Ankle Surgery Update

Yes, if you haven’t heard, I am having ankle surgery tomorrow (9/23/15). I tore the anterior tibilias tendon in my right ankle. The tendon runs from about the arch of your foot across the front of your ankle up your shin to just below your knee. Pretty major tendon. I am told it’s uncommon for this tendon to rupture, but mine did.

I know when I injured my ankle. I just didn’t know how I injured it. The tendon ruptured while I played basketball the last week of May. I took a conservative approach to the injury and saw a little improvement. But of course that helped only so much.

In August I had my first MRI which confirmed that the tendon indeed had ruptured. Over the next couple of weeks I met with two ankle/foot surgeons who gave me similar feedback.

I don’t have to have surgery to repair the tendon, but both surgeons I met with recommended I have the surgery. The window i quickly closing on being able to successfully repair the tendon. So, it’s now or never, as they say.

Honestly, I am not excited about either option. If I don’t have surgery, I will suffer complications the rest of my life. By having the surgery, I am looking at a 6-8 month recovery time.

Why I am choosing surgery:

• Short-term pain for long-term gain. Even though the idea of surgery and several months of recovery don’t excite me, I try to keep it in perspective. 6-8 months versus hopefully 30 plus years.
• I am still young! I am 54 years young! I am not ready to drastically slow down. If I don’t have the surgery, I might not have that choice. My basketball days are probably over, but I want to hike, run, and find another sport to play.
• I have a five-year-old son. Reason enough to fix it. I want to experience life with my son as he grows up, not just watch him.
• I believe in miracles. I pray daily that God will heal it. Even though we are moving quickly toward surgery day, I pray that the surgery is beyond successful. I also pray that the tendon heals beyond the doctors expectations. (I will accept any prayers you feel compelled to lift up!)

The recovery looks like this—6-8 weeks of non-weight bearing; followed by 6-8 weeks in a walking boot; intense physical therapy to regain mobility and strength.

Many plans I had for the Fall and Spring are on hold now. But, thankfully, much of the work I do I can do from home.

As a treat for you, I have lined up several guest bloggers for the first couple of weeks after my surgery.

I hope you enjoy reading blog posts from the following:

• Matt Peacock – Former Pastor and current Executive Director of Partners in Hope Lake Travis. www.PartnersinHopeLakeTravis.org
• Madeleine Melcher – Foster child/adoptee, adoptive mom, speaker, author, and blogger. www.OurJourneytoYouAdoption.com
• Josh Armstrong – Web designer, podcaster/blogger, foster care/adoption advocate, and missionary. www.ProjectFaithJourney.com
• Taylor Krigsman –  Teacher, author, and blogger. Taylor grew up in a family that fostered children from the time she was three-years-old. www.Taylortalks.net

In each blog I provide ways to get in touch with these  guest bloggers. Please visit their sites, get to know their work, follow their blogs, social media, and support them!

I appreciate and thank them for helping me out!