Posted by Kate/CA on 6/12/09 11:23am
Msg #292164
Crutches/air-boot/Cast
I had fallen and sprained my ankle on Mother's Day and asked if any of you had ever done signings on crutches. You were all very helpful. Well after wearing a splint for a few days, that was horriblly heavy, I got an air boot, that was so nice, very heavy and awkward, also. I could walk with out much pain and no crutches. Then I graduated to an air splint, nice and light, but still couldn't get my shoes on.
Saturday was the first day I could wear a pair of sandals, they are big enough to adjust to the swelling. Well Wednesday I decided to go get another x-ray, I had a referral for it good until 6-24-2009. I go in there, explain to the tech, I'm still having problems. She comes back out, when did you do this, I tell her over a month ago. She tells me "It is broken and you keep breaking the mend, she gave me the x-rays. I need to see my doctore right away, of course it is a Wednesday office is close. Yesterday I go in when they open. She took me right away. Now she is mad, she wanted to see the old x-ray, doesn't know how the other tech missed this break. I don't remember him even x-raying my foot. I had told them at the desk I thought I heard something crack. O K. My doctor gets me a referral, puts a rush on it. I call the orthopedic, he is out until Tuesday, my luck. The girl answering the phone, says I will have a cast, plaster. That is not happening!!! I call the insurance company, tell them I have a 2 1/2 story home, 4 levels. Those plaster casts are too heavy. They say my insurance will cover fiberglass casts, not to settle for anything less. O K, works for me.
Now I get to be in a cast, my husband will have to drive me everywhere, that is like taking away my indepence. He doesn't mind. Last month even thru all this, it was my busiest month in 2 years. Last time I broke a bone, it was both arms, they took 6 months to heal. What a pain. That's another story, that is quite comical. This foot better not do that.
Now the up side, I've lost 5 pounds, if I could lose another 5 or 10 that would be nice. I'm back in the boot. It is so heavy, you think twice about raiding the kitchen, I'm not that hungrey to deal with those stairs.
Sometimes, I just have to laugh. Well I have another signing to do. I can take off the boot and drive. The break is on the right side, and I have alwayd driven with the left side of the foot near the ball. Where did my Irish luck go?
| Reply by Teresa/FL on 6/12/09 11:32am
Msg #292165
You have my sympathies, Kate/CA
I have never broken any bones, but did sprain my right elbow a few years ago.
At the time I had a standard shift car, so I had to shift with my left hand. It was not easy, but at least I could get around by myself.
I would love to have a "chauffeur" to drive me around!
| Reply by Shoshana Roller on 6/12/09 12:05pm
Msg #292172
I wish you a speedy recovery.
Last year when I had my bilateral knee replacements, I had to use a walker. My husband was my chauffeur after I eased up on the pain meds and actually became coherent again.
| Reply by MW/VA on 6/12/09 1:31pm
Msg #292183
That's a tough break (no pun intended). Unfortunately, the more you drive with that foot the more chances you will continue to reinjure it. It's tough to hobble along in this business, where we are on the go so much. Take care.
| Reply by ReneeK_MI on 6/12/09 3:37pm
Msg #292196
been there/done that ...
I would really encourage you to re-think driving with that leg - all it takes is for you to have to slam down on the brake pedal in some emergency ...and yep, I know you're already imagine what THAT will feel like. You're going for the immediate 'gratification' but you WILL pay for it when the arthritis hits, or it doesn't heal properly and they take you back to the starting line - rebreak it and reset it. Talk to your doc and really consider what he says to you about it all.
Check into getting a Roll About for home - amazing little contraption, sort of like when you'd put one leg in a wagon and push off with the other leg? You can rent them.
Stairs - HA! I could be in the "Staircase Sit-Racers" olympics! I carted laundry, vacuum cleaners, etc. up/down the stairs on my butt, one leg in a cast, for months.
Also be warned - fiberglass casts are really abrasive ...leather couches are very pricey. Not saying anything more. =O
| Reply by Kate/CA on 6/12/09 10:09pm
Msg #292218
I found out today the ER Doctor
Never requested an an x-ray taken of my foot. The x-ray techs were telling me everything, pulled records, for me, x-rays. Granted my ankle was hugh, but so was my foot. I am so mad.
Thank goodness my doctor did request the ankle and foot be x-rayed.
I have 2 signings next week. Told my husband, he is now my official driver. He can sleep anywhere. Told him I would split my signings with him, he can save for all his fishing trips, after I am well. That's O K with him.
Thanks you guys, just need to sound off some times. I really great clients, don't want this to mess up my business.
| Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/12/09 10:14pm
Msg #292219
Although I do feel bad for you and you're lucky no
further damage was done (we hope)....from what I understand if the swelling is really bad the x-rays won't come out right anyway -many times they wait for the swelling to go down to get pictures and put it in an appropriate cast. That's been my experience anyway...
You're probably gonna need an MRI to make sure you haven't done more damage than they initially thought....hope you have a good lawyer...
Take care and be well, Kate...
| Reply by John Schenk on 6/12/09 10:57pm
Msg #292226
Re: Although I do feel bad for you and you're lucky no
No, she probably won't need an MRI...she needs what she has and that is a supportive husband. It's a broken bone and she hasn't disclosed any symptoms that would indicate the need for a MRI. She's doing exactly what she needs to be doing, unless she is feeling some numbness, which she probably isn't, in the ball of the foot or in the toes. The cast itself can cause some numbness if it hits on a pressure point in the leg. Unless some additional problems occur, don't get nuts...give it 6 weeks to heal and then go about your business. Thank your husband for helping you, and be extra nice to him for all his efforts in helping you through a difficult situation. Isn't that what it's all about? You LOVE each other, help each other through the difficult times, and make those difficult times the best they can be?
Our disabilities are limited by our MINDS. The more you think you're disabled, the more you WILL be disabled. I have a fusion in my neck at C3-4 and 3 herniated discs in my back from L3-S1. MOST days are really good, but sometimes you have a day or two that totally sucks! LOL
I think about our youngsters in Iraq,Afghanistan, and in all other areas of the world they are in, dying for us, and getting shot or blown up, and my pain doesn't seem so bad. When we get them home, I'm gonna complain really hard, as I will be an old man and can do it then.
If there is numbness that doesn't go away, go back. If not, just wait the 6 weeks and let it heal. No need for MRI's or CTs or EMGs, as they're probably going to be worthless anyway unless you have some neural symptomology.
You wrote you had "fallen,"...didn't see anything in that for some sort of claim, although there may be one. I tell ALL clients that no matter what your claim, or your injury is, YOU take care of YOURSELF, and your Health, FIRST. That's all that matters! I can get them a settlement, but I CAN'T undo physical problems that they need to take care of NOW. Trauma injuries, unless they are broken bones, do not usually require an immediate fix. Yours was a broken bone so it appears to me you are doing what you need to do. Just monitor the situation and go back to your Doc as needed. Take care of yourself, and best of luck to you in your signings also!!!
JJ
| Reply by Kate/CA on 6/14/09 6:53pm
Msg #292295
I wouldn't sue
Hi,
I have no intentions of suing. I have good insurance, just wanted to know who commited the error an get that fixed for the next person who doesn't have insurance. He was a new ER doctor, I don't think too long out of medical school.
My big fear is that I will repeat the healing process I had 12 years ago when I broke both arms. They d idn't heal for 6 months. But nothing stopped me. This is why I'm upset, it puts me 6 weeks behind in the healing process. When i broke the arms, I was even up a ladder painting a barn for a couple hours a day. Drove for months before they told me I wasn't suppose to, went dancing. The doctor finally had me join a gym and work out from the waist down. I had great looking legs after 5 months. I would go for walks, climb hills.
If I have to stay off my foot, I'm going to get one of those Knee scooters. They have things for every thing.
K
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