kit kat

After about five or so weeks with an extremely annoying cast on my leg, I finally got to go see my orthopedic surgeon to get the damn thing off. Another set of x-rays were taken, and I got an actual idea of the extent of my injuries. I had been downplaying the whole thing for a while, mostly because I really didn’t think my fall, though spectacular, was that serious. But apparently, it was.

On the picture above (don’t bones look cool?), you can see one of the fractures pretty clearly (this is the original x-ray). Basically (a refresher), that happened because, when I fell, I somehow managed to force my tibia and fibula away from each other, fracturing my tibia in two places, and ripping the ligament a bit.

Anyway, I got another set of x-rays taken this morning. The fracture has healed enormously, but you can still see it on the films. My foot and ankle are still kind of inflammed though. The doctor said that the setting of the bone was good and the everything is still stable – not stable enough, however, for me to be completely in the clear. Now I have a huge aircast boot thing on my leg, which now makes my leg look like some sort of robot limb.

The good news is that I can start putting weight on my leg (with the aid of crutches). The other good news is that I can shower again (YAY!). The bad news is I need the boot for another five weeks before I have to go into physical therapy.

So that’s the update. Blargh.

looking on the bright

Today I am grateful for

• not needing to get a screw put through my ankle
• non-subzero weather, especially as I’m crutching around (and no more ice!)
• all my stuff arriving safely in Houston

As it turns out, I have not one, but two fractures in the lower part of my right tibia. Additionally, there is a small tear in the ligament that holds my tibia and fibula together. On the bright side though, the injury is, in the doctor’s words, “very stable,” so my ankle isn’t flopping around or anything. Actually, once the swelling went down, I was able to move my foot back and forth (though not side to side) without pain. And my toes are fully functional, though still a mite swollen. All that adds up to a large black cast on my lower right leg. But it’s better than surgery, even if it is really annoying.

And keeping in line with the positive bent, I’m getting quite a workout on the crutches. I had been thinking that I needed to tone up my arms recently, and now I’m working my shoulders and triceps out everyday. Crutching (is that even a verb?) is much more difficult than it looks. I remember seeing a few people do it back in middle/high school, and it seemed like it was rather easy. But it’s not. It’s pretty tiring.

Oh well. I’m more concerned with how I’m going to shower tomorrow morning without getting the damn thing wet… Suggestions?