Finally, an update!! The first thing I want to say is THANK YOU to all of you wonderful people for your comments, emails, and phone calls. The goal when I started this blog was to help at least one person, because I know how lost I was when trying to make a decision between ankle replacement and fusion. There just wasn't enough information "out there". I am forever searching for the silver lining, always seeking out the small blessings even when things are bad. The silver lining and blessings have come from all of you. Thank you.
So here goes.... the doctor (my wonderful doctor) said it would take a year to experience the full benefit of my replacement. Although I was feeling terrific after a year, and life had completely turned around, I didn't feel as great as I had hoped. There were little twinges here and there that were alarming. Please understand that it might take longer to feel "normal" than you had anticipated, but goodness, it is more than worth the wait!! I felt fantastic after six months, spectacular after a year, and 100% "normal" whatever normal is, and over the moon, after a year and a half! 18 months was my magic number, and that could have a great deal to do with the severity of my ankle problems...perhaps many of you would be 100% normal sooner than I was.
Let's talk about today, 12/7/12... I have been busy preparing my house for a special guest. I tend to go crazy when a guest is coming to stay because I want everything to be perfect and pristine, like an exotic vacation (uh huh, dream on). Everything gets done lickety split, and I am up and down the stairs in a flash! Two years ago it would have taken hours to do what now takes minutes. The pain is completely gone, it has simply vanished!
Yesterday I wore three inch heels, and was on top of the world! At six feet tall, well, I was towering!! Girls, wear those heels!! Total ankle replacement has given me my life back and that's all there is to it!
I can recall periods in my life when I just didn't want to live with the constant pain anymore. Every day, getting out of bed and trying to walk, going up and down the stairs...I for one, had to crawl while taking care of my children. Those were sad and dark times. Thank God, the pain has gone away and I don't have to feel like that ever again. There is always hope...never EVER give up. Promise me.
Today, as I freely walk through a parking lot heading for a store, my heart breaks when I see someone limping toward the door. Automatically, I want to assist them, and my heart goes out, because at a time in the past, that was me. That was me riding the mobilized cart, and I was the one who took too long to cross the street when you waved me on.... sorry, couldn't help it. That has all changed. Now, I can run across the street, play tag with my kids, navigate amusement parks, and malls, without feeling like I am going to die! Look for me on the skating rink, or, I'll be the one skipping with my daughter. These are precious things that never could have happened two years ago.
If you are considering ankle replacement and you have questions please feel free to email me. You can find my email address in my profile (I think).
Thanks for reading!!
"JUST DO IT" (yes, I know, that belongs to Nike)
Always,
Suzanne
