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Bunion, Hammertoe, and Achilles Surgery 1 week away

Posted , 7 users are following.

susan13617
susan13617

Hello, I am getting closer and closer to this surgery on my left foot and leg...I posted a couple of weeks ago and really appreciated all the suggestions you gave me...I am exercising right up until the day before surgery - treadmill and an adult trike...On surgery day, I cannot eat or drink anything until at least 2 pm...I think that will be tough...I'm getting more details Monday when I see the surgeon.  I have borrowed a walker and knee walker - I must not bear weight on the left foot for two weeks...I have arthritis in my big toe, so the surgeon is cutting a wedge of bone out of the bottom of the toe and pinning it - hammertoe cut and pinned - achilles on back of leg, cut at the top...I have a list of everything I want near me the first few days, such as books, movies, cross stitch simple projects, etc., but I'm going to have to see how I deal with the pain...As I go along, I'll probably post what is happening.  Thank you all so much.

0 likes, 27 replies

27 Replies

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  • susan572
    susan572 susan13617

    Posted

    Good luck with the surgery. You will find the knee walker brilliant. I have one and yesterday went round Sainsburys doing my weekly shop and only 7 days post op bunion and Hammer toe surgery. Hope all goes well.
  • christine65679
    christine65679 susan13617

    Posted

    Wishing you good luck. Be positive. A lot of the comments posted on here are about problems with the surgery, you don't hear much about the successes. I am very pleased with my recovery and only wish I had done it sooner. 
  • barbara00055
    barbara00055 susan13617

    Posted

    Good Luck Susan, I wish you well with surgery.  Looks like you have every thing sorted and that will make things easier for you.  I am now in my third week, stitches out in 5 days, though it should have been this week.  I'm walking on my foot with the wedge shoe and just feel the odd discomfort, sharp pains now and then.  You are fit, and so you will recover and manage more speedily.  Keep posted, after op.
    • susan13617
      susan13617 barbara00055

      Posted

      Thank you, Barbara...I'm a professional pianist - I will practice the upper part on our grand piano, meaning I am slanted so that my left leg can easily be propped up on an ottoman with pillow while I practice.  Our McKeever Duo piano concert is July 16, 2015, and I would get depressed if I could not practice the piano for a long time...I will not know all my details until a few days about surgery, but I am someone who always attempts to look for the positive.
  • gilly64037
    gilly64037 susan13617

    Posted

    Good luck Susan - I think you are being very wise i.e. 'fail to plan - plan to fail' so you should give yourself a gold star NOW!  Will make sure I keep looking in to see how you are doing.

    I have to set about getting my list uptogether for my consultation on Monday.  I am going to give him a copy of my questions and ask if he, at the same time as answering me, writes it down as well for me to bring home with me.  I expect when I do that he may just think mmm... will she be trouble frown

    Thinking of you. x

     

    • susan13617
      susan13617 gilly64037

      Posted

      Thank you Gilly.  When you have no option, as is in my case, but to have surgery - (more and worse hammertoes, more arthritis, achilles being way too short), well there's only one way for me to think (UP)- I will be better off even if it is painful; musicians have to be very disciplined; I do not believe in immediate gratification; but believe anyone heals better with a positive outlook...Yes, I am taking all my questions and pictures of my equipment, etc. to the surgeon Monday...
    • susan13617
      susan13617 gilly64037

      Posted

      Oh, and of course, good luck to you, Gilly.  I hope to hear about your recovery...
    • barbara00055
      barbara00055 gilly64037

      Posted

      I always have positive experience from specialists when I take a list of questions.  They realise how positive and forward thinking you are and they always answer willingly.  Good luck.
    • gilly64037
      gilly64037 susan13617

      Posted

      Susan - looks like we both will busy on Monday 20th.  I know my problems are not getting any better and sometimes to do things voluntarily are the hardest.

      Barbara I think you are right with my breast cancer battle over the 7 years the specialist got to know me and even at appointments they would look at my file with my letters included.  My consultant said 'We know you and you know us by now - we are here for you so just phone if you want to make an appointment.'   At one stage, in the begining of my treatment, I read a scary article and I faxed my desperate need of re-assurance letter about the article.  Within a few hours my NHS consultant phoned and said I just came into the office and saw your fax and knew I had to phone you.  He did his best to calm me down and re-assure me.  I could not wish better than that and to this day i am grateful.

      I think what makes approaching this surgery decision making is difficult is because it is voluntary in one way rather than being told you have to have it.

      Anyway that is enough about me and will follow your progress.  Thank goodness for the computer!!! 

    • susan13617
      susan13617 barbara00055

      Posted

      Barbara, I agree with you 100% about being prepared with questions.  My primary physician that I see today, Friday, is for the pre-op okay after my blood work, EKG, chest X-Rays, etc.  Dr. Crevier says I'm her favorite patient because I always come in with my notes, charts, and questions...Thank you for your good wishes, Barbara
    • susan13617
      susan13617 gilly64037

      Posted

      Yes, Gilly, thank you.  I'm sorry you battled breast cancer - that must have made you stronger by the end.  In 3 more months, I will have my right foot done because it is not as serious, will require the simplest surgery (called Austin here in Wisconsin, USA) and fast recovery - into a shoe in a week...Because I need it to pedal the piano and drive here in the US, that makes sense to me...I feel like 30 inside, but at 64, my body is like a beat-up old truck.  And I figure, the feet are VERY important, so I HOPE I will be better in the long run.,. and I have faith in my surgeon...Yes, lets follow each other's progress - my surgery time is noon Sat. April 25, central time in US.  Good luck...
    • gilly64037
      gilly64037 susan13617

      Posted

      Thank you for your interesting reply Susan.  Now as to you being fit to do the 'I will be better in the long run' that is ambitious why not start with the 'short run' first?wink  Sorry just me trying to inject a little bit of humour into this and as for your body being like a 'beat-up old truck' we need to keep going like a classic car.  Having faith in your surgeon and your love of music - all good.  Have put 25th April in my diary so will watch out for you then. Good luck.

      We need a sense of humour I guess on top of all this positivity and I can imagine your music will be so important to you and play a huge role in getting back to feeling

    • susan13617
      susan13617 gilly64037

      Posted

      Gilly, biggrin thank you for your humor - yes, I must concentrate on one step at a time and try to "be in the moment"...it's easy to say this will be a "piece of cake" now, but when the pain sets in, well, let's see I cope, then...Yes, I can get all serious and like a "steamroller", but you right, Gilly, I need a sense of humor.  Thanks for watching out for my surgery date!
    • gilly64037
      gilly64037 susan13617

      Posted

      Thinking of you Susan.  It is 25th April here in England so everything crossed for you that it goes well. x
    • susan13617
      susan13617 gilly64037

      Posted

      Thank you - I leave my house for surgery in 2 hours - I'm scared, but trying not to think about it...am sucking on ice cube - no water or food allowed since last night...two doctors will be at my surgery - Beethoven's Emperor Piano Concerto on the sound system...hoping for the best.  
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