Medical Update

For those of you who are paying attention to time stamps...it is the middle of the night or at the very least very early in the morning. For some reason I am awake and even more frustrating is the fact that I am showing no signs of being able to go back to sleep.

Nevertheless, here is the latest progress report. I went to the doctor yesterday for my third check-up and got nothing but good news. Not as good as news as I was hoping to get but good news anyway.

The ankle, mostly due to the fact that it is comprised of smaller bones and has a bunch of metal in it is healed to the extent that the bones are back together. I is is still very stiff and and slightly swollen from the trauma, but it is healed from a break standpoint.

The leg however is another story. The tibia was literally broken in two and despite the fact that they drove a rod down through the middle of the leg, the break is still visible. Evidently the combination of the tibia being a large bone and the fact that I am of the age that I am is contributing to the extended healing.

I was disappointed to hear that news until the doctor assured me that I am way ahead of where he thought I would be seven weeks ago when he first saw me. Evidently, the break was very severe, so much so that he was hesitant to divulge the whole truth, choosing instead to be positive. Now that I am well on the road to recovery, he was a little more forthcoming in sharing his original thoughts.

So, he pulled a scale out and had me stand on it with my broken leg until the scale read 60 pounds. He had me then step off and back on again and repeated that process two more times until I got a feeling of what 60 pounds felt like. That is the amount of force that I am able to put on my leg. Still means I am on crutches. but it is progress. I am also scheduled to ride a stationary bike for 12 to 29 minutes every day to create motion in the ankle and knee as well as to start rebuilding what used to be a calf muscle.

He gave me permission to drive!

And saving the best for last, he informed me that by my next visit in the middle of November, he would release me to resume normal travel duties! Going through security is going to be a nightmare, but I am stoked!

I guess that is it for now. I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend.