No surgery for me

[Gidget]

Hi mojo. My little girl is currently curled up, hugging the wall having her morning nap. She naps every morning from 9am to 10.30 or 11. Then she wakes up EXTREMELY energetic. She’s a good girl when she’s asleep. I can picture Lily getting to be a bad tempered little thing when she gets old too. It’s my greatest wish that she and I will be around long enough to annoy each other with our old age complaints.(just in case I go first I’ve left her a bequest in my Will to make sure she’s looked after).

As for my ankle, I kept up the anti inflammatories, compression, elevation and ice packs and it feels a lot better but I can’t weight bear on it at all. Sounds ok if I’m in a wheelchair but it’s not because I have to stand transfer from wheelchair to toilet to shower etc. This leaves me with my right leg only for swivelling on the it’s my right hip that’s bad so it gives way too. I don’t think it’s broken now but I still think I’ll have to go to the ED to get a moon boot or something so I can weight bear. I feel very unsafe as it is. It’s very inconvenient because I’m expecting the electrician today as well as a handyman to repaint my wheelchair ramp with antislip paint and today, of all days, my Aunt who lives next door has had to go out so I can’t go anywhere until the tradesmen have been and I don’t know about the US, but here in Oz they are extremely unreliable, rarely come on time or won’t give a time or don’t turn up at all. Oh, and they certainly know how to charge. I should have been a tradie!

 

[Hippielife]

Hi Gidget!
Great picture and you look younger than your profile. What’s your secret... ? Don’t see any of those housewives secrets with Botox...fillers or duck . You look natural and beautiful!
I’m sorry that the news is not for hip surgery. I hope you can find a way ...and it’s safe,too! Its not fun to be on meds over the counter or RX and constantly fighting pain they are just as difficult long term on health issues not to mention the stress. I can’t imagine how difficult it was to be told that. I hope another doctor in another area can have better news for you !

 

[anny]

Hi Gidget - hope your tradesman turned up.....waited in for ages today for the painter, then got a message he'd gone to another job, so I think NZ tradies must suffer from the same forgetfulness as ones in Australia Please do get your ankle checked as soon as possible, you will need it to be stable to do your transfers, you certainly don't want any more accidents. Hope it's now less painful and allows you to sleep

 

[Jaycey]

I don’t think it’s broken now but I still think I’ll have to go to the ED to get a moon boot or something so I can weight bear.

Very good idea! Hope your tradesmen showed up and you got to ER. Please keep us updated!

 

[Gidget]

Well....back in hospital. I went to the ED (by Taxi) and the X-ray showed no fracture but I have some ligament tears and lots of swelling so I am on bed rest so the foot and ankle can heal. They wouldn’t even let me go home to pack a case. The Ambulance transfer to the private hospital was hair raising. They went by back country roads in the middle of a wild storm with floodwaters over the road. I thought the driver was relaxed until we got to the hospital when he said “thank God we made it, wouldn’t want to do that trip again”. Glad he waited until we got there because I was already rather frightened. I heard on the news this morning that 6 people had to be rescued from their cars in flash floods in our area.

The Doc who saw me here said something about operating on ligament tears normally but because I’m in a wheelchair they’ll just see how it heals because the dropped arch complication won’t be a problem for me. I’m so lucky!

BTW, thanks for the compliment Hippielife. I think I look everyone of my 61 years. It’s amazing what an $8.00 box of home hair dye covers.

Tradie electrician turned up. Tradie painter didn’t. One out two ain’t bad. Sorry Meatloaf...

 

[anny]

@Gidget .....sorry you're back in hospital but relieved that you've had it looked at and are getting treatment that sounds an 'exciting' ambo trip......must have taken your mind off your ankle! Maybe it's something about painters, cos our missing tradie was a painter too Hope you don't have to be on bedrest for too long, but you're sure to get lots of doggy cuddles

 

[Mojo333]

Medical folk you come in to contact with sure do seem to have a lachsidaical attitude toward your mobility and situation.
You are really doing so well at being accepting of things, but really aggravated me for you.
I guess Paradise by the Dashboard Lights doesn't describe your ambulance ride.
Thank goodness you arrived safely.
You are charming and funny and very supportive of others.
Sorry you are in the hospital.

 

[Gidget]

Just looked up the diagnosis I was told about. I was surprised that the forefoot was more of a problem. Also have a lateral something or other ligament injury (I think it’s the ligament near the end of the fibula).

The midfoot will be affected if the bones are broken (fractured) or the ligaments are torn (ruptured).

Lisfranc injuries tend to damage the cartilage of the midfoot joints. Cartilage covers the ends of bones in the joints, allowing the joints to move smoothly. If severe midfoot injuries are not treated with surgery, then damage to the cartilage and increased stress at the midfoot joints will result in bothcollapse of the arch and arthritis, which require complex surgery to correct. Even with successful surgery for the Lisfranc injury, arthritis can still develop in later life.

The Doc was going to order a CT scan but can’t see the point, so just treating as if this diagnosis has been confirmed.

Anny....I just got a quote on painting the inside of the house $80.00 an hour. Yeah, sure! I’ll never pay per hour...I’ll pay per job. Otherwise it’ll be “how slow can I work” AND there’s no way in the world I’ll pay that much anyway. Ridiculous. I worked damned hard for over 40 years to get my savings and no one is going to rip me off. I’m the b from Hell when it comes to tradies doing their jobs efficiently and at a fair price.

 

[Gidget]

Sorry mojo must have crossed posts. You’re right I often feel that the Docs don’t think I’m worth trying to treat but I have no choice but to do my best and prove them wrong. To be fair the Doc that just came and saw me now isn’t impressed with the Rehab Docs decision for me to stop walking. He’s going to get another rehab Doc to come and see me when my foot is better and I can weight bear. He asked if I would allow that..allow that? I wanted to kiss him! It does mean I’ll be here for a while and I’m vulnerable to getting my hopes up again but it’s always worth it if there’s the slightest possibility of continuing to walk. Maybe light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Jaycey]

@Gidget Sorry you are in hospital but I am so glad you had that ankle looked at. Hopefully things will heal - but it may take awhile!

You have such a great attitude. I do hope the next rehab doctor has better news for you. Please keep us updated!

 

[Mojo333]

Gidget.
Yay for some rehab. Think they may change their mind and operate to repair torn ligament?
Hope you manage to have a good day!
You inspire me and make me feel very petty about my daily annoyances.
There are those who don't even have what you have and certainly don't have your determination.
Gratitude is on my heart today.

 

[Cas]

Hi there was just reading through posts and came across yours. What a brave and positive lady you are! I think you're dealing with everything remarkably well. Hope the new rehab doc can get you back to walking a bit as I know how much you want it. If only we could fast forward 100 years all these probs would just be minor instead of major!!! Keep positive and keep updating as we are all rooting for you hugs carol

 

[BeBe]

@Gidget You are one resilient lady! Seems like you had to wreck your foot in order to get a second opinion on your whole mobility issue.
At the very least you need to mend the bum foot to get back to properly transferring yourself. I hope that comes quickly for you. So good someone feels a second opinion is justified!
Hope your cutie dog isnt missing you to much while your on the mend.

 

[Gidget]

Ah, funny you mention the dog. She’s gone out in sympathy. She’s had an accident and can’t walk on her right hind leg. She’s off to the vet later this morning. It’s 4 in the morning here and I haven’t slept since I heard she’s been injured. I feel completely useless that I can’t be there for her. I’m just hoping it’s nothing serious. She is so tiny and trusting...I hate to think of her in pain or scared. I’ve never had children but I do know that fur babies can break your heart too.

 

[Jaycey]

@Gidget So sorry your furry friend is poorly. Fingers crossed the vet can get her comfortable. Try and get some rest - your little girl needs you to be strong.

Please keep us updated!

 

[Gidget]

I just had a phone call. Lily was kept crated all night to make her rest and she can walk on her leg this morning even though she’s got a bit of a limp sometimes. I’m so relieved I can’t express it. Oh, and my ankle and foot have gone down a lot and feels a lot better. All around things are looking up.

Seeing I’m already in hospital I’m going to have my routine infusions too. So two birds, one stone...happy with that.

 

[Hippielife]

Sounds like your both turning a corner for the good! Keep it movin...

 

[Jaycey]

I was thinking about Lily and wondering if she was OK. Thanks for the update! Glad things are looking up!

 

[anny]

Anny....I just got a quote on painting the inside of the house $80.00 an hour.

Yikes, and that's Aus $ too....even more in NZ$....what do they want to paint it with, liquid gold?!

I'm glad you have a more understanding doctor.....just showing that they understand and offer help goes an awful long way when you're stuck in the medical 'system' longterm. Too often they try a few things, they don't really help, and they're unable to do anything about the chronic stuff......so they put you on the back boiler and hope you'll go back to your corner. If, when your ankle has healed, you don't hear reasonably quickly from them about a different Rehab doctor, please get on to them and make sure they've remembered.....and be the pain in the bum if that's what it takes! Do you have someone who can go to appointments with you for support? I do hope you do cos I think it can be a very wearing process.

Glad Lily is ok.... is she coming out in sympathy? Hope your ankle continues to improve and that you can go home soon

 

[Gidget]

Oh anny, the labour for painting was $80 an hour, the paint etc was extra. This was a quote from a supposedly government subsidised service for disabled people run by the Catholic Church. I can get a home handyman out of the newspaper to do it for $30 an hour. I’m so disillusioned with supposed subsidised services for the disabled and aged. I think they are only in it to get as much as they can and from the most vulnerable people too.i don’t know why the Government keeps funding these intermediary services when they are so blatantly fraudulent. I paid 39% income tax nearly all my 40 years in the workforce so I could be guaranteed a comfortable retirement and now I get s##t all. I’m so pleased I also paid into a private superannuation fund.

The hospital I’m in has always been excellent but last night...wow...

I was attached to an IV which ran through a pump that was attached to the pole on the bed. At 7.45 pm I asked my nurse for a portable pole so I could go to the toilet. 2 hours later the nurse came in again because my pump was alarming. I told her I really needed to go to the toilet and to please get the pole. She said yes. It took another half hour and I had to press my buzzer (I hate having to buzz) for her to come back with it...so 2.5 hour wait to go to the toilet! Then same nurse 10pm when she came in to hang the next bag of fluid, I asked for some pain killers. She acted as if she didn’t hear so I repeated myself and made sure she responded. At 11.30 I ended up having to ask the new night nurse. So 1.5 hours for pain relief. It’s the first time since I was admitted that I’d asked for anything. I’m not a demanding patient. I hope I never get that nurse again.