17 Days Post Op: Scars
Today I was able to take a normal shower for the first time in a long time! The privilege of having the ability to bathe on your own is sublime.
I was also able to try on my new snowmobile suit (!!!) which will come in handy once moto season kicks up. You gotta have things to look forward to when you’re healing; a little carrot to spur you on.
While I cannot walk without my aircast plus a side of “I’m gonna throw up” pain just yet, I am starting to get some movement and independence back.
Recovery has taken longer due to a viral infection which is slowly passing. Energy is still very low. Pain when not walking is very manageable. I am also able to remove my aircast while lying down and when doing range of motion ankle exercises.
Won’t be able to drive any type of vehicle until the aircast is no longer needed. My new “big toe” structure needs to set in place so it’s onward and upward til my next check up on Valentines Day.
After my shower, I pat dry the incisions and poked around a little bit. I was taught with my last surgery to play with scars. Eventually, being able to pinch and pluck at incision sites/scar tissue helps that tissue return to almost-normal (lessens negative adhesive behaviours, irritability, etc.) sensation/function.
I didn’t go too touchy feely though as this is the first time I’m touching the scars and there is still some numbness in the toe so I don’t want to do any damage. Ankle is quite swollen, too. So It’s back in the cast for now. I’ll keep ya posted throughout this recovery period in case you or someone you know is going through something similar.
2 Week follow up - 4 weeks to go
Still dealing with the tail end of this flu. Typically, I’d get the seasonal flu shot + Covid booster but I didn’t this year as you’re not to get vaccinated pre-op and there was initial plans to book my surgery right around the time the flu shots become available. Hell, I haven’t been on my arthritis drug since Christmas, as you have to stop those meds (infection risk) pre/post op, til cleared to resume by doctor.
Surgery when you’ve got a crummy immune system is all encompassing. Plus, you work full time and part time. Plus, you’re a mother of two young kids. Plus, you’re in a domestic partnership where you've now become a third dependant! This is not me complaining, though in text form it might come off that way. This is me stating the ‘side b.s.’ that accompanies the main event: surgery!
The surgery went very well and I continue to sing the Ottawa Hospital’s praises. Ortho team FTW! This morning I attended my first post-op follow up. No x-rays at this apt. as it was just to check in and have my stitches removed.
I had two procedures done on January 9th. One to correct a toe deformity (plate and anchors in place) and the other to remove a bony growth from my ankle that was compressing some tendons and making walking very difficult.
Before the stitches were removed, I was very quickly visited by a resident who answered all of my Qs in a very warm, friendly and informed manner.
Physio? - To start pending progress report in 4 wks.
What causes extra bone growth and can I do anything to inhibit recurrence? - Nothing causes it directly, just the nature of my disease. Nothing can be done to prohibit recurrence, though it takes many years to form and become an issue.
When is it ok to resume normal activity; x-c ski, skate, jog; be MORE active than just walking? - Will discuss pending progress report in 4 wks. Focus on weight bearing for now in aircast.
Resume arthritis meds? - Hold off as long as possible as bone is still healing.
My 6 week follow up is scheduled for Valentine’s Day. I hope to hear that that plate is embedded. The form has been locked in. And I can get on with life! I also hope to have no f—-ing viral infections further impeding my ability to heal and function… it’s been very rough with my energy being non-existent as internal resources are being dedicated to healing this new hardware and incision sites. I don’t have any extra energy or cells to fight off infection, or contribute to a healthy and functioning immune system.
I have had to cancel last weekend’s part time work shift and my full time work hasn’t been 100% and I know that. I’ve been relying very heavily on my husband and kids to essentially do everything for me and cater to my bedridden ass. I’ve left my house three times in two weeks resulting in lengthy naps and zero energy… There’s never a good time to catch the flu but this, I can assure you, is one of the WORST times!
Getting healthy is going to be the BEST. Thanks for putting up with me & for your kind messages of support.
12 Days post op: mtp fusion and ankle debridement
Hello,
I had surgery on Thursday, January 9th at the Ottawa Hospital (General) to address some long-standing issues relating to my disease (diagnosed in ‘88 w/JIA: juvenile idiopathic arthritis previously known as JRA: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). The surgery was a success and I am forever grateful to have a capable and compassionate care team.
I’m often told ‘woah, that doctor is the BEST in the city/province/country/world’ and it’s true. My surgeons are next-level and as my most recent contributor-to-such-accolades (anesthetist) informed me, it’s because I’m a complex case. I have been through the wringer from diagnosis to now. It has destroyed my body and the best of the best have the skills to help me. As I said to her, “If you’re gonna be sick, you’d better do it right!”
It’s 12 days post-op (I think?) and I feel very rough. The TL;DR of my disease is that I have an immune system that is designed to kill itself. As such, I get very sick (even with common, non-serious viral infections). While trying to recover from the double procedure (toe fusion + debridement of ankle), I caught a bug. Last night I had a fever just under 104 and it was awful. Fever broke before 10PM and I was able to get back to baseline by this morning.
Trying to heal physical wounds while also battling autoimmune disease (without the aid of arthritis meds/can’t take ‘em due to infection risk which complicates surgery/recovery) AND a viral infection; why do I always feel the need to do everything at the same time, all the time? I’m exhausted.
Exhausted, but on the mend.
I expect to be in good health by Friday to attend my first post-op appointment. This is when I’ll have my stitches removed and should be able to start weight-bearing on my operative foot. I will be unable to drive (pedal foot in air cast) until late February and may have to adjust my fitness goals! I was hoping to be back in shape by spring but fall may be the new goal post.
Here is the before and after photo of my foot (not photographed is the second wound where a large bony growth was removed from my ankle):
As you may be able to see, I had my left MTP fusion done previously (age 17, missed gr. 12 finals which ended my highschool experience). I look forward to improved function, less pain and better overall health. I share this stuff with those who choose to read about it/follow me because I want to provide real, garnered-through-lived-experience hope to kids and/or parents/guardians of kids with physical disabilities. It hurts. It’s painful. It’s a grind. Don’t give up. Keep going. Like I said before, “If you’re gonna be sick, you’d better do it right.”
2024: That’s a wrap
Time to ring in the new year by having more surgery! You may recall me having my hip replaced in May (2023) and how it changed my life for the better… I got into fitness, big time, and have reached new heights in terms of capability, health, you name it. The sky finally became the limit - until I was taken out by a mysterious injury.
Rock radio announcer calls orthopaedic surgeons at The Ottawa Hospital the true rock stars, published October 2023.
It was a few days before we moved out of our Hintonburg house when I experienced a very intense, searing pain in my right ankle accompanied by swelling. I came home from work, sat down to take off my sneakers and BAM - I was out. I had to keep going though; we were moving. We have two kids who were about to be on summer break. I also work full time. ‘Not moving’ is not an option, no matter how much it hurts. This happened June 21st (2024). Some relief came within a few days when I felt (and saw) my tendons ‘pop’ and ‘snap’ near my ankle after forcing it to bend. It was later revealed through examination (by three doctors), ultrasound and MRI technology that I had some bony spurs growing along the back of my right ankle. They have likely been growing for decades but had become so large, they were now forcing my tendons out of place. The relief I felt came only after my tendons began to stretch to accomodate the new bones.
For someone who’s literally never been IN GREAT PHYSICAL SHAPE until this year, I can tell you that it friggin’ sucks falling OUT of shape. I had to change my routine from walking/weight bearing activities to doing a lot on the floor. The cool news is that I now have a pretty strong core - but the crappy news is that I am struggling due to this injury. To anyone reading this who has fallen out of shape; IT SUCKS SO MUCH both mentally and physically.
Per usual, though, there is hope. The light at the end of this tunnel is coming on January 9th; six months post injury, I will be having my bone spurs evicted (debridement) and right toe corrected (fused) at the Ottawa Hospital.
What went from a curious new ailment to ‘we know exactly what that is and how to deal with it” proves that we have world class doctors at home in Ottawa. I have been disabled since 1988 and have, over the years, been very lucky to have assembled a care-team of geniuses with heart. I don’t have surgery because I’m asking for it; I have surgery because my body will not function without it. Surgery is the last resort.
That said… 2025 is going to be brighter. I get to experience getting back into shape. What feels like a mountain to climb ris my focus. Falling out of shape for 6 months has inspired me to get back into it in 6 months, so let’s aim to catch up in June: a year post injury? Watch this blog space for progress reports.
You can also follow along on my instagram account. That’s where I’ll be sharing updates more frequently.
Reminder: I am not a fan of social media and I do not have a Facebook page/profile, nor any presence on Twitter/X. I am not very active on LinkedIn. Instagram remains the only spot where you can follow me: @amyvolume.
Almonte, here we come!
It is with GREAT pleasure that I’m able to share the news that we have FOUND a house! One where the kids can have their own rooms (and at 9 and 7, that’s a huge deal). We have a much larger yard (with a pool) and more family-friendly outside spaces to play and gather with friends. Speaking of gathering with friends, the basement has a pool table and bar! It’s accessible for people like me (physically disabled) and will certainly be our forever home.
We are leaving Ottawa and moving to Almonte over the next few weeks. Close friends who want to help us with the move or unpacking (or christening of the pool/bar/whatever), please get in touch with either Ryan or myself. Any help would be very appreciated!
This process has been very mentally draining and all consuming (and financially nightmarish)! I am so relieved to finally have a little slice of home (the valley) while still being very close to the place I’ve called home (Ottawa) for the last two decades.