2020 weekly - week 9

23/02/2020, Sunday

Feeling blessed after talking to my friend M. Can you imagine that someone who has known me so long is still talking to me? The ratio is preciously low, I tell you. Sincerely wishing you a future of your dream, M.
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Meals planned this week:

Homemade Quiche Lorraine
Pasta carbonara frittata

25/02/2020, Tuesday

Thirteen weeks after the surgery, my third physio session. Suffice to say that my therapist was very pleased with my improvement, even impressed. I did work quite hard during the past month with the exercises. I am also glad it seems to pay off. He showed me another 6 exercises today which are more dynamic than previous ones. It also requires more strength. He said that I am not ready for fitness classes yet but in a month with the additional exercises I may be able to go back.

Before we parted, he also said that he could discharge me based on how I am now. Feeling a bit unsure, I asked for a follow-up appointment in a month or two. He agreed. Looks like I will be soon back to business as usual.

26/02/2020, Wednesday

I've been anticipating this since last week. After seeing my physiotherapist, I know it's unavoidable. I am going back to work full time next week.

Yes, it's good news that I am feeling well enough physically and mentally to go back. I am also feeling a bit sad to see the end of it. These three months mostly on my own, at home in isolation, have given me quite a mixed bag of experiences. First, if you are able and capable, staying at home in almost isolation is not something I would do voluntarily. It's alienating and dispiriting. As much as I enjoy being an introvert, human contact is necessary. However, these three months turned out to be a self discovery as well. When life throws you a curved ball, what do you do? I faced straight on. The first two months were most difficult. Many things needed to be re-adjusted as the usual way no longer worked. I had to devise a new routine for every task of a daily life, using the bathroom, cleaning myself and getting around the house (not very much). I slept terribly during the first two months. Waking up 4 times in a night was pretty normal. Everything took at least twice as long as before. It was a bit depressing but I didn't let it get me. I was not mentally bored though. I read and I studied French diligently during the time. I was quite proud of myself.

Things became better when I was allowed to be partial weight bearing. Then working on my injured leg became my full obsession. First with two crutches and an air walking boot, then no boot with crutches, and then one crutch with normal shoes. I don't know what went through my mind at the time, probably nothing but sheer determination to get back on my feet. I persisted, did the exercises diligently and more than what's asked of. And here I am today, no longer limping, impressing my therapist by my walk.

Although my full range of motion is not back yet, going down stairs is not smooth, for instance. Jumping is nearly impossible, as I discovered yesterday with the newly prescribed exercises. But I will get there in the end.

I feel that I got to know myself a little bit more. I realized that I am someone who can put my mind onto something and keep at it. I noticed that I can be quite happy with books and some learning material. Being patient is even more essential here. Sometimes I wondered whether these exercises would make any difference at all. But I bear witness now to say that it does. For most exercises, I see myself improve on a weekly basis . For a few others, it took two weeks to show the improvement and I felt elated. I know my body has rewarded me with my hard work to become more able and content. Life becomes exciting again because I can once more plan for the future.

2020 weekly - week 8

16/02/2020, Sunday

Hubby got a kilo of chicken breast. I had never bought chicken breast in my life! Well, this will be a week of chicken breast then.

General Tso's chicken with basmati rice
Chicken mustard casserole with fettuccine
Beef and chickpea stew with couscous

17/02/2020, Monday

Routine this week:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes (one leg) combined with toe walk, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
2b. Heel walk (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
4. Alfredson Protocol (15 reps x 3) x 4 repetitions
4b. Standing on the edge of stairs standing on right leg, heel down and up (40 sec x3 + 20sec rest x3) x 4 repetitions
5. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
6. Walking without crutches with music (5 minutes) x 4 repetitions
7. Ankle four ways with resistance band

18/02/2020, Tuesday

12 weeks after the surgery, three months after my ankle ORIF, what a difference have I observed! From the period of incapacitation to walking unassisted now, I have come a long way. And it's not over yet. By now, I should be finishing the reparative stage and ready to head towards the the remodelling stage (the final stage) of fracture healing. Let's keep it going, Body.

Bone growth biology

19/02/2020, Wednesday

Another dentist visit today to complete the implant work. Yeah! I am now officially with two new teeth. The surgery was done back in September. The procedure would have finished by December last year but as you know God had another plan. So it feels like a long time coming. So glad it's done.

It's funny to get two molars back. I have been without them for so long. I can actually bite properly. Strange feeling still but I hope to get used to them.

21/02/2020, Friday

Went to pick up my DELF certificate and to see my GP for a routine screen. The true test was to see whether I could walk all the way to two places (near each other, 1.4 mile from home).

Well, with one crutch, the way out was not bad at all. I felt a spring in my legs the first half hour. But when I got to the GP, my injured leg did feel a bit tired whereas the good leg was perfectly fine. On the way back, I could see I walked even more slowly than the way out. My injured leg was feeling tiredness. No matter. Soon the strength and endurance will come back.

I am glad that I went out on my own today. Feeling free and back to normal days.

2020 weekly - week 7

09/02/2020, Sunday

Grilled miso salmon
Ratatouille
Pork tonkatsu (ready-made) with grilled apple slices
Breaded chicken fillets (ready-made) with mushroom sauce

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I always seem to have a breakthrough in exercises on Sunday. Even though Sunday is my "rest" day, I still do exercises but just half of a normal day.

Today I can finally do the proper standing on the stair raising my leg up and down! This is something I couldn't do two weeks ago. I had to break up the whole move into two and did them separately instead. Today feels like another step forward.

Thank you, Body.

10/02/2020, Monday

Routine today:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes (one leg) combined with toe walk, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
2b. Heel walk (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
4. Alfredson Protocol (15 reps x 3) x 4 repetitions
4b. Standing on the edge of stairs standing on right leg, heel down and up (40 sec x3 + 20sec rest x3) x 4 repetitions
5. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
6. Walking without crutches with music (5 minutes) x 4 repetitions
7. Calf stretch against the wall (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
8. Ankle four ways with resistance band

12/02/2020, Wednesday

Hooked to The Split. The script is well written and describes intricacies of life a middle-aged career woman experiences. It taps deeply into my heart, and echos.

13/02/2020, Thursday

11 weeks (and 2 days) after the surgery, my right ankle is still visibly bigger than the left (uninjured). I was told that the right will look bigger for up to a year. I measured the circumference out of curiosity. The right is 2-cm bigger than the left, while the calf is pretty even between the two. I hope my right calf muscles are coming back.

2020 weekly - week 6

02/02/2020, Sunday

Greek-inspired lemon cod
Ratatouille
Beef chickpea stew, sauteed spinach
Mushroom pasta bake
Cocoa chocolate cake (this is a great recipe, easy to work and with light crumb. I don't bother with the icing and scatter some chopped chocolate on the cake top when it's out of the oven)

03/02/2020, Monday

Wolff's law: Bone will adapt to the loads under which it is placed. It goes either way. The stronger the load, the stronger the bone. The weaker the stress, the smaller the bone.

That's why healthy people need load bearing exercises and injured ones need physiotherapy to introduce load bearing, to improve bone density.

Similar law exists for soft tissues, called Davis's law.

Isn't human body marvelous?

05/02/2020, Wednesday

Driven to the dentist today. Finished within 40 minutes. See you in two weeks.

I ended up working until 11pm tonight. Working remotely is getting a lot from me.

Did two sessions of exercises today. Have to catch up tomorrow.

06/02/2020, Thursday

Routine today:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes (one leg) combined with toe walk, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
2b. Heel walk (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
4. Standing on the edge of stairs, heels down ([20 sec with one leg, 40 sec with two legs]x3) x 4 repetitions
4b. Alfredson Protocol (15 reps x 3) x 4 repetitions
5. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
6. Walking without crutches with music (5 minutes) x 4 repetitions
7. Calf stretch against the wall (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
8. Ankle four ways with resistance band

2020 weekly - Week 5

26/01/2020, Sunday

The meal plan for the coming week is:

Ravioli with tomato onion butter saue
Cauliflower pea stew with store-bought breaded chicken filets
Sea bass a la Meuniere, crushed potatoes with minted petit pois
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I made my first "proper" outdoor walk in a supermarket last Friday. It was just over an hour. Even with one crutch, my right leg felt a bit sore and tired. Looks like the endurance has to improve a lot, although the ability to walk is back. Perhaps it's wise to decline the invitation for a day in London in May. I don't think I am quite ready for it yet.

27/01/2020, Monday

With physiotherapy, patience is the key. Day by day I rarely see the difference, which can be frustrating sometimes. But week by week, yes, I can see improvements, such as certain exercises start to get easier or my balance gets better over some exercises. So if you are in the middle of physiotherapy, just keep at it. You will be rewarded in the end.

Here is what I did today and plan for the remaining week:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes (two or one leg) combined with toe walk, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
4. Standing on the edge of stairs, heels down (20 sec x 3 with one leg, 40 sec x 3 with two legs) x 4 repetitions
4b. Standing on the edge of stairs, heels down and up (1 minute x 3) x 4 repetitions
5. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
6. Walking without crutches with music (10 minutes) x 4 repetitions
7. Calf stretch against the wall (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
8. Seated toe or heel raise and isometric inversion/eversion with resistance, throughout the day

28/01/2020, Tuesday

Routine today:
1. Sitting down and up from a chair (10 times x 5) x 4 repetitions
2. Standing on toes (two or one leg) combined with toe walk, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
2b. Heel walk (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
3. Single leg stance, (1 minute x 5) x 4 repetitions
4. Standing on the edge of stairs, heels down (20 sec x 3 with one leg, 40 sec x 3 with two legs) x 4 repetitions
4b. Standing on the edge of stairs, heels down and up (1 minute x 3) x 4 repetitions or
4c. Alfredson Protocol
5. Dorsiflexion stretch on a step (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
6. Walking without crutches with music (10 minutes) x 4 repetitions
7. Calf stretch against the wall (1 minute x 2) x 4 repetitions
8. Ankle four ways with resistance band

30/01/2020, Thursday

Today is a good day for the exercises because I did all four rounds before dinner! I like days like this, very motivating.

31/01/2020, Friday

Sad day today as UK is leaving the EU.

Sometimes things have to go bad before turning good again. That's what Mr Obama said once. And it can't be more true for the event like this today.

2020 weekly - Week 4

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 :-)

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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.

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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?!

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.

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.

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

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 NWB diary - 1-14/12/2019

28/11 Thursday

The swelling has gone down a bit, I think, as last night I felt my foot was bursting out of the back slab cast. A day of lazying. Nothing intellectual, just being grateful for my body's healing power and the wonderful teams at the hospital.

01/12 Sunday

I can allow myself to start thinking about Xmas. Feel more legit now.

03/12 Tuesday

Many people think I would get bored by resting at home. I really wonder why?

Finally I have the time and space to read the books I always want in one go, not just a few pages before sleeping. And I still intend to keep up with my French. I need more disciplines for this. I shall use this forum to remind myself. And, of course, there are some drama series I've bookmarked for so long that I finally have time to watch it.

I start the day by reading my chosen book (only a few chapters left now). Pause for a mini lunch. Do some emails/admins/news reading. Start my French in the afternoon. If I get tired afterwards, I rest for one hour. Then the night falls. Dinner (prepared by hubby these days) and some unwinding for both of us. Then it's the drama time. Sometimes I may read more just before going to the bed, if I am in the middle of highly irresistible part of the book.

I am quite pleased with the routine so far and it works reasonably well.

08/12/2019 Sunday

2:30am

Recently I have had problems sleeping during the night because of the cast leg position. It seems every night I need to find a different position to alleviate the build-up pressure from the leg. The leg or rather the foot firstly starts to feel very warm. I feel lots of blood has been trapped at the foot so I raise my leg up in the air for a while and lower down. I have to do this many times over while readjusting the support pillows many times over too.

It's exhausting as it can take hours before I find a decent position to sleep again.

09/12/2019 Monday

4:30am

Last night was a better night of sleep than the previous. It seemed that positioning my cast leg near the edge of the bed prevents the pressure build-up at the heel. With just a pillow underneath the calf, the edge of the bed seems to support the ankle/heel sufficiently without making me feeling uncomfortable. Let's hope that my leg likes this position for the next few days.

8:30am

Morning, feeling relatively refreshed, certainly more than previous days.

I finished ''Becoming'' yesterday. Such an inspiration book, feeling truly honest, straight from the heart and full of hope. This is the kind of book which I want to read it again and again.

Today I shall start ''Matisse, the life''. I always like Matisse but it's only after seeing a documentary about his later life which elevates him to another level for me. He spent lots of time in bed due to illness when at an older age. But that didn't curtail any desire to create and creativity. No longer being able to use brushes and paints, Matisse used scissors and color papers instead. He generated a series of wonderfully joyful and remarkable cut-outs. I can feel he's pouring over his passion and every last zest of life onto those cut-outs. I also realize that when you want something badly, you find a way to do it, irrespective of the circumstances. That, for me, is the meaning of living a meaningful life.

11/12/2019 Wednesday

I slept through the night!! Possibly the first since I became NWB. The first half hour was a bit hard as I was trying to find a perfect cast leg position again, although now just with fine nuances. After that, I woke up around 6:30am. I think not having extra liquid in the afternoon (no warm tea then) also helped as it prevents the need to go to the loo.

Ecstatic!

12/12/2019 Thursday

Election day.

In a deeply divisive and polarised society, there is little choice for moderate voters. I still hope to perform my civic duty despite having one leg functional.
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Yes, I voted.

13/12/2019 Friday

Friday, the 13th.

I don't know what to say about the election results. Despite people say this election is not about B*t, the results clearly suggested otherwise. Looks like we are stuck with BJ for a while.

Despite all that, this week we continue our warming exercises with Christmas roasts. Last week we tried roast duck, served the chinese way with pancakes, cucumber sticks, green onion slices and hoisin sauce. A simple and elegant dinner and everyone had fun.

Today, it's the turkey. I am usually not a fan of turkey but this "basted" turkey crown from ASDA changed my view. When I opened the packet, I couldn't see where the basting mix was. The turkey skin was clean and nicely dry already, no extra pouches to remove/open, no sign of smeared mix anywhere on the turkey. I did notice the tiny holes regularly dotted on the turkey breast. I figured that might be it? I followed the roasting instruction and served with roasted sweet potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce. When we bit into it, wow, the meat was juicy and actually had some taste. And the skin was well grilled and crispy. Everyone agreed at the table, no discussion. This is a tasty turkey, the nicest I've ever done.

Now, what should we try next week?

My NWB diary - 11/2019

14/11 Thursday

The rain finally stopped over night. The sky is clear with a little bit sun. I'm going to the gym.

Parked in a bay higher than usual as lunch time tends to get busy. Engine off. Bag on and off we go.

There are many leaves on the ground. Found a wooden slope on the edge of the leaves, wet but no leaves. Hesitated for a few seconds, I told myself I will just walk slowly.

First step ok, second step, oh no, violently fell to the ground and twisted my right ankle completely 90degrees left, flat on surface, as if I could walk on it.

And I heard a pop.

In shock for 5 seconds, not really sure what to do, my instinct told me to twist my ankle back to the normal orientation. So I did.

Luckily a work colleague just came out of the gym. I managed to get his attention and that's when I discovered my right leg can't support any weight now.

Long story short, I am now in A&E and the Xray confirmed two bones have been broken on both sides of my ankle.

I need a surgery.

Cast on, in the hospital green gown, wheeled to a bed, waiting for my surgery.

This is the start of my non-weight bearing (NWB) journey.

15/11 Friday

Woke up in the hospital not sleeping very well. The non stopping beeping machines, the nurses diligently checking vital signs every 2 hours throughout the night make it a bit hard. Around 9am, the orthopedic surgeon came to examine (with his entourage). Cut the cask open and told me that the swelling is too severe for the surgery. Come back in a week.

I was given crutches, shown by the physiotherapist how to use them, and 3 boxes of meds including two types of pain killers.

And I went home.

I had a very good night sleep, feeling better.

16/11 Saturday

Waking up and realised that every simple daily routine now takes extra long. Just getting out of the bed took me a few tries to figure out a routine. No matter, I am a scientist and I can think.

17/11 Sunday

The hospital called in the early afternoon. Informing me to get ready for Monday afternoon op.

Feeling eeriely excited. I am back in the system and about to make the next step (no pun intended).

Yes, I am ready.

18/11 Monday

Arrived at 11am to get prepped for the op.

 - Medical questions, answered.
 - Samples, given.
 - Vital signs, taken.
 - Anesthesian, spoken.

I'm getting close.

The chief nurse came to inspect the swelling, she said it's borderline.
Then the surgeon came. No. When he compares my good ankle to the broken one, I know there is no argument.

Sent back home the second time.

Use ice packs, elevation and rest, he said.

19/11 Tuesday

Feeling really defeated, even though it's for the best outcome. I just need to be patient.

20/11 Wednesday

We decided to cancel the Xmas holiday in France and my Chinese new year trip in mid January. My brother had planned a trip to Japan but that I can't go either.

I'm also gutted to give up my French classes. H is the best teacher I've had, ever, and I had to give up after just one term. So lots of emailing and calling during the past few days.

21/11 Thursday

Called to confirm the surgery on Friday. I hope my nightly ice treatment so far would get me under the knife smoothly (as ironically as it sounds).

22/11 Friday

Reported to L2. You would not have imagined it's 7am as every seat has been taken in the waiting area. I am on a wheelchair so just need to find a place to park.

Got seen quite quickly first by the anesthesian and by the surgeon. Judged by the area just above the ankle, the swelling is too visible to ignore, even for the untrained eyes. The skin is "shiny" and not in the usual color.

Yes, going home the third time. I feel like really defeated. I have tried all I could and it's still not enough. Maybe it's a bitter medicine I need to swallow.

Wait for another call on Sunday.

24/11 Sunday

Got a call around 11am. Being pushed back to Tues. One more day to fight the swelling.

25/11 Monday

I'm slowly getting used to do delteparin injection. It makes me see diabetic patients in awe.

26/11 Tuesday

Surgery, yes, really. Anesthetist came and then the surgeon, too. Finally the consent form.  Going in now. Excited.

27/11 Wednesday

I remember waking up in the theatre with a head still full of some drugs. Cloudy and not in full fledged pain. I had a hunch that the op went well.

Today my surgeon came to see me. He said the surgery was a success and he was able to fix both sides of the ankle as the swelling had gone down to an acceptable level. He will see me in 2 weeks to follow up the recovery. Going home today.

La récupération, quel doux le mot!