A change of cast and time to wiggle my toes

Yesterday I went to the Plaster Room and had the first cast removed, my foot inspected, and a new one applied. The technician was charming and efficient and the doctor was pleased with his work and my healing.

On Easter Sunday, Rachel, Cole, Beatrix and I did some decorating.

On Monday, Laura  took a picture of my toes so I could see them.

And she added her freehand map of France:

The technician (Martin) carved around most of the artwork, but did not give it to me, after all.
I have the pictures, which is better.

Here is my foot, from my angle:

And from Neil's:

 

Doctor Brunet admired his stitching and bone-adjusting, and said it was coming along well.

The psoriasis on my shin had faded away, so that was good. No need to be itchier.

 

Then Martin wrapped it all up in layers and applied fiberglass (Ms. CanoeFoot!) and we were good to go. Georgeanne was a valuable driver and navigator.

 

Here's the foot at home:



It hurts a little more now, because the angle has changed, but the cast is lighter and that makes me more nimble. I got my own breakfast (yogurt and cereal) using the wheelchair, and that worked fine.

I go back in 2 weeks for a new cast and a look at progress. In the meantime, no weight-bearing and no bathing. But I am supposed to wiggle my toes as much as as I want!

Days in the sunroom

April 16

April 17

On the left is my foot when I first got home from the hospital. Nice neat tensor bandage around the end. (The very end is open and my toes are available for touching.)

After a day or so, the capping bandage had been mussed up a little, and I had given up on long pants. 
In the second picture you can see how high the cast goes--nearly to my knee.

You can also see that I am well-equipped with a walker, my computer and my favourite chair, as well as pillows to keep my foot elevated. I also have my cell phone and the landline right at hand. And the Sirius radio with a remote control.

Doing very little makes me incredibly tired. When I do get up to hop to the bathroom or to watch TV, my left leg and my arms say, "Whoa! What's happening?" And my right leg is very, very heavy!

About the only thing I'm doing really well is sleeping. Both an afternoon nap and a good solid night. Nope, not enough pain to keep me awake at all, and that's with just Tylenol 3 and Naproxyn. Haven't had to resort to the opiates. Yes, it hurts, but it's an ache with a kind of twinge, so it's quite bearable.

Neil is taking on the burden of household chores as well as moving his office to home, as scheduled earlier. He skipped two days of trial-watching in Montreal to be home with me, and may miss some more next week.  I'd like our daughters to come by and help...maybe on the weekend. He keeps me fed, and fetches a few things, but is not very conversational.