I remember sitting in my wheelchair in the front room and had only been home about 20 minutes and I all I wanted was a cup of tea. Then I thought oh better not drink too much at first till I had negotiated the bathroom, so that was my first trek and let me let you it felt that I was climbing Mount Everest and I struggled let me tell you.
I then got frustrated with myself that I couldn't do it but that was because of the pain and the effort on my arms with the frame it was way too tiring. I then rang my Occupational Therapist and they organised a commode for me, it was a bit embarrassing but at least I could go to the bathroom without having the big trek.
For the first night I slept in my riser recliner armchair until I got used to being back home and adapting to my new mobility restrictions. The next morning I felt a little better although I was still in a lot of pain but during the day I would walk around a little and then sitting in my chair. Then I decided to try my through floor lift out to see if I could fit in it so that I could go to bed but unfortunately I didn't quite fit in because of the angle of my leg at the time, so I stayed down stairs for the majority of the 3 months.
After being home 2 weeks we then had the builders in to install a walk in shower for me because with my leg being permanently straight now I was unable to get into the bath. The building work lasted a few weeks but it was well worth it. I also started to be able to cope more with walking and I had managed to get into our car so that meant that I could go out with mum now and then although I found it very tiring.Six weeks had passed and I had my first appointment with my Consultant following the operation and I couldn't wait to see if the bones had fused because it had been so painful.
When we got to the hospital I was taken to the X-ray and then the treatment room. My consultant said right lets take this plaster off and have a look at things. The plaster was the easy bit but then I had to remove the fixator from my leg. This was the painful part I was sat up slightly but had to be laid down so that I didn't pass out. It took a while to remove but I was so pleased when it was and I could sit back up again, it was a bit funny seeing my leg completely straight. I then had to have another full length plaster put back on but it didn't worry me too much because hopefully it wouldn't be so painful for the next 6 weeks.
When I got home I was shattered well and truly so I slept in my chair again although the following night I managed to get into my lift and back into my bed which was like heaven. The next day I felt so much better because I didn't have the pain anymore so I gradually started to build up the amount of walking I did and day by day managed to get further and further and this plaster was a little bit lighter than the first. I seemed to recover quite quickly on the days that followed and was not as tired.
Then my next appointment came and I couldn't wait the thought of maybe getting the plaster off for good was quite an exciting prospect mind you it was a bit worrying all the same and the reason being was because I had had my plaster on for quite some time I felt kind of safe if you know what I mean and the thought of having my safety blanket so to speak removed was a bit nerve racking to say the least. Anyway we got to the hospital and went down to the treatment room again it was like going home again I knew the routine that was coming and sure enough the plaster was removed and there was my leg fully recovered. I was then given a leg brace to wear for 4 weeks, which I have got to say was a relief to me because I was still able to have the support for a bit longer.
I jumped off the bed quite literally and walked back to the reception while mum pushed my chair and it was a good feeling I suddenly felt as if I was walking on air I was no longer carrying that huge weight and it felt good.I then went from strength to strength walking more and more and slow working out how to sit down and get back up because I found that quite hard at first but I got there. The only thing I struggled with and still did up until recently was putting on my socks and shoes purely because I was unable to stretch forward and reach due to my back and my leg.Four weeks later I went back to see the Consultant and they were so pleased that I was back walking he shock my hand and smiled "I think we have cracked it well done" he was so pleased in fact, that he removed the brace and said "you don't need that anymore now but you can keep it as a present"
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