22492. judithathome - 8/21/2007 4:58:18 PM Well, I got my cast...boot-style, which is good because I can take it off. It's black and comes up to my knee. I think that's excessive but I guess it's what the doctor ordered. Yeah, a hard nylon and plastic black boot, lined with foam, in Texas August heat. Juuuuust ducky!
I'm finding that it's causing the old break to ache because my leg healed a bit crooked and this damned thing is pressing against the part that is off-kilter and trying to make it straight...ha! 22493. judithathome - 8/21/2007 6:07:20 PM Well, I am bummed beyond belief...the doctor just called and said it ISN'T a stress fracture, it's a friggin' broken foot and I have to wear this damned thing for 6 weeks. AND I CAN'T SWIM. I have to keep this cast on except for showering and sleeping.
22494. thoughtful - 8/21/2007 6:24:13 PM Ugh. No fun.
I had one of those boot things when I broke my ankle. The worst for me was using the crutches aggravated a nerve in my elbow and caused me horrendous pain every time I put weight on my arm. I was so thankful I only had to keep weight off of it for 2 weeks. 22495. judithathome - 8/21/2007 7:37:02 PM My mood is just getting darker and darker...I'm going to have to get cheery here pretty quickly. The thing that scares me is if, after 4 weeks, there is no sign of healing at all. A possibility as my bones heal so damned slowly. 22496. thoughtful - 8/21/2007 7:42:50 PM Don't borrow trouble. 22497. SnowOwl - 8/21/2007 7:58:33 PM Oh, Judith. I'm so sorry. That does explain the cast, but it's not the explanation you wanted to hear!
22498. judithathome - 8/21/2007 8:00:39 PM I know...until the cast people called, I halfway expected the doctor to say the MRI showed that the x-ray was wrong, that I had nothing wrong with my foot. Ha! 22499. SnowOwl - 8/21/2007 8:17:51 PM thoughtful, thanks for the information. I haven't tried TM but we have tried other stress management techniques. The Pain Clinic here is very good in the sense that the doctors are open to trying anything and everything that may have some benefit. It's acknowledged by almost everyone working in the field of chronic pain that a "cure" is unlikely. The most that can be hoped for is a reduction in pain and helping the patient find ways of coping with it.
In fact, I never consider it a health problem at all really, which is probably a bit silly. But it doesn't make me "sick" and it doesn't stop me from doing anything. It's just a thing that's always there and very hard to ignore.
There's a very promising new treatment that's being developed in Australia. Unfortunately, it won't be available for about 8 years which is a bit of a bummer.
22500. judithathome - 8/21/2007 8:35:44 PM I hate that sort of thing...they announce all these new treatments but they are years off due to testing and such. And yet here, they won't even bother to check the food coming into the country from China! So they let us have stuff that could possibly kill us but make us wait on things that could save us... 22501. judithathome - 8/21/2007 8:36:15 PM I know that sounds simplistic but that's how it sometimes seems. 22502. concerned - 8/21/2007 8:42:19 PM Re. 22493 -
JAH -
I heard that there is an electrical stimulation therapy available to cause broken bones to heal more quickly. 22503. jexster - 8/21/2007 8:56:01 PM Jen/Judith
Two more reasons to give the stolen property Tejas back to its rightful owners
Whatever else might be said of Texicans (and believe me we Coon Asses have a lot), never let it be said they had taste 22504. jexster - 8/21/2007 9:00:17 PM Well no wonder Judith's in such a foul mood! Have no fear ...Doctor in the house
Back when I got diagnosed, my doc suggested I sign up with Medscape...he reads it all the time as does Dr. McCutchen who has never stayed in a Holiday Inn Express in his life
Diagnosis and Treatment of Foot and Ankle Fractures CME
Disclosures
Randall E. Marcus, MD
ANd as you can see, I got Continuing Medical Education credit just for linking it 22505. jexster - 8/21/2007 9:09:56 PM Texicans are SO crude
Banana Beignets
Eggs Sardou, Antoine's
Creole Cream Cheese
It's enough for you to have given us the Bushes without giving us indigestion too22506. jexster - 8/21/2007 9:17:18 PM Unlike Concerned and Texicans, I don't make this shit up
Just in my email box...I get a kick ever time I see the subject line
Medscape Family Medicine Dr. McCutchen, don't miss these breaking Family Medicine stories
I'll be sure not to 22507. arkymalarky - 8/21/2007 11:08:17 PM Oh my, Judith! I can't believe that! I hope you're out of it quickly. It's a shame you can't even swim! 22508. judithathome - 8/22/2007 2:46:28 PM I heard that there is an electrical stimulation therapy available to cause broken bones to heal more quickly.
Thanks for reminding me, Conn'd! I have one of those electrical charge machines left over from when I broke my leg. Maybe I can retro fit it to my foot...and get a new battery for it.
And Jex, thanks for the link...I'm bookmarking that site because my bones seem to be made of peanut brittle so I may need it again.
22509. judithathome - 8/22/2007 2:48:07 PM Arky, YOU know what I'm giving up each day with that pool, having seen it before. Ha!
I found my old crutches and am going to swan around on them to help retain the muscle tone I've built up over the summer pool training. Not much but every little bit helps. 22510. judithathome - 8/23/2007 3:59:21 PM I sent an email to my doctor yesterday and told him I was in the bargaining stage of grief over this broken foot...I asked if I could go to the pool, take off the boot, and just stand in the water and do my upper body exercises, no swimming. He said OKAY!! So at least I will still be able to wear sleeveless tops!
I'm going to wear a float belt, too, to take even more weight off my foot while I'm in the pool.
22511. SnowOwl - 8/23/2007 9:19:59 PM That's better news, Judith. It's still not great that you're going to have to wear the boot for so long, but it will be a wonderful relief for you to be able to take if off in the water.
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