ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: ombrerose4 on December 29, 2009, 07:44:18 pm
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Here I am at 3months post op. I just got Botox injections for my migraines, am on a third dose of antibiotics for a sinus inflammation that is giving me facial pain and may or may not have to do with the surgery and on Mon. Jan.4th I am scheduled for my BAHA surgery. So yestersay I was having a good day and decided to take the train a few stops and get a haircut. After the haircut I headed down the subway stairs and became distracted or disoriented (have vestibular problems)- I thought the next step was the landing, but it wasn't and I went flying. Luckily I fell sitting up with my right leg crushed underneath me. But I did not hit my head. I was helped up and waited against the subway wall for the train- my foot hurt but it wasn't terrible. Well I got home a few miinutes later I sat right down and took off my sneaker-I had a lump the size of a grapefruit on my ankle. Saw the foot doctor last night and he didn't see any fractures yet, (sometimes they show up a few days later).Right now he is calling it a grade 3 high ankle sprain with torn tendons and ligaments. So now my vestibular challenged body is using a walker and is non weight bearing on the right foot. I go back on Thurs. for a reevaluation because it was so swollen. At best I will be in a air cast boot for about 4-6 weeks, or may be put in a hard cast and the worse scenario is surgery to repair the tendon. The fun never ends. Thanks for letting me vent, I am feeling frustrated.
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Falling down under any reason is no fun. Hope you did not break the ankle and recover quickly.
TJ
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Oh poor Ombrerose,
So sorry that you are having a difficult time of it! It seems like when it rains it pours!!! I hope that your pain goes away and that you heal fast! You need to have someone just pamper the heck out of you!!! Hope the New Year brings you much better healthy times!!
Blessings,
Jackie
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Hi there,
I am so sorry you experienced a fall but glad that the injuries weren't worse. It's no fun having vestibular problems. I have been experience balance issues myself for the last two weeks and I take the subway to work everyday. I have to look down when the subway is reaching the platform, otherwise it feels like everything is everywhere. Hang in there!
Vivian
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Lauren ~
I'm so sorry to learn about this recent falling incident that has you in pain and possibly a cast. You have every right to be frustrated and upset. Who wouldn't be?
I offer you my hope and prayer that this really is only a sprain and that the pain subsides quickly and you heal rapidly.
Jim
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Bummer about the fall!! Never a good thing .....
Prayers that you will heal quickly and the pain will lessen quickly.
These falls can be weird when one is challenged vestibularly ( :o). Every time I have fallen, I did not know I was falling until too close to the ground to do anything about it. I am super careful now whenever I turn directions quickly. When standing up, I always wait an extra second or two to get my bearings before moving. Walking in a crowd is very disorienting because the visual gaze stabilization gets all messed up.
Be careful!
Clarice
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So sorry to hear about your fall. Quick recovery to you!
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Lauren,
Sorry to hear about your recent fall. Falling can be frightening especially to those of us who have an impaired vestibular system. I hope your sprain (or fracture) heal quickly. I used a walker when I was in the hospital and remember how much I hated it. I also hope this latest round of antibiotics takes care of your sinus infection. You've certainly been through enough. Feel free to vent whenever you need to. I hope you are looking forward to your BAHA surgery and knowing that it is right around the corner it starts the New Year on a high note for you. Have a safe and happy and healthy (much healthier) New Year!
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Lauren,
I am so, so sorry for your fall and injury. I spent the earlier part of this year in a boot after a similar fall down stairs (I completely missed the first step and fell down about 4 steps). My foot went over on itself so I had what they call a Lis Franc fracture (it involves soft tissue damage and I also had two of the smaller bones broken). It was very painful, so I completely sympathize with you right now.
My only advice is beg for the boot. I was in a hard cast for two weeks and the boot for the rest of the time (I think about 3 1/2 months on that, I had to wear the boot during my rehab also). Promise them you will be a good girl and not take it off and they might let you. The boot is SO much more comfortable and you can adjust the air pressure in it as your swelling goes down, so it fits better and doesn't have the pressure-point problems that the hard casts do. I was not permitted to bear any weight on it, so I was on crutches, but once I could put weight on it the boot was actually not as hard to walk in as you would think, so you might be pleasantly surprised how well you can do in it.
Again, I am so very sorry this happened to you. I feel for you so much right now. I know this is a frustrating blow to your psyche, but I pray that once the early pain has passed that you will heal and feel better soon. It sounds like you have been through enough already!!!!
Lyn
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Lauren,
My - you have been thru enough without this fall - so sorry it had to happen!
Last June, my friend tripped over her (old) doggy in the middle of the night - she is still recovering: surgery, wheelchair, walker - including at her daughter's wedding in Oct. - and now a 4 prong cane, plus PT.
It is so challenging to recover, but i know you can do it!
Sounds like Lyn gave you some possible (good) advice about the air cast.
Healing thoughts and prayers to you for today and the New Year.
Sincerely,
Sue
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Thank you to everyone for their positive input and good vibes. Just came home from the dr. and I am in an air cast boot. I used to work for the dr. so he knows I will be compliant. So no weight bearing for two weeks until he sees me again and then maybe some rehab tp prevent scar tissue, depending on the swelling and the pain. Best of all I can still have my BAHA surgery on Monday-Yay!! :) Wishing everyone a Healthy, Happy New Year!
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Lauren -
I'm so sorry to hear about your fall, but glad you weren't injured any more than you are.
Fantastic news about the BAHA surgery not being postponed ;D I hope you're as excited about that surgery as I was.
Don't forget to post afterwards and tell us how it goes.
Best,
Jan
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Lauren,
I just wanted to say again that I'm sorry about your fall. I have also had the kind of fall you did, but at home and landed on carpeting, which probably saved me from breaking bones or getting badly hurt. I'm also glad to hear your BAHA surgery will go on as scheduled. I hope 2010 will be a much better year for you.
Wishing you only good things in the coming New Year,
Wendy
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Lauren,
Soooo happy to hear that your BAHA is still on!!! Also, I'm happy for you that they let you have the boot. I think you will be so much more comfortable than you would have been in a hard cast. Rest a lot and I hope you feel better VERY soon. :)
Lyn
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So sorry for your fall that must have been so scary especially happening at a subway station we AN's have to be so careful with our balance sometimes we forget and just go on with our lives before our AN. But we have to accept our limitations with what we have and to stop and take that extra precaution in everything we do.
My prayers are with you,
Pat
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Thank you for all your support. It's true that we ANers' need to be more cautious, its just hard to remember that when you are having a good day (which I was before I fell :( ). The worst part is that I have to stop my vestibular therapy because of my ankle injury, and I was making such good progress. I miss the part of therapy where she stretches and manipulates my neck muscles. Oh well, just another setback in the grand scheme of it all. Some things are just out of our control.
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Hey Lauren-
I am just getting caught up with everything on the Forum and saw your post - yikes! Actually, Wendy told me you had fallen when I talked to her yesterday, but she said that you were still having your BAHA surgery this week? I'll have to look for your update on that - hope it went/goes well!
Look forward to seeing you again at the next AN brunch in NY. In the meantime, no more falling!
Debbi
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Just wanted to say good luck with your surgery and as far as the VT keep doing the treatment with your eyes on a daily basis that one helps alot.
My prayers are with you,
Pat
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Last night I had a mri of my ankle and todays report is not what I was hoping for :( I have a complete rupture of the anterior talofibular ligament. Although I have been in an aircast for the past 2 weeks, dr. says healing will be quicker in a hard cast. So, since I am pressed for time in this healing, I am due to return to nursing school on 1/28 and hospital clinicals by 2/11 so I have to heal fast, tomorrow after my post op BAHA visit with Dr. Choe I will be getting my hard cast. Please say a healing prayer for me , because nursing third semester is waiting for me.
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Hi, Lauren ~
I'm truly sorry to learn about the extent of your ankle injury and the necessity of wearing a hard cast. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim
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Lauren -
so sorry to hear this. Healing prayers coming your way.
Good luck with the BAHA appt. tomorrow - hope your site is healing well.
Jan
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Ombrerose4,
Sending healing blessings to you!!! I know how important nursing school is, my cousin is in school in Southern Cal. and I know the schedule is grueling! I hope that you mend quickly, we need more nurses!!!
Jackie in Oregon
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Healing prayers winging their way to you...I broke my ankle about five years ago so I know that whole routine...hard cast to cam boot to air cast...hope you heal swiftly and that your third semester goes well!
Cheryl
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You guys are all the best, thank you for being there for me :) I tell everyone how wonderful the people on this forum are- it truly is a family! I could never make it through all these ups and downs without all of you!! I'm getting married on Sunday, so think of me - the bride with the cast (we'll be having a cast signing, lol). You know after having the AN and all the other issues you really appreciate life's little joys, along with the chocolate covered strawberries my friend brought over today.
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One last thing I forgot to mention. I asked everyone coming to the wedding and all my relatives and friends not coming (small wedding only 21 people) that in lieu of giving Alan and me any gifts that they send a donation to the ANA in our honor. Just wanted to share that.
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Lauren -
that is a fantastic idea and I'd like to make a donation in honor of you and Alan and your marriage also.
Please PM me your soon-to-be last name.
Thanks!
Jan
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Lauren,
Sorry to hear about all the damage to your ankle and hope you won't have a lot of trouble walking down the aisle on Sunday. The hard cast will probably give you better support and hopefully make your ankle feel better too (I've fractured a few bones and speak from experience). I'm sending prayers that you heal quickly. Having you r friends make donations to the ANA is a truly generous thing to do and I have to agree that I think of the people here as my second family -- they are great!
Wendy
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You guys are all the best, thank you for being there for me :) I tell everyone how wonderful the people on this forum are- it truly is a family! I could never make it through all these ups and downs without all of you!! I'm getting married on Sunday, so think of me - the bride with the cast (we'll be having a cast signing, lol). You know after having the AN and all the other issues you really appreciate life's little joys, along with the chocolate covered strawberries my friend brought over today.
Best Wishes to you and your husband-to-be on Sunday may you have a Wonderful life together.
Regards,
Pat
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WOW!!!
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Cast & all. Hopefully you heal really quick & can put all this not so good stuff behind you.
Again Congrats & what a wonderful thing you are doing for AN.
Lynn