Achilles Update

Jon is now 13 weeks post ruptured achilles repair.  What a long road to recovery it has been, but he is doing really well.  He's been out of his walking boot for about a month.  Since he's been out of the walking boot he has been going to physical therapy 3 days a week.  It's awesome to see the progress he's made in 4 weeks.  When he first got the boot off he had to use crutches for about a week because he could not put much weight on his foot.  He then was walking without crutches but with a heavy limp and almost gangster strut.  His gate has improved so much the past couple weeks!  If you weren't looking for him to limp a little, you would never notice.  I'm sure within the next couple weeks he will be walking like normal again.
He went for a check up with the doctor today and he was very impressed with the progress he has made.  He released him from PT, but of course wants him to continue to work on his calf strength and flexibility on his own.  The doctor only wants him walking, no running or jogging allowed yet.  I am just glad he is able to walk, and well at that.  I now have a walking partner again!
Who knew that an innocent game of flag football would lead to this?!  I know that accidents happen, but this sure was a doozy of an accident.  I have told Jon that it may be better if he sticks with sports without any contact, like golf! :)  I am very thankful for a successful surgery and that Jon is now almost back to his old self!

Wheelchair Adventures

Not too long after Jon had been hopping along on crutches we realized that a wheelchair would really be helpful. He talked to the doctor and they wrote him a prescription for a wheelchair. One afternoon we went to the medical supply company and picked out a wheelchair to rent. As funny as it sounds, it has really been helpful for him. It gets pretty tough using crutches for long periods of time.
Our first wheelchair adventure was out shopping for furniture. It was a little tough maneuvering the chair around all the furniture in the stores, but we made do.

The next time it really came in handy was registering for Lillian at Target. Although once it got busy at the store, it was a little more difficult because the aisles are not very wide and a lot of people are inconsiderate.
We also went on an adventure to the state fair in the wheelchair. The hardest part of that was the fact that it was really hot outside and the sun was beaming down. I must say it is good exercise!

Speaking of exercise, we did take the wheelchair to the park. The doctor told me to start walking more so that's what I've been doing.  Walking the park as I pushed my husband in his wheelchair.  I'm sure it was a sight to see, but it worked for us!
Our last adventure in the wheelchair was to Death Valley to cheer on the tigers as they played Mississippi State.  We had been planning to go to the game for quite some time, and then Jon got hurt, so that threw a kink in the plans.  He decided to call the ticket office and see what was available since he would be in a wheelchair.  Well my friends, we scored big time!  We got to sit in the handicapped/wheelchair section, and those were some great seats!

We turned the wheelchair back in to the company this past week.  It was a little bittersweet...joking...it was actually a joyous event! Jon is now in a walking boot and getting around without crutches!  So very thankful! 

I have learned a few unfortunate things since Jon was using a wheelchair....

1- there are numerous places that are not handicapped accessible or friendly

2- so many people are really inconsiderate

3- wheelchairs are hard to drive

I now have a better understanding for those that are wheelchair bound and I will make a conscious effort from here on out to really help them when I can!

Continuing to Recover

Jon is still on the road to recovery. He has been sporting this blue cast for a little over 2 weeks now.

Less than a week with it to go, then it is back to the walking cast. I know he is so ready for that day (and I am too)! He is really tired of using crutches or being pushed in a wheelchair.
When they removed the splint cast and put the hard cast on, he was able to see the incision. He snapped a few pics for me because I couldn't be there. They did remove all the sutures, but here is what it looked like before they did.

I was surprised at how long the incision is! Hopefully it won't leave too nasty of a scar!
At his next appointment (in about a week) he will get the cast off and be put back in the walking boot. At that time he will also find out when he will start physical therapy and how long that will last. We imagine PT to be pretty tough at the beginning because he has not used that foot/ankle at all in over a month. I know he will do great though, he's very determined to have a perfect recovery!

Recovery Road

Jon's surgery to repair his ruptured achilles tendon went really well. He was a little nervous before but after some Versed he had no more worries! I brought him home that afternoon and he slept and kept his foot elevated. That night was a little rough for him. It was hard for him to find a comfortable position while trying to keep his leg elevated, and although he was taking his pain meds around the clock, he was not getting much relief. The next day he called the doc, who added another pain med to the mix, and that seemed to do the trick.
He is now 10 days post op and doing well. He gets around with his crutches most of the time, but when he's out and about for longer periods of time he uses a wheelchair. The wheelchair allows his leg to stay elevated, therefore keeping the swelling to a minimum. Bathing was an issue at the beginning because he tried to hang his bum leg out of the tub and that was very difficult. Thanks to my sweet grandmother, Jon is now using a shower bench. (Thankfully we have a pretty large shower for it to fit in.) Problem solved! This road to recovery has definitely not been a smooth paved one, but we have figured out the speed bumps and managed our way so far. Jon has a follow-up appointment on Monday in which they will remove the temporary splinted cast and apply a hard plaster cast. He will have to remain non-weight bearing on his left foot for at least 6 more weeks.
We are hoping for a good report from the doctor and a quick and uneventful recovery!