Ok, ok – I realize it’s time for a follow-up…

What has happened to my Achilles issue? Well it’s now a week later and there are some things I can tell you and so, tell you I will.

Firstly, I was informed that I neither ruptured nor tore my Achilles. But that was something I actually had figured out myself.

Secondly, the Mayo Clinic did provide good, forward-thinking advice on their web-site.

Thirdly, on Monday I managed to have a phone interview/appointment with my doctor. He went over all the history from even before Friday and he determined the assessment by the retired nurse was a good one; moreover he thought some of the other advice was also useful (such as asking myself if I was trying too hard to stay strong, instead of settling for keeping fit!!). But he did believe I needed an in-person assessment and he immediately got me in to see the people at the Pain Clinic.

Now, just an aside for a moment: when I go to an ice cream store, I get ice cream – when I go to a gas station, I get fuel for my vehicle – so when I go to a Pain Clinic, am I being sent to get more pain? When I shared this with my grandson who is at the Cronkite School of Broadcasting at ASU, he replied that the world is indeed strange as he pointed out that we drive on a parkway, but park on a driveway. But perhaps I digress.

The visit to the Pain Clinic was productive. The Assessment was: a severely strained Achilles Tendon brought on by a form of tendinitis. After the assessment the physiotherapist put me through a number of trials and then sent home with strict instructions to retire the skipping rope, cease long walks, use either a bike or stationary bike whenever I can and do a routine exercising my foot. (By the way, I trust physio’s primarily because my sister is a professional physio – trained at Queen’s no less; for the first time though, the physio was a young man – but he was solid.)

On Wednesday afternoon I was able to get in for an emergency session with my RMT (Registered Massage Therapist). She concentrated on my left foot and leg finding that I was seriously tense & knotted all the way to my waist. The work she did, while at times a touch painful, did build on the work of the physio and when I left I was able to walk a little more normally, such that by the time I got home the cane was unnecessary.

Thursday I went to the gym (under encouragement from the physio) and although I had to alter my routine slightly (no leg presses, no treadmill), it was a reasonably successful morning workout.

Friday morning I put myself through my mini-workout and again it was fairly successful – did have to cut down on the push-ups, my duck-walk was not doable, and skipping was forbidden. After that I returned to the Pain Clinic. This time the physio was pleasantly surprised with the progress. I was able to do all the routines that he requested and he added another to do for this next week. Besides he now is confident that I will be skiing later this month..

So where am I? Well the corner seems to be turned. Getting better, becoming more ambulatory, and feeling far less pain, all are emerging in positive contexts.
BUT, what are the lessons:
• retired my skipping rope for the immediate and mid-term futures
• reduced my walking (no treadmills) but increasing my cycling (especially the stationary)
• recognizing I may not be twenty-five [25] anymore
• realizing the Achilles is vital to a great deal of normal living

And there was one benefit – the confinement allowed me to get out most of my personal (and unusual) Christmas Cards (if you don’t get one and want one you may have to let me know). The Christmas letter is still awaiting its creation, but when done it will appear on this site.

So, take care – be healthy – enjoy mobility while you have it!!

As always,
g.w.