14 Days in: Highs and Lows

To call this week draining would be and understatement. On Monday, I returned to work, trying for the first time to "quickly" shower and get out the door.  By the time I was ready to leave, I was already sweating in my business attire, and I still had to make it down 6 stairs and outside.

Since my car is manual shift, I have been using Uber to get around.  It is a GREAT service.  Cars are ordered and paid for all through an iPhone app, which displays a map clearly showing how far a car is away from you.  Plus, they are essentially Black Cars that are not currently in-use, creating a premium experience for a mainstream cost.  Totally worth the mini splurge when everything else I'm doing is a battle.

That said, by Tuesday morning I was ready for a sliver of independence.  With a week of work, doctor's appointments, and physical therapy ahead of me I decided to pick up a rental car.  The excitement of being behind the wheel again was worth a picture and a mini celebration.

So excited for independence!

Choosing a scenic route home for sunset

On Wednesday,  I had my first big doctor check-in.  If all looked good, the splint and stitches were due to come out.  Next step being a boot and the ability to start putting my foot down (with crutch support).  The appointment went amazingly!  The nurse stated the wound looked excellent - and it didn't have any of the normal scabbing or other nuisances that can occur. I was approved to move forward to the next stage - physical therapy!  I was shocked to see how alien my leg had become - turns out muscle atrophies incredibly fast - but the news of all else progressing as it should left me on top of the world - hence the highs of the week!

Shrunken left leg

Mini Scar & Swelling

I had my first session of PT on Thursday.  We spent an hour bending my ankle about 10-15 degrees up / down / side to side, trying to get it used to a neutral position.  It was so painful.  I could feel stiffness extending up the achilles into the calf.  My therapist reminded me at least 3 times I was in it for the long haul, and the first couple of weeks would be nothing more than just trying to bend my ankle.  

My comprehension of the serious of this injury comes in waves.  I keep it at bay by focusing on mini goals and little achievements to stay focused forward.  But nothing serves as a better reality check than trying to move and ankle and a foot that suddenly feels so alien, and separate from the rest of my body.  It's hard for my to comprehend that less than a month ago I was running and jumping off of it, and now I can barely move it two inches.

I came home from the early morning session both mentally and physically drained.  I had not slept well in the boot, and was worn out from the emotional toll of the first PT session.  I tripped twice getting ready for work, and the joy of actually being able to wash and shave my leg (after two weeks in a heavily wrapped splint) was outdone by the struggles of showering with the unprotected leg.

I headed to the office, amazed at how quickly I had swung from the high of Wednesday to the low of Thursday.  Once I got to work, all I could think of was a coffee to help perk me up - but with crutches I can't exactly carry Coffee Bean back to my desk.  When the clock struck 6, I needed to find a way to clear my head and get ready to start for a new day.  As I drove home, what had been a rare gray, drizzly SoCal day began to give way to sun.  I found an easy parking spot on the beach overlook, and let myself take in the view and also shed some public tears.  Oh what a good view can do.  By the time I got home at 8,  I couldn't fathom anything other than crawling into bed, ready to officially put this day to rest.

Head Clearing Pacific