I'm at about 22 weeks post op now. I got a phone call from a good friend and she asked me to join her foursome in a golf tournament. I had to hang up and think about it for awhile.... it's been about 8 years or so since I hit the links. She told me I had to act fast so I asked for half an hour. I wondered if my ankle could withstand it, would I have to leave in the middle of the tournament? I called her back and said "I'm in" and the rest is the story of one of the best days of my life.
Not only did I play 18 holes on my new ankle, I could have played more, and I had the time of my life! Here I am nearly two days later and I'm still elated. I never in a million years thought that I could play 18 holes of golf without experiencing pain. I can not put into words how wonderful it felt to be out there again, feeling normal, having fun, and being pain free. No one stared at me, I was just a regular person, not the one with the ridiculous limp. I'm floating.... still. Can't wait to hit a bucket of balls!
So there you have it. An ankle replacement can surely change your life. Interestingly enough, I ran in to someone on the course who needed information about replacement surgery, for her boss, who happens to be afraid. Y'all know that I directed her to my surgeon. I know first hand now, that there is life after replacement! I told my husband that I have the golf bug again and he quickly told me to get a job to support my habit! Although he was kidding, I am going back to work (not really work) two days a week. I'm a lunch supervisor at the elementary school that my daughter attends. It's not much of a job, it's more fun than anything... I love being around the kids and my daughter loves having me there. It's a fun job that I can do while my husband travels, what more can I ask for? If I feel that my ankle can withstand the hard surfaces, I might consider going to full time, like I used to be. Or...... I might just want to ride my bike, or hike, NO hiking, garden, maybe shoot some hoops? A little volleyball if I can? Sky is the limit now! Heck, I'm just happy to play in the yard. Life is so good. Never thought it would be THIS good....
Wishing you ALL the life that you hope for, the life that you dream about, the one without pain.... don't be afraid to go get it!
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne, Just happened to check on your site tonight and am so impressed with your being able to withstand 18 holes of golf. Wow!! That's awesome! You have really your life back.
ReplyDeleteI have decided to have the TAR rather than the fusion. Don't want to have any regrets. October 14th will be here before long.
Keep on amazing us,
Ann
Ann, Suzanne is most amazing. I agree with your decision to have a TAR, more ankle movement. Suzanne has a STAR implant and I have a Salto Talaris, both working well. Does your surgeon have a preference? My surgery was April 15 at the U. of Iowa Hospitals by Dr. Ned Amendola. I have no pain where I previously had debilitating pain. I still have swelling and healing pain which is to be expected. Complete recovery is six months to a year. Keep us posted. Good luck. Kay
ReplyDeleteKay, you are the sweetest. I think YOU are amazing.
ReplyDeleteOoohh! How exciting to find these encouraging comments!! Thank you, Kay. It was great to hear a little of your experience.
ReplyDeleteMy surgeon has been trained in the in-bone TAR and of course that is what I'll get. We are each unique in our general physical condition, age, amount of damage done, surgeon and type of device used. It is encouraging that both of you are doing well even though the road to complete recovery is a long one.
Thanks again to both of you for sharing.
Keep healing,
Ann
Suzanne has given you some helpful aides for post-op.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add a few of my own:
1. an adjustable bed frame with remote for elevating your ankle when at rest. I had (have) swelling that subsides during the night when the lower part of my bed is elevated.
2. a recliner that has potential for "toes above the nose (heart) which means it reclines all the way back.
3. a walker with a seat, brakes, lock, and basket.
4. shower bench, with legs in and out of tub.
5. raised toilet seat.
6. canes (with spares)
I am grateful that I had these in the house before my surgery. I used my walker and canes at the nursing home and PT post-op.
Kay
Regarding my previous comment:
ReplyDeleteFirst, ask your surgeon what you might require for aides and if he can write scripts for them so that insurance might cover the cost. You may need to wear an Airboot after your cast is removed.
Check with your insurance company for coverage, some of these items are expensive.
Some items can be rented, perhaps found at resale shops, medical supply stores.
One cannot buy a "used" shower bench or chair (in my experience) from a medical supply store.
TAR or not, I needed a new bed with the adjustable frame and recliner and am so happy with both.
If you do not have family to care for you post-op your community or hospital probably has a home care service. Check into this pre-op. After my daughters left after two weeks (I first spent two weeks in nursing homes) I had aides twice a day for two months, tapering off to once a day @ $28. per one hour. Out of town home care service may charge extra for gas and mileage. A required RN also comes first to evaluate you and then once a week to check you ($50.) She is in charge of the home care workers. They do light cooking, cleaning, personal care, bathing, etc.
Medicare paid for a couple of weeks.
I was on narcotics and appreciated this service.
Also, be thinking about drivers. You cannot drive if you are on narcotics, or if your affected ankle is the right one in a cast or Airboot. I live alone and depended on the lift-van and friends. You will have check-ups, maybe new shoes. My foot was reshaped and I could not wear ANY of my previous shoes. Ask your grocery store and drug store if they deliver. The home care aides do not run errands.
If you do not have daytime help stock your freezer with food and prepared meals that you can heat in the microwave. If you are on strong meds you may not feel comfortable messing with your stove or standing.
I also had home physical therapy for awhile then out patient at our hospital with Medicare.
Hopefully, your post-op will be simpler and easier than mine,(I am old!) but just in case, fore warned is fore armed, eh?
Kay
So glad to see you back out on the golf course after all these year! Bet that felt just great!
ReplyDeletexo
Michael
Suzanne... I just read up on your golf outing and I'm so happy for you!!! I'm glad you are out there living life. It will only get better, I can assure you! Just be careful with impact and putting any unusual (or unnecessary) pressure on your new ankle... don't want to wear it out before its time! Love reading about your progress... please keep us posted!! :)
ReplyDeleteI just had my STAR surgery on October 19, 2011. Finding your blog has been great for me as I am just chomping at the bit to go to my second post-op surgery on November 17, 2011, to get my secondary cast removed and to be fitted with a walking boot. This cast is driving me crazy, but I know I am truly blessed to have had the option of an total ankle replacement surgery vs. an ankle fusion. I am hoping you continue to post entries in your blog regarding your weight loss success. Thank you. Yvette
ReplyDeleteI only have google to blame. I can NOT believe I missed this!! Here we are a year later...how are you doing? Email me, at least that way I will actually get the message! p.s. my weight loss has been UP and down...still trying, but happy.
DeleteYvette, thank you for stopping by!! How are you doing? Is your recovery going well? I hope so! When you have a chance, please visit again and share your progress... and yes, I want to do the weight loss blog eventually, when my darn will power sets in! Best wishes during your recovery, welcome to pain free living! :)
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here alone (daughter off at college and husband a firefighter and went back to work today) 4 weeks post op and my "toes above my nose" I read your entire blog! I am literally in tears right now from reading about your journey! I am so happy for you! I have a lot of support from family and friends but nobody really knows what it is like to have ankle pain every hour of every day and be told at 37 that you have to wait until you are 55 to have a replacement! I waited 7 years, and at the age of 44 finally got my new ankle!!! Thank you so much for your blog. I am going to add it to my favorites and read it often as I recover!! So nice to know what to expect!! Thanks again and a big fat CONGRATS!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to YOU!!! Surely you won't see this, it has been over a year, but I am still determined to let you know that I am thrilled for you! I wish I could know how you are....
DeleteCONGRATS to you!! I am so thankful that my experience can bring you hope! What kind of implant did you get? How is your recovery going? Welcome to pain free living!! I hope you'll keep us posted on your progress...so happy for you!
ReplyDelete~Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI have been without my walking boot and walking on my own since December 19th. I returned to the gym the following day! I am so happy I had the surgery. This pain-free living is the best. Happy New Year!
Yvette
Happy New Year a year later!! I am finding all these comments now, a year later. How are you doing now? Hopefully still enjoying pain free living!!
DeleteMy TAR was 8 weeks ago. Thanks for the blog. It was helpful to hear the journey and to know I am not the only inpatient, independent patient. Hoping to get my walking boot next week. And YES! The knee walking has been priceless. Best wishes to you and glad you are back in the world.
ReplyDeleteWendy, please update me on your progress!! How are you, and that ankle of yours! I will preach the knee walker till the end of time!! Hope you are enjoying your new pain free life!!
DeleteI sure do appreciate this blog. I've learned a lot from reading each person's experience. My surgeon wants me to wait at least 10 years before I have the total replacement but I'll be lucky to last 1 more year. I have been suffering from horrible ankle pain for almost 20 years and I'm 33 now. I've been told that the average age for a replacement is 60 so my doctors want me to wait as long as possible. I get steroid injections every 4 months as opposed to the fusion surgery. I feel so alone sometimes when dealing with this type of pain. I've never played sports, never had any ankle injuries and there is no explanation as to the cause of my ankle deterioration. I have had 5 surgeries so far. As I sit here and type this, I feel so sad and can't help but cry. I am a wife, mother of four, I work full time and want to go back to school full time. I mostly just want to be able to play outside with my kids and take them for a walk without being in excruciating pain.
ReplyDeletePraying for peace of mind in SC,
Kim
Kim, I read this a long time ago and cried. I'm reading it again now, and crying. I hope that by now you have found another doctor who is willing to help you. I FEEL YOUR PAIN, because I have been there... please tell me you have found someone who will help you. Do not listen to doctors who tell you to wait, you need to live your life NOW, that's why I didn't give up. I'm in my 40's and I was told to wait until my 60's. I wasn't having that,I needed to live now, for me and my family!! Please update me, email me... if all else fails, come stay with me in STL. I know a great dr. : )
ReplyDelete