So, my cast does not come off for another week so I don't have much more to report on that front. When searching the net when I first injured myself I wanted to know what other people had gone through and what advice they could offer, so I thought I would share what I have learnt so far.
Keep your leg elevated and iced as much as possible, both after the initial injury and after surgery. This will help with swelling and more importantly pain. The faster the swelling goes down, the faster the pain goes away. Above your heart is best, but if you are venturing out just up on a chair also helps.
Keep on top of the pain. Keeping on top of it with meds is a lot easier than trying to catch up to it. I am 9 days post surgery and am only taking meds twice a day, once when I get up, and once when I go to bed. But if I feel like I need them, I take them.
You will be exhausted at first. One trip to Safeway and I was exhausted, light headed, head spins, and hot. I could only get so far before I had to sit down. But this will get better.
Vitamins. I am taking calcium, multivitamin, magnesium, fish oil and liver support tablets. The first four are all proven to help promote and assist bone and wound healing. I am taking the liver support tablets to help counter the meds and the stress they're placing on my liver.
No alcohol! I know I know, it seems like it one of the only things that can help! But, alcohol = swelling. I had 1 glass of wine on Christmas and within minutes I could feel the swelling. Not to mention meds and alcohol are not friends. It's personal choice but I am also avoiding caffeine and soda while I am healing, as there is research to support that these slow bone healing, and I want to be fit and healthy as quickly as possible. I am eating as much fresh food as possible and avoiding any processed food. Dairy, fresh vegetables and nuts is my main diet at the moment.
Without going into too much detail, make sure you are getting enough fibre to counteract the meds. I have oatmeal mixed in with my yogurt.
Showering. Tiring process! My method is a trash bag over my cast and taped on with sports tape. I then sit in the tub with the shower running. A chair in the shower is another option. It is so important that you do not get any water near the cast, particularly if you have had surgery. Water in cast = stinky, but with stitches it also = infection.
Exercise. Muscle wastage happens faster than you could ever imagine. There is not a great deal you can do for your injured leg, but quad squeezes are a must. You will be spending a lot of time sitting so these are a must. Simply tighten your quad, hold for 5 seconds, and release. I repeat this during the day constantly. This will assist your recovery when the time comes to start walking again. The more you can focus on your ankle alone the better. Also google other exercises as you can still exercise the rest of your body. This will help with boredom and health.
With all of the above I am comfortable being out and about and have the energy to do that. I am feeling good and so is my leg, so let's hope it's good news next Friday!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
What Next?
So now, the waiting game. I have a week and a half until my cast and stitches removed and find out how everything is going. I am praying everything is healing ok, as I have a month long road/snow trip in Cali planned for April, so I need recovery to stay on track with no complications.
All going well I should be able to start walking beginning of February, so I am hoping with 8 weeks to have rehab/physio and gain as much strength back as possible to be fit and strong to make the most of spring riding in Cali, as well as be strong for our season back home.
As I mentioned in my first post I was meant to be here for the majority of the season. I was staying here until 12th March, then heading back to Australia for a wedding, and then returning to the states at the beginning of April for my road trip. I am now planning on heading home early. As much as this kills me, lying on the couch here is doing me no good. And by the time I am due to be fit enough to ride it would be time to go anyway. So I figure I will go and have a bit of summer for the first time in awhile, see my fam who I have not seen for over a year, and focus on rehab and getting as fit and well as possible. I am yet to decide when I will go, I was thinking when I can start walking again as I don't fancy trying to drag 100 pounds of luggage through several airports and deal with 30 hours of travel whilst still on crutches. I am going to wait until my appointment on the 6th and see how the healing is going, and make a decision from there. Just the thought of being away from the snow kills me, but a little bit of beach and summer won't be so bad, and I can't ride anyway... I plan on returning to the states a week early to come back to Winter Park to see my mates, and with any luck ride a whole lot of pow before I head to Cali.
So until my appointment I am just planning on more chilling and taking it easy on my ankle.
All going well I should be able to start walking beginning of February, so I am hoping with 8 weeks to have rehab/physio and gain as much strength back as possible to be fit and strong to make the most of spring riding in Cali, as well as be strong for our season back home.
As I mentioned in my first post I was meant to be here for the majority of the season. I was staying here until 12th March, then heading back to Australia for a wedding, and then returning to the states at the beginning of April for my road trip. I am now planning on heading home early. As much as this kills me, lying on the couch here is doing me no good. And by the time I am due to be fit enough to ride it would be time to go anyway. So I figure I will go and have a bit of summer for the first time in awhile, see my fam who I have not seen for over a year, and focus on rehab and getting as fit and well as possible. I am yet to decide when I will go, I was thinking when I can start walking again as I don't fancy trying to drag 100 pounds of luggage through several airports and deal with 30 hours of travel whilst still on crutches. I am going to wait until my appointment on the 6th and see how the healing is going, and make a decision from there. Just the thought of being away from the snow kills me, but a little bit of beach and summer won't be so bad, and I can't ride anyway... I plan on returning to the states a week early to come back to Winter Park to see my mates, and with any luck ride a whole lot of pow before I head to Cali.
So until my appointment I am just planning on more chilling and taking it easy on my ankle.
The World's Most Difficult Appointment to Obtain...
So I mentioned that I had to make a follow up appointment. Most painful experience ever, more so than actually breaking my damn ankle. Apparently here in America there is just no care or concern for you whatsoever.
The girl I initially spoke to about my appointment did actually call me back on Thursday to say they were full up but she was doing what she could and would get back to me, which I appreciated. I hadn't heard back by the Friday afternoon so I called. She had left so I spoke to someone else, who said there was no appointments until the 9th January (1 week after I am due to have an appointment) but they were waiting to hear from another clinic. So basically I had to wait until today (Tuesday) after Christmas and the Monday holiday.
So today I hadn't heard anything, so I called. I was told that they had to wait for an email back and they couldn't do anything. Um, they don't have phones in America? After demanding, I finally got a call back and was informed there was no way I could be seen until the 9th. I explained, very calmly, that the surgeon instructed I have an appointment within 2 weeks, and that more importantly I had stitches that needed to be removed. The response was that if I was really that concerned I could go to an emergency department... WTF!!!??? About here I got a little less calm. Finally I got given the direct number to the clinic, and after firmly explaining my situation, I now have an appointment for Friday 6th January to have my cast and stitches removed at my follow up appointment.
I have heard terrible things about the American health system and would never willingly bag it, but my gosh I just feel so insignificant after this experience. My travel insurance was considering flying me back to Aus for surgery and I asked to be able to have it here as I wanted to stay, I now wonder what would've been a better option.
The girl I initially spoke to about my appointment did actually call me back on Thursday to say they were full up but she was doing what she could and would get back to me, which I appreciated. I hadn't heard back by the Friday afternoon so I called. She had left so I spoke to someone else, who said there was no appointments until the 9th January (1 week after I am due to have an appointment) but they were waiting to hear from another clinic. So basically I had to wait until today (Tuesday) after Christmas and the Monday holiday.
So today I hadn't heard anything, so I called. I was told that they had to wait for an email back and they couldn't do anything. Um, they don't have phones in America? After demanding, I finally got a call back and was informed there was no way I could be seen until the 9th. I explained, very calmly, that the surgeon instructed I have an appointment within 2 weeks, and that more importantly I had stitches that needed to be removed. The response was that if I was really that concerned I could go to an emergency department... WTF!!!??? About here I got a little less calm. Finally I got given the direct number to the clinic, and after firmly explaining my situation, I now have an appointment for Friday 6th January to have my cast and stitches removed at my follow up appointment.
I have heard terrible things about the American health system and would never willingly bag it, but my gosh I just feel so insignificant after this experience. My travel insurance was considering flying me back to Aus for surgery and I asked to be able to have it here as I wanted to stay, I now wonder what would've been a better option.
Surgery Recovery
So felt pretty good when I got home from surgery. I opted to have a nerve blocker, where they inject localised anaesthetic into a nerve in the lower leg to block any sensation for the next 12-24 hours. I chose this as I didn't want to risk being in any pain at all with a long drive home. Worked successfully and wore off within about 10-12 hours. Apparently I metabolize drugs fast just not food, haha.
The next day, wow. Pain to the max. Pressure from swelling and I could feel where the stitches were. I was taking my meds every 4 hours to keep on top of the pain. All I could do was lie on the couch, elevate as much as possible, and ice continually to help reduce swelling. This apparently helped as by Thursday it was feeling a lot better, and has continually improved since then. A combination of Oxy and Aleve seems to work the best. I was taking every 4 hours, and now 1 week after surgery I have stretched this out to 1-2 times per day maximum.
Pretty much from surgery on Tues through to Sunday I just chilled on the couch with my leg up and iced as often as possible. I have been eating as healthy as possible (no preservatives, no soda, no caffeine, no alcohol) and taking calcium, multivitamin, magnesium, fish oil and liver support tablets. All to help promote healing and also support my liver whilst taking meds. I had a couple of trips to Safeway, but this was hard work whilst on meds. I found I was exhausted easily, and got lightheaded, head spins, and very hot if I was up for too long. So couch time it was.
By Sunday (Christmas) I had lowered my meds right down and was feeling good in general. I was aware of where my stitches were but it was not painful, and the swelling was still down. I went out for Christmas dinner with a bunch of friends and to a party afterwards. No issues whatsoever, until I had a glass of wine (hey, it was Christmas, just one!). I could feel my ankle swell again so I won't be drinking anymore for awhile.
I went back to work (light duties where I could elevate my leg) on Monday. I worked a 12 hour shift and was exhausted by the end of it, my whole body ached. My leg was sore too. I think it was just the shock of being back, upright and mobile after being on the couch for 2 weeks. I worked again today (Tuesday), another 12 hour shift, and felt a whole bunch better. I have my leg up again tonight but it is feeling good.
The next day, wow. Pain to the max. Pressure from swelling and I could feel where the stitches were. I was taking my meds every 4 hours to keep on top of the pain. All I could do was lie on the couch, elevate as much as possible, and ice continually to help reduce swelling. This apparently helped as by Thursday it was feeling a lot better, and has continually improved since then. A combination of Oxy and Aleve seems to work the best. I was taking every 4 hours, and now 1 week after surgery I have stretched this out to 1-2 times per day maximum.
Pretty much from surgery on Tues through to Sunday I just chilled on the couch with my leg up and iced as often as possible. I have been eating as healthy as possible (no preservatives, no soda, no caffeine, no alcohol) and taking calcium, multivitamin, magnesium, fish oil and liver support tablets. All to help promote healing and also support my liver whilst taking meds. I had a couple of trips to Safeway, but this was hard work whilst on meds. I found I was exhausted easily, and got lightheaded, head spins, and very hot if I was up for too long. So couch time it was.
By Sunday (Christmas) I had lowered my meds right down and was feeling good in general. I was aware of where my stitches were but it was not painful, and the swelling was still down. I went out for Christmas dinner with a bunch of friends and to a party afterwards. No issues whatsoever, until I had a glass of wine (hey, it was Christmas, just one!). I could feel my ankle swell again so I won't be drinking anymore for awhile.
I went back to work (light duties where I could elevate my leg) on Monday. I worked a 12 hour shift and was exhausted by the end of it, my whole body ached. My leg was sore too. I think it was just the shock of being back, upright and mobile after being on the couch for 2 weeks. I worked again today (Tuesday), another 12 hour shift, and felt a whole bunch better. I have my leg up again tonight but it is feeling good.
Next Step, Surgery
So the next step was surgery, scheduled at Denver Health on December 20.
And this is where my joyous experience with the American health system begins. I needed to know what time my surgery was and preparation details as I live 1.5 hours away in Fraser. I was also relying on my housemate to drive me due to needing to be driven home after surgery. It took 3 days of circles of phone calls, disconnected numbers and emails to finally find out what I needed to do to prepare for surgery, and find out that no one could possibly tell me what time I needed to be at the hospital until the day before.
So the day before surgery I get a call that I need to be at the hospital at 6.30am. Yep, when I live 1.5 hours away. Thanks, so much. Thankfully friends in Golden put us up the night before so we could do the majority of the driving the night prior as opposed to getting up at 4am.
Arrived at the hospital, check in was smooth and was soon admitted. Time arrived for the nurse to administer my IV, despite my begs that no one can ever get one successfully in my hand, of course she knew better and put several holes in me until she realised that indeed I was correct and she would have to find a vein in my arm. Oh did I mention my intense hatred of needles? Awesome...
Not sure if this is normal but unlike in Australia I did not get to consult with my actual main surgeon, but instead one of the other attending surgeons. He was pleasant and explained what the process would be. More tears here when he explained I the recovery process = no riding until approximately March. Basically I would be having a plate, pins and a screw inserted into my ankle to stabilise it. I would be placed in a cast for 2 weeks and on crutches. Following this I would have a follow up appointment, 2 weeks after surgery, where my stitches and cast would be removed. I would then be put in a removable boot for 4 weeks, but still on crutches. At this point I am allowed to begin range of movement exercises but no weight bearing. Once the full 6 weeks is up I can slowly begin weight bearing and rehab. From experience this will take another good 4-6 weeks to get movement and strength back to be able to ride.
I was asked whether I wanted a spinal (be awake during surgery - NO THANKS) or general anaesthetic. Think you can guess what I picked... After this, things got a little hazy.
Next I was slowly coming to, and allowed to recover. I was given apple juice, and also offered crackers which I politely declined. The nurse made sure I was ok and kept an eye on me. I asked whether the surgeon was coming to see me, the response was no. This I found strange, as also in Aus, after surgery the surgeon will then consult with you again to let you know how it went, etc. I asked if I could speak to him, I was grunted at that he had 'just scrubbed in, but sure, I'll get him'. Um, sorry for asking for so much? The same attending surgeon that saw me before surgery came back, albeit with a very different tone this time. I asked how the surgery went and what was actually put in my ankle. The response was that he wasn't entirely sure as he had to go into another surgery but 'he'd guess at a plate, 7 pins and a screw'. Great, a guess. Thanks. I asked a little more and the response was 'you won't even remember this conversation anyway'. Well guess what buddy, I do! I am appalled at this attitude, I have just had what I consider to be major surgery (for me), I think I am entitled to know what was installed in my ankle! My housemate was with me at this time and was also not impressed.
So time to be discharged came along. No x-rays given, no medical records, just a yellow piece of paper with home care instructions and not even my medical number. I was told by the nurse to make an appointment for 2 weeks to have my cast and stitches removed. As it's at the same hospital I asked if I could make the appointment right there and then, rather than having to call. The response was a very sarcastic 'do you have a phone? Call'. Wow.
On the drive back to Fraser I called to make the appointment and finally spoke to someone pleasant who explained that it takes 24-48 hours for my information to appear and that she would call me back once she had that information.
And this is where my joyous experience with the American health system begins. I needed to know what time my surgery was and preparation details as I live 1.5 hours away in Fraser. I was also relying on my housemate to drive me due to needing to be driven home after surgery. It took 3 days of circles of phone calls, disconnected numbers and emails to finally find out what I needed to do to prepare for surgery, and find out that no one could possibly tell me what time I needed to be at the hospital until the day before.
So the day before surgery I get a call that I need to be at the hospital at 6.30am. Yep, when I live 1.5 hours away. Thanks, so much. Thankfully friends in Golden put us up the night before so we could do the majority of the driving the night prior as opposed to getting up at 4am.
Arrived at the hospital, check in was smooth and was soon admitted. Time arrived for the nurse to administer my IV, despite my begs that no one can ever get one successfully in my hand, of course she knew better and put several holes in me until she realised that indeed I was correct and she would have to find a vein in my arm. Oh did I mention my intense hatred of needles? Awesome...
Not sure if this is normal but unlike in Australia I did not get to consult with my actual main surgeon, but instead one of the other attending surgeons. He was pleasant and explained what the process would be. More tears here when he explained I the recovery process = no riding until approximately March. Basically I would be having a plate, pins and a screw inserted into my ankle to stabilise it. I would be placed in a cast for 2 weeks and on crutches. Following this I would have a follow up appointment, 2 weeks after surgery, where my stitches and cast would be removed. I would then be put in a removable boot for 4 weeks, but still on crutches. At this point I am allowed to begin range of movement exercises but no weight bearing. Once the full 6 weeks is up I can slowly begin weight bearing and rehab. From experience this will take another good 4-6 weeks to get movement and strength back to be able to ride.
I was asked whether I wanted a spinal (be awake during surgery - NO THANKS) or general anaesthetic. Think you can guess what I picked... After this, things got a little hazy.
Next I was slowly coming to, and allowed to recover. I was given apple juice, and also offered crackers which I politely declined. The nurse made sure I was ok and kept an eye on me. I asked whether the surgeon was coming to see me, the response was no. This I found strange, as also in Aus, after surgery the surgeon will then consult with you again to let you know how it went, etc. I asked if I could speak to him, I was grunted at that he had 'just scrubbed in, but sure, I'll get him'. Um, sorry for asking for so much? The same attending surgeon that saw me before surgery came back, albeit with a very different tone this time. I asked how the surgery went and what was actually put in my ankle. The response was that he wasn't entirely sure as he had to go into another surgery but 'he'd guess at a plate, 7 pins and a screw'. Great, a guess. Thanks. I asked a little more and the response was 'you won't even remember this conversation anyway'. Well guess what buddy, I do! I am appalled at this attitude, I have just had what I consider to be major surgery (for me), I think I am entitled to know what was installed in my ankle! My housemate was with me at this time and was also not impressed.
So time to be discharged came along. No x-rays given, no medical records, just a yellow piece of paper with home care instructions and not even my medical number. I was told by the nurse to make an appointment for 2 weeks to have my cast and stitches removed. As it's at the same hospital I asked if I could make the appointment right there and then, rather than having to call. The response was a very sarcastic 'do you have a phone? Call'. Wow.
On the drive back to Fraser I called to make the appointment and finally spoke to someone pleasant who explained that it takes 24-48 hours for my information to appear and that she would call me back once she had that information.
So I Broke My Ankle....
So... 2.5 weeks since I broke my ankle snowboarding here in Winter Park. I live for snowboarding so have been searching page through page on the internet of what I could expect in terms of recovery and most importantly when I can get back to riding, but couldn't really find what I was looking for. Unfortunately I know others will have to go through what I am, so I thought posting this would help in terms of what to expect, as well as help alleviate some of my boredom and stop me from going completely mental!
Me? I am an aussie here in Winter Park for the season (well was here for the season...), more on that later.
So 12th December was lapping the park with a work buddy, hitting bigger jumps than I have before, feeling awesome about life in general, and day 20 riding for the season. Decided to take a quick drink break, headed down a run, bombing down the hill, speed checked, caught an edge and ate it. Felt ok, tried to get up but my ankle disagreed. Next thing was a sled ride down the hill and a bit of teasing from my mates about how it was a little early in the season for that.
Got checked in and warned how expensive it was and that I could go elsewhere if I wanted, opted to stay (thank god for travel insurance - best decision ever). Patroller took my details whilst I saw stars, eventually I had to ask to have my boot taken off... Yep, what fun. At this stage did not know what the damage was, but let me tell you thank goodness for shock and adrenaline, not a pleasant experience getting other people to remove your boot whilst your foot is rapidly swelling. Was given ice and left alone, being curious I had a little touch... and felt something move. Kinda knew this was not a good sign, but was still holding out hope for a sprain or dislocation. Fast forward through examinations and x-rays and I was informed I had a bimalleolar fracture, had broken both my Tibia and Fibula. Not one for tears but will admit a few escaped when I realised it'd be a little while before I was riding again...
So next great news was that surgery was necessary. Yay. Only upside of this is being allowed to move the injury much earlier, and it being much stronger after recovery (how am I so informed - oh I just broke my wrist back in July in our Aus season, 3 weeks into the season, meaning no riding for 7 weeks while it puked snow, yep, what a year...). So got scheduled for the following Tuesday, just over a week later.
I was put in a splint - any of you going through this, I will not lie, even with Percocet this hurt like a bitch. Basically it takes 3 people. Why? One person to hold you still, one to wrap the splint and dressing, and one to manipulate your ankle back into it's correct place. Yep, I swore. Loudly.
Was given pain meds (go America, strong meds, geez...), my crazy crutches with safety spikes on the bottom for icy conditions - hilar! and kindly sent on my way.
And I have to say, the staff at the clinic at Winter Park were amazing. Thanks so much for looking after me.
Me? I am an aussie here in Winter Park for the season (well was here for the season...), more on that later.
So 12th December was lapping the park with a work buddy, hitting bigger jumps than I have before, feeling awesome about life in general, and day 20 riding for the season. Decided to take a quick drink break, headed down a run, bombing down the hill, speed checked, caught an edge and ate it. Felt ok, tried to get up but my ankle disagreed. Next thing was a sled ride down the hill and a bit of teasing from my mates about how it was a little early in the season for that.
Got checked in and warned how expensive it was and that I could go elsewhere if I wanted, opted to stay (thank god for travel insurance - best decision ever). Patroller took my details whilst I saw stars, eventually I had to ask to have my boot taken off... Yep, what fun. At this stage did not know what the damage was, but let me tell you thank goodness for shock and adrenaline, not a pleasant experience getting other people to remove your boot whilst your foot is rapidly swelling. Was given ice and left alone, being curious I had a little touch... and felt something move. Kinda knew this was not a good sign, but was still holding out hope for a sprain or dislocation. Fast forward through examinations and x-rays and I was informed I had a bimalleolar fracture, had broken both my Tibia and Fibula. Not one for tears but will admit a few escaped when I realised it'd be a little while before I was riding again...
So next great news was that surgery was necessary. Yay. Only upside of this is being allowed to move the injury much earlier, and it being much stronger after recovery (how am I so informed - oh I just broke my wrist back in July in our Aus season, 3 weeks into the season, meaning no riding for 7 weeks while it puked snow, yep, what a year...). So got scheduled for the following Tuesday, just over a week later.
I was put in a splint - any of you going through this, I will not lie, even with Percocet this hurt like a bitch. Basically it takes 3 people. Why? One person to hold you still, one to wrap the splint and dressing, and one to manipulate your ankle back into it's correct place. Yep, I swore. Loudly.
Was given pain meds (go America, strong meds, geez...), my crazy crutches with safety spikes on the bottom for icy conditions - hilar! and kindly sent on my way.
And I have to say, the staff at the clinic at Winter Park were amazing. Thanks so much for looking after me.
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