Apologies

[UndercovrAngel]

Once again, I find myself apologizing for not being here much to post on all that is happening with the family here. There has been much good news, as well as some sad news. As much as I want to respond to every post, I find that I just can't spend the time that I want to on the computer.

The longer I sit, without my foot elevated, the more problems arise. I'm not due to see the ortho till the 17th, but I am waiting this morning for his office to open so that I can call and make an earlier appointment if he has an opening. I am afraid that I am going to have to have a 2nd surgery to correct the first. My foot still is swollen and the area around the incision has turned an ugly red. I have pain up into my shin, and the circulation isn't great (when I do a capillary refill test, it takes upwards of 30 seconds for my skin to return to it's normal shade). This morning, I awoke to pain that starts at the incision, goes into the back of my ankle and up my calf and into my knee. And I spent most of yesterday in bed, with my foot elevated. So something is definitely wrong.

I probably won't be on much over the next few days as I try to get this corrected. Until I can see the ortho, I will be in bed most of the time, trying to alleviate the problem on my own.

I hope that y'all have a great week. I am saddened that I was unable to make the meeting in Tulsa. After hearing how great it was, I wish that I had chanced the drive through the bad weather so that I could have met everyone. But am glad that everyone seems to have made it safely home (for the most part) Sorry to hear that BK and her hubby had the accident and hope that BK's injuries aren't serious.

Angel ^j^

Angel

[punk]

Angel, no need to apologize for not being here!! YOU must take care of YOU first...we'll be ok. I'm glad that you did take the time to let us know what's going on!! Please know that I will keep you in my prayers and hope that things work out for the best. Yes, I agree...you need to be seen immediately. If the ortho can't see you TODAY, I would go to your PCP and have him evaluate it. If it's something that needs the ortho's attention your PCP can call and get pretty much straight through. It's funny, when a patient calls with something that they know is emergent Dr.'s tend to brush us off, especially the specialty Docs. I think they think we don't have any brains sometimes! But...when our PCP calls and says, this needs evaluated...they get action and you get right in. Please see someone TODAY about this. It sounds like, from your description, that you've got a rageing infection that needs immediate attention.
Keep us posted when you're up to it and please, please...take care of you first!! That's what's important now!!
Good luck sweetie!

[ksgirl]

Angel, please take care of yourself! I was really hoping that you would heal fast after your surgery. Please let us know what the dr says.

[monster]

Angel - I agree with Punk, sounds like you have a nasty infection that needs to be seen NOW. Please take care of yourself and do as Punk says, you really need to be seen by someone girl.

hugs,
monster

[Babebahn]

Angel:
I agree with the others...go to the Doctors ASAP and get evaluated. I had something similiar happen after my ankle surgery but then it cleared up with antibiotics...I had my sural nerve removed.

[vickinat]

Undercover, I too agree with the other's, you need to get it checked out ASAP. If there is an infection you don't want it to go too long. I would also ask if you are allowed to soak it in Epson salts, that really helps with swelling as well as pain. I hope all goes well and you won't need another surgery. Prayers are going out for you, keep us informed when you feel up to it.

[sparkey]

Is it hot to the touch? Not only am i concerned about infection, but the adema that is going on with it. Maybe they will order a blood test to check for clotting. If they order a D-Dimer test to see if a possible blood clot is present. Not to scare you , but you need to rule that out also. My father had MS for 8 yrs, and both his legs were swollen and when he went to the doctors to get on the examine table he passed away. A clot went to his lungs.

It could very well be a infection seeing you had sutures, so not to scare you , just question if it may be that by any chance also. And please keep that leg elevated upbove the heart. Good luck.

[sweet tooth]

please take care of yourself and yes we missed all that wasnt there and yes we talked about everyone there or not lol lol joking aside we did miss everyone and pray that you get some releave soon and that its all ok love ya sweets

[red1030]

angel...everyone in Tulsa missed you, but we all want you to do exactly what punk said...take care of YOU. What good is a trip if you do not feel well because you are not taking care of you... no apologies ok... when you are here you are here for us all... when you are not when know that you are here in heart...love Red

[UndercovrAngel]

I got in to see the Dr late yesterday afternoon. He seems to think that there is nothing wrong with what I am going through and just changed my meds from lyrica (75 mgs x2) and lortab to celebrex (200 mgs x1) and Ultram er (200 mg x2) and sent me downstairs to sign up for pt as he finally noticed that I have lost the ROM in my ankle.

So I started the meds yesterday afternoon, and could see no difference in what I got from the lortab and lyrica. In fact, by the time I went to bed, I was in so much pain, that I sat and rubbed my foot for over 2 hours before giving in and taking a lyrica. It was still after midnight before the pain let up enough for me to fall asleep. And I still woke up twice after that in pain and had to sit and rub my foot more.

I start PT tomorrow morning at 10 am and have 3 sessions scheduled this week, with three to follow next week before returning to work on Friday the 21st. I am hoping that with the ultrasound and tens that it will help. I have to get a return to work slip from the Dr on Monday, and I am hoping that he will limit the time that I have to sit, as well as the hours that I can work. Otherwise, I will be chained to the desk for three hours at a time which makes the pain in my foot worse .. and without an hourly limit, my work has me scheduled to work nine and a half hour shifts, 17 days in a row.

The place that I am scheduled to do PT at seems like a great place. I have a $30 copay per visit, but when I told them about my money problems ( I am getting dropped to 70% of my regular pay or about $360 every 2 weeks) and that I would only be able to attend one session every other week, they agreed to drop 2 of the copays per week so that I can get in all three sessions they feel I need.

If this doesn't help my foot and ankle, the Dr wants to try some kind of injections. I know, from the feel of the incision that I am getting scar tissue built up underneath. I am one of those that get it after surgery. Happened with my c-section and after my de'queravains release in 03. So I don't think that the injections will help. But I guess that unless I want to go out of network on my insurance, I have no choice but to do things in the order that he wants them done, as he is the only ortho in my insurance group.

I am about due to return to my bed and put my foot up for the next 4 hours. I hope that you all have a great day and are as PAINFREE as possible.

Angel ^j^