Below is a snapshot of my recovery.  Everybody calls this a journey which I thought was a bit dramatic but actually it is very true.  There have been so many ups and downs since my accident and each week brings something different.  So even if you are struggling and having the toughest week please remember that the next week will be better.

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My injury was a right ankle pilon fracture so my recovery will be my own so the below is not for you to compare but I hope it will give you some reassurance or some comfort knowing I was and I am going through a similiar thing to you.

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My journey hasn't ended yet so I will keep updating this;

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Thursday 29th November 2018

This was the day of my accident.  I was driving along a straight bit of road about 40mph when another car came onto my side of the road hitting me head on.  The instant pain of my leg washed over me within seconds and I knew it was broken.  The ambulance and fire crew got me to hospital as quickly as they could and before I knew it I was rushed in for x rays, having my leg plastered and speaking with doctors about my, what they call, life changing injury. 

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I was in for surgery the following day to fit my ilizarov frame and I stayed in for 5 days in total finally getting home late on Monday 3rd December.  So good to be home...

 

WEEK  1

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Physically: Body aches, very tired, constant pain in leg, feeling very tight in foot and heel almost like severe cramp, foot very painful when going from sitting to standing where the blood is rushing to it

Progress: Getting up only for the toilet approx 5 times a day.  Using the stairs which is tough as chest hurts from crutches

Emotions: Feeling positive but also sad and scared

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WEEK 2

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Physically: Feeling a bit stronger this week.  Quite a bit of pain in the heel of my foot but rest of leg feels better.  I can wiggle my toes well.  Not as tired and sleeping pretty well.

Progress: Starting to place foot down on the floor a bit more but not weight bearing much

Emotions: Mentally it is difficult and I start to feel down from about 3pm onwards which could possibly be the drugs.

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WEEK 3-5

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Physically: I got ill in week 3 which really set me back unfortunately.  Still on two crutches and walking but not weight bearing that much.  Sitting around with my leg up mainly but have a bit more energy which is good

Progress:  Getting up and down the stairs a lot quicker and more confident with my crutches

Emotions: Getting used to the frame and finding ways of doing things that help around the house, like online food shopping and hanging out washing on drier (whilst sat down)

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WEEK 6

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FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH SURGEON

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My appointment didn't go well and I was not prepared.  I waited an hour and a half I was rushed in and given an x ray.  The surgeon then told me there was no improvement at all.  My bones had shown no sign of knitting.  He asked me to hold onto his arm on my good side and walk but I couldn't put the weight on my bad leg.  From this he was pretty blunt and brutal and told me I risked losing my foot if I dont get weight bearing and lose the crutches.

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I felt extemely low from this appointment, I just wasn't prepared for it.  I also felt that no one had told me that by 6 weeks I should be able to weight bear so heavily on my bad leg.  I felt extremely gutted.  However, from this point it made me more determined.  The next day I pushed myself so hard to weight bear through my bad leg.  I started by standing on both feet holding onto the side and rocking back and forth.  It was painful but I could do it.

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WEEK 7-9

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Physically:  These two weeks I spent pushing myself to weight bear as much as possible.  I changed my walk to ensure I was putting my weight through the foot which made my walking so much more fluid.  I would sit on the edge of the sofa and make sure my weight was going through both feet.  I pushed through the pain as much as I could and trusted the frame. 

Progress:  By week 9 I was walking with one crutch and I could even do a few steps with no crutches.  Getting down to one crutch made life so much easier and meant I could start cooking and transporting things around the house!

Emotions: I am feeling pretty good however the mornings I still feel groggy.  I make the decision to come off my pain relief as I am still on Tramadol and Pregablin which are strong.

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WEEK 10

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Physically: Doing really well still and starting to walk with no crutches.  Quite a limp especially as I am restricted due to heel pins and foot frame.  I decide to come off my pain medication as I want to know how much pain I am in. 

Progress:  Walking without cruthes, pushing myself off chairs and the toilet through both feet rather than holding onto something.  Standing on one leg (my bad leg) with crutch on good side.

Emotions:  Unfortunately not a good week.  I tried to wean myself off tramadol and I think i did it too quickly.  The withdrawl was terrible and lasted for about a week.  I was very low, no energy, nauseous, sweats but freezing cold and my skin hurt.  This was so tough and I really had to rely on my family to pull me through.  But by the end of the week the old me was coming back and I felt the best I had, pain med free and the foggy head was gone

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WEEK 11

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Physically:  Still working on walking with no crutches, going out with just one crutch now instead of two.  Still lots of aches and pains and need to elevate my foot a lot as ankle is swollen but totally manageable.

Progress:  Went to customer site today so really nice to have a proper day at work, made me feel like me again. 

Emotions:  Feeling so much more like myself, being drug free gave me a real sense of control and my self back.  I have been very happy and positive this week

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WEEK 12

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SECOND SURGEON APPOINTMENT

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The frame is coming off!  I can not beleive it, only 6 weeks ago I was told there had been no improvement and now I have healed!  There was bone union and new bone had grown it was amazing.  There is light at the end of the tunnel.  I now have to wait for a date for surgery which could take between 2-6 weeks but reminding myself that waiting is not a bad thing as my leg needs to be as strong as possible.  The surgeon also loosens the screws on the frame (called dynamisation) to allow some flex in the wires and the bone to take more weight.  Feels strange but comfortable.

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Later that day I get a call from the hospital to book me in for a pre-assessment for surgery which will be done at the day surgery unit under general.  My pre-assessment is booked for the following Monday 4th March with the hope that the operation can happen on Monday 11th March.  Everything crossed!

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WEEK 13

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Physically:  I am doing well, as the frame is now loose i feel like i have slightly better movement although when my foot is up i do feel that the frame hangs more so a bit uncomfortable but completely manageable.

Progress:  Walking so much more around the house and more energy

Emotions:  Slightly overwhelmed about everything as i know its coming off but feel very happy

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Pre-assessment at the hospital took about an hour.  They take your blood, urine, high/weight, blood sugar level and test for MRSA which is done with a nostril and groin swab you do yourself.  Nothing invasive.

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WEEK 14

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Wednesday 13th March.  Today I have my frame removed!!

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I was very anxious going into the surgery, I wasn't sure what to expect and how I would feel after.  I realised that my frame had actually become my secuirty blanket.  The day went very smoothly and the care I received from the NHS was brilliant.  As I was a day paitent I was due in hospital for 11.30am at the admissions lounge.  I waited here for about about 45 mins and then I was taken through to a female lounge to wait for my op. I waited here for about 2 hours and in this time I was given a hospital gown to wear (they advise you take in a dressing gown and slippers to go over the top), I saw the Surgeon, Anaesthetist and the nurse did some general checks.  I was then ushered into the operating theatre for my surgery.  Due to personal reasons I opted for a spinal rather than a general so I got to watch the whole procedure which took 5 minutes!  They literally unscrew your frame rings, clip the wires and simply pull them out.  The nurses then dressed my leg for me and I was lucky that I didnt need plaster or a boot.

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Post surgery felt great.  My leg felt so free and light but as I had it quite heavily banaged I still felt I had quite a bit of support around my ankle which was nice.  The physio had me up and walking with my crutches about 2 hours after surgery, I also did the stairs.  My leg flung about as I realised how much I had over compensated for the frame in the last few months!  But there was no pain just stiffness.  Later that evening I was discharged and got into my bed and laid comfortably on my side for the first time in 3 1/2 months.  It was wonderful.

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Next stage of recovery to be contuniued shortly....

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