The Cast Comes Off

Thursday was the day I had been waiting for, for 5 weeks now. I had an appointment to get my cast off! It has always been uncomfortable but the last week it had been especially uncomfortable. My skin was itchy and my cast was rubbing in all the wrong places. Bryce was home sick from school with an ear infection so Abby and him got to come see the cast coming off. Caleb was a little sad he wouldn't see the cast getting cut off but we promised to video it for him.

The actual cutting of the cast wasn't as scary as I remember, but I was only 12 the last time I had a cast cut off.

When it was off my leg was disgusting! It was covered in dry skin and hair. I was so excited to go home and soak it in a nice hot bath!

This was my x-ray showing all the new hardware that is now a part of my ankle. The doctor again said what an impressive break it was for just slipping and falling. I guess I am really good at being a klutz! Robb and I were both pretty discouraged when we left the appointment. The doctor had talked about how for a good year I would know I had severely broke my ankle. He said it would hurt and swell with activity and that water sports and snow skiing were out for a year as well as any activity that would stress my ankle (so no Mud Run this year :(. He also talked about the possibility of some arthritis in my ankle in the next 10-15 years. This was a bummer to hear since I won't be that old in 10 years!

I got fitted with a walking boot but the intent for this week was to only put 50 lbs of weight on it so I can't really walk around with it at all. I am almost less mobile now because I am supposed to be putting some weight on it so now I have to use crutches instead of the scooter. After the cast was off my ankle was incredible painful! I wasn't able to bend it to put it all the way in the boot and they had to use some lifts to fit my foot in. They said that was okay for a couple days but told me to be diligent about stretching it out flat so the tendon doesn't get tight. Ugh! Robb and I were hoping things would get better and easier after this appointment but instead I feel like we have taken a step back. I also got told that I would need to wear the boot for 4-6 weeks when I was planning on 2. I guess another month and a half of not driving for me.