Feeling Sorry For Myself

[ayabrea38]

Just got back from seeing a new consultant about my ankle and why it is sticking out at a funny angle and getting worse.
It started when I was in hospital last year and had a seizure.When I was more aware,I noticed my feet where both pointing to the left a lot,so I got splints.
To cut a long story short,I was just about to get new splints when OH went in hospital suddenly and had a major op,so I couldn't wear my new splints and the old ones where ones that you could not walk in.From then on my ankle has slowly seemed to collapse and get more painful.
Right,sorry to go on......Anyway today I got to see a consultant and basically I have been walking round on a broken ankle for the last few months!!Now wonder it was hurting.Because of the neuropothy problems I have had,and the other health issues,ie liver,he does not want to operate,so is referring me to a limb reconstruction unit to see if they can do anything.Either way,if anything gets done or not I face the chance that I will lose the foot.He said this very casually in the privacy of a curtained off cubicle just within earshot of the whole waiting room-nice.
So I am feeling crud.
Very crud.
Oh bugger :(((

[mccfluff]

how come they never realised it was broken before?

(sorry btw sounds horrible)

[MadMen]

Oh goodness! That's awful.
You must have been in agony!

No wonder you are feeling down in the dumps :-(

I don't really know what to say, to be honest.

[coccinelle]

When you say lose your foot, what do you mean? Literally lose it? as that would involve surgery.... or not be able to walk on it? I'd want a second opinion.

[MadMen]

I took 'lose the foot' as having it amputated..?? Seems a bit drastic!

[society]

Oh no! How sad, and painful that must have been for you. Don't be scared off by 'losing the foot'. I'm sure something else could be done to help heal your ankle / foot.

[pastafreak]

That's awful...let's hope reconstruction is possible.
Having said that-a co-worker told me the other day that her OH is considering having his leg amputated,as he has been in severe pain ever since he had a knee op a year or so ago. It's hard to concieve doing that voluntarily.

[ayabrea38]

Yeah,they do mean amputation.
Because I have nerve problems,the pain was bad,but not that bad if you get my drift-kept saying to OH well it cannot be broken cos it would hurt more/wouldn't be able to walk on it etc.
No one realized it was broken because the curving had begun gradually when in hospital and then I was given the splint.The thought there was that I had somehow stretched my tendons and muscles shrank with me being bed bound for 5 months and the splint would help it back in place.
When my GP came to see it,he referred me to 'the orthopods' but with OH recovering from major tummy surgery and me using a wheelchair there was no way I could get there,but no one thought there was any hurry.
I even went for a new splint on Thursday and even HE never thought it was broken,he was thinking osteoporosis type bone damage.
Again circumstances are complex,and I have come off worst for it.
I am thinking of asking for a second opinion though,well you would wouldnt you with news like that.
Honestly,just how much more do me and OH have to go through?????

[society]

Aya, do get a second or even third opinion. Medicine is so advanced I'm sure your foot could be saved. Some doctors look for the easy way out and 'cut' out the problem instead of taking time to explore other healing options which may or could effectively eliminate the illness.

[flump1]

Too damn right you feel sorry for yourself ayabrea, so would I . What a whole load of cack to have happened to you both at the same time. Then you have been hit with this awful shock . Get another opinion as already suggested even a third if you are not sure of your options.

[Jan1957]

I know how you feel aya as the same thing happened to me after I broke my ankle and had two operations to fix it. Six months later my ankle kept swelling and I was in a lot of pain so GP sent me to the hospital where they x-rayed it and sent me straight around to the fracture clinic as it was broken again. I have just had my seventh operation and had my ankle reconstructed with a lot of metal and due to have a check up this thursday. My GP did say to me at one time it would have been easier if they had just amputated the foot which horrified me!

I would really insist on seeing another consultant as I am now on my third but this one is really good and is hoping this current operation will be the last - so am I. Good luck with it.

[ayabrea38]

Thanks for all your support,OH has booked me an appointment to see a GP at out practice and see if he can refer me.Is that the right way to go about it?

Jan1957,poor you!At least I have my neuro numbness to help stop the pain sometimes,I do hope things go well for you.

Just had a bit of a blub when I saw all the boots I have under the bed,whatever happens it looks like I wont be wearing them again,I will have either rigid ankle,deformed ankle or no ankle.
Got me thinking though,when exactly did I break my ankle?I think it was when I got stuck in the back of a taxi when we went to see OH in hospital,either that or when I was trying to get my ugg boots off(after another visit)irony is that was the first time I had worn them since I got out of hospital.
Thanks again for your support and I will keep you posted

[Jan1957]

Thank you aya and I really do hope that your consultant will decide on reconstructive surgery. I too have thrown all my heels away and mainly wear mules now. My very best wishes to you for a positive outcome.

[ChillDoubt]

Don't get too disheartened yet. Wait until you are referred to the other unit, then see what your prognosis is.
Sometimes amputation is the only course left, but it is generally the last one. The problem with reconstructive foot surgery is that it is one of the more difficult one's to deal with as a result of mobility, weight-bearing issues etc, notwithstanding your other health issues so make sure you have a full discussion when you get your new referral.

Best of luck.

[Smowball]

Oh you poor thing. You've every right to feel rotten x

[boxtops]

Oh aya, you have had such rotten luck over past months - what with mr aya and all - thank goodness you have at last seen someone who takes your problem seriously about your ankle. Fingers crossed, and a big hug (( ))

[boxtops]

desky, it's horrid to feel lonely, I'm sorry you feel like that, and it's nice of you to be considerate of aya - she's had a really bad time over the past couple of years with mr aya being in hospital really unwell, then her own problems too. Hugs to everyone (())

[B00]

Oh Aye, what a terrible thing for you to be going through, really hope you get the best possible outcome.

God bless

xxx

[vodkancoke]

Poor you Aya. You have every right to feel rubbish. I can't imagine what you are going through. Keep strong and positive and if I were you, I would ask for a second opinion (just so that you know if anything at all can be done) Take care of yourself xxx