Today was my first physiotherapy appointment. I was mentally mentally prepared for what lied ahead. My appointment wasn't until 8:30am, but I had to be there at 8am to fill out paperwork. Well, my grandmother likes to be early, and I understand that, but we were there WAY too early. We arrived and checked in at 7:20am. I filled out my paperwork which literally took 30ish minutes to do. So we sat around until I was called around 8:40am. My therapists name is Chris. Well, he's one of them, anyway. He started out by measuring the degree in which I can plantar flex (point foot downward), dorsiflex (bring foot up towards my leg), invert (turn inward), and evert (turn outward). I didn't do so hot. I, along with my doctors and pt'ist, were expecting that. I still have so much edema (fluid) buildup I had to get a compression stocking. It makes my foot feel all squeezed together securely. I like it. Anyway, after he took the measurements he began to push my foot forward and pull it down. It didn't hurt at first, but it didn't take long for his movement to get wider and wider. Then it started to hurt. When I began to let out a shy, low voiced "ahh!" he would stop. Next, it was on to the inversion/eversion exercise. Moving in and out really made my stomach turn. I honestly felt like I was going to vomit. As you may remember, the ankles shattered and are still VERY tender. Then he did the heel slides. Those were easy and were the least painful out of the exercises. Basically, I lay on my back and slide my right heel toward by buttocks until I feel a gentle stretch, hold it for 15 seconds, and then relax it. After that it was time for the ankle circles. For some reason, my body isn't communicating with my foot and allowing me to do this. It kind of looks like when people try to pat their heads and rub their belly's. It just wasn't working without help. After all of the exercises I could do like that we moved over to bicycle machine. I had to bicycle the best I can for six minutes. OUCH! Six minutes might not seem like that long of a time to you, but it felt like an hour to me! At least when I was done we went back over to the table/bench/bed thing and he gave me a nice foot massage. He said when the scab comes off on my lateral side I'll be able to use the Whirlpool for my foot exercises. This scab cant all off soon enough! Chris did say that my tendon seems to be shrinking due to lack of use and we really need to be proactive to avoid a future tendon surgery. Sounds scary. He gave me the above exercises to do at home 20 times/set, 2 sets, 5 times a day. I felt sick all day because of the inversion/eversion one. I have to go to PT 3 times a week at least until March 3.
While we were in proximity of the hospital I coaxed my grandmother into waiting in the Radiology department so we can pick up my records from the ER visit on 12.26.10. Here are three pictures that best show my injury. The rest are posted on Facebook if you care to see more. (Click image to enlarge)
When I got home I received a call from a classmate of mine. She and another classmate wanted to stop by and spend some time with me. I didn't turn down that offer! They hung out for a few hours and headed home. Shortly after I received a text from my friend Amanda asking if her and a few other of our friends could stop by. Again, I didn't turn it down. They showed up around 6ish and hung out for 45 minutes or so.
It's really good to have visitors. It breaks up the day or week and makes my "house arrest" more tolerable. I'm not looking forward to what PT brings tomorrow. He said he went easy on me today. Whatever that means.
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