Im struggling and need any advice!

Hi Debbie, 

This screams second opinion to me! I have no great advice. Just to listen for now to your doctor.  Don't put weight on it now. You will only make things worse.  Using a cane can only take some of your weight off. 

I have not been able to work for over a yr. I didn't injure myself at work so there was no way for me to collect anywhere! We have struggled but we just keep breathing.

Tell your husband you need help! Frustrations are  understandable but now is not the time for him to say he is fed up with you or your injury. 

Get a second opinion. And quickly!

Keep us posted.

and good luck, 

Rose

Hi Debbie,

I don't have any specific advice but I can certainly commiserate with you.  I am 6 weeks post ORIF of my right fibula and I completely understand your frustration and feeling of hopelessness.  My incision did not completely close so I have an open wound which is still painful and I am still in a splint (my surgeon does not do casts).  Last week he told me I could partially weight bear and hopefully will get into a boot tomorrow at my appointment.   

I am very grouchy and frustrated by this whole situation.  We are retired and we live and travel in our 5th wheel RV.  The bedroom and bathroom are up three steps and there are 4 steps to get out of the RV so it has been a real challenge just maneuvering inside and out. The first three weeks I had to sleep on the couch and use a commode because I couldn't get up to the steps.   I used a knee scooter for 4 weeks but now am using a walker and putting some weight on my injured foot....X-Rays tomorrow and I sure am hoping I haven't done any damage to my ankle....the surgeon assured me my ankle is solid and I can put some weight on it as long as I don't twist it or put any pressure on the incision side.

I had a good talk with the surgeon last week and I told him about how frustrated I am and how badly I want out of this splint.  He said " I'd be worried if you were enjoying this.  This is ENTIRELY normal; you will heal and this will just be a memory very soon".  This really helped me realize that I can get through this...and YOU CAN TOO.  He urged me to get out of the house, go for a long ride, go out to eat and see friends and not stay in the RV all the time.  I've taken his advice and it has helped tremendously.

Good Luck and try and stay positive.  Oh, and I've started listening to pod casts at my daughter's suggestion because theres only so much TV watching you can stand.  

I would tell your Dr. that if he doesn't have time to do surgery for 6 weeks, you need a referral, that this is not realistic. Even if you tell him you NEED to get back to work sooner rather than later.  I am just another person with my foot in a cast, so just my opinion.

too many pain meds too long, liver damage, too.

and yes, someday this will be a faded memory for all of us!

?I too am frustrated, so tempted to bear weight, but don't want a setback.

?praying for patience, using the time to research things I was always interested in, taking an online class. and reading spiritual books, I HAVE to use this time to get closer to God; the other option is a spiraling depression, which is NOT an option for me ;-)  trying to make the most of the situation. I am off work this semester, I am a college instructor, contractual, so trusting in God to meet my needs. He is faithful, and loving, even when others are not. 

Hi Debbie!

I am going on my 12 th week of NBW from ankle replacement surgery. My wound hasn't completely closed yet, so I can't go to PT yet. 

I am not one to sit still, so this has been incredibly hard for me, but I'm making the best of it. It will probably be another month until I can put weight on it, and I'm scared to death. But, I know I can do this until I'm completely healed. You are not alone, I am frustrated but also optimistic that I will be able to walk again without pain. 

Best wishes to you and a speedy recovery. 

Debbie I am 11 weeks out and depressed. My incision hasn't closed yet. I'm still very swollen . I'm in a boot and 50% weight bearing. My social life is my work. I work in a cafeteria . I am here alone most of the time. I am struggling . My doc told me it may be awhile before I return to work because I have to wear a work shoe . My help is very limited. I broke my tib and fib. The left side is wheee I'm having pain. The left side just won't seal. I feel your pain. Hang in there.

Wow that is so frustrating. I echo the same thing-I want my ankle and my life back. I can't believe they wont give you something stronger for your pain, yours isn't a normal recovery. Do you have a primary care dr you could call? If not, whoever said get a second opinion, you should. Sounds like your dr isn't listening to you, and the not calling you back is inexcusable. I always just asked to talk to his PA and always get a call back.

Take a deep breath or two and try to calm down a notch or two. i've been where you are very recently. I had my op on 4th October and at Christmas and at Christmas and New year I didn't want to know. I lost my Dad a while back and the acute grief also came back. I was bitter, but that didn't help at all. I tried to be grateful to my husband for everything he did for me, and am tried to accept that I had limitations but they were temporary. I wasn't brave enough to push the boundaries, but I am fortunate in that I have retired so no hurry to get back to work. The flip side of that is that it's taking me longer to heal. I would try and talk calmly with your husband and try to understand his point of view. Remember, it's a long road but it does come to an end.