In addition to no running, no jumping, no twisting of ankle, I added to the list no lifting and no bending (at the waist), which implied no sitting and all that goes with that. At least not sitting at a 90-degree right angle. Bending was now done at the knees. Sitting was more of a lying on a couch thing, which was intended to keep my back straight through the lower discs.
Tough changes for a guy who spent most of his working day at a desk. My chair at the office was replaced by a kneeling stool and --- thanks to a close friend in the office furniture business --- a motorized, elevating desk was installed, which allows me to stand rather than sit at the desk. All day. The stool took the weight off when the legs got weary, which, in the early days, happened pretty frequently. I was thinking I should convince the boss that what I really needed was a comfy couch, but it concerned me that the couch would quickly lead to sleeping all day. Not the best for commission sales. Better I stood. At least if I fell asleep that way, hitting the floor should wake me up.
Over time the ice did the job and the disc inflammation was reduced to the point where I could once again say goodbye to the pain killers, which I was very pleased to be rid of. In the thick of it I had a good pal drop by to see how I was doing. I thought I was doing just fine but after about 10 minutes of discussion with him he looks at me and says, "What the hell have they got you on there, laddie? You're not makin' any sense." I knew it was time to wean myself off the Percocets.
And physio took control of my life one more time. The strengthening process became the new regime. After about two years of this I decided to see a neurosurgeon to discuss a possible operation on my discs in the hope that it might allow me more freedom to sit again, for one thing. An appointment was made to the best of the best in the neurology department of the Credit Valley Hospital. The appointment lasted about 10 minutes. He had studied my file, knew all about the ankle and the Big Leap and the ensuing reconstruction. He had reviewed all the glossy X-ray films and MRI reports and asked me, "So, how are you doing"?
Being the eternal optimist that I am, I responded with, "I'm OK but I sure do get weary of all the standing". I told him of the stool and the elevating device and the long days at the office followed by hours in the evening with an ice pack up me arse, lying on a couch. Day after day after day.
He asked me how I got to the appointment. I told him I drove.
He asked how I got from the car to his office. I told him I walked.
Elevator or stairs, he asked.
I really didn't like where this is going but I told him "the lift". He said, and I quote, "You really should use the stairs whenever there's a choice. It's just so much better for you. But I will agree that you are doing OK. In fact, I think you are doing way better than OK, I think you're doing great. You are managing the pain effectively. You walked in here and I'm willing to wager that you are going to walk out. In my field of expertise, that's fantastic".
"Yes but please, doc, I'm so tired of standing most days."
"But you still stand just the same"?
"Yes, but I sure would welcome sitting down now and again."
He smiled. "Sitting is overrated," he said. "Keep doing everything just the way you're doing. It's best in the long run."
At the time I was hugely disappointed. No quick fix. But I know now it was absolutely in my best interest to avoid surgery, given my condition. The only thing that was going to make a difference for me was staying positive and keeping as busy as possible within my new limitations. Time to go for a swim.
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