Post Op: Days 6 & 7. What it’s like to feel human again

I cannot believe that it’s been a whole week since my surgery. Incredible, but true. It’s officially 9:37 a.m., which means I was probably just waking up from surgery this time last week. What a difference a week makes!

I’m now down to taking Tylenol 3 just 2-3 times per day depending on the pain levels. Pretty impressive, no? As promised to Dr. Nutig, I’ve started VERY SLOWLY – using the crutches to walk with the boot. It’s slow going and kind of painful but as he pointed out “The aim is for you to actually walk, that’s what your feet are designed for!”

Can I just put in a good word for Dr. Nutig? He’s one of those “older” (maybe 60s or 70s – who knows?) surgeons that makes me feel safe and comforted. I like a doctor who has been working for years and I have no desire to be operated on by a 27-year-old who looks 16. (with apologies to Doogie Howser, but Neil Patrick Harris did turn out to be one heck of a cool adult).

Nope, Dr. Nutig, has that good old-fashioned bedside manner (okay now I sound like I was born at the turn of the 20th century), but I hope you know what I mean. At least if you’re over 35 you probably do. Dr. Nutig is calm, collected, smart, savvy and speaks with authority and wisdom but with zero arrogance or cockiness, very easy to find out here in La La Land. Okay, end of praiseworthy diatribe.

It still hurts like crazy to do the small amount of “walking” on my foot that’s required, but I’m getting used to it. And given the pain I was in this time last week, this seems like a walk (no pun intended) in the park.

I’m looking forward to going on my first “outing” on Sunday – Bronte (my dog) has her agility class. Obviously I won’t be running the course with her this week – Randall will be in charge, but I’ll get to go watch. Yippee.

Just spoke to Dr. Nutig’s secretary this morning and he said he put my placard letter for a handicapped decal in the mail yesterday along with a letter allowing me to purchase a discounted shower chair through my medical insurance. Can’t WAIT to take a proper shower. The sponge baths are a bit of a nuisance. Plus how clean can you REALLY get?

I’m eating better and thinking that today will be the first day of something v. important. More on that later when/if it happens…