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eko
09-25-2006, 02:15 PM
Greetings all! I decided to start a new thread, the old one was getting really long, so I am calling this one "Life After" so we can keep up with the progress and struggles we have along the way.

Here is my update for the week. I had mentioned that I was trying a new experiment with OTC orthotics after my DPM felt that I didn't need them. He get the "raspberry".

During the week when I work I noticed a big difference, my ankle was not as sore or as stiff at the end of the day, and the next morning, it was no big deal to hope out of bed. The weekend was to be a better test. This weekend I was a camping widow, but the weather was so gross, the only thing I did was some shopping. I noticed some of the soreness was back in the afternoon, but I was able to work through it faster and then next day it did not linger as long. Today I am off of work running errands and such, but wearing a different pair of shoes with the OTC orthotic in them. The experiment will continue, but I think they are helping. I have also noticed an increase in ROM with the stiffness minimized and I seem to be walking better and faster. There is something to be said for trusting your instincts, after all it is your ankle and foot, who knows them better?

I hope all of you are making progress!
~Ellen

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davidstone
09-28-2006, 09:29 PM
Would love to comment but I don't understand all the abbreviations/terms you've used? OTC, ROM, DPM etc :confused:

Any chance you could do a quick summary of your situation for new people reading this thread?

Out of interest, how much dorsal restriction in the joint did you have following the op (ie moving your foot fully up and fully down)? And what is it like now and over what timeframe did it improve? Did you have pain when doing the physio exercises and if so, which ones?

eko
09-29-2006, 01:53 PM
Here the explanation for the acronyms used in my previous note.

OTC=Over the Counter
ROM= Range of Motion
DPM= Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (Podiatrist)

Summary:
Currently 5 months post-op from arthroscopic surgery for Osteochondral fracture of the talus, medial (inside) side of ankle. Lesion was 1cm x 7mm x 4mm deep. Eight loose bodies were removed from the joint, had picking a drilling of the defect. Was NWB for six weeks, moved to PWB and FWB over the next 4/5 weeks. Six weeks of physical therapy. Currently waiting out the 9 to 12 months to see how well it has healed.

David's questions: Dorsal movement after surgery was totally restricted for the first two weeks, after that I was allowed to flex the ankle up and down as far as I could comfortably. It was difficult in the beginning, gradually increasing. Found the ankle to be more stiff then painful. Currently back to the range of motion I had prior to surgery/injury, most of it gained during the first 3 weeks of PT. As for pain w/ PT exercises, I had the most problems with inversion of the foot (turning the foot in at the ankle) because of putting extra force of the outside of the ankle when walking to protect the injury on the inside (bad habit picked up before being diagnosed and having surgery).

Hope this makes sense. Let me know if you have any other questions, I am happy to share my experience.
~Ellen

sevesteve
12-19-2006, 01:54 PM
Hello to all,

New to site. Had debridement/drilling on right ankle (lateral at talar dome) 11weeks ago. Twisted ankle many times over 35+ years of competitive/recreational sports. Seven years ago did a dandy sprain but went undiagnosed by DPM for first two years (treated as tendonitis with cortisone/orthotics), then general OPS did fragment removal/spur repair in early '03 (4 years after what I think was the major injury) but no cleaning/repair of fracture location. Results (pain with medium to high impact) from that surgery improved slightly, but not acceptable and went back to surgeon in Spring '06. OPS referred me to ankle/foot OPS specialist who immediately diagnosed condition (had I gone to this doc 7 years ago, who knows how different outcome might have been) and gave treatment options. Transplant not recommended due mostly to my age and lack of success rate being noticeably greater than debidement/drilling so went with that procedure.

Had 8 weeks NWB, and 3 weeks partial to full weight bearing since. PT for 3 weeks and first week and half, bone pain (that familiar deep aching pain) around defect area was worst than ever and I'm thinking I'm in the 25% no-benefit group. Last 10 days has improved to feeling as good as pre-op, but underlying bone ache/pain still there, especially when doing PT or when doing low-level walking, etc. Most consistent and noticeable pain now is each morning taking those first 30-50 steps, reminiscent of all those mornings after a rugged basketball outing.

Main reason for having surgery (I'm 46) was to be able to resume active lifestyle including basketball, some running and keeping up with two very active kids (13 and 10). Pain was minimal/nil from general walking/sedentary lifestyle, but not what I wanted so went for surgery being advised that odds for major improvement at my age and due to severity of injury were 50 to 75%.

Question..What type of pain did you experience upon returning to FWB (familiar bone pain symptomatic of OCD injury) and how long did it persist? Was there a time post surgery/during PT that you thought pain was worse than ever (even after really taxing it pre-surgery)? Trying not to get discouraged and am committed to full therapy and rehab regardless of surgery success, but also wondering if I need to accept that ankle will never be pain-free or even pain-reduced to extent hoped for to allow me to return to activities I love. Did your outcomes meet your expectations??

eko
12-19-2006, 07:41 PM
I'll be honest, I am not sure that the surgery has met my expectations, but I am in fairness giving it 12 months to prove itself. The pain I had before has been replace with a different type of pain, hard to explain. It is not as severe, and at least I does feel the ankle grinding anymore. I am 42 years old with two sons, 10 and 12. I was told by my OS that if I walk three miles, I will feel it. He was not kidding. I find it frustrating and try not to let it stop me, but I am always prepared to treat my ankle afterwards. Again I have my good days and bad days. Hope this answers your question. -eko

sevesteve
12-19-2006, 11:48 PM
eko,

Thanks for the reply. My situation may turn out to be similar to yours. I was really hoping that after 11 weeks that the aching pain would be gone or at least greatly reduced. Maybe I'm expecting too much. I know I need to be patient but after dealing with the nagging chronic pain for seven years (only when active, but that's most of the time with two children, as you know), was hoping for drastic change. I don't think I received enough realistic information up front on how potentially permanent the damage and associated pain was. I guess that's what has drawn me to explore more on line.

How long since your surgery? Was it result of injury or accident and is location medial or lateral? Were you a very active person prior to injury? Sounds like you are really trying to accept your condition...I know that must be hard...it has/will be for me. Do you feel you have any other options if after 12 months, things aren't a lot better?

Good luck and happy holidays. Let me know how things go for you and thanks for the information.

jprinz99
12-20-2006, 07:51 AM
Hello all,

Similar situation here. In 3/07 I blew it out for the final time and had surgery 7/21/07. Had modified Brostrom, tendon repairs and OCDs with debridement/microfracture/drilling (medial and lateral, both anterior and posterior) and Os Trigonum excision. Not "thrilled" with total outcome but ligs and tendons are much better. OS said lateral lesions are showing slow filling with fibrocartilage. Medial lesions are showing increasing bone softening and no healing - thus I am officially a "failure" which my husband has great fun teasing me about:p . Am now told I need transplant (osteochondral autograft or allografts). Have that deep pain and ache most of the time, increasing with prolonged standing or activity. Still in PT. Need similar procedure on left foot (ligs and OCD) but am wondering if I should just ask about the transplant instead as I am not sure how well this worked for the right foot.

Have any of you found a non-narcotic pain reliever that helps you get thru busy days or those bad nights? I live on Ibuprofen 800mgs. I am still in braces which do seem to help.

jane

ActionMaxen
12-20-2006, 08:29 AM
Hey Steve,

I too had the debridement surgery in June. I had some scans done recently which showed it hasn't healed... at all really. I'm now being referred to a specialist in a different city to have a chondral graft done. I experience some kind of pain in my ankle every day, whether it's an ache, or a sharp stabbing pain. I can't really walk far so I tend to take my crutches with me everywhere now. I wouldn't be too concerned with the pain you're still getting. Apparently it's not uncommon for it to still be painful for up to 12 months after surgery, so it's still early days for you.

sevesteve
12-20-2006, 01:15 PM
Jane,
Sounds like my case is peanuts compared to yours. Sorry to hear it's not going as well as you hoped and also that you apparently have lots more surgery and suffering ahead of you...that must be tough to face! Transplant was the next option for me, but at age 46, OS didn't recommend although she did recently do for a mid-50's female who was extremely active and dedicated to recovery and results were pretty good. Not sure if I'll go that route if not satisfied with current recovery, but will give it lots more time before deciding. I hope the outlook and outcome for transplants are better for you. Any idea what chances/odds for improvement with this procedure is for your particular condition?

Action,
On crutches when walking to avoid pain ain't a good thing and obviously not what you hoped for. Hope the grafting yields better results...again, my activity level is not nearly as restricted as it sounds like yours is. Is the grafting procedure different than a transplant? What are odds of a favorable outcome and does your age factor into that as it apparently does for drilling and transplant healing prospects?

Thanks to both of you for replies.

Steve

eko
12-20-2006, 03:54 PM
eko,

Thanks for the reply. My situation may turn out to be similar to yours. I was really hoping that after 11 weeks that the aching pain would be gone or at least greatly reduced. Maybe I'm expecting too much. I know I need to be patient but after dealing with the nagging chronic pain for seven years (only when active, but that's most of the time with two children, as you know), was hoping for drastic change. I don't think I received enough realistic information up front on how potentially permanent the damage and associated pain was. I guess that's what has drawn me to explore more on line.

How long since your surgery? Was it result of injury or accident and is location medial or lateral? Were you a very active person prior to injury? Sounds like you are really trying to accept your condition...I know that must be hard...it has/will be for me. Do you feel you have any other options if after 12 months, things aren't a lot better?

Good luck and happy holidays. Let me know how things go for you and thanks for the information.

Steve, my surgery was 4/25/06, so almost 8 months ago. I was the result of a freak injury where I was standing while riding a trolly in Chicago when it hit a bump that forced my bones to hit each other, resulting in the OCD. My OCD was on the medial side of the ankle and was 1cm x 7mm x 4mm. I was not what I call a super active person, but I use to walk, play basketball with my boys, go on day trips a lot more than I do now.

When I had my surgery eight loose bodies were removed from my joint and the doctor did some other things besides the drilling and picking. I was told I was looking at an 85% success rate. If this failed option two would be OATS or cartilege transplant from cadaver, option three would be fusion.

I just keep taking it one step at a time and seeing what happens. If you have other questions please let me know.

Happy holidays to you and your family too!
~eko

ActionMaxen
12-20-2006, 05:30 PM
Hey,

No, I don't think there's much difference, if any between the two. I'm still waiting for my referral to the specialist so I haven't had the opportunity yet to ask all the questions I'd like to. Generally speaking, ideal candidates will be under 50 years of age or so, but even after that it's still very successful.

I have no idea why my defect didn't respond to the first surgery, I'm 19 years old (18 at the time) so I was at an ideal age for it to be beneficial... but, ah well! It'll get sorted eventually.

I wish you all the best with yours, hopefully it'll settle down soon!

Maria

sevesteve
12-20-2006, 05:44 PM
eko,

What a freak accident!! Sounds like you have a great attitude. Good luck and hope you can continue to keep up with your boys. Sure would be nice to hear in future that you are relatively pain free and back at it!! Chatting with you has helped me keep my situation in perspective, knowing you and others out there are dealing with your unique but in some ways similar condition. Peace.

Steve

sevesteve
12-20-2006, 05:48 PM
Maria,

At 19, you deserve a full recovery!! I have had my share of recreational fun into my mid-40's and just hoping to stay at it a little longer (10 or 15 years, if my darn ankle can hold up).

Let us know what you learn from your next appointment. I'd be interested to know what his/her experience is with transplants at both your age and an old fart like me. I'd go accross the country to get a fix if it comes to that. Good luck.

jprinz99
12-21-2006, 03:42 AM
Steve,

Here is what i havelearned-
A graft and a transplant are the same thing - they transplant a bone and/or cartilage graft from a donor site/cadaver and transplant it to the host (your bad part). The difference is the type of graft. Autograft is from you to you, allograft is from a cadver donor to you. There are three different versions of how they do it, mosaicplasty (one to several small "plugs") which is usually from you, OATS (large plug/s) which is from a cadaver and ACI (autologus chondral implant) which is where they take cells, grow them in a tissue culture in a lab for a few weks and then then they inject them under a patch of periosteum(?) attached over the defect site. The idea with ACI is that they hope the cells turn into hyaline cartilage. he other two show generally hyaline cartilage growth "cemented" in defect with fibocartilage and bone.
{osteo=bone, chondral=cartilage, auto="self" donor, allo=cadaver donor, autologus=lab manipulated}

My OS said the age guidelines are changed to now doing graft transplants up to about early 50 in active folks (I am 38). In non active patients they still roll back the guidelines to the younger crowd (@,35ish). I was told by an ortho MD friend that you really need someone who has done quite a few of these procedures, otherwise the failure rate is rather high. With experience the success rate (I am told and have read) is up to 50/50. I am willing to try so as to put off a triple fusion. My OS feels the replacement joints aren't perfected enough yet and to avoid them unless absolutely needed (like after severe foot trauma like gunshots, war injuries, etc). He agrees with my coice to avoid a fusion as the rest of the foot ends up with structural breakdown issues after a while.

I guess it is all kind of like robbing Peter to pay Paul ;)

Hope this helps-
jane

sevesteve
12-21-2006, 10:47 AM
Jane,

Great information and thanks for taking the time to spell it out for me. My OS is a foot/ankle specialist who has done "several" (I'm guessing 10, but will confirm) transplants and she originally explained to me back in 4/06 what sounds like the autograft (from knee area) procedure. At that time, she said success rate for transplant may be as high as 75%, but nearly same success rate with debridement/drilling so opted to go with that first.

When had surgery in early Oct '06, seems like OS had changed her tune a little, saying that at my age (46), she wouldn't recommend the transplant if drilling didn't work. Guess I need to grill her as to why. I am a very active person and want to stay that way well into retirement age. Other than ankle, all other parts of my body (knock on my head/wood) are healthy and I stay well-conditioned. So getting a fix, if feasible, is very important to me.

50/50 odds, if realistic and with right OS, sounds riskly but worth it. Are you planning to have transplant done and if so, when?? Would you mind providing name of your OS...he/she may have colleague in MI or nearby states that I could consult. Is any of your transplant covered by medical insurance?, and what type do you have (if don't mind me asking).

At 38, sure hope you can get the fix you are looking for. 39 was the age I severely twisted my ankle, which looking back, is the time I believe I damaged the talus and cartilage. Has gotten progressively worse since then to point that if I don't get relief, my basketball, running, tennis and most all other impact activity is over. I highly recommend you get done whatever you can to fix with the best doc that your insurance/money can find...I greatly regret not getting the right doc/treatment years ago, but still hoping to find way to get back into the game!!

Wish you the best and let me know what's up next for you.

Steve

akirka
12-21-2006, 04:12 PM
Hi Steve, Jane, Ellen, Maria, Carol and others going through this injury,

Steve, it seems like you and I have very similar injuries and pain problems. I have lived with my injury for 1.5 years and have decided to have surgery. My doctor in Montana who is a very good surgeon was so honest with me and said she would not do the surgery due to the fact she doesn't have a lot of experience with this injury. She sent me to a specialist in Idaho who is very experienced with OCD injuries and is a top ankle surgeon in the US.

I have a fairly large lesion on my talus and my MT doctor said that they have had very little success with arthroscopy and drilling only to relieve pain. The smaller lesions have better success, but at a certain size, she feels it's kind of pointless. She recommended if I have surgery not to stay conservative but to go initially for the OATS transplant. That's what I am going to do here in February.

I am a very active person, age 38 and both doctors feel I'm too young to be hobbling around when this surgery has a 85% success rate. They did say they don't perform this surgery after age 50 because people in their 5th decade see natural changes in their joint cartilage as they age. If you operate on cartilage on someone over 50, they have fairly poor results.

This doctor did say that the reality is after an injury like this, your ankle will never be the same. You will always have some pain. That was really depressing to hear at the time. However, if the pain can be relieved enough to do most of the activites we like, then I can take some pain. It's the stabbing, take your breath away pain I'm hoping to relieve.

I'm with Jane in hoping that the future will bring a solution (joint replacement, cartilage repalcement) that we can take advantage of. For now though, I feel I need to seize the opportunity and do what I can. I may get hit by a truck in 10 years and then it won't matter if I'm developing arthritis! Plus, I'm young enough that the rest of my body is in good shape and this is the only thing holding me back.
I hope you find a good doctor and he/she can give you the best treatment possible! I hope you can shoot hoops with your kids soon! You guys that are 19, 20 years old - I feel for you!! Like Steve, I have had many years of great activity and I hope you will have a good outcome!


Abby :)

PS: Those who have had the surgery, what do you think? Should I fly back on a plane after surgery (1 hour) and then 1.5 drive, or should I be driven back in a car for 8 hours? Will I be able to get myself onto the plane after surgery, or will I need someone there to help me?:confused:

Thanks

carol1225
12-21-2006, 04:53 PM
Hi All
As many of you know I had OATs / Mosaicplasty surgery back in late September, I am 13 weeks Post Op now and finally able to walk a bit without crutches, now to work on the callouses that developed on my hands! haha

Abby, If you are doing this surgery I would say fly home after surgery, plan your flight carefully, ask for a bulkhead as your not going to be able to tolerate your foot being down, you will need to elevate it somehow... As for the car I hardly remember the one hour drive home from the hospital but a few hours being home and WOW I knew I had an ankle! Ughhh....
Make sure you investigate what pain management route they will take.


Keep in mind once again to those who are thinking of having OATS with cadaver, check your insursance, my Blue Cross DID NOT pay for the bone.. So your thinking big deal huh??? Try $8,000.00 which was demanded immediately by the bone bank or they would put the bone back on the market... I'd love to tell the story to the world but feel that since donation is so low as is, I'd hate for people to stop donation based on my bad experience.

I wish everyone thinking of this surgery the best of luck and wish you a painfree ankle experience.... One of these days anyway!

Happy holidays to all and may your ankles cooperate and may you have fun!
Carol

jprinz99
12-21-2006, 05:58 PM
Hi-

My OS is a military foot and ankle trauma spefialist whi is getting out and gets to work part-time in the civilian practice he is joining. His name is Joel Stewart if it helps. He is probably going to do the OATS (donor) but will consider using grafts from my knee if he can find some material to work with (both knees had plenty of work done in the past- ah, the jot of sports)

I am shooting for holding off untill late spring/early summer 07. I really need some time off crutches if you know what I mean. 3/07 marks one year in some sort of foot cast/boot/brace and crutches. I have calluses and arm muscles to die for:rolleyes:

My insurance will pay for donor "products" with approval and it looks like I will be covered, but we have to wait until closer to surgery. Apparently if you have no useable parts they are more apt to give the ok.

Abby-
I would suggest staying in a motel for the first few days if you can swing it financially. Check with the hospital as many have rooms available for out of town patients and family. The plane trip will kill you plus it makes you more likely to have DVT issues. Besides, the surgeon will most likely want to do a wound check and bandage change in a few days. Just my 2 cents. If you do decide to fly home, insist on bulkhead but be forwarned... short hops usually mean smaller planes which then means bulkhead has no extra room (I learned that the hard way)

jane

akirka
12-21-2006, 06:50 PM
Thanks guys,

Hey Jane,
So, this will be a small plane (maybe 9 seater) and I do see a potential problem. Hopefully in February it will be fairly empty and I can take up 2 seats? The Dr. said I would stay 2 nights in the hospital after the surgery so I would fly home the 3rd day. Does this sound reasonable? I live in such a mountainous place - it's gonna be difficult anyway I go, flying or driving

Carol - I'm going to have grafts from my own knee so the donor thing won't be an issue. Will I need help getting to the plane, should I have someone there or can I do it? See, I can fly my sister with me (I'm not married and live alone) or just have her pick me up at the airport. What do you think?

Thanks for all your wise advice!
Merry Christmas!:angel:

Abby :)

blakemall
12-21-2006, 08:20 PM
Hello All: It has been a long time since my last post. I am now almost 6 months post arthroscopic debridement and drilling for my OCD in right ankle. Some aspects are much better, but I still have that "drop you to your knees" when I step the wrong way feeling. When I do a lot I pay for it the next day or even that evening. Overall it is much improved, but am beginning to wonder will it ever be pain free.

I have since becoming PWB dealing with Achilles Tendinitis and now I have plantar fasciitis in the right foot as well. Mornings are brutal upon first step because of surgery site, achilles and plantar tendon. My last OS appt he suggested that I have the plantar ligament/tendon released as all consertative treaments have not worked. I have a referral to see a podiatrist for a second opinion. I am not ready yet to have another surgery so quick. My OS won't do another MRI until at least 10 months post op to see if there is any new generation at the surgery site.

I have pretty much become a couch potato afraid to do anything active because of the pain factor and afraid to injure it further. Have gained 15 pounds since my surgery and am considering talking to my PCP about an anti-depressant because all of this is really getting to me. On top of all of my ankle issues I had a hysterectomy in May and am dealing with all of the issues that come with that. I am only 43 with 2 kids 16 and 13 and I need some sort of my life back. I have rheumatoid arthritis to boot. My motto has become "SUCKS TO BE ME".

Just needed to vent and reconnect to the ones who got me through my OCD surgery. Hope eveyone has a wonderful Christmas...

Lisa

jprinz99
12-21-2006, 10:53 PM
Abby-
I would request wheelchair assistance and a "aisle chair to seat". They will help you with your luggage and get you thru security quickly. They will get to your gate in plenty of time and then take to your seat in one of those skinny little chairs (you will board first and get off last). Have them put your crutches in the overhead bin or coat closet, if all else fails have them "gate check" your crutches. It works well most of the time. Remeber small planes usually mean a set of stairs to get intot he plane so the aisle chair reservation is handy and costs nothing extra. They will also escort you to the baggage claim and actually pull your luggage off the belts for you. All you have to do is tip them and get in the car. Good luck on the trip and during surgery!

Lisa-
You really have my sympathies. You have been thru the wringer gal. Hang in there! Vent as often as you need to, that is what we are all here for (heaven knows I have vented a few times myself). Let's all hope 2007 is better, especially for you:angel:

jane

sevesteve
12-21-2006, 11:21 PM
To all,
Thanks for all of your input and feedback. I'm really glad I found this board!!

Lisa,
Sorry you are having such a rough time. I suffer from chronic depression and have been on antidepressants for 20 years and will likely be on for life. No apparent reason or traumatic background, just the way my life has worked out. Physical activity has always been a huge outlet for me in feeling good about myself and thus controlling my moods, so coming to grips with my OCD has and contiues to be a major challenge for me both phyically and emotionally. I'm coming to grips with fact that an important part of my past life very possibly won't ever be the same.

If you think you may need some medication to feel better than by all means talk to your doctor about that asap if you haven't already. Currently available medications are really effective in most cases and it may be the boost you need to feel better about yourself and to gain additional strength to get out and do a few more things for yourself and with your family...the things that will make your life more enjoyable.

Your physical situation sounds much more serious and debilitating than mine and even I feel like an invalid because I may not be able to play basketball, jog or do those sorts of things anymore (at least without a good deal of pain, which ain't worth it). Not exactly life debilitating in my case. So try to be compassionate toward yourself...you're going through a tough time and we all can relate in different but yet similar ways. Give yourself a Christmas/Holiday present and talk to a professional about your emotions if you haven't already...I'm betting you won't regret it.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!!

carol1225
12-22-2006, 04:57 PM
Hi All!
Lisa
Sorry to hear about your conditions, I too can empathize with your situation, having had Mosaicplasy done 3 months ago and only started walking about 2 weeks now and even still short distances. This condition will defiantely try you to the core. If you feel the need for medication then don't deny yourself that. It can help and there is no shame in doing so. I think this happens to most of us, if you are used to being active and all of a sudden your stuck looking at the walls, its hard. I wish you the best and please feel free to vent anytime, that is what we are all here for.

Abby....
Two days in the hospital sounds sufficient, I spent 3 days but the first day they postponed my surgery and I was anxious to go home by the 3rd day, I wanted to shower and get clean and just get home. Talk to the airline and see what assistance they can provide, its probably best to have someone there with you even if just for the moral support. Did you mean that you'd go there alone and go thru all of it alone? I am very independent but I was glad to wake up and have my husband there, as much as I thought I could do things without him, I have a very adverse effect to anethesia and it takes me days to shake it and I just sleep alot.

Jane.... I can tell you that I too have built up my arm muscles and I have callouses that make me look like I've been doing hard labor my entire life. I found the Bath and Body Works Sugar scrub helps take down the callouses and leaves your hands feeling soft, give it a try!

Ok everyone, take care and hope you all have a great holiday and your ankles cooperate.
Carol

blakemall
12-23-2006, 12:21 PM
Thanks Jane, Steve and Carol...

I am hoping that the new year brings better things for us all. I don't know which was worse the pain before the surgery or now...I think if I had known then that I would develop all of these other problems in my foot and still have pain with the OCD I might have reconsidered. But I guess you can't second guess yourself.

I talked to my husband last night about how I have been feeling lately...util I posted on here I hadn't told anyone how I had been feeling. I really didn't know how he would react, but he told me to make the appointment and that he would go with me. He said that he knew somethign was up other than the ankle because I haven't been myself now for a long time. That sure made me feel good that I know that I have his support.

thanks to all of you for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the New Year brings health and healing for us all.

Merry Christmas to all...

Lisa

blakemall
12-23-2006, 12:22 PM
Thanks Jane, Steve and Carol...

I am hoping that the new year brings better things for us all. I don't know which was worse the pain before the surgery or now...I think if I had known then that I would develop all of these other problems in my foot and still have pain with the OCD I might have reconsidered. But I guess you can't second guess yourself.

I talked to my husband last night about how I have been feeling lately...util I posted on here I hadn't told anyone how I had been feeling. I really didn't know how he would react, but he told me to make the appointment and that he would go with me. He said that he knew somethign was up other than the ankle because I haven't been myself now for a long time. That sure made me feel good that I know that I have his support.

thanks to all of you for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the New Year brings health and healing for us all.

Merry Christmas to all...

Lisa

blakemall
12-23-2006, 12:22 PM
Thanks Jane, Steve and Carol...

I am hoping that the new year brings better things for us all. I don't know which was worse the pain before the surgery or now...I think if I had known then that I would develop all of these other problems in my foot and still have pain with the OCD I might have reconsidered. But I guess you can't second guess yourself.

I talked to my husband last night about how I have been feeling lately...util I posted on here I hadn't told anyone how I had been feeling. I really didn't know how he would react, but he told me to make the appointment and that he would go with me. He said that he knew somethign was up other than the ankle because I haven't been myself now for a long time. That sure made me feel good that I know that I have his support.

thanks to all of you for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the New Year brings health and healing for us all.

Merry Christmas to all...

Lisa

blakemall
12-23-2006, 12:23 PM
Thanks Jane, Steve and Carol...

I am hoping that the new year brings better things for us all. I don't know which was worse the pain before the surgery or now...I think if I had known then that I would develop all of these other problems in my foot and still have pain with the OCD I might have reconsidered. But I guess you can't second guess yourself.

I talked to my husband last night about how I have been feeling lately...util I posted on here I hadn't told anyone how I had been feeling. I really didn't know how he would react, but he told me to make the appointment and that he would go with me. He said that he knew somethign was up other than the ankle because I haven't been myself now for a long time. That sure made me feel good that I know that I have his support.

thanks to all of you for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the New Year brings health and healing for us all.

Merry Christmas to all...

Lisa

blakemall
12-23-2006, 12:24 PM
Thanks Jane, Steve and Carol...

I am hoping that the new year brings better things for us all. I don't know which was worse the pain before the surgery or now...I think if I had known then that I would develop all of these other problems in my foot and still have pain with the OCD I might have reconsidered. But I guess you can't second guess yourself.

I talked to my husband last night about how I have been feeling lately...util I posted on here I hadn't told anyone how I had been feeling. I really didn't know how he would react, but he told me to make the appointment and that he would go with me. He said that he knew somethign was up other than the ankle because I haven't been myself now for a long time. That sure made me feel good that I know that I have his support.

thanks to all of you for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the New Year brings health and healing for us all.

Merry Christmas to all...

Lisa

blakemall
12-23-2006, 12:24 PM
Thanks Jane, Steve and Carol...

I am hoping that the new year brings better things for us all. I don't know which was worse the pain before the surgery or now...I think if I had known then that I would develop all of these other problems in my foot and still have pain with the OCD I might have reconsidered. But I guess you can't second guess yourself.

I talked to my husband last night about how I have been feeling lately...util I posted on here I hadn't told anyone how I had been feeling. I really didn't know how he would react, but he told me to make the appointment and that he would go with me. He said that he knew somethign was up other than the ankle because I haven't been myself now for a long time. That sure made me feel good that I know that I have his support.

thanks to all of you for your kind words and I sincerely hope that the New Year brings health and healing for us all.

Merry Christmas to all...

Lisa

eko
12-23-2006, 03:00 PM
To each of you...

I wish you each the best this Holiday Season!

I am so glad that we have found this board and are able to support each other as we work through our physical and emotional struggles. It is truely a great gift and I am honored to give as well as receive. It is difficult for others to truely understand the difficulties that a problematic ankle presents, and the changes that result.

Take the time this holiday season to give yourself a gift, take care of you! It is a new year! Take care~ Ellen :angel:





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