Looks like I will be home for the next 2mos

As some of you might remember, I have been having Achilles tendon problems since last August.

Today I went to the doctor since I have just been in agony since the ESWT treatment. He was adamant that I need a cast (non weight bearing) and be off work for 6 - 8 weeks. I guess I will be getting to know everybody here a lot better.

Last November I had to take about 4 or 5 weeks off work for this same problem (different doctor) but instead I was in what is called a cam walker which ended up doing more damage than good. The doctor that I am with now is optimistic that the fiberglass cast will do a lot of good. I actually trust this doctor so I am hoping that he is right.

I was such a mess in his office today. I must have gone through 2 fill size paper towels because I was just sobbing. I am so frusterated with this and in so much pain, that I couldn't hold back any longer...I just turned into a mess. I can keep welding while molten metal burns my skin, but this is just too much for me anymore.

At least my hubby is very supportive and Marcie is happy to lounge on my lap and purrrrrrrr

Sending healing prayers and vibes that the new cast is the final and full cure

aww poor you that everything goes well with the cast and that you feel better soon

Bummer! I hope this does the trick for you. Staying home is highly overrated. I am doing that and I hate it since working so long. I guess we can commiserate.

Will you be on short term disability?? An achilles tendon problem is not something you want to ignore as that tendon aids in walking!! A few yrs ago by accident one of my BIL had part of his achilles tendon ( and a good chunk of calf muscle) blown off by a shotgun (his dad was trying to shot a racoon and my BIL was just in the wrong place). He has just a thin fragment left. He was lucky the damage wasn't more severe.

Moral of the story you want to let it heal and if it takes 6-8 weeks so be it.
Look at all the time you can work on your prize winning sunflower!!

I'm so sorry you have to take so much time off - I hope your job has appropriate benefits!

I have had to take quite a bit of "sick" time myself in my job - for hip operations. The first time I had my pelvis broken surgically to fix a shallow hip socket - 4 weeks off, and about 4 weeks with going home early every day. Then I had to have the hip replaced and took off two weeks.

Let me tell you that once you get the pain taken care of...it will brighten your outlook considerably!

Well, I am blessed that my workplace and boss are very understanding. I also have paid disability (not at my full rate, but it is enough).

Thank you all for the vibes and good thoughts. I am really ready to be done with this whole injury.

BTW, does anyone have any advice for going through the airports with crutches? Hubby seems to think that it will be a huge and miserable task to fly with crutches, but I thought that the airlines would put me in a wheelchair or something...anyone know the answer to that one?

Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN

Well, I am blessed that my workplace and boss are very understanding. I also have paid disability (not at my full rate, but it is enough).

Thank you all for the vibes and good thoughts. I am really ready to be done with this whole injury.

BTW, does anyone have any advice for going through the airports with crutches? Hubby seems to think that it will be a huge and miserable task to fly with crutches, but I thought that the airlines would put me in a wheelchair or something...anyone know the answer to that one?

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Yes, you can receive wheelchair assistance through airports. You need to request it, though. Mom did on her travels to Tucson several years ago as did her stepmother when she flew.

Lots of healing during the next two months!

It's awful to be disabled, even temporarily, and even if it does get you out of work. I had a bad sprain and torn ligament many years ago, and I remember just trying to stand on one foot long enough to take a shower... I finally just sat down on the edge of the tub and sobbed. It's a terrible feeling, and I'm so sorry you're going through it! I'll be hoping you come out the other end of this with everything all healed up good as new.

A tip for the shower, if it will fit, put a plastic outside garden chair in the shower and you can sit while showering. I did it when I had my osteotomy & was on crutches for many weeks.

Sorry that you have to take so much time off of work, but I hope that the time and the cast will help you to heal quickly! We all look forward to many long rambling posts from you on how each day is going!

Sorry you have to take off so much time from work, but I'm sure you will feel much better once your tendon has had time to heal! That's great your employer has disability pay (mine has 60% pay for up to 8 weeks I believe).

My mom has been having problems with her foot for awhile - she ends up limping a lot. They told her it was a tendon problem and gave her a cortizone shot. Those worked all of a day or two. There's another lady at work who's got a problem that sounds exactly the same, and it was her Achilles tendon. They told her they would just cut it and she'd be out of work for about 2 months. I didn't know you could just cut it