Heh. No, not by a long shot.
My ankle is swollen enough that I'm on orders to rest with it elevated for another week. They will then evaluate if the swelling has gone down enough to perform surgery to install a metal plate in my ankle.

Best case scenario: I will be able to walk on my own again in about three months. Until then I answer to the name of Peg Leg.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:17, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

Jeez. I'm sorry.
I suffer chronic pain in my knees and hips, and so I can kind of understand what you're going through - especially when it's that bad that I have to use a wheelchair. Talk about feeling like a mong!
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:20, Reply)

Yeah.
The best part is trying to get in and out of the shower. I can't put weight on the injured foot, so I have to hang onto something and hop over the edge of the shower stall. Coming out onto the bathmat is fine, but hopping into a wet shower with a slippery tile floor is scary stuff.

I'm installing grab bars tonight, when my son gets home with them.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:27, Reply)

Grip bars are so all of the win.
When I moved into this place, I specifically asked for a downstairs apartment and mentioned my disability. They actually gave me a disabled (wheelchair user) persons apartment initially, but I asked for a regular one with slight modifications to the bathroom - I might be slightly crippled but I sure as shit wasn't taking an apartment from someone who needs it more than me.

They installed grip bars for me, and laid non-slip stuff in the bathtub so I could easily get in and out of the shower, all at no extra cost.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:33, Reply)

The good thing is
that this is temporary. I'll install the grab bar on the outside of the shower, and when I no longer need it I'll patch the screw holes. Inside the shower I have two of those suction cup type grab bars, so they're not permanent either.

That said, it's pissing me off to go from being an active person to having to sit inside all day, especially just as the weather's getting nice. And it's pissing me off to have to ask people for help all the time when I'm normally the one helping everyone else.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:42, Reply)

I'm assuming you're in the US.
Whereabouts? Or are you a little further up beyond the border?
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:43, Reply)

Just do what the docs say.
That was part of my downfall. I spent too long fighting the pain before I succumbed to tests.....turns out I've had arthritis since I was about 12 and I'm now 35 and am still putting off the knee replacement surgery. Meh, while I can still walk for the most part (anything over a mile or standing in line requires a cane - Vegas, sometimes the mall etc requires a wheelchair) I'm going to continue putting it off.
I can always fish sitting down!
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:46, Reply)

I will do exactly as told, believe me.
When it comes to an injury to a joint, you can't be too careful. Doing anything that might possibly aggravate the problem can and probably will have lifelong repercussions in the form of joint pain and less than stellar performance of the joint.

Were it an elbow or a wrist or something, that would be bad enough- but an ankle that has to support your weight is a whole different matter.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:52, Reply)

Yup, and make sure
you get plenty of physical therapy afterwards.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:03, Reply)

I'll find out what the therapy is
and then do it myself- I can't afford the extra treatment. It's not covered under my health care.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:08, Reply)

My regular doctor
has a therapy clinic, it's something like $25 a week up to 3 times a week and it's pretty good. Maybe you have something like that where you are?
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:11, Reply)

Not sure.
I went to the community hospital because of my minimal health coverage. I'm sure that after they slice me up and bolt me together they'll have recommendations.

In any case, I'm going to be following the doctors' orders to the fucking letter.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:18, Reply)

*flaunts free healthcare*

( weaver., Wed 24 Mar 2010, 9:21, Reply)