I was eager for today’s appointment with my surgeon for suture removal and hopeful for additional information about my progress. As we drive to the appointment, I realize that this is the first time I have left my house in 14 days. That alone seems so hard to believe.

On arrival at CCF Independence, we are taken back to the “cast room” in Orthopedics. Edgar the personable technician we enjoyed meeting 2 weeks ago greets us and gets me comfortable in one of the beds. Soon out comes the power saw. I flinch at the noise and worry it is going to cut too deep. Edgar laughs and shows me how the saw can touch his finger without harming it at all. I relax.

The casting room is a fascinating, casual and friendly place with a steady stream of people of all ages getting casts removed or put on. Quite a few ski injuries in the room today, legs, arms and wrists. I also learn about how each patient is managing. There is comfort knowing that other people are dealing with similar limitations and frustrations. The man in the bed next to me turns out to be the guy who had surgery with Dr. Davis immediately before mine and was the reason my surgery was delayed 3 hours. He’s a bit older than me and had a more complicated and difficult procedure for his ankle. Just like me, he’s eager to drive again and spend more time upright.

Soon my cast is off and there lies my poor swollen foot attached to a shrunken and very hairy leg. I’m given a washcloth and the cool moisture feels wonderful on my skin. I notice for the first time that there are incisions on BOTH the right and left side of my ankle. There are more sutures on the bottom of my heal AND the back of my leg on the Achilles tendon. How had I missed all these wounds two weeks ago? Maybe it was the pain meds? At any rate, I marvel that I have not been aware of ANY of these incisions. No pain or tenderness. What I notice most is numbness around the top of my foot, just beneath my toes. There’s more swelling here than I would have expected, but it looks healthy. I imagine how walking and wearing shoes will be so much better with this pleasantly shaped foot.

Day 17: Incisions on left outer side of ankle and bottom of heal – somehow I didn’t even notice this one before the cast went on!

Day 17 – Foot is still a bit puffy. Big incision has healed well.

Doctor Davis soon comes in and confirms the foot and ankle are healing well. He urges me to keep the foot elevated to minimize the swelling. I like how he listens to all of my questions and provides answers clearly. He states that I will be in a cast until Feb. 24, emphasizing that he had told me 6 weeks in the cast from the very beginning. I remember hearing that, but not believing it before. I’m disappointed, but I believe it this time. It is the answer I’ve been coaching myself to handle all week long. The up side is that some people in my situation are told they need 12 weeks in the cast. Anything less than 6 is non-negotiable. I accept my fate. I ask him about the likelihood I’ll be good for my March 2 speaking engagement. He says to keep it on my calendar, although I should probably plan to sit for the entire presentation. That comes as good news.

Edgar carefully removes my sutures and I’m astounded by how many there are; yet the process is painless. Steri-strips are applied and I’m soon wrapped up and sporting a new royal blue cast. This one will be part of my world for the next 2 weeks, and then I’ll get a new one to wear until Feb. 24.

Day 17 Steristrips on right inner side

Day 17 – Steristrips left outer side, heel and achilles

Bottom line – my healing is going well and I will out of the cast and into the boot in 4 weeks, just in time for my birthday at the end of February. I plan to celebrate cast removal by going to Yours Truly for brunch after the February 24 appointment. Until then, I will continue to be gentle on myself keeping the leg elevated as much as possible. I probably won’t be getting out much or driving until March.

The good news is that I am resuming private client sessions the week of January 30 and have room in the schedule for a few new clients. My EFT Practitioner Certification program starts next Wednesday and I’m also creating a really valuable webinar for people wanting to clean up their diet, habits and limiting beliefs to support healthy weight loss. Visitors are also welcome.

Yes, I’m very excited about what I can do right now!