A New Doctor, A New Approach

At my 24 hour check up with my surgeon, he gave these basic instructions. (In your best German accent) "It's JUST two holes [in your foot], go home and use your sticks, don't put any weight on your foot for 6 weeks, then we'll do an X-ray". No cast to protect it? It was literally my naked foot, limp and swollen, with 2 bandaids covering the incision points. What about icing and elevation? What about therapy? He was not amused by my questions or the mention of my brother-in-law who is a PT and suggested this or that. He insisted that I am young (thank you!!) and didn't need to do any of that.

 The next morning I called my family physician, who sympathized with my situation and warned me that this was a fairly normal experience in Luxembourg. She agreed to call one of her coworkers and see if they could get me into another orthopedic since I would not be able to do so on my own in a short period of time. Thank you Doctor Tunstall!!! It was very good of her to help!

 Upon meeting Dr. K, he informed me of a completely different approach, oh and looking at my X-rays, said he probably wouldn't have done surgery. You can probably imagine my frustration. But what's done is done. That's when I really wanted to get a 3rd opinion, but knowing it was nearly impossible, I took a chance on the new doctor with hope he would be more reasonable. Decision made and cast prescribed. Getting the cast on and with putting some very light weight on it for balance and such was MUCH better.

 A week later, I returned to the hospital in downtown Luxembourg for an X-ray. Oh, but the X-ray machines have been having problems today, so were just going to take your cast off so the doctor can see your foot. WHAT? What's he going to see? If you need to give me a new appointment time, I will come back! So, the tech went off to call the doctor. Meanwhile, the downtown hospital of the capital city of the wealthiest country in the EU got their X-ray working. Amazing! Glad Jeremy was able to meet me at my appointment, because I tried, but could not figure out a way to climb a tiny step ladder with nothing to hold onto with a broken foot. This picture just makes me laugh at the ridiculousness of my entire experience!

Bone growth looked great, swelling down, no cast needed. An ankle brace to prevent lateral movements ought to do it from here on out. Right! So, I spent the next 2 weeks with my foot elevated a lot and not wearing the lame brace. I tried ordering an air cast boot to wear, but without a doctors prescription, that was tricky too. Needless to say, the doctor didn't think I needed it. I did. Now at 4 1/2 weeks post-op, still on crutches, I agree, I finally don't need the cast or a boot. The ankle air brace may actually become useful in 2 weeks, when I'm off crutches. 2 MORE Weeks! Well, we are SO incredibly blessed! We are off to Portugal to spend a week... That should help pass the time :)

With that, I'm done writing posts about my medical adventures, I hope!!