Well isn't that swell...

I am scheduled to have my stitches taken out on Tuesday with Dr. Shiple. After my stitches are removed I will be put in a hard cast for 6 weeks. It will be removed at my 8 week post-op appointment in Boston. At that time I will be put in a walking boot. I am looking forward to having my stitches out, although the process of removing them is not enjoyable. Most of my incisions were closed with internal sutures and dermabond (glue). Because of the positioning and location of the ankle incision, sutures/stitches were the better option. Having stitches removed makes me feel sick! I don't mind seeing them on other people, but for some reason the indifference is not the same when it comes to myself. Hopefully Dr. Shiple is quick!

I am still taking 2 Extra Strength-Tylenol around the clock. This is the first surgery that I have had to maintain a consistent schedule of taking Tylenol. I'd imagine it's because I just had two major reconstructive procedures on the same leg. My knee feels pretty good considering what was done to it. For some reason ankle surgery was like a light switch for my knee pain. It turned it off and hopefully it stays that way for awhile. My ankle feels better pain wise but swelling is still an issue. I have a hard time controlling the swelling at night and it keeps me up for awhile. I adjust pillows and my hip angle, and constantly reposition everything but I haven't found anything that consistently works in eliminating or reducing inflammation. Obviously I elevate my leg but sometimes elevating it too high actually hurts worse than if I have 1 or 2 small pillows. With ankle trauma swelling can last for up to 3 months so I don't necessarily expect it to go away anytime soon--although that would be nice. I am just hoping that it calms down when I get my hard cast because I can't adjust the hard cast like I can with the soft cast/splint.

My schedule is pretty much the same everyday. I wake up and wait for my dad to come help me downstairs. I make my way to the couch where I sit for the rest of the day. I watch NCIS, House, sometimes Gullah Gullah Island, and hockey with my dad! I am excited because today the Bruins game is actually on TV. The Bruins keep me occupied and give me something to look forward to! Tonight my friends may stop by for a little to say hi before going back to school. It'll be great to see them.

I start back at school on the 18th. I am only taking 4 classes to make it a little more manageable given my recovery status. I will take a summer class to make up for the missing class this semester. I only have classes 3 days a week. This gives me time for appointments, trips to Boston for post-ops, therapy, and of course time to relax.

Seeing as I have 2 weeks until classes resume, I will continue to watch TV and snuggle with my puppies everyday!