July 26, 2015

Here is a picture of my intern and nurse before surgery.  I must say Good Samaritan hospital was wonderful.  I think there maybe to much time before you have surgery to get nervous.

Here is what my leg looks like after :(

Recommendations:  Do not get behind on medication.  It really does hurt.   Each day gets a little better, but it hurts.

For those people who love to cook for others (dinner ministry)  It really is nice for the person receiving.  Thanks to those (you know who you are)  that brought me food.  I really wasn't hungry until last night.  

My faithful Kitty (Daisy) has not left my side, you can sorta see her in the above picture.  Thank you for the prayers.  There is power in the name of "Jesus"!  

July 22, 2015



My surgery is fast approaching.  I Need to arrive at the hospital early tomorrow and it should take around 2 1/12 hours.  I will be getting a titanium plate with a total of 9 screws.  As I promised here are the beautiful pictures of my right ankle.  (Thank you photographer Chris)

These pictures were taken at the Powel Crosley YMCA.  Which I am very much going to miss for the next few months, along with these wonderful people pictured below.  My goal is to be back swimming and playing Barb-ball before the bubble is put back on the outdoor pool.

see you all on the other side :)  God is for us, not against us!

The beginning for my right Ankle

July 8, 2015 -  30 years ago, when I was 22 years old I hurt my right ankle.  I was attending The Ohio State University and I slipped off the curb and ripped my tendons and ligaments in my right ankle.  Since I had sprained my ankle several times before that playing sports, (mainly soccer), I did nothing.  But the pain persisted and when I went to Tucson to visit my my mom for Christmas she took me to a doctor at the University of Arizona.  I had surgery and went back to Ohio State that winter and got my cast taken off by some other doctor and went on my way.  I can not tell you what surgery they did, but back in 1984 everyone thinks it was some ligament lateralization.  The bottom line, as the years went by my right ankle was not stable or strong.  I could only wear tennis shoes.  I went to several orthopedic doctors over the years and basically none had anything better for me that ankle fusion.  Which I thought was barbaric at best and certainly nothing I would consider doing. I was young, I would continue to eat Advil and suck up the pain, believing that if we can walk on the moon, we certainly can do better than this ankle fusion crap!
Fast forward: 10 years ago.  I went to Dr. Robert Rains here in Cincinnati.  He was recommended by another orthopedic surgeon who took one look at my ankle and said "oh my".  Dr. Rains told me I needed ankle fusion.  I refused to listen to him and said I will wait for something better.  He told me someday I would not be able to take the pain and I would need surgery.  Well, that day came and sure enough I am having surgery July 23, 2015.  I am scared to death and really do not want to do this at ALL!  Let me make myself clear, I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS!  
Here is the kicker....Dr. Rains said I had to quit smoking before he would do the surgery. Not to bore you with the details, but for obvious reasons and some not so obvious, I have obeyed.  I chose cold turkey since I did not have much time and must say, it was NOT a thrill.

I started this blog to take you on my journey.  I noticed no one has posted real pictures and blow by blows on the ankle fusion experience.  I have found some question and answer sites, which were really helpful.  I am hoping my journey can bring a realistic experience of what a person can expect.  Maybe a laugh, inspiration, and positive outcome to what I now must do after 30 years of ankle pain.

I will post pictures and take any questions along the way.

PS.  Do NOT judge my writing skills, since I am not trying to get published, just be helpful :)