So. Went to Denver and went to my appointment. First up saw a nurse who explained my cast would be removed, an Ortho attendant would come and talk to me, then my stitches would be removed.
So cast off first... was a bit anxious as I was concerned what it would look like, how it would feel, and most importantly, how hairy my leg would be haha... Had a buddy in the room with me - pressure! This is how it looked.
So it actually looked a whole heap better than I expected (apart from the hairyness haha) and didn't feel nearly as weird/foreign as my wrist did after surgery.
Next the ortho came in. I was expecting to meet my surgeon, but no. The doctor checked out my x-rays then informed me a plaster cast would be re-applied. My friend in the room told me my face dropped immediately. Straight away I queried this as I had been told pre-surgery I would get an air boot at this point. He responded we could do this. It was at this point I started to get concerned... When he returned from looking at my x-rays I asked about physical therapy and he informed me that it would not be necessary. This worried me, but I didn't say too much. But I am a very active person, who wants to get back to riding ASAP, and I have metal in me - yet he was comfortable suggesting PT wasn't necessary??!! What the shit??? I know from experience with my wrist, getting it moving as soon as possible, and PT for strength are both incredibly important when getting back to sport and recovering quickly.
And then it got worse. He suggested I should not ride until next season. As in next northern season. This varies from the attending surgeon who told me pre-surgery I would be riding again by March. And this is where I really became concerned. I voiced this, and wait for it... his advice was to drink milk. Seriously? Seriously dude? I am off booze, soda and caffeine. I am taking multi vitamin, calcium, magnesium and fish oil, and eating well. Drink milk? WTF.
So the nurse came back in and removed my stitches. Not fun kids. She was great, and brought some humour to the situation. I wouldn't say it hurt, but not the funnest experience I have had. Then she fitted my boot.
This is great because I can remove it to shower... YAY!! And also move it. I am being very careful as to what I do, because again the doc was so vague as to what I could do. The follow up really was just shitty. Ok, I understand a lot of people are probably not committed to recovery, but it's not like I failed to inform him of my dedication to getting fit quickly.
So after a lot of thought on the drive home I decided to document my concerns to my travel insurance. My worry was that I just had no real idea of what I could do to help speed up recovery, what was safe to do with my ankle, and when I would be able to ride again. All I had was my next follow up date.
The next morning I got a call from my travel insurance. They informed me that as I had already had surgery they had no obligation to assist any further, but they were concerned about my follow up care. As a result they were willing to fly me home. But they wouldn't fly me back to the states (they would have if I'd had surgery back in Aus). I decided if I have any chance of recovering fast, this was the best option. The upside of all of this? I would be flying business as I need leg room.
So flights were booked for Wednesday 11th, flying Air Canada. And.... no business class in Air Canada so got to fly first class! Yeah baby!
Definitely devastated to leave Colorado but this is my best shot at being able to go back there this season.
Flights were great, was wheel chaired or put on a buggy in Denver, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. The Air Canada flight was great, my seat turned into a bed so I slept for 9 of the 15 hours. Going back cattle class next time is going to be a killer. Hardest part of all of the flying was having to give myself a DVT injection. Had one before I left but they only last 24 hours, so I had to do it myself. Not fun when you have a fear of needles. Luckily is just done in the fatty part of the stomach, but the needle itself freaked me out!
So now I am back in Perth and it is HOT! Like 35 degrees (nearly 100 degrees F). Quite a shock from the below freezing temps I have been living in for a year. I am seeing a top ankle ortho back here tomorrow for a second opinion. Basically I just want to see someone I trust for an opinion, an idea of when I can start weight bearing, what PT is safe, and when I can ride again. There was just so much uncertainty in the US, I believe this is the best option.
My ankle has been feeling good and swelling has gone down a lot. This is what it looked like straight after I got home from Denver and having the cast off.
So I will update again after I get a clearer idea of what happens next when I have seen the surgeon.
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