achilles heel...it's no joke

This isn't very exciting, but I'm documenting because I don't want to ever forget how amazing it is to have both legs to stand on.  It's been a humbling, frustrating, painful, frustrating...oh, did I already say that?  I never want to take the use of both my legs for granted again, or any body part for that matter.

About three weeks ago (5/30/14) I was running to a stopping point at workout, pivoted to run back aaaaaaand pop goes the Achilles.  It wasn't extremely painful (yet) but I knew something was wrong.  That thought was confirmed when I tried to take a step and my right foot said...no dear.  I don't work right now.  On the drive home the shock wore off a bit and the pain did set in.  Bummer.  ER confirmed torn Achilles and referred me to orthopedic doc.  Side note...when I checked in at Valley Medical the person said, "oh, it has been awhile since you've been in.  We will need to update a few things."  My first thought was, "when was I here?!  Birth?"  Turns out, after a call to my mom, I was there for a car accident and later an outer ear infection.  Wow.  How did I completely blank on those two moments?  On a brighter note, my in-laws had crutches I could use and my dear friend Pauline (who broke her ankle earlier this year) had a scooter!!!  Life saver!  The scooter allows me to use both hands and move at the same time.  Amazing.  She also had a shower chair for me to use.  She's the best.
To make me feel better, Ava drew me this picture.  I love her.

Saw the orthopedic doc on Monday (6/2/14), and he gave me two options.  1) Cast for 6 weeks and let it heal on its own, or 2) surgery to repair the tear.  Since I want to get back to the workouts I was doing, surgery really was the only option.  The occurrence of re-injury or complete rupture with option #1 are very high.  Surgery scheduled for Friday (6/6/14).  Once again, when I show up to check in the receptionist says, "we will have to update your information, it looks like quite a while since you've been in."  What?!?!  I was here too?  Good night, I have a terrible memory.  Another second call to my mother, and I was reminded this was the same office as Dr. Hendricks who looked at my knees.

Surgery went well, the doctor told Brian the tendon was a mess and hanging on by one thread.  As a baby you have one tendon thread, and as you grow more fibers braid around the first.  That's all I had left, the baby tendon.  Good thing we went with surgery.  My amazing in-laws took me (and the kids) in for several days so Brian could continue working.  He's only been there a month and really couldn't take the time off.  They told me my foot would be numb for 12-24 hours.  It was more like 36 hours, and such a weird feeling!

Got the stitches out and a hard cast on today, sad moment for me.  I really thought, I just really did think they would say it was healing so well I could have a boot!  Turns out they didn't even want to hear about my boot idea.  Hard cast for 2 weeks.  Boo.  I chose black.  My leg is in mourning.  The kids think having a handicap parking permit is about the coolest thing ever.  Counting down to July 3rd............please hurry.