navygreen: (John: hands)
navygreen ([personal profile] navygreen) wrote2007-06-30 02:06 pm
Entry tags:

Update on my ankle.

I went to the clinic on Thursday morning. I woke at 7am to call in and try to get a same-day appointment (it's the only way to get into our hospital for an appointment, and it stinks), but I was told that anything at all that had happened in less than 24 hours had to be first seen at the Urgent Care Clinic, which didn't open until 10am.

My friend Ann was already scheduled to pick the boys up for VBS, and she came just a little before 9am. Shortly after they left, I gingerly hauled myself up off the couch and began getting dressed. I left around 9:30, giving myself to drive carefully to the clinic, as well as hobble inside from where I'd had to park.

I drove two-footed, very slowly, and I squeezed shut tears as I went. I parked in about the middle of the parking lot, and I started on my way in. I was moving along at a very slow pace, and I gritted my teeth the whole time. When I jarred my ankle on the first of two curbs I had to traverse, I started to cry silent tears. Finally, I made it in the doors. Once inside, a tech jumped to my aid, seated me in a chair and gave me paperwork to begin. After I finished filling it out, he was nice enough to come back out and retrieve it from me, and I was seen first (there had been about five patients waiting inside for the clinic to open when I arrived). I had my vitals taken and my x-rays completed by 10:30 - so quick!

The diagnosis at this time is that I have a very badly sprained ankle, and suspected tendon damage. The techs were able to see "massive soft tissue swelling" on the x-ray, and that's not normal when they usually just see bones (or so I was told). The doctor told me they will have to wait until the swelling goes down to be able to test for range-of-motion or feel for the tendons, as it would do nothing but really hurt me to try it right now. So she wrapped it up well, and I left the clinic.

Wow, what a difference a well-wrapped ankle already made in my hobbling! Yes, it still hurt, but at least there was some support for it then. However, even with putting ice on it regularly, I can't keep it wrapped for more than about three hours at a time - it swells up and turns blue/purple by then. But I wrap it each time I'm going to need to walk on it again.

When we returned home yesterday afternoon, my foot was throbbing from being wrapped once again, and I unbandaged it while sitting in the office. I didn't think anything about it, really, until the boys came in to ask me a question. They stopped short, and Jack covered his mouth in a gasp, "Mom! Your foot is bleeding!"

I looked down and noticed the outside of my ankle for the first time. As it hurt to try and twist around, I'd just been watching the inside/top of my ankle, and I truly hadn't noticed the outside, and even I was surprised to see all the bruising. Of course, I took pictures.






And yet, it's even purtier today. ;-)

And that's where things stand at the moment. I'm taking ibuprofen on a schedule, and I'm using ice regularly (and I hate it - it makes my toes so cold, even though the ice isn't touching them). The swelling doesn't seem to be going down yet; rather, the left/inside side of my ankle is now swollen as well. There is no distinction between the "ankle bone" (the bone that usually sticks out to the right) and the rest of my foot/leg - that's how swollen everything is. And my toes are ridiculously chubby, too. Good thing it's sandal season, as there's no way I could fit into a pair of my shoes right now.

[identity profile] magnummom.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Ooooooooof. I feel for ya. Obviously. :)

When are you going for a follow-up? Will you be able to see an orthopedist?

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Once the swelling goes down and I can start to sort of "draw circles" with my toe. Right now, though, the swelling isn't listening. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

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[identity profile] cateyes25.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
OUCH! Nicole I definitely feel your pain looking at those pics. HUGS! Take it easy and stay off of it as much as you possibly can. Yikes!

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
I'm trying, but I'm not a very good patient. There's just too much stuff that's needed to be done at the same time!

[identity profile] little-nimue.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* OMG owwie!! I hope it feels better really soon. Hobbling around is hard enough with a blister - having a sprined, bruised swollen ankle is something totally different. You were so brave to drive to the hospital!! Maybe getting some crutches would help?

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
I dunno, though. Sometimes the littlest things can hurt so badly just because they're very pinpointed, ya know? I'm sure that hurts a lot, too.

[identity profile] rafferty.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Ouch doesn't even begin to describe it.

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
It's technicolor in person.
shoebox_addict: (mister darcy)

[personal profile] shoebox_addict 2007-06-30 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh, it looks awful!! :( -hugs- Hope it feels better soon!!

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
It really does feel better today, though the swelling and coloring is only getting worse.

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[identity profile] amberlovely.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
wow nicole, that looks so painful. get better hon:)

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I think I'm hobbling better than I was yesterday, so that's a good thing. It seems like forever, but it's only been just over 72 hours.

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
Pretty much, yeah.

[identity profile] adiasplat.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
That picture is almost as gross as the one from my burn a few years back!

Feel better!

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-06-30 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
No, no. Your burn still takes the cake for grossness here on LJ. I shudder just thinking about it.

*shudder*

[identity profile] bigbrain61.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
Y'ow.

Sounds like you're on the 15-Day Disabled List. ^_^

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
I took off 11 days (well, really only 3 of those days would have been my 'work' days anyway), and we'll see how it is after that.

[identity profile] desertmommy.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
that looks exactly like my foot when i did my ankle in and i never got pt for it. if you are like me and cant keep your foot elevated you may need to get a ski boot to keep your leg (from the knee down) immobile.
Seriously, if you think you may need my boot let me know and i will have jim send it to you. that thing cost me $300 after insurance paid their part. at least i know it would be getting some more use.

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for the offer, and I'll keep it in mind. Another friend gave me a smaller ankle brace, and I may use that when I have to return to work in a couple weeks. For now, it really *is* feeling better today, though it's much more swollen and colorful.

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[identity profile] ginky.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Ouch! You poor thing! Mine is colored like that but it doesn't hurt at all, which I find really weird.

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
I'd totally trade you then, if you're interested. ;-)

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[identity profile] inkedmama.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
good god that's horrifying! i can't even imagine the pain.

i'm fortunate (*knocks wood*) that i've never hurt myself remotely badly. no broken bones, no sprains, nada. i hyperextended my knee once in a dance class when i was 10, but that's it.

the "worst" thing i've done is give birth.

yow. i really hope you start feeling better soon. *hugs*

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
You know you just destined yourself for a bad injury, right? You shouldn't say such things, even with wood to knock on!

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[identity profile] marshmelococoa.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
All I can say is wow. you really did yourself in didn't you?

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
If you're gonna do it, you might as well do it all the way. Right? ;-)

[identity profile] hypn0tiq.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
oh my oh my oh my :( You poor thing :(
I hope it heals up quickly :(

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
It's doing better, I can tell. It just is more swollen and much more colorful each day.

[identity profile] angelrose.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
Ouch, brace, ice & elevation!!!

If you can find a brace that looks almost like a toeless boot and laces up the front it will give you the most support. I think they sell them at drugstores and it will really help *hugs*

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. That's my relief agenda so far - I'm ready for it to start really working!

[identity profile] daphyn.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, HONEY.

And frozen peas work so much better than ice. Take it from eight years of gymnastics!

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I say "ice," but I've been using three things: an actual ice pack, frozen peas and frozen corn. ;-)

[identity profile] jchammonds.livejournal.com 2007-07-01 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Everyone else has already said it, but have you thought about crutches? It seems like it could use the rest. Bless your heart! Thankfully, your boys are big enough to be a help to you. OUCH!

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I am NO good at crutches, I'm afraid. When I broke my left foot before, it was casted, and I was given crutches. I fell constantly for four weeks, trying to maneuver around in those things. Three times I fell badly enough to split my FIBERGLASS cast and have to have it RE-cast. Finally on the fourth week, the doctor told me to stop using the crutches altogether and just scoot around on my knees and bum.
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[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm SO SLEEPY, lately. I don't know if it's to do with my ankle or not, but dang - I just feel like I every time I try to lay back and elevate it, I need a nap.
ext_219677: (Default)

[identity profile] billzy.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
Thats very similar to how my ankle looked when i went over on it playing football recently. I hope it gets better soon!

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
How long did it take for the swelling to stop and go down, if you recall?

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[identity profile] mom2jej.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
DANG girl :( You need full armor padding! Stop hurting yourself! OUCH! :(

[identity profile] navygreen.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I know, right? I need a padded world. LOL.

[identity profile] livemockingbird.livejournal.com 2010-06-26 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
WOW! I couldn't link to this earlier because facebook on my iphone was wigging out. BUt is is INSANE how similar our injuries are!