4 Years Later

4 years later... and the healing is pretty much complete. The skin is still attached to the tendon at the top of the wound, which I've come to accept as permanent. The scar has opened up twice in the last 4 years, but not in the last year. The tendonitis flares up in the OTHER tendon now and then if I overdo it, but not in the "repaired" tendon... Oh well. I'm 40 now, and I can ride a bike for exercise. Life is good.
If I learned anything from my experience, it was that my ex-wife and I had some deep issues. Her anger at me for an accidental injury was just a symptom of some bigger problems. Maybe God brought the injury to bring things to light. I don't really know.

The anger brought about by tearing my achilles led to a cross-country move, led to a divorce and some hard decisions, led to a new marriage and a blended family.

Life sure is an adventure.

My Achilles Rupture, part 22

Friday, April 3rd

I limp, and I gained 20 lbs while I was not allowed to move for four months, but I feel like I have a new lease on life. I'm making up for lost time with my wife and kids, and as soon as work slows down a little, and I actually catch up, I'll do even more.

My therapist seems to be trying to kill me, but I HAVE lost 10 lbs, so it's all good. I'll have to photograph the scar... hope it's the best scar I ever have. :D

The part over the original wound keeps rescabbing - I think it's still building/thickening the skin there. The therapist massages it and ultrasounds it to try to get it to release from the tendon. There's one spot we think probably won't ever let go, but at least I can walk.

I'm happy.
Someday I'm hoping God will show me why this all happened.

My Achilles Rupture, part 21

Monday, March 2nd

I'm hesitantly hopeful - I've been given clearance to walk again, and it feels like I can finally enjoy life again, too. I check my ankle constantly to see if it's red or swollen (paranoia), but so far it's holding up great!

I go for physical therapy on Thursday. Praise God that this might finally be over.

My Achilles Rupture, Part 20

Thursday, February 19, 2009

It's almost been three weeks since I've taken antibiotics. I'm pounding garlic and probiotics like they're candy (almost). I'm hoping the little red spots on my ankle is just irritation from all the tape I've been sticking on it...

Everything feels fine. I'm really paranoid. Still two scabs - a little one on the top scar from stretching and from the skin sticking to the tendon, and a bigger one on the newest surgical wound. I can't wait for them to fall off. Can I shower with no covering on my leg?! That would be awesome!

Oh yeah... it's been 4 1/2 months now since the injury. Is there a record in the Guiness Book for longest recovery from an Achilles Rupture?

My Achilles Rupture, part 19

Saturday, February 14th

It's been two weeks now since I've been on antibiotics; during week one, I was still packing the wound with Prisma - a silver-nitrate material that biodegrades every 2-3 days. Then the wound finally scabbed over. Now I have a lovely, $40 dressing called Acticoat 7. Really strange looking stuff. 4 layers of metallic-looking mesh.
I'm to use that for at least two weeks.

At least there's still no redness. I'm still fearful - I probably will be for a few months. :|