Today is Wednesday, July 7.   Three weeks into bearing weight, and what  a roller coaster!  I think I have felt every emotion under the sun in the past three weeks.  I was feeling a little discouraged over the holiday weekend.  I did climb on my daughter’s horse (don’t tell my doctor) because a good ride always cheers me up.  However, I couldn’t keep up my usual pace and had to have a lot of help for my annual barbecue.  But that discouragement make me work even harder.

My dedication showed in yesterday’s therapy session.  I was able to bear 100% of my weight on my foot, and because of that I got to explore the adventure of new exercises.   Climbing stairs, standing on one foot, and rotating a platform with a ball under it.  Side to side didn’t go so well, but front and back was successful.    Daranee worked on my calf muscle a little, which seemed to loosen up quite a bit more.   And oh yeah, I can now wear my regular shoes as often as I want.

I am very excited to be headed toward walking.  Should be there before I know it!

March 14, 2010 is a day that changed my life forever.  Okay that sounds a little dramatic, but it was a traumatic day in my life that has put me on a journey that has been full of highs, lows, tears and triumphs.   

 On that afternoon I had an accident that shattered by calcaneus (heel bone) and broke and displaced my fibula.  Ten days later I had surgery to repair the damage.  Fortunately I was blessed with an amazing surgeon that with some hardware and many screws was able to put my foot back together again.

Eleven weeks later, on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 I was able to start bearing weight on a foot that my brain had nearly forgotten existed.  That was one week ago today.  This is the story of my Rehab journey.    Over the next nine weeks I will be sharing my joys and struggles in my road to recovery.

 I had waited for the day I could bear weight for weeks.  I was constantly saying “I am ready to actively participate in my recovery”.   Well, the day came and I was both excited and apprehensive. 

 My first appointment with Saltzer rehab was the afternoon after I began bearing weight on my foot.  I did not know what to expect, but my PT, Daranee quickly put me at ease explaining the basics of what we would be doing.  This first session was fairly simple.  It included some measurements, some massaging of my scar and basic exercises on getting my ankle moving.    Then she applied heat to my ankle.  It felt so good.

I know Daranee has much loftier goals than I do, but for now my goals are to have better flexion in my ankle, and to walk without crutches or other assistance in four weeks or less.

 My second session was the following day.   We started the day on the bike.  This assisted on the flexion of my ankle as well as strengthening the calf muscle that has been sedentary for over three months.  Next I worked on shifting my weight onto my ankle when I put my foot on a step.  I then completed the exercises.   Daranee massaged my scar and foot and ahh, that heat!

Friday I did not have therapy, but for some reason it was very emotional day for me.  I am not sure if I expected too much from myself too soon, but I was emotional, but felt better once I let myself deal with those emotions.

 Monday was session three.  This was a big day for me in breaking through some emotional barriers.  We again started on the bike, but then went to the shuttle that required me to lift myself with my feet.  I suddenly realized I had not been putting any weight on my heel.  The little bit I had been walking I had putting the majority of my weight on the ball of my foot.    I then realized how my mind was holding me back.  Once I put weight on my heel it was such a huge relief.  Also at this session Daranee measured my percentage of weight I was putting on my injured foot.  Her expectation at that point was to be 30% – 50%, where I was closer to 20%.  It was a disappointment, but something to work on.  After Daranee massaged my foot and scar… ahh that heat!

 Tuesday I was determined to bear more weight on my foot, and I pushed myself to do more, more and more. 

 That brings us to today, Wednesday, June 23.   I was sore when I woke up from my hard work from yesterday.  I took some Ibuprofen to get me by.  My therapy session was midmorning and my ankle was already starting to swell.  On the  bike, we lowered the seat and adjusted my foot position to increase flexion.  The shuttle was next,  Stairs, then some knee bends, which also make the ankle bend (ouch).  She also put me on some blocks where I had to pull my self forward and flex my ankle.  I then did some “prancing”, okay that is probably not the official name, but that is what is seems like to me.  Pick up my knee, flex my toes up as much as possible and put it down heel to toe.  Felt funny, but I am sure it will help my gait when I start walking again without crutches.  Oh yeah, then that awesome heat!

 Although it is coming in small increments I am seeing improvement.  One small step a at time.

My next session is Friday, so talk to you then.

Long Time Saltzer Physician, Gary Botimer, MD, Named Chair of Orthopedics Department at Loma Linda Medical University, Loma Linda, California

After 24 years serving the Canyon County community at Saltzer Medical Group, Dr. Gary Botimer is taking time to serve the medical school that gave him the start to his career. Several months ago Dr. Botimer was approached by the school to return to his Alma Mater and head the joint replacement department. Soon after accepting the position he was offered the honor of chairing the entire orthopedic department.

Dr. Botimer specializes in total joint replacements and is well known for his international research and development activities. Dr. Botimer was the first surgeon in the U.S. to perform surgery utilizing the Galileo Computer Assisted technology which was designed to assist physicians to create perfect alignment during knee replacement surgeries.

Regarding this choice, Dr. Botimer commented. “I feel strongly regarding the mission of Loma Linda to train physicians in a Christian environment, and after much prayer and deliberation, my wife and I have accepted the position. Although I am finding it very difficult to leave 24 years of friends, patients and colleagues, I feel this is what the Lord has asked me to do at this time, and hope you will understand.”

Dr. Botimer does plan to return to Nampa in a few years after completing his teaching commitment.

Please watch this video of Dr. Botimer recently completed by the Idaho Press Tribune. Botimer Video

Quick! In one breath list all of the specialties and ancillary services offered at Saltzer. Well, that would be a challenge for anyone, including me and I talk about our services all the time. I am writing this to make sure everyone knows about all that Saltzer has to offer our patients. Then watch weekly as I cover each of the services in detail.

Specialties and Ancillary Services: Family Practice, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, ENT, Neurology, OB/GYN, Opthalmology, Pulmonology, General Surgery, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Sleep, Occupational Medicine, Endoscopy, Pulmonary Function Lab, Medical Imaging (including MRI, CT, General and Vascular Ultrasound), Hearing and Balance, Idaho Osteoporosis Center, Rehabilitation (Physicial and Occupational), Allergy Clinic, Lab, Anti-Coagulation Clinic.

Wow! Please come back next week and I will give an overview of Family Practice, the services they provide and the wonderful doctors we have in that specialty.