My Bionic Ankle

I asked my friend Barbara to go with me to my pre-op appointment this morning because she listens better than I do and asks good questions -- things I may not necessarily think about. On a side note, I do know that according to classic grammar rules that should have read "things of about which I might not necessarily think," but that sounds so convoluted, especially for a blog!  (I am forever the English teacher -- do not end a sentence in a preposition!). Just as I thought, we weren't seeing anyone who could answer my questions about this particular surgery, only about the anesthesia and the medications I need to take and those I need to stop.  I was reminded about the medications I need to stop using -- Advil and Aspirin -- as well as stopping my alcohol consumption.  As most people know, I like a few glasses of wine as well as my cocktails.  I am planning three months without imbibing; the warnings on the pain medication clearly states not to use alcohol while t...

My plans were to enjoy the last week before surgery as much as I can, but the best laid plans often go awry, and my arthritic ankle is having something to say about how much I can do.  I have gone into the nesting mode: knowing that I'll be housebound has got me on a buying spree.  Now that I am going to be stuck in the house I see empty walls that need decoration.  I also plan on spending a great amount of time on my screened-in porch (as soon as the weather recognizes that is it spring), so the concrete floor is making way for waterproofed tiles and I'm searching for a soothing water fountain that Zora won't be able to reach.  I don't think the recycling water would be very good for her to drink! The fence is in, and Zora loves it.  Now I will be able to sit outside while she plays; I am hoping that neighborhood dogs will come over to run around with her, and all of my caretakers can enjoy her outdoors as well. I thought I was ready for the big day un...

The first step I needed to take was to find help.  The new surgery date is the first night of Passover, and since the seders with the family mean a great deal to my adult children, I decided to turn to my guardian angel, Debra Wiley.  Deb was with me through so much in Alexandria -- an anxiety attack, forehead surgery, and the gallbladder from hell.  She is one of the most caring and selfless people I know, and I will be forever grateful to her for coming to my rescue.  She will be with me for the surgery and the three days after until my daughter arrives.  Rachel will be with me for another 4 days and then her brother, who lives right here in Durham, will stay until I can be myself; I am hoping that will only be three or four days. I won't be home alone for long since my sister, Renee, will be visiting for a long weekend a few weeks later followed by my second angel friend -- Susan Cohen.  Susan is my second Virginia angel. Like Deb, she was with me for ...

When I asked my doctor about the recovery, he was very non-committal.  He said everyone is different, but that I should be in a full cast for three weeks and then in a boot for a few months, with the total recovery taking about a year.  He explained that he would be able to give me a better assessment at the post-op appointment on April 17th. I knew that there are several different types of replacement systems: I am going to call them ankle bionics for the sake of this blog.  He matter-of-factly said it was the Vantage Ankle Replacement System, and when an assistant stopped in after my final X-rays, she asked if I would be willing to be a part of the study which simply involved completing a questionnaire at various times until 10 years post-bionics.  I agreed without giving it much thought. When I got home I googled the Vantage System. I was both surprised and delighted to learn that, in fact, my doctor -- Dr. James Nunley -- along with his partner, Dr. Mark Easl...

My journey to a bionic ankle began 35 years ago as I stood at the top of the stairs of my townhouse with my 3-month old daughter in my arms.  It was probably one of the first times we were going out for dinner after her birth.  The memory is cloudy, but I think my then-husband, Paul, and 4-year old son were waiting for us downstairs.  Somehow I lost my footing, and my mother instinct (rather than my survival instinct) clicked in, and I failed to stop my fall, although I succeeded in keeping baby Rachel safe. Foolishly, Paul got me into the back of the car while my neighbors took the two children.  When we got to the hospital, the ER staff said we should have called an ambulance because they couldn't get me out!  Finally, with everyone pulling and pushing, I was extracted from the back seat and wheeled into the ER where x-rays revealed I had broken my ankle in three places.  The doctors recommended surgery with pins, but I cried that my daughter wouldn't ...