relteach

Hi Mary,

Though I have no idea what your recovery will look like (I did not have any surgical procedures), I can speak of my experience with a cast, long term, and a boot. I broke my 5th metatarsal last March and was in a cast for 15 weeks, so I understand your questions about showering, working, and the effects of extended immobility.

The day I broke it, my husband went and bought a shower stool. He found one at our local dept. store in the pharmacy section. I was able to get in and out of the shower/tub with some help and my crutches. At first, I used a garbage bag over my cast and kept my cast out of the water as best I could. We looked online for anything that could help make the process easier and found something called a Drycast cast protector for bathing. It worked great!!! We ordered it online and it arrived in 2 days!!!

As for makeup and hair, I had my husband put a chair in front of my mirror every day before I needed it. You learn to get real creative about these things!

I, too, opted for the crutches instead of the scooter. They worked out well, because I got some good exercise using them. Since I spent most of those weeks sitting with my foot elevated, any exercise was important. I'll tell you my arms, shoulders and left leg (it was my right foot) became really strong. I did, however, gain weight due to inactivity. I knew right off that watching what I ate was essential, but it really did not matter. I gained anyway due to the total lack of movement. I am now working to get rid of that weight. My 48 yr old body does not respond solely to fewer calories to maintain weight, but activity too. I also discovered that I needed to add lots of fiber to my diet--sitting slows the digestive system and made me not feel well at all. I did upper body stretches and isometric moves for my arms, though I have a YMCA membership, my doc would not allow me to work out there until he cleared me. Your gym may have some machines that work the upper body--ask, but get your doc's approval first and then the gym's.

I am a teacher and I went back to work with a wheelchair (I kept it at school) with a foot rest that elevated my foot and kept it elevated. It worked well for me. If I had had to stay home I would have gone CRAZY all those weeks!!

I was then in a boot for another 9 weeks with gradual wieght bearing permitted very slowly. Once you get in the boot, it may still be awhile before you can be totally weight bearing. I understand the healing and recovery--two different processes. My doc's view is that with feet, because of notoriously poor circulation in many parts of the feet, healing can be prolonged. Once the injury or correction has healed, it will still take quite awhile before the person can be back to where they were phyically BEFORE the surgery or injury. I am healed at this point, but he anticipates me not being recovered until March--one year from injury. He says that is normal and, from his perspective, totally expected. I was warned early on this was going to be a LONG recovery.

Each person heals and recovers their own way. Listen to your body, to your doc and don't be afraid to ask any and all questions you have to him/her.

Best of luck in your healing and recovery. Keep us updated on your progress. I wish I had found this forum last March when I was beginning the journey.

Lisa