19/01/2020, Sunday
Feel the need to plan the meals a bit to make sure we have enough veggies and varieties.
Lentils with grilled veggies (Sainsbury's frozen) and feta cheese
Tomato and onion butter sauce
Cauliflower (Sainsbury's frozen) cheese
Chicken mushroom cream stew
The chicken stew was made by hubby with my verbal instructions. Worked out pretty well. We were both impressed :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My family is in Hokkaido for a 5-day visit. I am so envious! I was supposed to be with them but God had another thought. Well, I will definitely make it next time.
20/01/2020, Monday
Second physio session
Well, I am truly amazed to see what happened at the physio session today. Three weeks ago, I was unable to walk, in boot and two crutches. Today with boot off, my therapist asked me to walk, crutch free! Just like that! I was unsure initially as I tried a couple of times at home and it didn't go smoothly. But first he showed me a couple of intermediary steps (injured leg front and good leg back, hold it for a few seconds and bring the good leg to the injured one). And then heel down first, crutch free and off I go. I was moving, hand free. I am beyond happy!! I am truly impressed by what I can do today, astonished even. Didn't think that was possible but I walked crutch free.
Now he wants to increase the difficulty level of my exercises. Well, fair enough. Most of the exercises are about strength, balance and flexibility. With strength, balance comes naturally. There are a couple of exercises with single ankle (ouch it's really hard). I found a couple of more exercises on youtube which will improve my ankle ROM as well. My therapist said that he wants to see me stand on one foot for 2 minutes next time and definitely to walk unassisted. My next 5 weeks will be busy.
Feeling really encouraged today. Thank you body (and my therapist)!
21/01/2020, Tuesday
Getting up early to phone in for a meeting. Yesterday I worked almost 7 hours for the company. The danger of remote working is to tell yourself to disconnect.
But I should not lose sight of what truly matters, my recovery. This is my golden time for recovery and I shall make the best use of my flexible working hours.
The meeting finished just before 13:00. So I began exercises this afternoon. I am still finding my way through the exercises but here is what I found today:
The new exercises are extremely helpful for my walking. I noticed that I walked much more "normally" at the end of the exercises and I felt my ankle has been loosened up properly. So walking plus stretching seems to be a natural finish of the whole routine. The new exercises focus mostly on strength but also on balance and expanding the range of motion. A round of exercises takes about 30 minutes and my ankle did swell up at the end of it. The swelling is only temporary but it probably means my ankle working hard as directed.
So here is the sequence of the exercises to be repeated/modified for the next few days:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes, both feet (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
4. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (10 seconds x 5) x 4 repetitions
5. Walking without crutches (10 minutes) x 4 repetitions
6. Calf stretch against the wall (10 seconds x 5) x 4 repetitions
7. Seated toe or heel raise, throughout the day
Now you know what I meant I would be busy with the new exercises. It's exciting, to know that I can aim for more exercises and with greater difficulty. The only thing I can't do at the moment is the single leg on the staircase. When I feel ready, I may swap #3 with the staircase version.
I hope to improve steadily.
22/01/2020, Wednesday
Just when I thought I didn't have a good day of exercise today, a miracle happened when I was about to go to bed.
Still now my leg feel locked every time I get up and walk. I then remember the intermediary moves my therapist showed me before embarking on an actual walk. I gently rocked myself forwards and backwards with two feet standing apart 30cm, with one leg in front the other. I rocked myself as if I was about to walk out. After doing a few rounds with right leg front, I repeated by putting the left leg on the front. Then I walked a full step.
All of sudden, my right leg feels like before the accident, normal. The sensation is hard to described but very familiar and very real. The feeling of all locked joints is gone. It feels as if the knots have been all loosened up. Very strange. For 10 seconds, my leg felt natural and light. So weird and yet wonderful. Then it's bed time.
Don't know if it will last but tomorrow will do the same move again!!!
23/01/2020, Thursday
The first I checked when I woke up is to see how locked my right leg is. Wow, am I surprised! It feels a lot loosened than before. First since the rehabilitation, in fact, I feel I could just get up and walk.
Thank you, body.
I also tried what my therapist suggested during the first session, walking with the music. Well, I have to say he's right again. Instead of series of disconnected moves, music makes my walk in a smooth sequence of steps. You know you can tell a person has been injured or not by looking how smooth s/he walks. Before today, my walk consists of disjointed steps, a typical post-injury walk. Today, my newly loosened joints seem to smooth out the moves and the music brought a rhythm which helps smooth the detached steps into a beautiful sequence.
Thank you, Therapist.
Here is what I did today:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes, both feet (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
3b. Standing on stairs, on toes and balls of both feet (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
4. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
5. Walking without crutches with music (10 minutes) x 4 repetitions
6. Calf stretch against the wall (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
7. Seated toe or heel raise, throughout the day
24/01/2020, Friday
Today I continued my exercise routine as yesterday but doing just 3/4 of it. Need to save energy for my first visit to the supermarket this evening.
"A God like you" is a great track for walking exercise. Love it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have been working remotely for a week now. I noticed that my productivity is greatly enhanced and my snacking habit has reduced to practically zero. What does it say about my open-plan office environment?!
Saturday, 25 January 2020
Saturday, 18 January 2020
2020 weekly - Week 3
12/01/2020, Sunday
Feeling really good waking up today after yesterday's reassuring election results. That puts me in a good mood to start the day as well. Breakfast, bath, talking to my family and walking exercises. Life is built on small things and happiness accumulates when achieving them.
I noticed that using walker is another way to train my ankle, in a different way. Should add this in as well.
Total walking time: 50 minutes including one round outdoor
13/01/2020, Monday
I've figured out a way to get up and down stairs on my own. Embarrassingly still with my bum but at least I can get the crutches down and back up on my own. Note to self: have to super train my upper body strength in due course.
Food wise, still relying on supermarket's offering >70% but I will make some rice tonight to go with the battered fish hubby got.
A week from now will be my second physio session. Walking wise, there is a clear improvement. As for ankle ROM aspect, I don't feel it improves much. True that I've spent more time walking, rather than on ankle ROM exercises...
Total walking time: 60 minutes
14/01/2020, Tuesday
My arms are sore these days. Not sore sore but feeling them definitely even when I just wake up.
Today I split the walking with boot on 60% on two crutches and 40% on one. I feel the ankle is certainly stronger as it doesn't complain at the end of the exercise. Good news. I am also adding extra walking without the boot since it augments my ankle mobility exercise.
Total walking time: 60 minutes with boot on, 50 minutes with boot off.
15/01/2020, Wednesday
The rash on the right leg seems to be under control after almost two weeks. Aloe vera saves me again.
I should listen to Journal en francais facile from RFI more often. The french is well enunciated in 10-minute news broadcast. There is something to be said about French news broadcasts. The news is diverse and international. Even our Ms Tsai got mentioned!
I can WALK on the stairs!! Just like that, all of sudden, I felt like giving it a go so I did. After two months of bumming up and down, today I walked again on stairs. Feeling like a true achievement. Being partial weight bearing certainly takes the weight off the arms sufficient enough for me to use my feet again.
Total walking time: 60 minutes with boot on, 50 minutes with boot off, including one round outdoor
16/01/2020, Thursday
A laptop will soon be reconfigured for my remote working request. It's another sign of progress, I suppose.
Walking exercises are still my priority.
Total walking time: 60 minutes with boot on, 60 minutes with boot off, including one round outdoor.
17/01/2020, Friday
Decided to take the boot off completely for exercise, as it seems to rub on my wound. Took me a long time to realise that it could be the reason why my wound keeps on oozing out liquid. I should have been more alert.
Total walking time: 90 minutes with boot off.
Feeling really good waking up today after yesterday's reassuring election results. That puts me in a good mood to start the day as well. Breakfast, bath, talking to my family and walking exercises. Life is built on small things and happiness accumulates when achieving them.
I noticed that using walker is another way to train my ankle, in a different way. Should add this in as well.
Total walking time: 50 minutes including one round outdoor
13/01/2020, Monday
I've figured out a way to get up and down stairs on my own. Embarrassingly still with my bum but at least I can get the crutches down and back up on my own. Note to self: have to super train my upper body strength in due course.
Food wise, still relying on supermarket's offering >70% but I will make some rice tonight to go with the battered fish hubby got.
A week from now will be my second physio session. Walking wise, there is a clear improvement. As for ankle ROM aspect, I don't feel it improves much. True that I've spent more time walking, rather than on ankle ROM exercises...
Total walking time: 60 minutes
14/01/2020, Tuesday
My arms are sore these days. Not sore sore but feeling them definitely even when I just wake up.
Today I split the walking with boot on 60% on two crutches and 40% on one. I feel the ankle is certainly stronger as it doesn't complain at the end of the exercise. Good news. I am also adding extra walking without the boot since it augments my ankle mobility exercise.
Total walking time: 60 minutes with boot on, 50 minutes with boot off.
15/01/2020, Wednesday
The rash on the right leg seems to be under control after almost two weeks. Aloe vera saves me again.
I should listen to Journal en francais facile from RFI more often. The french is well enunciated in 10-minute news broadcast. There is something to be said about French news broadcasts. The news is diverse and international. Even our Ms Tsai got mentioned!
I can WALK on the stairs!! Just like that, all of sudden, I felt like giving it a go so I did. After two months of bumming up and down, today I walked again on stairs. Feeling like a true achievement. Being partial weight bearing certainly takes the weight off the arms sufficient enough for me to use my feet again.
Total walking time: 60 minutes with boot on, 50 minutes with boot off, including one round outdoor
16/01/2020, Thursday
A laptop will soon be reconfigured for my remote working request. It's another sign of progress, I suppose.
Walking exercises are still my priority.
Total walking time: 60 minutes with boot on, 60 minutes with boot off, including one round outdoor.
17/01/2020, Friday
Decided to take the boot off completely for exercise, as it seems to rub on my wound. Took me a long time to realise that it could be the reason why my wound keeps on oozing out liquid. I should have been more alert.
Total walking time: 90 minutes with boot off.
Saturday, 11 January 2020
2020 weekly - Week 2
05/01/2020, Sunday
Hubby insisted that I made one of the practice walks outside so we did. We walked around the housing court. One and half round is about 10 minutes. Mostly flat surface and a few very gentle slopes. It's good to breath the fresh air while walking.
During my last round of practice, I tried a few steps with just one crutch. I can actually do it without feeling much more pain or discomfort. Perhaps it's a lot about confidence as well. In a few days, I will try to walk with one crutch more.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
06/01/2020, Monday
Skin seemed to play up a bit again last night. I did exceed 60 minutes a bit. So today I will try to keep it under 60 minutes.
Also, my foot looked visibly more swollen last night, possibly being down on the floor too long. This morning it does look "normal" again. Note to self: raise the leg whenever possible.
Two more weeks before I go see my Physiotherapist. I hope to keep at it and hopefully he'll see the difference! Please Skin, stay calm for me.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
07/01/2020, Tuesday
Six weeks after surgery.
Today marks the official end of non-weight bearing period post operation. Amazing to think that I've started walking without too much pain or discomfort.
Time flies quickly indeed. It helped to have the christmas and new year holidays in between. I also took my first bath a couple of days ago. As much as I have been helped by baby wipes, it's not a long term solution (certainly not environmentally friendly). I hope to get familiar with the bath routine. Need to be super careful.
I am also splitting the practice walk into two crutches and one, hoping to shifting more weight gradually to the injured leg.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
08/01/2020, Wednesday
Yesterday's experiment by splitting walking 50-50 with one crutch or two showed that I may not be ready for this ratio. During the last two rounds of walking, I started to feel pain. Not huge, but enough for me to switch back to two crutches. So today I will keep my morning sessions with two crutches and do some single crutch walk in the afternoon.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
09/01/2020, Thursday
I am a lucky girl. My folks came to nurse me after the accident. I hope they are pleased to see the steady progress I'm making. They just left for the airport now. Enormous gratitude.
The house is so quiet now....a bit sad.
Total walking time: 50 minutes including one round outdoor
10/01/2020, Friday
Total walking time: 60 minutes
11/01/2020, Saturday
I am enormously proud of Formosa, my island. Thank you for showing what truly matters for our future. Hugely grateful and immensely proud of what you demonstrated tonight.
Thank you.
Hubby insisted that I made one of the practice walks outside so we did. We walked around the housing court. One and half round is about 10 minutes. Mostly flat surface and a few very gentle slopes. It's good to breath the fresh air while walking.
During my last round of practice, I tried a few steps with just one crutch. I can actually do it without feeling much more pain or discomfort. Perhaps it's a lot about confidence as well. In a few days, I will try to walk with one crutch more.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
06/01/2020, Monday
Skin seemed to play up a bit again last night. I did exceed 60 minutes a bit. So today I will try to keep it under 60 minutes.
Also, my foot looked visibly more swollen last night, possibly being down on the floor too long. This morning it does look "normal" again. Note to self: raise the leg whenever possible.
Two more weeks before I go see my Physiotherapist. I hope to keep at it and hopefully he'll see the difference! Please Skin, stay calm for me.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
07/01/2020, Tuesday
Six weeks after surgery.
Today marks the official end of non-weight bearing period post operation. Amazing to think that I've started walking without too much pain or discomfort.
Time flies quickly indeed. It helped to have the christmas and new year holidays in between. I also took my first bath a couple of days ago. As much as I have been helped by baby wipes, it's not a long term solution (certainly not environmentally friendly). I hope to get familiar with the bath routine. Need to be super careful.
I am also splitting the practice walk into two crutches and one, hoping to shifting more weight gradually to the injured leg.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
08/01/2020, Wednesday
Yesterday's experiment by splitting walking 50-50 with one crutch or two showed that I may not be ready for this ratio. During the last two rounds of walking, I started to feel pain. Not huge, but enough for me to switch back to two crutches. So today I will keep my morning sessions with two crutches and do some single crutch walk in the afternoon.
Total walking time: 60 minutes including one round outdoor
09/01/2020, Thursday
I am a lucky girl. My folks came to nurse me after the accident. I hope they are pleased to see the steady progress I'm making. They just left for the airport now. Enormous gratitude.
The house is so quiet now....a bit sad.
Total walking time: 50 minutes including one round outdoor
10/01/2020, Friday
Total walking time: 60 minutes
11/01/2020, Saturday
I am enormously proud of Formosa, my island. Thank you for showing what truly matters for our future. Hugely grateful and immensely proud of what you demonstrated tonight.
Thank you.
Saturday, 4 January 2020
2020 weekly - Week 1
01/01/2020, Wednesday, New Year's Day
Happy New Year!
I have a lot to look forward to this year, haven't I? The most important is the rehabilitation of my right ankle. Yesterday, I attended my first physio session. Although I can see how weak my ankle still is, there is a sense of optimism by attending. Because this marks the first day of recovery, so much to be grateful and celebrate. And in a couple of days, I will be moving onto partially weight bearing. Apprehensive but excited.
Small steps make a leap into a journey. This is something I've always believed and lived by. Queen's 2019 Christmas speech also reflected on that. So true, whether it's man landing on the moon, running a marathon, or just be able to walk again, don't ever underestimate the accumulative effect of small efforts and all the preparatory work we have to make in order to achieve something bigger.
02/01/2020, Thursday
Started my heat treatment today. Ideally I would use a reusable heat pad but that means I have to get down and up stairs everytime I need to have a treatment. Right now , I use disposable ones before I have enough strength to climb the stairs.
03/01/2020, Friday
Taking the first step today, hooray! The first few steps were a bit timid, probably because I had to get over the mental block of weakness and pain. But very soon, it's a joy to be able to walk again. Such a liberating feeling. 10 minutes every hour, that's my plan.
My right leg seems to be sensitive to heat (or long exposure of?). Already having some heat rash, after yesterday's heat pad, it has generated more. Skin problems annoy me a great deal. May have to stay of heat pads for a while.
Total walking time: 70 minutes
04/01/2020, Saturday
After yesterday's first go, I've become more confident that I can walk. I feel slight strain/pain at the ankle so I took a paracetamol to make walking more comfortable.
Total walking time: 60 minutes
Happy New Year!
I have a lot to look forward to this year, haven't I? The most important is the rehabilitation of my right ankle. Yesterday, I attended my first physio session. Although I can see how weak my ankle still is, there is a sense of optimism by attending. Because this marks the first day of recovery, so much to be grateful and celebrate. And in a couple of days, I will be moving onto partially weight bearing. Apprehensive but excited.
Small steps make a leap into a journey. This is something I've always believed and lived by. Queen's 2019 Christmas speech also reflected on that. So true, whether it's man landing on the moon, running a marathon, or just be able to walk again, don't ever underestimate the accumulative effect of small efforts and all the preparatory work we have to make in order to achieve something bigger.
02/01/2020, Thursday
Started my heat treatment today. Ideally I would use a reusable heat pad but that means I have to get down and up stairs everytime I need to have a treatment. Right now , I use disposable ones before I have enough strength to climb the stairs.
03/01/2020, Friday
Taking the first step today, hooray! The first few steps were a bit timid, probably because I had to get over the mental block of weakness and pain. But very soon, it's a joy to be able to walk again. Such a liberating feeling. 10 minutes every hour, that's my plan.
My right leg seems to be sensitive to heat (or long exposure of?). Already having some heat rash, after yesterday's heat pad, it has generated more. Skin problems annoy me a great deal. May have to stay of heat pads for a while.
Total walking time: 70 minutes
04/01/2020, Saturday
After yesterday's first go, I've become more confident that I can walk. I feel slight strain/pain at the ankle so I took a paracetamol to make walking more comfortable.
Total walking time: 60 minutes
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
My NWB diary - 15-31/12/2019
17/12/2019 Tuesday
My sleeping is still a bit hit and miss, but overall better than the worst nights I've had (i.e. waking up four times in a night). I just need to accept that tinkering my right leg has become my nightly ritual.
And I can't wait to see my right leg again this Friday.
18/12/2019 Wednesday
My French class has broken up for the holidays. I start to feel that I am being left behind while my classmates are edging ahead.
It's frustrating but I know it's not about who getting there first. I may have to start the whole B1 from the beginning. That's ok. I will still progress.
19/12/2019 Thursday
Something mundane but more joyful given my circumstance is that we now have tasted panettones from three major supermarkets this December. We prefer the classic version so that's what we got from Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. One key difference among all three is the content of the butter, which somehow is reflected on the price. My personal favorite is from Sainsbury's, nice flavor all around, sufficient richness from the highest butter content from all three supermarkets, tender and moist crumb, gentle citrusy flavor without heavy handed with the spices. Tesco is our second favorite, not as buttery as Sainsbury's but overall good. Il Vecchio from Asda is quite heavy with vanilla and cloves to my taste, and uses no butter. Although it's moist, it has no the expected richness from a christmas treat. Although it's the cheapest among all three, I don't think I would go for that in the future.
Well done, Sainsbury's.
20/12/2019 Friday
First appointment with the hospital since the surgery. I had been anxious to see my right leg again, after imaging all the terrible things which could have happened. Well, when the back slab was cut open, nothing dramatic came out. The skin is in pretty good condition, the foot remains a bit swollen (and is likely to be for the next few months), and the wounds are healing properly (great!). As for the scars, they are very visible and I have no problem of showing them.
The Xray show that the alignment remains excellent, although one can't tell the bone growth/healing. We just have to assume that a healthy fit individual like myself will follow the text book trajectory of recovery. 2-3 months, for the bone to regrow, I was told.
Strangely, I feel much at ease now, after seeing all that. I need to be on NWB for another two weeks and start using my right leg little by little afterwards. Better start looking into physio side of thing from my private health insurance.
A relief.
22/12/2019
Following doctor's order, I've started simple ankle exercises to get the range of movement (ROM) back. It's been two days since I did the exercise and my ankle is still quite stiff. Moving the foot forward and backward is a lot easier than turning sideways or making circle. At the moment, the latter two exercises are simply not possible. Looking at my X-rays again I start to understand why. The metal insertions are close to the ankle joint, on the left and right side of my ankle. I am now a bit anxious about to walk in two weeks time. What have I done to myself?!
No time to despair. I know. I just have to keep at it until I get my ROM back to normal(ish). Reading through the ankle fracture blogs, "back to normal" may be a fantasy but I will do as much as I can to be independent.
23/12/2019
Now I try to do ankle exercises 5 times a day. That forces me to fragment up my routine in finer pieces. Not convenient but it's good for the recovery. I know my goal is to get back on my both feet asap (literally and metaphorically).
24/12/2019 Tuesday, Christmas Eve
This is probably the simplest CE dinner we've had. With store bought items and the duck basically taking care of itself, it's relaxing and still festive.
Pate and pickles
Chinese 5-spice roast duck
Thin flour pancakes/small tortilla wraps
cucumber sticks
green onion slice
Hoisin sauce
Blueberry cheesecake with cranberry topping
We got the cheesecake from Sainsbury's. Wow, it tastes just great, the right balance of richness and freshness. The blueberries bring a very nice twist to the cake. Despite the negative comments on the web, this is possibly one of the best desserts from Sainsbury's. Will come back for more!
25/12/2019, Wednesday, Christmas day
Smoked salmon with cream cheese
Roast beef sirloin
Brussels sprouts in soy and balsamic vinegar
Horseradish cream sauce
Roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes
Cheese platter (Morbier, Tomme de Savoie and Fourme d'Ambert)
We ordered the beef from Marks and Spencer. Wow, such a nice piece of meat. We cooked it following the instruction and it came out juicy, tender and flavorful. The cheese platter was assembled with a selection from Cambridge Cheese Company. We did not disappoint. The quality is just excellent.
26/12/2019, Thursday, Boxing Day
No shopping for me, not even an online one.
Last night I discovered a nice trick to improve the efficiency of the ankle exercise. So far, I've been doing the exercises by willing the ankle to move on its own. It works ok for moving forward and backward but I feel my ankle hardly moves sideway or draws a circle. I decided to use my hand to guide the ankle to "remember" how it should move. I first get a feel how my hand should guide the ankle by simulating on the normal one. After that, I put my left hand under the right foot, at the heel, gently moving the injured ankle. Instead of willing the injured ankle to work, I make sure my ankle is doing the expected movement by assisting with a hand, in a very gentle way of course. I think it's working, certainly better than just willing it.
Recovery is certainly a long process but by the end of the first week I start to see the difference in ROM. I wish I had realized the "assisted" exercise earlier but it's still early days. I have another week to go before trying walking. Let's hope my injured ankle will be awakened quickly!
27/12/2019 Friday
Second week on since the post-surgery visit and more than four weeks on since the surgery.
Today I received my first physio appointment lettre!! My very efficient NHS, thank you! I'd mentally prepared for a long wait but hey, Addenbrooke's did not disappoint me.
Now, I have to speed up my ROM exercises!!
31/12/2019 Tuesday, New Year's Eve
Seafood paella
Cheese platter (Gorgonzola, Taleggio and Cornish cheddar)
Vanilla cheesecake
Ching-ching!
My sleeping is still a bit hit and miss, but overall better than the worst nights I've had (i.e. waking up four times in a night). I just need to accept that tinkering my right leg has become my nightly ritual.
And I can't wait to see my right leg again this Friday.
18/12/2019 Wednesday
My French class has broken up for the holidays. I start to feel that I am being left behind while my classmates are edging ahead.
It's frustrating but I know it's not about who getting there first. I may have to start the whole B1 from the beginning. That's ok. I will still progress.
19/12/2019 Thursday
Something mundane but more joyful given my circumstance is that we now have tasted panettones from three major supermarkets this December. We prefer the classic version so that's what we got from Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. One key difference among all three is the content of the butter, which somehow is reflected on the price. My personal favorite is from Sainsbury's, nice flavor all around, sufficient richness from the highest butter content from all three supermarkets, tender and moist crumb, gentle citrusy flavor without heavy handed with the spices. Tesco is our second favorite, not as buttery as Sainsbury's but overall good. Il Vecchio from Asda is quite heavy with vanilla and cloves to my taste, and uses no butter. Although it's moist, it has no the expected richness from a christmas treat. Although it's the cheapest among all three, I don't think I would go for that in the future.
Well done, Sainsbury's.
20/12/2019 Friday
First appointment with the hospital since the surgery. I had been anxious to see my right leg again, after imaging all the terrible things which could have happened. Well, when the back slab was cut open, nothing dramatic came out. The skin is in pretty good condition, the foot remains a bit swollen (and is likely to be for the next few months), and the wounds are healing properly (great!). As for the scars, they are very visible and I have no problem of showing them.
The Xray show that the alignment remains excellent, although one can't tell the bone growth/healing. We just have to assume that a healthy fit individual like myself will follow the text book trajectory of recovery. 2-3 months, for the bone to regrow, I was told.
Strangely, I feel much at ease now, after seeing all that. I need to be on NWB for another two weeks and start using my right leg little by little afterwards. Better start looking into physio side of thing from my private health insurance.
A relief.
22/12/2019
Following doctor's order, I've started simple ankle exercises to get the range of movement (ROM) back. It's been two days since I did the exercise and my ankle is still quite stiff. Moving the foot forward and backward is a lot easier than turning sideways or making circle. At the moment, the latter two exercises are simply not possible. Looking at my X-rays again I start to understand why. The metal insertions are close to the ankle joint, on the left and right side of my ankle. I am now a bit anxious about to walk in two weeks time. What have I done to myself?!
No time to despair. I know. I just have to keep at it until I get my ROM back to normal(ish). Reading through the ankle fracture blogs, "back to normal" may be a fantasy but I will do as much as I can to be independent.
23/12/2019
Now I try to do ankle exercises 5 times a day. That forces me to fragment up my routine in finer pieces. Not convenient but it's good for the recovery. I know my goal is to get back on my both feet asap (literally and metaphorically).
24/12/2019 Tuesday, Christmas Eve
This is probably the simplest CE dinner we've had. With store bought items and the duck basically taking care of itself, it's relaxing and still festive.
Pate and pickles
Chinese 5-spice roast duck
Thin flour pancakes/small tortilla wraps
cucumber sticks
green onion slice
Hoisin sauce
Blueberry cheesecake with cranberry topping
We got the cheesecake from Sainsbury's. Wow, it tastes just great, the right balance of richness and freshness. The blueberries bring a very nice twist to the cake. Despite the negative comments on the web, this is possibly one of the best desserts from Sainsbury's. Will come back for more!
25/12/2019, Wednesday, Christmas day
Smoked salmon with cream cheese
Roast beef sirloin
Brussels sprouts in soy and balsamic vinegar
Horseradish cream sauce
Roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes
Cheese platter (Morbier, Tomme de Savoie and Fourme d'Ambert)
We ordered the beef from Marks and Spencer. Wow, such a nice piece of meat. We cooked it following the instruction and it came out juicy, tender and flavorful. The cheese platter was assembled with a selection from Cambridge Cheese Company. We did not disappoint. The quality is just excellent.
26/12/2019, Thursday, Boxing Day
No shopping for me, not even an online one.
Last night I discovered a nice trick to improve the efficiency of the ankle exercise. So far, I've been doing the exercises by willing the ankle to move on its own. It works ok for moving forward and backward but I feel my ankle hardly moves sideway or draws a circle. I decided to use my hand to guide the ankle to "remember" how it should move. I first get a feel how my hand should guide the ankle by simulating on the normal one. After that, I put my left hand under the right foot, at the heel, gently moving the injured ankle. Instead of willing the injured ankle to work, I make sure my ankle is doing the expected movement by assisting with a hand, in a very gentle way of course. I think it's working, certainly better than just willing it.
Recovery is certainly a long process but by the end of the first week I start to see the difference in ROM. I wish I had realized the "assisted" exercise earlier but it's still early days. I have another week to go before trying walking. Let's hope my injured ankle will be awakened quickly!
27/12/2019 Friday
Second week on since the post-surgery visit and more than four weeks on since the surgery.
Today I received my first physio appointment lettre!! My very efficient NHS, thank you! I'd mentally prepared for a long wait but hey, Addenbrooke's did not disappoint me.
Now, I have to speed up my ROM exercises!!
31/12/2019 Tuesday, New Year's Eve
Seafood paella
Cheese platter (Gorgonzola, Taleggio and Cornish cheddar)
Vanilla cheesecake
Ching-ching!
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