My continuing saga..........

Do any of you have any idea how narrow the steps are to get up into an RV?  Hubby has decided we need a larger unit (one with a dedicated bed instead of a sofa bed).  So he drags me out to the RV lots to look at the rigs. 

Picture me on crutches trying to hop UP 4 steps into these monster vehicles!  Then, of course, you have to come DOWN the steps.  The steps are about my hips width (I know, I know, I should have smaller hips!).  So I have to put the crutch tips on the very edges of the steps so that they will support me as I hop up the step.  SCAREY! 

Even worse - try to get into the passenger seat from outside.  Most of the rigs have a running board, the frame step and then the floor.  But the running board and frame steps are only 4 - 5 inches wide.  I can't get my whole foot on it and re-position my weight to move to the next step!  I finally gave up and went up through the RV door and hobbled my way into the passenger seat (which has room for 1 normal foot - not 2 normal feet, just one, and I have this ski boot sized monstrosity on my right foot, leaving nowhere for my left foot.).

The sales people were all "watching" me - some in horror, others in facination, as I hobbled and hopped in and out of several rigs.    My arms and hands are killing me today.  It was quite the workout!

A PT's nightmare!

We'd write something like "poor safety judgement" in your chart BB!!    I've actually had a discussion today with a guy who had a stroke about NOT getting into his RV, at least not by himself.  Same guy I've had to tell repeatedly that I will NOT teach him how to climb a ladder, his ladder days are over.   There have been quite a few other things I have agreed to work on with him though, he just keeps pushing the envelope - and good for him!

Now y'all know where my gray hairs are coming from

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Ah - come on!  Can't I have any fun?!!    To put your mind at ease a little bit - my hubby was ALWAYS there, ready to steady or catch me, if necessary.  And I took it slow - making sure I had my balance before moving to the next step.

It has been interesting to see how my body and brain have adapted - My left leg/foot is becoming stronger and I have much better balance than I did before the break. 

My next "challenge" is to get on my bike/trainer.  The doctor said that as soon as I can get my bike shoe on my foot, it would be OK to clip it in and let it "ride along".  No pushing with that foot - all the work would be done with the left foot/leg, but the right foot would get the passive movement and flexion.  I'm hoping that next week I will be able to get the shoe on and give this a try. (FYI, my bike is a recumbent so my feet are at the same height as my rear, which will reduce the chances of swelling from being lower than my body.)

Wow. You're such a trouper. 
Good luck with your bike. I hope it doesn't take too long.
Meg

Thank you all for your encouragement.

Anais - I love the picture!  It is so peaceful.  Thanks!

Oh, PreciousLocks - I hope your ankle is OK!  When I fell, I knew my ankle was broken or sprained.  From what my friends who have sprained their ankles have gone thru, I was almost hoping for the break.  Let us know how you MRI goes. 

All of you have been so sweet.  And Sakina went above and beyond - look what I got Friday:

I know what you mean about tiny steps.  I'm short so I really need the steps to get in.  But the steps in trucks, vans, and SUVS are still too small for me to get in comfortably.  Did you guys find an RV you like? 

It sounds like you're progressing rather nicely, and I'm crossing fingers that you'll get to try out your bike soon. 

I think those are the same kind of sutures I had my back surgery.  Are they kind of prickly and feel like they are growing out of you?  When I had them, I felt like that guy from "The Fly" when he started mutating.  lol

Sakina, that's such a pretty flower arrangement!!

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Yes, they are prickly and just like the ones I had for my 1st back surgery.  It was worse on my back.  I didn't feel these as much - I think because I have lost so much sensation on this foot.  Between the nerve damage I already had from my back problems and the hematoma from this surgery I can only feel the first 3 toes and about 1/3 of the top of my foot.  Hopefully I will get a bit more sensation back with time.