I'm not doing well
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: North East
Posts: 621
Originally Posted by Algorithm 
I'm not usually the sharing type, but I'm not doing well today. I was in a car accident a few months ago, which required three surgeries in different parts of my body, and which I'm still recovering from.
I was told that the fracture in my ankle could lead to what is known as osteoporosis, where the bone essentially "dies" from lack of adequate blood supply. If that happens, I'm looking at an ankle fusion, which would mean another surgery, another recovery, and the loss of movement in my foot.
I had another follow-up today, and was told that I have poor blood supply in that ankle, and that I still cannot walk, because the bone could collapse. The other fractures are serious, but they should eventually heal. However, this one is completely up in the air, and I could permanently lose function and mobility.
As of right now, I cannot return to work, and if things do not improve, I might not be able to return to work at all, at least not the kind of work that I was doing. I honestly do not know how to process this potential catastrophe, since there is nothing I can do about it except to wait.
If ever there was a time to drink, this would be it, says the disgusting thing inside me that doesn't understand that the bone would definitely collapse if I drank. It doesn't care. It would cripple me for a drink. It has taken so much already, so why not take even more?
I'm not going to drink, or even take the pain medication (that thing would probably love that too!) -- but I'm not doing so well.
I was told that the fracture in my ankle could lead to what is known as osteoporosis, where the bone essentially "dies" from lack of adequate blood supply. If that happens, I'm looking at an ankle fusion, which would mean another surgery, another recovery, and the loss of movement in my foot.
I had another follow-up today, and was told that I have poor blood supply in that ankle, and that I still cannot walk, because the bone could collapse. The other fractures are serious, but they should eventually heal. However, this one is completely up in the air, and I could permanently lose function and mobility.
As of right now, I cannot return to work, and if things do not improve, I might not be able to return to work at all, at least not the kind of work that I was doing. I honestly do not know how to process this potential catastrophe, since there is nothing I can do about it except to wait.
If ever there was a time to drink, this would be it, says the disgusting thing inside me that doesn't understand that the bone would definitely collapse if I drank. It doesn't care. It would cripple me for a drink. It has taken so much already, so why not take even more?
I'm not going to drink, or even take the pain medication (that thing would probably love that too!) -- but I'm not doing so well.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 28,676
Yes'M. A quiet day- need to launch into not just being in my comfort zone tomorrow. See the world and do wild things (safe risks) - as told by my counsellor. First time I did - if interested anyone - check out C o March '16 today. No thoughts of drinking. Still playing around with art- learning as I go. My avatar is one of those 'goes'. Hoping all are doing ok. Just remember do not drink. Drinking is dumb.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 847
Progress!
Firstly, before I write anything else, I would like to thank everyone again for the kind words. This is a rare, devastating injury, and I have the most devastating complication associated with that injury. It really was very difficult for me to stay positive, and your kind words did help.
That said and out of the way, I went to see the orthopedic surgeon today, it looks better than last time. The bone appears to be regaining blood flow, and on the x-ray, it looked only 2/3 white (dead) this time, with 1/3 darker where the blood flow had returned. Interestingly, the darker part was right where I aimed the bone growth stimulator.
Ortho told me to increase usage of the bone stimulator to three times a day, from three different angles, which should cover most of the bone. He said I can start very minor weight bearing when I walk with the "boot" on and both crutches, and to come back in a month to get another set of x-rays. It's a negligible amount of weight-bearing, but I can't risk more yet, apparently.
It remains to be seen whether or not the rest of the bone comes back to life, as it broke clean in two originally, and there may be other problems later, such as arthritis, but it is certainly encouraging. I had resigned myself to more bad news or simply more waiting, to be honest, but I may yet make it.
No nicotine, no alcohol, and no painkillers beyond a minor amount for two weeks after discharge. The Beast threw everything but the kitchen sink at me these past four months, but I am certain that nicotine or alcohol would have guaranteed no progress whatsoever in this situation, both by limiting circulation, and by inhibiting bone growth.
I will never drink or use again, and I will never change my mind.
Thank you, everyone.
That said and out of the way, I went to see the orthopedic surgeon today, it looks better than last time. The bone appears to be regaining blood flow, and on the x-ray, it looked only 2/3 white (dead) this time, with 1/3 darker where the blood flow had returned. Interestingly, the darker part was right where I aimed the bone growth stimulator.
Ortho told me to increase usage of the bone stimulator to three times a day, from three different angles, which should cover most of the bone. He said I can start very minor weight bearing when I walk with the "boot" on and both crutches, and to come back in a month to get another set of x-rays. It's a negligible amount of weight-bearing, but I can't risk more yet, apparently.
It remains to be seen whether or not the rest of the bone comes back to life, as it broke clean in two originally, and there may be other problems later, such as arthritis, but it is certainly encouraging. I had resigned myself to more bad news or simply more waiting, to be honest, but I may yet make it.
No nicotine, no alcohol, and no painkillers beyond a minor amount for two weeks after discharge. The Beast threw everything but the kitchen sink at me these past four months, but I am certain that nicotine or alcohol would have guaranteed no progress whatsoever in this situation, both by limiting circulation, and by inhibiting bone growth.
I will never drink or use again, and I will never change my mind.
Thank you, everyone.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Such a great thing to hear today. You made my day. Now I can log off SR on a positive. (It's allllllllll about me.
)
I hope that you continue to improve, and as bad as this has been, I'm reasonably sure it would have been so much worse if you had continued drinking. The bone issues are something that aren't discussed very often, but I saw a guy in an AA meeting in his forties who used a walker after having hip surgery - due to alcoholism.
whew!
)I hope that you continue to improve, and as bad as this has been, I'm reasonably sure it would have been so much worse if you had continued drinking. The bone issues are something that aren't discussed very often, but I saw a guy in an AA meeting in his forties who used a walker after having hip surgery - due to alcoholism.
whew!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,654
I'm absolutely thrilled to read your update, Algorithm. Such fantastic news and extremely encouraging indeed. By your actions (and in-actions) you're providing the optimum conditions for the very best outcome possible 
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 847
I can't take much more of this. I can't live like this.
I had a physical therapy re-evaluation. Another month gone, and not much improvement in range of motion, almost negligible. Basically, I couldn't walk even if they cleared me to do so, because my foot won't flex enough, on account of it being immobile for so long.
I don't have the strength to straighten it out, so I need the P/T people to do it, but they won't straighten it out, because the orthopedic surgeon didn't clear me to bear full weight yet. They are being cautious, and wasting time, waiting, instead of doing something.
I can't wait months for P/T to do their thing once I get cleared to bear weight. Everything needs to heal, and I need to return to work, or I will go completely insane. The spine fracture hasn't fused yet, but the metal is holding, so I will see how that feels once they let me walk.
They called from work, asked when I could return, and said not to worry about being able to return. I suppose there is that.
Quality of life is way down, though.
I had a physical therapy re-evaluation. Another month gone, and not much improvement in range of motion, almost negligible. Basically, I couldn't walk even if they cleared me to do so, because my foot won't flex enough, on account of it being immobile for so long.
I don't have the strength to straighten it out, so I need the P/T people to do it, but they won't straighten it out, because the orthopedic surgeon didn't clear me to bear full weight yet. They are being cautious, and wasting time, waiting, instead of doing something.
I can't wait months for P/T to do their thing once I get cleared to bear weight. Everything needs to heal, and I need to return to work, or I will go completely insane. The spine fracture hasn't fused yet, but the metal is holding, so I will see how that feels once they let me walk.
They called from work, asked when I could return, and said not to worry about being able to return. I suppose there is that.
Quality of life is way down, though.
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