Friday, April 22, 2016

One Step (Literally) at a Time: My Broken Ankle Journey Thus Far

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle
I AM HEALED! Well, not exactly. But I'm getting closer.
In case you haven't heard, I broke my ankle two months ago. Well, really I'm a few days shy of that, since it happened on February 26, but I think it's close enough. And in that time, so much has happened. My life dramatically shifted in the immediate minutes, hours, days and weeks that followed, but I think this experience also impacts how I will live in the months and years to come. And I must admit I'm feeling pretty good right now, because I got some incredible news at my doctor's appointment this week, in addition to some other great things that have happened...

1) I CAN WALK AGAIN! Well, only with partial weight bearing right now, but I will be full weight bearing on May 2. In the meantime I can get around with crutches or a walker and put the ball of my foot on the ground. So life is pretty darned amazing right now. The photo above was taken just after I got the news -- not sure if you can tell from my jazz hands and huge smile, but I was fairly excited.

2) I am going back to Los Angeles on SUNDAY! I can't believe it -- I thought I would be in the Midwest for at least 6 more weeks. My timeline has sped up dramatically and I am BEYOND elated.

3) I lost weight during this entire experience! I can't stand on the scale to check, but I think I've lost at least 10 pounds. So something positive has come out of the whole thing!

Since it's #flashbackfriday and all, I thought I'd give you a little look into the past two months. No gross photos of my ankle pre or post surgery, I promise!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Pittsburgh, The Goldmark
Out in Pittsburgh with my gorgeous girlfriends Michaela and Mindy the night this whole broken ankle business went down. (Prior to it happening, obviously.)

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Pittsburgh, Montefiore Hospital, UPMC
Fast forward to the morning of February 27 and I was laid up in Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh with a broken tibia and fibula. Who knew this would be my view (and my pedicure) for the foreseeable future?

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Pittsburgh, UPMC, Montefiore Hospital, hospital food
This menu and I got VERY comfortable with one another during my two-week hospital stay. The food was surprisingly good -- especially the pudding and jello.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, flowers
Two of my lifelong friends sent me these beautiful flowers to cheer me up. It worked.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, flowers
More flowers, this time from my awesome cousin Spencer. He coordinated the sending of these all the way from Puerto Rico!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, hospital beauty essentials, Pittsburgh, Montefiore Hospital, UPMC, Molton Brown, Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, Almay, Aromatherapy Associates, Clinique, Fresh
It's amazing how much more simple my beauty routine became while I was stuck in the hospital. These six essentials got me through the days. Read all about them here.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Pittsburgh, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, peanut butter and jelly sushi, food
One of the restaurants I really wanted to check out during my Pittsburgh trip was the new addition to Bloomfield, Peanut Butter Jelly Time. My friend Caren was gracious and wonderful enough to pick up lunch for us one day and bring it to the hospital since I couldn't be there in person. THIS IS A PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SUSHI ROLL. Cue the salivating.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, UPMC, Montefiore Hospital, surgery
My mom came to visit me and be with me for my surgery. I am beyond grateful to her and can't even imagine what my experience would have been like without her by my side.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Pittsburgh, Montefiore Hospital, UPMC, broken ankle boot
THE BOOT! I thought I was going to have to wear this for at least two months. Luckily, I only had to wear it for two weeks!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, getting out of the hospital
GETTING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL! I can't even begin to express how fantastic it felt to get out of my hospital room and into fresh air for the first time in two weeks. This was during my car ride back to Cleveland, and I just kept smiling.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, getting out of the hospital
Finally in Cleveland, with boot and crutches by my side. Again, I was just so happy to finally be away from the hospital!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, getting out of the hospital
My friend Mindy's mom, Lisa, drove me from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. She's fabulous!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Facebook comments, Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann commented on one of my Facebook posts wishing me well. Let me repeat that. DEBORAH LIPPMANN COMMENTED ON ONE OF MY FACEBOOK POSTS WISHING ME WELL.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle
Visits from adorable children definitely helped perk me up during my long stay in Cleveland. This is my friend Lisa's baby, Henry -- quite possibly one of the cutest babies ever.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, blowout, hair
The first time I washed, blowdried and flat ironed my hair post surgery was momentous. It was the first step toward finally feeling like ME.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle
After spending a week indoors, I made my mother take me outside. This was right after I ventured out (scooting down our steps on my butt) and I can't even tell you how much this rejuvenated my spirit.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Essie Pool Side Service, manicure, nails, nail polish, nail lacquer, nail varnish
I've always known how much I love to paint my nails, but feeling like I wouldn't be able to for months made me crazy. My friend Shelby sent me this Essie nail polish and it totally brightened my spirits! Read my review of it here.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Cleveland Clinic, hospital
At my first doctor followup post surgery, pre stitches removal and 10-week recovery prognosis. I was a little less happy after hearing the 10 weeks, but I was overjoyed nonetheless to begin the road to recovery!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle
My fabulous friend Bri drove in from Pittsburgh for a visit. We've been friends for years and having her by my side during this ordeal was monumental.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Living Royal nail polish crew socks
If you can't perk yourself up with socks covered in nail polish bottles, is life really worth living? Read my review of these Living Royal socks here.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, walker
Hello, dearie. Using my grandmother's extra walker -- yes, I got stared at and laughed at outside, but at least I was able to get around.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Cleveland
Enjoying a beautiful 72-degree day in Cleveland with my mom!

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, friends, Cleveland
My best friend and her son were in Cleveland for two weeks around Easter, and I got to see them multiple times. It lifted my spirits more than I can even say.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, knee walker, knee scooter, Jamie Allison Sanders, Cleveland
This knee scooter CHANGED MY LIFE. Trying to get around with the walker was pretty impossible and extremely slow going. With the knee scooter, though? I zoom around so fast I'm always waiting for people to catch up! It was one step on a very long road toward helping me to feel normal and MOBILE.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, handicapped parking permit
Another important addition to my broken ankle arsenal -- the handicapped parking permit! Getting this was beyond necessary.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, shopping, Walmart, Jamie Allison Sanders, knee scooter, knee walker
My first time shopping since the accident! I obviously went right for the essentials.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, friends, babies, children
Nose to nose with my favorite little man. He's wise beyond his years -- telling me things like, "You should just go outside when it's sunny and it will make you happy." I love this kid.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, pedicure, Essie Lounge Lover, nails, nail polish, nail lacquer, nail varnish
I had the same pedicure for TWO MONTHS. And while I love purple nail polish, I was so sick of looking at my toes that I was about to scream. Thankfully, I found a salon in Cleveland that specializes in elderly people without the ability to climb up into pedicure chairs, and I was finally able to change my polish and treat my feet to some much needed pampering! Seen on toes: Essie Lounge Lover. And yes, I'm wearing a compression sock. Because swelling. Yikes.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Sunday brunch, The Cheesecake Factory, Bloody Mary, cocktails, Jamie Allison Sanders
A few weeks ago, all I wanted was Sunday brunch with pancakes and Bloodys. My mom obliged and took me to The Cheesecake Factory ASAP! Since I was still on blood thinners, this Bloody Mary was virgin -- but it was honestly one of the best I've ever had.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Jamie Allison Sanders, Frozen, Anna and Elsa, Frozen bicycle basket, knee scooter, knee walker
Because sometimes you need to spruce up your knee scooter with a basket that's decorated with the characters from Frozen. It's just necessary.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, #TuesdayShoesday, #ShoesdayTuesday, London Rebel, House of Harlow 1960, Madewell, Minnetonka, L'Agence
Since I can't wear heels for who knows how long, I've definitely stepped up my flats game. Check out all the shoes I purchased recently here.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Cleveland
Spending a lovely day outside with my even lovelier mom! I took in sunshine wherever and whenever I could get it.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Cleveland
This lovely lady to my right is my friend Kathy, who was one of my coworkers at American Eagle Outfitters. We've both since left the company but stayed in touch. She was in Cleveland for a few days and made it a point to spend time with me -- I'm so grateful for her company and her friendship.

Beautifying the Broken Ankle, my broken ankle journey, breaking your ankle, Hillcrest Hospital, ER, emergency room, Cleveland
This past Monday marked 6 weeks post surgery -- my supposed halfway point. Well, what better way to spend it than in the ER after falling on my ankle earlier that day? Luckily, everything checked out just fine, as my new prognosis shows!

13 comments:

  1. I am so happy to hear that you are walking again! I am thrilled that you are on the mend!

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    1. Thank you!! This means we can FINALLY hang out in Los Angeles!

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  2. Glad you're making good progress, and so happy you'll be able to go back to LA sooner than you thought!

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  3. Glad to see that you're coming along! And a pb&j sushi roll??!! Yes, please!! Best wishes for continued healing! Stacie xo

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    1. Right? It was delectable. And thank you Stacie!!

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  4. Proud of my sister for enduring this and for being a positive role model throughout!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Evan! That really means a lot to me.

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  5. Two weeks is a very long time to be in the hospital!

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  6. You have the best attitude. Nothing seems to get you down. I'm so happy you are healing quickly and can get back home.

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  7. I'm glad you're doing better and being so positive!!

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  8. Yay for being able to get walk (kind of..)! So glad things are going smoothly. It definitely looks like you made the best of it :D

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  9. So happy to hear you are healing up so quickly! That PB&J Sushi roll looks amazing and how cool about that Deborah Lippmann comment!!

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