Hello Lisfranc world. Coming up on Memorial Day Weekend here in the USA. A time for picnics, friends, family and remembrance to all those who have served our country and paid the highest price for our freedom. Weather wise, the weekend here in the NE looks mixed - partly cloudy, chance of storms and warmer and humid. I certainly plan on eating my share of hot-dogs, burgers and other food that's not so good for me.
So where to start - 11 months out. Coming up on my 1 year mark. I visited the scene of my accident last weekend on my friend's boat. It was chilling to look down at the exact mooring cleat that I tripped over - and my entire ordeal came flooding back. After kicking the cleat with my good foot a couple of dozen times - I felt better and then went up to the dockside bar for lunch.
So my permanent reminder of that fateful night is still with me. NOT A DAY goes by that I am not reminded of my injury. Every day when I get out of bed to a stiff foot, trundle down the stairs into the kitchen for coffee - holding onto the railing for support. But once warmed up - no issues. Or, every time the weather changes - the slight soreness that comes and goes throughout the day reminds me of the injury, or looking at my foot barefoot - the scars from the injury and resulting surgeries stare back at me, or the fact that when I put on certain shoes, the snugness of the shoe on the left foot - due to the fact that my left foot will always be bigger.
Having said all that - I know I am lucky - all things considering - I feel like I am 98% healed. I can run, I can jump, I can do things in the Gym that I never thought I would ever be able to do again. Albeit - sometimes with a little pain or stiffness. Above all, I do not walk with a limp - which I was not sure I would ever be able to do. So physically - all is good.
Mentally? Almost one year later - I am still affected. I am SO careful on stairs, hills, bumpy terrain, around the boat, sidewalks, curbs, etc. Not to the point of paranoia - but knowing I NEVER want to go thru this again! I still think of my trip through ER, the pain, the frustration of learning to walk, dealing with NWB for an entire summer - It was not easy! So it has changed me.
I am going back to the scene of the accident again next month on my boat. I have requested a mooring slip - on the other side of the harbor - I don't think I could actually put my boat in the exact same slip - tied up to the exact same cleat, almost to the day of the accident - and deal. But I am not - not going to get on with life and do what I enjoy - in what is actually a very beautiful harbor to spend time with friends and family.
My last post for awhile will be next month on the anniversary of the accident. I'll post a final pic of my fat foot and chronicle the boat trip. After that, I plan on seeing the surgeon for the last time - and invite him down to the boat for a cocktail and dinner as appreciation for his fine work.
I think I'll most likely post sporadically, up to my 2 year mark. They say it takes a year to heal. I'd say I am pretty much at where I will be for the rest of my life with respect to this particular injury. But I am curious whether I'll ever achieve additional flexibility and less pain over the next year, whether I develop arthritis additional scar tissue and pain, or stay the same. So I'll post that.
Until next time - I wish all you Lisfranc people the best of luck and good Karma in your journey.
G
