work out – back as well as arms.
Karen – it’s reassuring to hear your therapist say the same as my doctors and physio on recovery. 6 – 12 months. Sometimes it is a stretch to think of what it will be like without stiffness and pain, or when that will happen, but keep dreaming of that time.
Just back at work, and mainly working from home. Just as well! One trip in this week – total driving over 4 hours due to bad weather – my left ankle was knackered; right ankel (also fractured) was achey. Two days later some improvement, but for left ankle I feel it went backwards after that one trip.
Due to be in one day a week until Easter, so it will be lots of stretching and flexing when I get home, and sitting with feet on a hot water bottle which helps with the pain. Will also try and find ways to exercise a little at work.
Hiya Don. Been off-line, and still getting messed around with new connection. Hope you are doing well.
Sandra
Karen,
Hi! So how is it feel two months down the road? Did you have to stay off of it for 6 weeks? Tell me all.
had a trimalleolar break Feb 07—– hope to have the plate and screws out asap to alleviate pain—- as it has been 1 yr— would like to know if anyone has had a positive experience with the hardware out?
Thanks
Julie,
I am exactly your age and my ankle break is also my first broken bone, (December 15th) I always thought people who broke bones got a cast which took the pain away and then when it was time for the cast to be removed they walked as normal, pain-free. Boy, this has been a shock! I am also very, very sore all over my body, I guess from putting more pressure on the “better” side.
Hi all,
I broke my ankle on Valentine’s day, chasing my dog on snowy grass. One false step, and that was it. This is my first broken bone and I am 53. I had the plate and screws put in a week ago and I have my first post-op appointment on Monday. I am working from home a few hours a day, but the pain medication makes me a bit fuzzy, and I am surprised at how sore the rest of my body is. The doc says 6 weeks off my ankle. I am trying to look at walking with crutches as upper body exercise, and going up and down the stairs at home on my butt is great for those flabby arms! I just noticed that the tops of my last three toes are numb. Anyone have this?
Karen
No need to have your hopes dashed. Everyone is different and their handling of pain is relative to who and how they are. Some of us here have different tolerances and advance quickly while others take their time to get to the places that others are at. But in the end they get there to one degree or another.
You will find things that work for you during your recovery and things that don’t? You will find things that take the pain away or make it more bearable that might or might not work for others.
This is one of the reasons we are all here, we have ideas to tell people that we found that work for us maybe they can help other maybe not but we try and struggle along each day.
Best of all through this site we KNOW WE ARE NOT ALONE. We are with people that understand what we are feeling and going through cause they are or have been there. So listen to some of the things, try some of the things and if they don’t work for you disregard some of the things. This is how we all manage to make the system work for us.
You will get there you will keep working till you get to where you need to be. One step at a time, this is a porocess you can’t hurry or short-cut or do more to speed it along. Doing some of these things will get you a SETBACK just like the rest of us had when we tried to hurry it along or take the short-cut.
Keep working keep asking and keep talking we are alaways here and later when you and the other new people have gotten furrther into recovery you will be the ones telling others the same thing people told us when we were where you are right now.
Glad your here and your getting better
Don
Thanks to those who responded to my post about physical therapy giving me pain. (I don’t have much time on here so can’t address anybody by name, sorry) I found that backing off on doing each and every one of the exercises, done at home, decreased my unusual pain. Now I know that the therapy routine at my appointments, in addition to just daily band exercise and balance keeps my soreness more normal. I think I was overdoing in an effort to get better faster.
It has only been three months since my accident and am frantic to feel normal. My therapist says it takes 6-12 months to get to the point where one forgets that the ankle was ever broken. I felt good about that but chatted today with a lady in a store who said the soreness never leaves. Just when I feel hopeful, my hopes are dashed.
Karen
Hey ankle Breakers
Nate I might have been having just a little go at it 🙂 Good to hear from you and the rest of the group.
Gina
I second Clarks words take your time relax you will get better with each time you do PT. You will have pain but it will be pain from working out muscles , tendons and ligaments. Br patient Deep breaths and slow down it will get there.
Good luck to all of the people starting to work on PT for the first time. and to those that are stepping up to the next levels of PT and to those old dinosaurs that have been here forever (or it seems that way) keep pluging away we will all get there.
DON
SANDRA,
PSS,
Of course now I remember what I forgot to tell you when I finished writing earlier today. Regarding the fusion, when they take everything in the ankle apart, and then put it all back together, of course they take out all of the hardware, and then, they put back it twice as much, according to my Doctor. That’t it.
Take care.
Humpty Dumpty
GINA,
Glad to hear that you are starting PT soon, and full of excitement, and youthful exuberance. But your post is also full of red flags. My opinion only, but try this:
1. First, everyone is different. Different injuries, degree of injuries, physical shape, swelling, success with the operation, healing (smoker, non smoker, does make a difference) etc… So there is no right answer to how you will do. I expect you will do well. Just go slow(er)! An easy healing pace is best. Don’t push it. Everyone is different, but the doc usually starts PT for most at about 6-8 weeks, from what I have read and experienced.
2. Take a big, deep breath and count to ten. Slow way down. That way your attitude can match your healing. This is not a quick fix. I know how much you want to get back into the swing of things. Unfortunately, your ankle isn’t going to go at the same pace. And if you force it, it will/may set you back. If you tend to heal quickly, you will find out and can adjust accordingly.
3. You can expect a degree of discomfort, but not too much pain, but that to is different for everyone based on their particular situation. The first appt. tells the PT who and where you are right now, like an interview. You will perhaps have homework to do at home, stretch band, rotations, push/pull, etc… The PT will work you to find your healing and disability level. Don’t worry about the outcome. There is no right or wrong.
He/she will probably ice it and allow you to cool down after the session, and probably every session as well.
4. Do your homework, but don’t overdo your homework. Find a pool if possible for water exercise, big help, but doing your home exercise is the best thing and the least expensive. Some of us have insurance coverage, some don’t, some have limited coverage. A visit can usually range between $100-200. It varies.
5. Driving. Depends on whether you broke your left or right ankle. I broke my right, and had to sell my Mustang (5 speed). Dammit! But if you have an automatic you can drive with your left foot. Have someone go with you and practice in parking lot first, to get the feel of the accelerator and brake pedals. It is a bit different, and you don’t need and accident on top of everything else. Just practice. You can do it. Do not drive with your right foot if that is the broken one. Very hard to do with a boot or a cast, and much to much of a risk, on all kinds of levels. If you are able to get around with crutches and can use “the good foot” left or right, then drive. But don’t try a manual or “stick” transmission. Too risky with the broken ankle when trying to clutch. As far as I know there are no laws that prevent anyone from driving with the left foot if the right foot or ankle is broken, because there are so many people with disabilities. That would be just too unfair for too many people with disabilities, I think. The law just says you have to drive safely.
Hope this helps. Keep up the good work and watch your step. This is my opinion only, and others will no doubt have other info.
Take care,
Clark
Gina,
I had a trimalleolar, age 62.
I had PT after 6 weeks. PT did not make my ankle worse, but better. It was a little sore immediately and/or the next day but not anything much worse..at least not for me. PT did not last long for me because the PT guy said I didn’t need. I had good mobility & a lot of flexiblity at 8-9 weeks and was highly motivated to do the rubber band exersizes at home. (I had other complications related to an open wound.)
I started work around this time, part time.
I had no boot but did have a well wrapped ankle& an extra large soft sports jel running shoe.
I started driving around this time, but not much since it was my right ankle that was broken.
After reading this board I realized that there is great variation in what happens to people with this type of break. Now I consider my progress to have been rather rapid although at the time I wasn’t aware of that.
Good luck, and don’t worry about the PT for one moment!
Don,
Hav’n a go are we! 😉
Hi there, I have my first PT appointment next week (it will be 7 weeks post surgery is this when most of you started PT?). It is an hour appt. for an evaluation. Can anyone tell me what this is like (I have a trimaleolar fracture and all the usual subsequent hardware). I am also wondering what kind of shape people are in after PT- is it immediately more sore or is it a 24 hour later kind of thing? I am wondering if I can plan to go to work? Last question (for now :)) how soon after starting PT were people able to drive and do you/did you drive with some kind of cast? I still have the big boot- I assume I will gaduate to something else? Thanks for being there!
Sandra
Avoid the big magnets around the junkyards they grab you when you walk by and suck you right in. they almost got me once but I escaped.
Don
Hey all
Sandra
My family is still in the same place it started I have been able to trace my family heritage as far back as to 1400 in Germany it has been centered in Heidelberg. To this day if you put a pin in the middle of Heidelberg and draw a circle about 50 miles from that pin you will find my family. The only people that left that area are my Mother and Father, My sister was born in Canada where my parents married after my Dad left Germany he wrote back and sent for my Mom. They came for a visit to the USA and their car broke down and they wrote back to Canada and asked their friends to send their stuff and they stayed here. And after that I came along to make 4 so were the only members of our direct family that left that country.
I love history and besides that this group has been one of the best things I did. It has been away for my whole family to be together without getting in each others way. We really started in force when my oldest Daughter was 12 and the youngest one was 8 since then we have pretty much spent every weekend together traveling for the group or working on their classic cars. And it was also affordable. For a camping event which is a Friday night Saturday and leaving Sunday you get lunch on Saturday and a breakfast on Sunday for a small contribution and you’re camping for a family of 4 it costs about $40:00 for the whole time. So yeah it is a thing that also teaches by living the history and going by the old standards of Chivalry, Honor and Courtesy Besides the rest of the time it5 is just plain old fun.
Don
Hi
Clark, thanks for the info on fusion – it sounds major. Hope it all goes well.
Don – what magnets and where? should I be avoiding them too? Great to hear from you. A bit of a history buff I gather. Where does your family originate from? – if that’s an acceptable question.
And you too Carol. Just done nearly a week from home and working more slowly than usual. Recived my Occupational Health Report today, which looks fine, and seeing Head of Department tomorrow, and picking up a permit which allows me to park closer to buildings. Hope everything goes well for you next week.
Agree about the lack of info, and what you can pick up elsewhere. Do we really have all that yukky stuff floating about inside us – you’d think they might vacuum it out.
Had two good days and quite delighted with it – starting to feel I might be seen as a bit of a fraud at work. But, heyho, the left ankle has stiffened up tonight and is quite achey – just in time for bed. So, as has been said before, there are good days and bad days.
Night to all out there.
Sandra
Greetings ankle breakers
Clark
I wish you luck with the up coming surgery. Yeah the good part of the metal is that I don’t have top worry about my weight anymore. I can always blame it on the metal. The down side is that I never get to go near any place that has the big magnets Seeing myself slide across the ground and then stuck to one is just a little scary.
The other down side is the youngest daughter who was home and took the call from the police when we had the accident keeps telling me if I don’t behave she will push me over and leave me in the corner I know she is kidding but sometimes I wonder. But together we can all get through this stuff.
I think you and I and Sandra came around the same time. I found this site about the same time in December and I agree it makes the days go buy faster wanting to get on the computer and see what the new scoop is with all of you.
Sandra
Glad to see you back around it was a little while and I was glad to see you are doing better and things are improving day by day. I like to hear from people in other parts of the world and for me it is even more interesting as I belong to a recreation group that recreates the medieval times (600 to 1600) we do a living history in full costume And in august we go to a place where 14000 of us get together for a two week period and build our own town with merchants, full armored fighting, archery, and all sorts of Arts & Sciences. So I am fascinated with your country especially. And besides you have such a wonderful attitude about this whole thing and inspire people to keep working.
Celinda
My Wife and I also were fortunate to have our church be there for support and friendship. They started a fund two days after the accident brought food to the house when my Wife got home so she or the daughters did not have to cook for 3 months. Had people to volunteer to drive us to appointments or drive my youngest daughter to the hospital to see us or to her appointments. So look into where you heart leads you, If you attended church when you were little try and renew those relationships or look for one that fits you and your son. But above all believe in yourself and your family and we will be in the background listening when you need all of us.
Eriika
Glad to hear from you again to you were away for awhile. Glad to hear things are moving forward for you too.
Don
DON:
To quote Mark Twain:
“Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”
You will have to post pictures of you and your daughter dancing.
My mother in law had MS before she passed away 12 years ago. She walked with a cane. She danced with my husband at our wedding (18 years ago) and it is one of the nicest memories.
ERIKA
CLARK:
You crack me up. Not only do you make me laugh, but you make me “think”. I love reading your posts. You are a very unique individual. One of your posts said you have thought about writing. I really think you should! At least all of us here could buy a copy 🙂
I guess you could call it “Anklebreakers” or “Ankle Breakers Club”. You have so much info – right here. You certainly have my permission to use my posts – you could probably get permission from others too.
Anyway, just had to comment to you – you do make me laugh – thank you for that.
ERIKA
Erika,
Thank you for that advice. I did not know that really any church congregation did that. I know that they send buses to pick you up, but not bible studies at home for you. That is very good advice, I will try that.
Thank you
Celinda
PS
Sanra, left out some things. Briefly, the bones they cut out of the pelvic girdle grow back and fill in. Just more incisions and drainage tubes and pain, and from what I hear, cutting into your pelvic is no fun.
Carol, conratulations on getting back to work. Has to be a great feeling. How are things in London? Good to hear from you again.
Everyone, the swelling comments from you all make sense to me. Looks like it is a combination of many things.
I know I’ve forgotten something, but that’s life.
Clark
GOOD MORNING ANKLEBREAKERS!
It is an absolutely beautiful morning here in sunny Northern California, after weeks of rain and storms. One of those mornings that one finds it hard to find fault with the world, no matter the situation. It is just that bright and clean and crisp outside.
I have only been a member of this blog since mid December, yet it seems like I have been here forever. Checking my email, reading and responding to various questions, stories and situations is really a large part of my day. Something I look forward to, and I thank all of you for that.
I know I write in a lot, and I try to break things up with humor, anecdotes, stories not just about pain, breaks, financial problems, swelling, rehab, physical therapy, hospital visits (I have scheduled yet another one) and the like, because the sum of who we all are is much greater than our broken parts and dreams, redirected lives based on one simple misstep that changes you life forever. FOREVER! No drama intended. But even the simple single fracture, bimallealor or trimallealor fracture changes us. Suspends us from the direction our lives were taking, puts us on HOLD for the time being, with none of us really knowing how things will be after we are “well”!
We can wallow in self pity, a good thing sometimes, but not for too long. Usually just enough just to ask oneself “just how did I allow myself to become so depressed?” and then after realizing that, to lift yourself out of that space, and get life going again. Unless reincarnation is in play, and that remains unknown, we are only here once, and no one gets out alive. We’re all doing time on planet earth, and we make of it what it is. And you can’t take it with you, unless the Egyptians were really onto something.
Note: The study of Egyptology, the real thing, the foundation of the religion is fascinating, dealing with the Gods being star beings from the star Sirius (sp) the dog star, a star that is part of the constellation of ORION’S BELT), anyway. There could be something to it, as in either the central Amazon region or Africa, think its the Amazon, lives a very isolated tribe called the Dogon,that has for all of its known incarnation worshiped star Gods from the star they identify as Sirius, the Dog Star, part of Orion’s Belt. Ancient Egypt, current Brazil, star beings/Gods. Coincidence? I think not!
But as far as we know, you can’t take it with you. So what we have is here, and now. Not materialism and greed and being the bad guy, but just the opposite.
SANDRA: I was glad to hear from you as always. A fusion in ankle terms is necessary when the possibility of arthritis becoming so painful and a part of your life with no other options for a normal, bending ankle, that in my case, they take out all the hardware, take the whole ankle area apart, and then start to put it back together, but measuring for the perfect fit, with zero tolerance for movement, a perfect fit like the building stones that make up Machu Piccu, by those wonderful stonemasons the Inca’s. As the doc rebuilds your ankle, it is placed back together so tightly that there is no friction, no bone on bone movement, so the bones grow back together, “fuse” back together and become one big solid bone mass. the concern here is don’t break that one, because that would really hurt, I’m sure. My doc said that they will also remove several pieces from my pelvic girdle, maybe even from the hips, to add to the bones in the ankle. That’s what a fusion is, as explained to me. Nothing really different than now, as I can’t bend the boat anchor anyway, but just the final final and takes away the arthritis risk and the pain. Just have to be somewhat careful from then on.
Although I was just fitted for and have my brace, the doc said I will be back in the boot for six months. 3 months non weight bearing, and then slowly building up over the next 3 months, slowly, bit by bit. He said total 100 % healing time is 6 months to a year. So … as of the week of March 17, looks like my next year is booked. And unless something drastic happens, who knows what, just saying, I will probably still be writing in and adding my 2 cents worth here and there. I couldn’t imagine not hearing from all of you on this blog at this point. It would be like coffee without a bit of sugar. And cream.
Anyway… I do take some consolation knowing that you don’t have to read this, no one is forcing anyone to, and its all just my opinion. Still, I try not to overdo it, but I usually fail.
Don: Thanks again to you for your insight and kind inspirational words. You win the award for metal, and we should call you TITANIUM MAN, if thats what they used. Or the SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN (wasn’t that a series with that stunt guy, whatisname?) or the BIONIC MAN, or whatever. But no matter how much of you is fabricated, you are still you, and thats something that won’t change. You will dance at your daughters wedding, my friend.
CELINDA: Erika came through with a great idea, and thats the true definition of faith. No matter you religion, give them a call. Clearly the nicest, caring group of people, willing to help with no strings, just like that. And it will get you back into the swing of things, and you can make friends, I’m sure your son could even go. And if its not your cup of tea, you can decline. But give it a try. A great opportunity.
Over and out. Watch your step(s).
Clark
Celinda: I don’t know if you read any of my earlier posts, but I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. If it were not for that, I really would not have any friends either. But, when I broke my ankle, I had meals and visits from friends (people in my congregation) for over 6 weeks! If you pick up your telephone book, and call the local “Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses”, and tell them you have a broken ankle, and would like to be picked up for a meeting on Sunday – someone will pick you up! Someone will also give you a free home bible study – they will come to your home every week – free of charge! You will have more friends that you could imagine!!!
Hope this helps Celinda!
ERIKA
Hey,
I want to thank ya’ll all very much for your support. I am so glad that I found ya’ll to talk to about this. I am sorry for all the pain ya’ll are going through. I am single mom and I feel as though no man will want me due to my situation, thinking that I can not do anything, but I can. I do not have really any friends that come over. The only person that comes by is my mother. I am grateful for that, for her helping me out like she does.
Thank ya’ll all for your understanding, I do appreciate it and I look at my situation and look at some of ya’lls and I do not have it so bad.
Thank ya’ll
Celinda
Hi everyone. Just a note to say hi. I have been catching up on all the posts. It is so amazing to me, we are all from other places but have this one thing in common that connects us. From anciety, depression, pain, swelling, our ankles hurting under covers, walkers, cruches, airboots, you name it, we have all been there. We will all get though this, new to here, old to here and in the middle, all the posts help so much and you can not even imagine what a break like this is unless you experience it. Thank you to all of you. Nancy
Hi all anklebreakers
Sorry i have been out of the loop for a while- my internet was down and only just back on- I felt like my arm was cut off ! So have been reading all the posts that have piled up with interest- some r really funny and some like celinda’s where you just want to give her a big hug- Dont worry Celinda you will get through it – you really are doing okay- just keep logged on to this site and you will get all the support and encouragement you need.
Well big day for me on monday after eight months will be returning to work ! Back to some reality at last- Not looking forward to the back log of emails that Sandra described ! On the plus side my ankle is getting stronger but still get pain after exercise and when I walk a bit too much- But agree that excercise definitely makes it more mobile- As for the swelling its still there but not as bad – the osteopath I visit for my frozen shoulder says the swelling will last for at least a year to eighteen months and he says that we have bits of tendons and cartilage floating about in our leg which adds to it ! YUK- I am amazed at how little information you get from the dr’s and how much more you glean from others, including this site !
hats off to Sandra and Don I dont know how they manage with two broken ankles- ones enough for me-
take care to all anklebreakers and thanks for your support, your humour, wit and just being there for the last 8 months
carol ( London)
Well, keep getting message saying I am trying to submit a duplicate comment, though I am not!
THIS IS NOT A DUPLICATE COMMENT – let me in.
Clark. Thank you for sharing your earthquake experience and your twilight zone! Also like sci fi, favourite film Blade Runner.
Anklequest, thanks for thinking of me.
Don – agree with good days and bad, and hoping the good ones start to outlast the bad ones.
Hi to Lorilynn – hope you get your chest pain sorted out. That’s a nice name you have.
Anklequest/Clark, I like the sound of your ideas for protecting the ankles – any patents pending?
Nate – thanks. On the swelling – my doctor and the physio both told me (may be repeating) that when cutting into a ‘tight’ area of the body, with little fat, all sorts of vessels will be cut through. Physio described it as having lots of dead ends, with nowhere for fluid to go, and said I might expect swellings to pop up. And it is the centre of gravity for our all body fluids.
My swelling has not been as bad as I had expected, but Clark you are lucky to escape it completely, but not so lucky to have the fusion. Still not clear exactly what that means, but hope it goes well for your.
Had more headaches this week now back at work. Wading through 2000 emails on Monday did not help – deleted most without reading them!
Bye for now,
Sandra
Clark. Thank you for sharing your earthquake experience and your twilight zone! Also like sci fi, favourite film Blade Runner.
Anklequest, thanks for thinking of me.
Don – agree with good days and bad, and hoping the good ones start to outlast the bad ones.
Hi to Lorilynn – hope you get your chest pain sorted out. That’s a nice name you have.
Anklequest/Clark, I like the sound of your ideas for protecting the ankles – any patents pending?
Nate – thanks. On the swelling – my doctor and the physio both told me (may be repeating) that when cutting into a ‘tight’ area of the body, with little fat, all sorts of vessels will be cut through. Physio described it as having lots of dead ends, with nowhere for fluid to go, and said I might expect swellings to pop up. And it is the centre of gravity for our all body fluids.
My swelling has not been as bad as I had expected, but Clark you are lucky to escape it completely, but not so lucky to have the fusion. Still not clear exactly what that means, but hope it goes well for your.
Had more headaches this week now back at work. Wading through 2000 emails on Monday did not help – deleted most without reading them!
Bye for now,
Sandra
CLARK:
I keep my cat liter box in the bathroom too! Might as well keep the smell all in one place 🙂
Oh, and Clark – I think you’d make a better yam than a potato (because you are so sweet!) (couldn’t resist).
I love Sci Fi Movies too.
ERIKA
NATE,
Hey bud,
Believe it or not, I was watching the 4th game of the World Series between (the Oakland A’s and the SF Giants) at Candlestick Park, on televison from the control center of the Playboy Manison West in Los Angeles Holmby Hills, where I was Asst. Security Supervisor, and watched as the screen went to blank, and then panned to the devestation of the Cypress Freeway and the Bay Bridge. But not to correct you, but that quake was also a 6.9, maybe a 7.0 (northern and southern Cal are always fighting) and it was devestating. I used to drive gasoline tanker all over those devestated roads when I was much younger.
But back then, I had no idea that I would ever end up in LA, working there (12 years) and end up in the Northridge Quake. No matter where you are, you do not want to share the space with a violent quake.
Swelling! I would bet that swelling is caused by inflamation, which may be caused by arthritis, or inflamation, or infection, with the white cells battling the invaders, and when winning causes plasma, bile, drainage, just guessing here. I really don’t know. But action (swelling) is caused by reaction from the above; arthritis, infection, inflamation, and for some reason just keeps on coming on.
After all my operations, I was continously hooked up to an antibiotic IV, no breaks, until I left. And I have never had ANY swelling, ever. Only just after the initial break and dislocation. After surgery same day, NONE.
But thats just a guess.
Take care.
Clark
Regarding Swelling,
Just wondering if anyone has got a straight answer from their doc(s) as to the cause of the swelling associated with these breaks. Also why does it stay with us forever?
Clark,
Were you in the N. Cal for the 89 quake (8.0 at the epicenter)? Wow! Talk about a moving experience! Felt like the ground became the ocean and I was riding waves to a strong arch (our garage in this case). At the time getting under an arch was the wisest thing to do I guess being the strongest structure. Not sure if this is still the conventional wisdom.
Ankle Quest
Good to hear from you hope your doing well? It has been an interesting time in the last year. I learned alot about my kids and ourselves. I know that my 17 year old who was 16 at the time and was home alone waiting for us. she had just gone to bed at 10PM when the police called her and told her we had the accident and wshe needed to get to the hospital and identify us as we were talking but no one knew how it was going to turn out. In more graphic words. She did it go to the hospital handled all the calls including work and handled the hospital and all the other sttuff . ”nly one day off from school and then delt with this stuff over the long haul
‘
As for us were still here and kicking and thanks to alot of the ones that went before we did that listened and said some of the same things were saying to the new people keep moving do what your told keep working and be safe . They will take our palce and tell the next group the same things as we told them and we will all make it throught this.
Be safe we will all talk soon’
Don
Lorilynn,
It is likely not a clot or it would have showed up so I wouldn’t worry about it so much.
Clark, Thanks for helping to boost everyone’s spirits! I wear socks, sometimes a split, and keep only a light blanket on my feet. I thought of making a tent at the end of my bed from fiberglass poles taped together with duct tape.
Don, you are an inspiration to everyone. It is so impossible to imagine what you and your family have gone through.
Sandra, I just want you to know when I heard about the earthquake on our BBC news that we watch every evening, I thought of you! But not exactly in the way you describe. Another once in a life time experience for you! One never knows what can happen the next moment in time. Another thing…wearing two lose layers of socks helps me a lot to avoid the sheet problem.
Celinda, I wish you the best! Try to keep yourself occupied with new hobbies, games, books, and keep reading this blog. There are a lot of good people here who care about you and have great suggestions.
All you northeners, stay off the ice!!
Greetings all–
This is my first post which I am going to direct to Christi in response to her post on Feb 14. Christi, you got my attention when you were speaking about the clot in your lung and first thinking it was a pulled muscle or a cracked rib. Last week appx 10 days post surgery for my tri-mal fracture I began to have a pain in my chest area. I told my husband it felt like I cracked a rib or something. He attributed it to my crutches so I didn’t think much more about it until the following Saturday morning when I began to have difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing etc. I got very scared so I called my ortho doc. He said to be sure it was not a lung clot I needed to head to the ER for several tests. To shorten this already long story after blood work, a chest x-ray, and a CAT scan the ER doctor determined that I had no clot in my lung. He said it must be a ‘skeletal’ issue and to take 600 ml of ibuprofen for the pain. Well here I sit 4 days after my ER visit and I’m still having the pain. My question to you Christi is did they do all of those tests to find your clot? I’m paranoid that they missed it somehow…hopefully I’m just worrying for no reason!! Thanks in advance and I’m happy to have found this website!
Don,
Thats alright, I thought it was just my Dyslexia kicking back in. But really Folks (applause!) I thought I had entered a portal to a parallel universe just a minute ago. When I walked in to the bathroom to clean out the cats box (yes, thats where I keep it, really) and came back out, something shifted, you could feel a vibration, the walls shaking or some type of EM pulse, and when I stepped through the door to the living room, it was my left ankle that was broken and not my right, my Mustang was still in my driveway, and my brace was fitted for my left ankle, not my right. I couldn’t believe it. Very strange. Was this the Twilight Zone? Was I going nuts? But I had to go back in and put the lid back on the cat box, and when I stepped back into the living room, my right ankle was broken again, and not my left, and my Mustang was gone and the Dodge was sitting in the driveway. Damn, I should have taken her for a spin. Oh well. Don’t you just love SciFi?
Take care Anklebreakers,
Bonkers in No. Calif.
Clark
Sorry Clark I meant to write the 17th not the 13th
Don
Greetings all.
Sandra
Yup I plan on Dancing at that wedding in July. I sat in the hospital for all those months just running it over and over again in my mind how I was not going to miss the one day and the one special thing that a Dad can do and that is walk his little girl down the aisle and dance with her at her wedding to the song my little girl. Every time I thought of that or think of it now makes me more determined to do it.
I agree on the pain with the weather I had to use the cane yesterday because of the pain. The next day I can walk fine as long as the weather shifts. So yeah one day you feel like you can run the next day you feel as if your walking on your knees. We will get there together through this page and talking and working on it with each other.
Clark
Wow the 13th I wish you luck you deserve it for a change. I want to thank you for being one of the biggest cheer leaders here on this site because if it weren’t for your support and kind words to a lot of people they would be a lot further back then they are. Keep working at it friend you will get there to that point where you can go out and do some of the things you want on your level not on others.
Thanks again to all of you ankle breakers keep working keep pushing and striving to get better with each step or leg lift or foot curl and twist keep work one and all
Don
SANDRA,
FORGOT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN ABOUT YOUR EARTHQUAKE. MUST HAVE BEEN A MOVING EXPERIENCE. COULDN’T RESIST. YOU BRITS!
I MYSELF AM A SURVIVOR OF THE JAN.14, 4{01 AM 6.9 NORTHRIDGE QUAKE. ALMOST KILLED ME, BUT OBVIOUSLY DIDN’T. MY 70 LB. WIEGHT LIFT BAR WAS ANGLED AWAY FROM MY BED TOWARDS THE CORNER OF THE ROOM, AND AS I AWOKE, AND THE DOGS AND CATS WENT CRAZY (NATHAN, MY NOW 15 YR OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER, LOOSENED HIS BOWLS OVER 6 FT. UP THE SIDE OF THE WALL AS HE RAN OUT, WHICH GIVES ONE THE IDEA OF HOW MUCH MOVEMENT MY HOUSE EXPERIENCED, NOT TO MENTION THE DOG) AND WHEN ALL WAS SETTLED DOWN, WITH BUILDING BURNING FROM THE GAS LINES AND CAR ALARMS GOING OFF EVERYWHERE, WHEN I WENT BACK IN, THE WEIGHT BAR LEFT A CRESCENT SCAR ACROSS THE WALL, FROM THE CORNER WHERE IT RESTED, RIGHT TOWARDS MY BED, AND LANDED ON MY PILL0W. HAD I NOT AWAKENED WHEN I DID, I WOULD EITHER BE DEAD, OR A VEGETABLE, PERHAPS A POTATOE OR A YAM.
CLARK
HELLO ANKLEBREAKERS:
Sandra and Don,
Saw the Doc today. Asked him about the ARS (ankle replacement surgery) He said that it is very experimiental, but that due to placing caps on the ends of the tib, fib and talus, that once done, fusion is no longer a possibilty, and that the replacement ratio is very short, in other words, they don’t last long due to the intense weight on the caps, etc… and replacement is painful. He said that I was not a candidate for ARS, and I believe him.
My fusion is tentatively schedlued for sometime during the week of March 17.
There it is. And now you know.
Clark
Sandra,
Congratz on your progress! Very nice to hear!
Fellow travellers, just to let you know was in awful pain Monday night – very cold here, plus did physio that night. BUT something amazing happened.
On Tuesday, I woke up with this brilliant left leg, that felt really mobile. It just felt so amazing, and managed to do a little bit outside with no crutches. At six months since doing both ankles.
Tuesday night – paid with pain. Wednesday morning, almost pain-free and leg still feeling more mobile, and I have been to the Botanical Gardens with one crutch for the first time. AND been walking without it. Wonder what happens tonight?
Hope it’s not a repeat performance of – the earthquake here at 1 a.m. this morning – 5.4. All over the news and so exciting. Due to pain, I was awake a lot and guess where I was when it hit?
Not sure I should say, as it’s quite private.
But anyway – might give you a laugh.
Had just sat down on the toilet, which was a bit scary when it all started to shake, and there was this loud rumbling noise.
Thought it was wind (no, not mine).
But this morning I found out it was the quake, and I was so relieved! (excuse the pun)
Have some fun,
Sandra
Hello to Judith. I was hopping on a zimmer frame for weeks – plaster and non-weight-bearing on one leg, and the other in plaster and then an air boot. It uses up so much energy and I developed callouses on my hands which took ages to go. Moved on to crutches when I came out of plaster and could bear weight. Have you asked about switching to crutches.
Celinda, a long haul for you. Being a mum is who you are, and it’s much more than being in a wheelchair. You have so much else to offer your child. So keep positive, keep talking online. Write or paint it out of your system.
Katy and others. The bed covers are a nuisance. My ankles and my scars still get irritated just by the sheet, so I do a lot of squiggling around. Sometimes think apparatus to lift the sheets up in the air would help, but I would probably only hit my ankle. I think family must think I am mad when I say the sheets hurt my ankles!
Don – you have so much metal! Are you planning to dance at that wedding. On Monday, my physio told me I should start doing some dancing around at home – will give it a whirl!
Michelle – glad to be of help, do get your plaster checked out. I feel that my plaster contributed to my numbness/weird feeling in the toes.
Dev – 11 months on. Keep going.
Hi to Clark, I did not know you could ge replacement ankles.
Sandra
Celinda
Ok let’s take some of your questions one at a time. As for you not being a good mother or putting your whole families’ lives on hold. When you hold your son and look in his eyes do you see that glow that special look that only a mother can see and feel? Look hard its there even if your looking through your tears That special look tells you all.
It is for the one that gave him life and not for anyone else but that person. And not you’re Mom or the father of your son can have that look. So that shows you that you’re doing it right. It may be a little off right now but you will get it right and get it better as you get better.
Now as for your Mom we all at times say things in our worries or exhaustion that we don’t mean. She may have just been frazzled because of a number of things. The truth is she is still there helping you that if nothing show her Love and concern for you. Give her as much understanding as you would want. Moms do have a tendency to try to make us move quicker because they don’t want anything to be wrong with us. They want us to just get up move on and not think anything happened that we will be alright if we just move forward.
Smoking yup I smoked 2 ½ packs a day before the accident. I quit cold turkey in the hospital. Now in all fairness I must also say that I do not remember anything from Dec 10th to Jan 7th so I don’t remember any of the nicotine with drawl thank goodness but if you want you can do this to. One thing at a time and one step at a time you will get there. I believe you got your ankles broken in an accident. Well I am right there with you same here.
My wife got a broken back, Right collar bone and left arm Broken severed intestines and damaged right knee. Me I had both ankles smashed and a tee put in my right ankle into my foot and two rods and 2 plates a bar above and below the right knee and a bar in my right femur. 18 pins 2 plates and two rods in my left ankle. 8 pins and 8 screws in my left hip, which was ripped from my body as my pelvis was broken in 4 places. And a bar above and below my left elbow. They wanted to fuse my right ankle but unlike you I got the choice so I choose not to do it yet. I have been out of the hospital for 14 months and am getting along and am moving forward one strep at a time this is what you will do and how you will get through it. You can do it and you will do it just like us. Besides if you ever need people to listen or just to talk with were here we understand and we will be here when you get up and move on. Keep it up your getting there on step at a time.
Don
Does anyone here still have their job or not. After my short term disability ran out, that is when my job ran out too. I am currently on long term disability and I am just about to go stir crazy.
Thank you
Celinda
Celinda,
Don’t apologize for being a burden, because you are not. You definitely face a rough set of circumstances, but as I said yesterday, you are past the worst and over the hump.
It’s natural for your mother to vent a bit. An accident such as yours takes its toll on everyone; parents, husbands, wives, and kids. Not easy for anyone, particularly you. Doesn’t mean that she does not love you. She’s just venting.
Do you belong to a church? That is usually a strong support system, and real believers, not just the show up on Sunday kind, I am sure would be willing to help.
Also, does Texas have any state services that can help out? That is certainly what they are for, and you do need help. Talk to your pastor or whomever, at least for some counseling. That could really help alot.
I did smoke for years, OP’s (other peoples) and just a few here and there, out drinking with the guys, at work, not much, but always felt guilty about that because I was never addicted. Finally said to hell with it and just quit. Smoking does inhibit healing. Not sure about the painkillers and others meds your doctor mentioned. Never heard that one. Are you plugged into MediCaid, or private insurance, or anything like that? Perhaps they could offer some type of in home help.
I also have a spot on the inside of the ankle near the bottom of the tibia that hasn’t healed yet. The doctor called it a non union, and it is where they reattach the bone but there is a space between the bones that has not filled in. My doc told me that it could take several years to fill in, and must wait. The only problem with that is that it still hurts like hell, and is very discolored.
I’m sure your son understands the situation. You can always sit him on your lap and shower him with hugs and kisses. He knows that you love him and that you have to heal.
It is all very hard to deal with and I’m glad you haven’t gone into a meltdown or flipped out yet. If you did no one could blame you. You are obviously strong willed and can take bad luck in stride. Remember that and don’t give up. The day will come when you and your son can wade in the Gulf and laugh about the bad times before. That will happen. Take every day as a single challenge, just get through that day, and in the morning wake up and start all over again.
Hang in there Celinda. Your story has touched us all, I’m sure. You are not alone. I’m sure my letter will be followed by one from Don, who as you know, also was in a terrible crash with his wife, and suffered two broken ankles as well, and may be headed for a fusion also. He is really an expert and can relate exactly with your situation. Just don’t give up.
People always say that God doesn’t ever give more than you can handle. I’m not really religious myself, but would like to believe that. People always say that the stronger the blow, the harder the metal, meaning that no matter what is dished out, you take it and come back stronger. And . . . people always say, everything happens for a reason. If thats true, I haven’t found it yet. Perhaps it will be 5 winning lottery numbers plus the mega number, suddenly forcing its way into my subconscious and will show itself in a dream. Hope so, but nothing yet. The point is that sometimes bad things happen to good people, and there isn’t a damned thing we can do about it. Just pull up your boots, set your jaw, and sail into the wind. Metaphors. Go figure.
Be well. Take care, don’t spin your wheels.
Clark
I am so thankful that I found this group. Someone that actually knows what I am feeling and knows what I am going through.
I feel like the worst mother ever because I cannot do anything with my son. I do not use crutches, because I am very, very clumsy and I would hurt myself worse than what I am if I did. I am in a wheelchair.
I cannot take my son anyway, do anything with him. I am very depressed about this. Because of me, my son and my life is on hold and so is my families. That is very depressing. My mother told me that after this is all over with, she did not want to hear or see me and my son for at least a month or two. This has been dragging on for a year and I cannot handle no more. I can stand on my right leg, but not without pain, especially from arthiritis. There is a spot on my left ankle about an inch long that has not developed bone for the bone fusion that is taking place and that is all it likes to heal and it did good for a while and it just stopped. Nothing else has happened. I feel as though I cannot handle this no more and my son would be better off in someone else’s care. Even though, I can cook and clean, I cannot wash clothes yet, due to not being able to take our clothes to the laundry mat to wash, since we live in an apartment.
Does anyone live in Waco, Texas here. This is where I live.
I did smoke cigarettes, but I have quite and it is hard. I smoked maybe 5 cigarettes a day if that many. And it is still hard to quite. Does or did anyone smoke here or not. I know that has been a problem with my healing, plus I was taking alot of medication that I was told I was not supposed to be taken. The doctor said that I cannot take anything other than tylenol, and I was taking advil as well as antibiotics and pain killers and he said this was going against the healing and I wish he would of said something 6 months ago about that.
I am sorry that I have burdened ya’ll again. Please forgive me.
Thank ya’ll for ya’ll’s time.
Celinda
Hello Kathy,
Welcome to ANKLEBREAKERS. I was immediately drawn to your entry, as I too, broke my ankle at about 1030 AM on May 18, 2007, walking my dogs on the lakeshore up here in Northern California. Everything changed after that, for the worse I guess, and the better as well, as it recentered my focus on life and priorities, because I would definetley go back and change the past if I could, but I can’t.
Interested to hear your story, as much as you want to tell. Whatever you want to pass on. What part of the country are you in if I may ask. The only reason is to exclude you from being an ex fiancee that is now married and lives in the same town as I do now. What are the odds of that, go figure. Part of a living hell? But we have never connected. Perhaps for the best.
As far as the sheets go, I am going to at some later time build a “lift” from 1/2 in plywood with a foundation that slips under the matress with the plywood going up about a foot above the matress and taking the pressure off the covers. I am a side sleeper, still wearing the boot at night because of the pain and instability without it, and consequently don’t sleep much.
Anyway, still amazed that we share the same break date in common, and hope that you have a better outcome than I. I am heading for a fusion, in fact will see the doc tomorrow. I’m OK with that. Can’t change it. No sense in dwelling on it. Lucky it happened when it did, under the circumstances. I luckily got a lot out of the way before I stopped.
Heal well, be well, stay well. Wishing you a good recovery.
Take care,
Clark
Gina
As for the parking pass get it you only have to use it when you need it. If you don’t put it in the glovecompartment and then park where ever. You can see how you feel but it is better to have it when the times come that you do need it.
Don
Thank you for the encouragement to get a temporary handicapped parking pass- I guess I will go ahead and do it- its hard to admit that its not going to just be fine in a few weeks. Thank you for the support!
Kathy- I have the same problems with covers on my ankle/foot- even if they are untucked if its too heavy the pressure really hurts. I have been putting a lightweight fleece blanket on that side and have the rest of me under the covers- it has been working ok. I am fortunate to be a back sleeper.
I hope you find something that allows you to sleep comfortably.
Judith-for the first two weeks I exclusively used a walker. I just felt more secure. After that I transitioned to crutches (they gave me both when I left the hospital) Being on crutches does give you a lot more freedom. Both are tough on the arms and hands- I have some impressive calluses!
Take care everyone. Gina
Welcome Kathy
i for one sleep with both my feet off the edge of the bed. There is not stress on my ankles if I do this. But I also do it for excercise. I have a posterpedic bed and I do toe curls into the bottom edge of the bed. It pushes back against my feet and gives me resitance to strengthen my ankles without any pressure against the skin or the other bones of my feet.
As for swelling mine still swell and I have been on this rollercoaster for 14 months. They do not swell as badly as the use to but they do still swell. one of the ways I have found to take the pain away is to soak in a hot tub or run hot water over my ankles As hot as I can stand. soaking in a tub I do for about 30 to 45 min and then it relaxesmy joints and muscles and tendons it is amazing how much that helps.
Don
I dislocated and broke my ankle in 3 places and have a plate and 8 screws. I did this on May 18. I too am bothered by ankle pain. My ankle is still swollen. I have been told that it will be swollen for at least a year to 18 months.
I have looked alot online but no one seems to have any answers to all the questions one has. You people have answered alot of them.
Have any of you found that if you untuck the sheets of your bed that your ankle doesn’t ache so much?
Kathy
Clark
It took me a little while to find the prybar to get the rock off 🙂 Yeah lots of new additions to the crew.! But in away I think that is a bad thing, the more people that join this club the more things go snap crackle pop. Hmmm on bones that is not a good thing. I saw the replacement surgery that is what the Doctor told me I could look forward to so it will be ankle (maybe both) right knee and then the left hip OH JOY the things I get to look forward to.
Yup Celinda is in the lead of the ankle work. I think I will hold off the fussion as long as I can but I may catch up wow the only thing in my life I might get a shot at winning yeah me!
Celinda keep your sense of humor it is the onlky thing that keeps us sane just look at Clark and ME OHHH that might not be the best roll model but were harmless really we are.
Later
Don
Don,
Hey, its about time you crawled out from under your rock, seems like I haven’t heard from you in awhile, but that’s only because of the influx of all the new members, mostly female, all with trimallealor fractures. Those ortho guys must be making a bundle out there. Glad you wrote in and offered your insight, esecially to Celinda, becuase of your doulbe anklebreaker status that you share with Sandra, and now Celinda, of course. Wow! What a story. Very much like yours. Knew you would have some words of wisdom for her. She’s already through the worst.
I see my doc tomorrow. Nate was kind enough to mention ARS (ANKLE REPLACEMENT SURGERY), check it out on the web. What they do is trim and clean up the bottoms and side of all the broken bones, and then pop caps over the talus, tib and fib, and then put screws or pins up into the bones to keep them on, so your titanium, not bone to bone, but they last about 15-20 yrs, and are for the more youthful of us anklebeaker, that probably haven’t sat around eating as much as I have. I don’t weigh that much, but I am past my fighting trim when I was a cop. Now I just say I can’t chase you but I will shoot you, so screw with me at your own risk. Just had a violent home invasion robbery about a mile away from here. Who knows why. Go ahead, make my day! Anyway, tomorrow should determine the next phase in my treatment, and I bet will be scheduling a fusion. Hope so, hate being in limbo like this.
Anyway, was glad to hear from you. Celinda has now made this club with 3 entry levels; anklebreaks, fusions, and double anklebreaks. She wins the prize. Celinda, you better be reading this. Just keep your chin up. You are doing better than you think.
All for now. Just a quick hello.
Clark
Hey ankle breakers
Well I see we have new members of our club. Welcome to all and I am sorry that you got to join this club it really isn’t all that much fun once you get in. But we all understand you and can help with the blues and the pains
]Celinda
Wow welcome to a very selective part of this club Double ankle breakers OUCH! There are a few of us here that do indeed understand exactly what you are going through. Sandra and I are both double ankle breakers. I also broke both my ankles in a Car accident and was non weight bearing (wheel chair Bound) for 3 months.
Believe me you may feel like the biggest pain in the world to your family but always remember they Love you and they are the there to help and support you. Besides at what time in your life did your or any Mother stop complaining and tell you what to do I know mine never has and I am 48.
But work at it a little at a time it will get better day by day week by week month by month it all changes quicker then you think or quicker then you remember. We are always hear to listen when you need someone to just listen and when you need people that won’t pamper you guess what we are here for that too. But it is because we understand and we care.
Michelle
Yes I too had numbness on my toes but mostly on top of my feet. It was weird when I would sit down and then get up to walk I would feel the pins and needles in the tops of my feet. It is indeed disturbing but believe me it does slowly go away in my case. Talk to your PT person and do what they tell you it will be the quickest way back to normalcy. We are all here and some get ahead quicker but one of the things we all found out is that you move forward because you listen and do what you are told. Not because you did it your way. They are pros and they are there top help so follow their instructions and you will move forward.
Judith
I understand your inpatients both of my daughters and I played instruments in the band. My youngest still lays in HS. If you want to get back there keep working keep trying keep smiling. It is what keeps us going is that desire to be back where we once were. We never ever want to give up we want the world to be just where we left it. Well I am here to tell you that you can have that in time but you may have to change a few things but all in all you can have it back you just need to be patient and diligent in your work outs and PT and you will get there. But above all never rush it or you will be back here in a quick trip and fall back where we all did there are no shortcuts to this game it is one step at a time.
To all
I have all the metal still in my body that was put in me 14 months ago. In all I have 28 pins 6 screws 4 rods 4 plates 1 tee between my ankle and foot and 5 bars. Having the metal taken out is up to each of us. It can depend on weather you have problems or if you have mental questions about it being in you. Some people are troubled with the hardware left in, some just never bother with it. It is up to each of us with the best guidance of our Doctors and PT people so think and talk and ask the people you work with in this step by step. There are people here that have done it both ways and each can let you know what there results are. Hope our insights can give you some insight into our little nitch of the world.
Clark and Sandra.
The dynamic duo Hi guys it seems like we have been here a long, long time together. I thank you both for being there and supporting all of the people that come this way. With your kindness and wisdom and patience. Someday we will all look back and laugh at all of this when we are much older and further ahead in our years.
Sandra
I am glad to hear you are getting to come back and play in the working world Hmm Maybe you should just be allowed a pass and get the time off. Ahh well nice to dream but we can always hope. I hope all the time you get better and enjoy each day more and more.
Clark
you still hobbling around Hmmmm,.,, I guess us only the good get time off from this stuff the ones like you and me get to go on and on. Ahh well misery loves company so I guess we can keep each other company Glad to see your doing a little better each time.
Keep safe all you ankle breakers and keep the feet on the ground, where they belong and no slips falls or splits
Don
Celinda,
Welcome to the club. My heart just goes out to you. Yours is certainly one of the worst anklebreaks I have read about on this blog. Proof postive that there is always someone that has gone through more, through worse, and it gives perspective on our own problems, and hopefully humbles us a bit.
Cabin fever sets in and you feel as though you are under house arrest. No wonder it is so easy to fall into depression. But don’t fool yourself. Some depression may be needed, theraputic, like crying, at times, from the sheer hopelessness of it all. But it is not hopeless. You are proof of that. A year of the broken ankle blues, with a son to raise, out of a job, with your parents, that is a lot to handle. You are allowed to decomress a bit. But don’t let it get the best of you. You have already suceeded with one of the most trajic life changing accidents that can happen. You are a survivor.
I assume that you are using crutches, so you can get out and “walk”, if you just need space. I know that sounds trite, but in your situation, for now, “walking” normally is gone, and just walking will not come soon. But the fusion is done, and your other ankle is healing. That’s the good news.
It’s been 10 months for me now, after pulverizing my right ankle; trimallealor break, dislocation, 3 surgeries and soon to be scheduling the 4th for a fusion. So don’t fell alone. You are not alone. Everyone here is with you. I know you feel depressed, but you are already over the hump, past the worst part. Just keep telling yourself that you have made it this far, past the worst part, and the rest is downhill.
Try to get together with friends, and leave your son with his grandparents for a while. Get away for a day or two with friends and do something special for yourself, something fun.
I know how it can be. The highlight of my week is going shopping or picking up prescriptions. Not much. But try to do something special for yourself.
Just remember, you are over the hard part, and the rest is downhill. Keep telling yourself that you can do it and you will. Keep writing to this blog and let us know how you are doing. It’s a good place to vent.
Just don’t give up.
Take care. You are not alone.
Clark
Hi everyone,
I was in a car accident a year ago and broke both of my ankles. The left one I crushed. The right one, I can use, but the left one is still in a cast and I cannot put any weight on it. The doctor says that when I come back in next month, I can possibly get into a walking cast. On my left ankle, I have had 3 surgeries. The last surgery was to fuse my bones together, so therefore, I will not be able to run or jump. That will be fine with me as long as I can get back into walking and working. I lost my job due to this and I will be looking for a new one. My mother is helping me through this and she complains alot and I know that I am a pain in the but.
I also have a 5 year old son that I take car of on my own and it can be hard sometimes, but I have faith in the Lord above that hopefully pretty soon, I will be walking again.
Has anyone suffered with severe depression through this, please let me know if anyone of ya’ll has. I think that I may loose my mind if I do not start walking pretty soon.
I hope that everyone is doing well from there injuries.
Thank You
Celinda
Michelle,
A few thoughts on the numbness in your toes and the cast. I believe that the cast could be causing a nerve impingement on a nerve serving that part of your foot and toes, probably somewhere near the bend of the cast on the top. Any discomfort or itching there? It doesn’t have to hurt to happen. Being in a hard cast is tough, and some docs do it and some don’t. I’ve had 3 operations and awoke to the boot after the 1st and 3rd operation, and was in a clamshell fiberglass split cast (shaped like a boot, but open on the top, with the top portion fitting over the bottom providing full coverage and support, and then wrapped in an ace bandage to lock it up, very strong) after the 2nd, and that was my favorite. Great support, and its removable and allows your foot to be free (hopefully only rested on elevated pillows and ice/heat) but it allows you to start the PT at your speed, as does the boot.
Not a doc, or a PT, but have had many knee surgeries and several ankle and foot surgeries, and that would be my best guess, that the cast is causing an impingement to the nerve path of your foot. Ask your doc if he can get you out of that cast and into something that will allow your foot to breath and move at your discretion. Just a thought.
Hope all is going well otherwise, and keep up the healing, and watch your step(s).
Take care,
Clark
Hi to all you anklebreakers. Happy Monday is almost over. And so is FEB!!
Nancy – thank you for the kind words. I know where you are at. You will have highs and lows – at my 7th month I was complaining of the stiffness and not being able to walk like I did before. Before I broke my ankle I walked everyday 2-3 miles, gardened, ran around the park with my grandkids -very active. That all came to a “crashing” halt last March. One night I had sat down at computer and typed in “removing hardware after ankle break” and this is where I landed. It has been the best “Percoset” pill! Everyone sharing their stories and how they have managed to survive has been my best therapy. Now at 11 months I am doing a whole lot more and have decided surgery is not the answer. We are ALL too impatient with ourselves. Like Clark said – take it easy – DON’T RUSH IT! The one above is going to guide us along at his “speed”!
Judith – I too was a person who NEVER sat still. I just couldn’t imagine being out of work and not doing all the activities I was used to. I was back at work at 3 months – part time mind you. I have office job so sitting at desk with foot elevated on a stool. I was ready after half day to go home and take a nap. I used a walker also – not sure why Dr. give some crutches and other a walker – I thought maybe it was my age. I had the black “heavy as a rock” boot.It was a pain – I have blocked that all out – and you will as each month passes by. I know it seems endless – but do the exercises Clark suggested and if you can get to a pool -that is the greatest. But if you try to RUSH it – you will fall back. Get a daily inspiration book – I read every morning and it helped my mind. And knowing that there are a lot of “US” out here in every stage. Write a journal also – then go back after several months and read and you will see just how far you have come.
Take care and keep a smile!
🙂
Safe walking to all
Dev
Sandra,
Thanks so much for the very helpful info on toe numbness. Your description sounds exactly like what I am going through & I will be asking about this at my appointment this week. I’m really surprised at the lack of info online – I couldn’t find a thing about this symptom except for an occasional mention of the word “numbness” (another reason I’m so glad to have found this blog – it’s so great to be in touch with people who are going through/ have gone through the same thing) My numbness is also in my last three toes and only on the top side of them. I am able to wiggle my toes but I still feel a mild discomfort (hard to describe the sensation but it’s almost like a mild burning or stiff feeling inside) and my second to last toe still looks a little red. Hopefully my doc will know what’s going on. There’s so much newness and uncertainty with this injury and although I am in relatively good spirits, I get a little impatient at times… (I’m still amazed at how a stupid slip can change your situation so drastically in a second)
Anyway, thanks to everyone in advance for your advice & support. I hope everyone out there is doing well & staying positive!
Judith,
Sorry to hear about your injury. Have you thought about using crutches? Much more comfortable and less “weight bearing” than a walker, which can be very destructive on your posture, lower and upper back. By “heavy cam walker” do you mean the Velcro strap on boot? If thats what you mean, keep wearing it. Its adjustable with the straps, and when tightened up, provides excellent support for your ankle. I still wear mine after 10 months, I call it my exo-skeleton, around the house etc… and wear my brand new brace when out on the town, in a shoe, believe it or not.
As far as exercises go, you can soak in a hot bathtub and do the following exercises, or use creams, but you can flex your toes, roll your ankle forward and backward, not into pain, but something you are comfortable with, and rotate around in circles, as is comfortable. You can pull on the various stretch bands that your PT can provide you with. I also rub extra strength Ben Gay, Tiger Balm, and Capsazium on my ankle to heat it up when doing my exercises. Use gloves with the Capsazium and wear gloves, it is very very heavy duty. I am not a doctor or PT, so I offer advise based only on my experiences only. Any hesitation, check it out first.
But go slow, fast doesn’t cut it. Try the crutches, I bet they will feel much better. Walkers make you much older before your time. But they are necessary for some, they do serve a purpose. I just think crutches are better. Good weapons, and more fun.
Take care, get well.
Clark
I am sooooo glad I found this site. I fell on black ice on Dec 20th, the day after the best concert my H.S. orchestra ever performed. Talk about a life changing experience!! My collegues all know about my type A personality and couldn’t imagine me not working or even walking and they weren’t the only ones. My doctor told me I wouldn’t be back to work for at LEAST 6 months.It is now the end of Feb. and I am still using a walker and non=weight bearing. My shoulders are killing me from having to support my weight with the walker. I have started PT but want to know if anyone has any good exercises to speed up the flexibility in the ankle. I have two pins and about 5 screws that the Dr. said will stay in my leg. He wants me in that heavy cam walker but I think it stiffens my ankle even more and swells my foot and ankle. I try to leave it off as much as possible except when I have to go outside. Since I can’t drive ( it’s my right ankle with the break) I don’t go anywhere but PT.
Patience is the most important thing- but after 2 months it is hard to keep smiling. This site helped to know that we are not alone but wes also a little scary when you realize what a long and varied trip this will be.
Movement is the key I believe so please send any good exercises I can do.
Hi Dev,
You give me hope. I am 61 and broke my ankle in August and feel like I will never be right again. I can’t even make it 45 minutes in Walmart. So you make me think there is still hope. Nancy