Coming back to life

It's been almost six weeks since my leg was put through the grinder, and I'm finally starting to feel like a person again! The experience was a lot different (and harder) than I ever expected.

In surgery they drilled holes in my tibia (shin bone) and used a chisel to break the rest of the way through. Then they made a cut over my knee and pounded a 14 inch long, 1/2 inch wide titanium rod through the middle of the bone. They straightened my leg and put some screws in under my knee and above my ankle. The x-rays look like a case of metal shop gone wrong.

I had a block on my femoral nerve, but that didn't touch the pain. I'm usually quite a light weight with pain meds (I think I broke up and used 2 percocets for the entire time I recovered from child birth) so I was surprised at how much medicine I needed. Knowing how strongly the meds affect me, I asked to start with 1/2 a percocet, but soon needed needed more. I had taken as many as allowed and was still in agony, so I moved up to the oxy. Even then I was taking three every three hours and Tylenol in between. Much of the first two weeks after surgery is a blur.

After three days in the hospital I came home. My sister stayed here to help babysit me and the kids, and mom and dad were here a lot too. Even after they left "full time babysitting" I called my parents several times in tears. Each time they jumped right in the car and came to my rescue.

Cris has been a huge help. Working full time (and overtime) and keeping up the house hasn't been easy for him. But I love and appreciate him so much. We also had SO much help from other family members, friends and neighbors. Thank you everyone for the meals, the babysitting, being a taxi service and for your love. I don't know how we could have got through it alone!

I think I went into this a little starry eyed thinking that I'd have a broken shin, but could still manage around the house on my crutches just fine. But, it was a few weeks before I even moved up to the crutches! I started on a walker (insert geriatric joke here) and even then, leaving my place on the couch was painful enough I avoided it at all costs. McKenzie was a great help, bringing me diapers for Alli, or the phone, or whatever I needed. But, she also got tired of it too. One day I called for her and she told me, "McKenzie's not here right now! Leave a message!"

I've learned a few tricks along the way. Since I couldn't hold anything in my hands as I moved around with the walker I learned to shuffle a laundry basket in front of it to shuttle things around the house. Sometimes even Allison. (How else do you convince a 1 year old it's time for her nap when you can't pick her up and carry her?)

For the most part, I'm off the meds and am able to get around the house without the crutches. I just have a really nasty limp. I'm not quite able to drive yet, but am hoping to get there soon. It's a weird feeling being locked in your house and unable to escape! More than once I called people begging to take me for a quick ride anywhere. The park. Grandmas house. I didn't care! I just needed a change of scenery.

The bruises are nearly gone. At first my entire leg was a solid rainbow of black, purple and green. I thought the bruises may last for months, but luckily only shadows remain. And for the first time, when I lay on my back my toes point to the ceiling! It's been a weird feeling to get used to - before now my pinkie toe would lay flat on the bed!

So, I can see there is some improvement. And I know things are going to get even better. But, I think I'm going to fight like hell to avoid the surgery on the other two bones!