Day 24 - Cast Off/Boot On

I had my three week post-op appointment this afternoon. I wasn't as lucky with getting seen right away but only had to wait 30 minutes before going back. When the nurse took me back she mentioned that she had me down for 8am. We were specifically told that there were no 8am appointments. It would have been ideal because I wouldn't have had to reschedule my own patients and drive 30 minutes there and back in the middle of the day. She did tell me that next time just show up in the morning no matter what time my appointment is the doctor would see me. On a side note, doctors and dentists offices are so different. I wasn't given any option of when I could schedule, was given no confirmation call, was not greeted on arrival, and was made to wait 30 minutes. In my offices (and most I believe), you are given scheduling options, receive a confirmation call 1 or 2 days prior to your appointment, are always greeted with a smile, and will never wait more than 10 minutes. If you do have to wait, I will personally come and apologize and notify you that I am running late and will also likely compensate you with a discount or account credit. Anyway, I'll stop ranting now.

The nurse cut off my cast and I was able to see the surgical site for the first time in three weeks. I could already notice that I had lost muscle in the calf. I was surprised to see how bruised my ankle still was and I had a little parasthesia around the actual repair site. Dr. Y came in and stated how pleased he was with the healing and did a few muscular tests and said that I was healing extremely well. He removed my sutures, cleaned me up a little and told me that I will need to be in my boot for 3 weeks. I asked my list of questions and he answered them all. He said that I can start bearing weight but he doesn't want me 'toeing off' yet. I will be removing one (three total) heel insert from my boot each week and he wants to see me in three weeks for another post op. The nurse put my boot on and instructed me on how to inflate and deflate the air cast. The good news is I can finally shower and scrub my leg. The bad news is that he wants me to sleep in this giant astronaut boot. After three weeks I was told that I can begin therapy with stretching all that stuff. I'm sure much to wifey's and Dr. Y's chagrin, I will have the boot off and stretching as much as I can.