Not Exactly The News I Was Hoping For...

Usually when I post on Mondays, I like to stick to Motivational thoughts.  However, today I wanted to share the most recent news of what I am dealing with as my injury goes.  It might not be exactly motivational, but in a way its progress and moving forward is always a good thing!

Last week I finally had my appointment with the Sports Specialist/Surgeon for my injury.  This appointment took me almost 3 months to get into this Doctor.  I have to be honest, I'd be lying if I said I didn't secretly hope that when I got into the doctor he would tell me that everything I had been doing had been successful and he saw me on the right side of recovery and back to running as I would like in several weeks.

However, that was not my case.  I had good and bad news, it just depends on how you want to look at it.  After having 3 different doctors come in and evaluate, the decision by the surgeon was made that I can avoid surgery.  (Which is the good news!)
The bad news, he told me that the previous doctor I saw had put me in the wrong boot.  (For those who missed my post a few months back, I visited a Specialist who I wasn't exactly thrilled about especially since he told me to find a new sport.  Anyhow, all he wanted to do was sell me heel inserts, orthodics and a boot.)

The wrong boot for my injury?  Yeah, to say I was kinda ticked was an understatement!  They also agreed that the Physical Therapy I had been doing was too early for the injury I have and was actually setting me back and prolonging my injury...  (You seriously don't know how discouraging that was to hear.)

So I was told that I needed to go back to a boot, but this time one that goes up to my knee.  I was going to have to live in this boot 24/7 (the only exception, to shower daily.) 
No Running, No Jumping, very little walking.  Which also means no swimming.  However, he did say if I wanted to I could try taping my foot to a bike pedal and I could ride a stationary bike...  (Well if you could see the size of this boot, you'd realize as I did looking down, taping it to a pedal is not really an option.)

Here is my reality of the situation and dealing with Achilles tendinitis and bursitis, which I have both of.  I could ignore the boot and go back to running and just deal with the pain.  But if I did this, my running career would be short, I might make it a year or two, three likely at the most.  The pain may ease a little, but the scar tissue would build up and cause me major problems years down the road.  The other option, is get this thing healed and eventually get back to running and be able to have a "lifelong"running option.
Well as discouraging as it is, there is only one smart choice.  I have to get this healed!

So right now, I am living in this boot 24/7 - and let me tell ya sleeping with this heavy monster boot on is seriously annoying.  I haven't had a good night sleep since last Tuesday! 
I will be in this boot for 8 more weeks.  In 6 weeks I have another appointment, which will determine if I can begin gradually not wearing the boot during the day.  (They said wearing it at night is the most important part in the healing factor. 
If things are looking good in 6 weeks, then in 8 weeks I will begin a more structured physical therapy program.  There is a chance, if all goes well that I can begin running again maybe in December or January...

The hardest part so far (aside from the lack of sleep, getting used to this.)  My ankle and foot have swollen up.  On Saturday my ankle had doubled in size, and my toes were numb and tingly.  I spoke to the Doctor Friday afternoon, he said this is normal and should go away in a few days.  (It's normal because my foot and ankle are just not used to being forced into the position they are in for long periods of time.)
Well it's now Monday morning, my ankle swelling has gone down some (because I elevated it most of Sunday).  But my toes are still a little numb and tingly because they are not getting the circulation due to the swelling.  So I will be calling the doctor in a little while....
I know the brace isn't too tight, because I can stick my fingers and hand down the side, it really is just from being put in the new position.  Which I have no idea what they will tell me, I'm guessing to keep the boot on and watch it???? 

Anyhow, this is my story and current dealings in life.  I am 9 months into this injury, and it looks like it's going to be 11 to 12 before I will get to see any more running in my future.  It is discouraging, but I have finally hit the point that I am kind of numb to all the news now. 
Life happens, and instead of ignoring the pain and doctors and only having a short running career, it is in my best choice to follow their advice and get this healed so I can have a life of running, and get back to finishing my goal of running a marathon in each of the 50 states and D.C.

I hope you all had a great weekend!  Any of my runner friends with injuries having better luck with yours?  Those of you not injured, did you run any fun races over the weekend?