Today is the day I’ve been counting down to for the past four weeks. It was finally time for me to go back to the hospital for a check-up on my broken foot. I had mixed feelings as to whether the metatarsal was better or not. I could get around the house much more easily in my plaster cast, but my foot still hurt sometimes and I struggled to walk more than 20 metres when I tried going outside. I haven’t enjoyed being stuck indoors for so long though – I hadn’t left the house for nine days before my appointment – and I was itching to get back to real life.
My mum kindly picked me up and drove me to the hospital this afternoon for my appointment. A friend from my running club works there and came for a chat when I arrived – it was a proper social occasion! We eventually made it to the waiting room and I nervously waited for my name to be called.
First I had an X-ray and then waited to see the orthopaedic doctor. Luckily it wasn’t the same doctor as last time, who seemed to want to get rid of me, but a much nicer one instead. He said my broken metatarsal is showing signs of healing (hurrah!) though it will take another four weeks for it to heal properly (boo!). He did say that I don’t need the cast anymore though and I can walk without it – well, kind of limp along. So now I can go back to work tomorrow, have a shower and even wear a whole pair of socks again!
Obviously there are some limitations. My foot is sore now and the doctor warned I will face some discomfort while it heals properly. I can’t walk too far for now, but hopefully that will improve. I am allowed to drive when I can do an emergency stop, but I don’t feel like I’m ready for that either yet. I also have to wear “sensible shoes” for the next few weeks. At least I can get back to something of a normal life though.
Exercise-wise, I’m not allowed to try running for four weeks and can’t run competitively for six weeks (not that my running could ever be classed as competitive!). However, I can swim and cycle, so it’s not all bad news. I’ve already been in touch with my physio and she’s going to put together some exercises for me to do to strengthen up my muscles. Running seems a long way off now, but I know that my foot will improve quickly and I’ll have to avoid the temptation to run. I’ve already written this note in my diary:
When the doctor was telling me all this, I suddenly started feeling terrible and thought I was going to faint. I felt really hot, started sweating a lot and my head was spinning. A nurse brought me a glass of water and a wheelchair. Luckily, I felt much better after the drink and when she opened the windows. I was so embarrassed. I’m not sure if it was the news about my broken bone, the doctor messing with my foot or the fact I’d been too nervous to eat much that day. Fainting with a broken foot would have been terrible!
I’m feeling much better now – despite the near-fainting incident – and can’t wait to get back to normal life. I know it will still take a while for the fracture to heal, but at least it’s going in the right direction. My foot does hurt to walk on now and I am worried about how I’ll get around, especially when I’m back at work tomorrow. However, it was amazing to see the progress that I made over four weeks – from being non-weightbearing to trying to walk on two crutches and gradually without them. Hopefully by this time next week I’ll be walking around like normal.
Glad to hear you’re making progress. Enjoy your swimming, cycling and physio.
good luck xx