IT'S FINALLY OVER!
Thursday afternoon I had my another X-Ray and the results have revealed everything has healed and it's finally over!!! The doctor told me the boot I've been wearing for almost a month could come off and I could start wearing a regular shoe on my left foot. WOW. Funny how things you normally take for granted can be such a reward once you've lost them. I am so happy to be back to normal or as normal as I can be. Thank you so very much to those of you who have offered me words of support and advice for all your emails, cards and phone calls during this entire ordeal. Also thanks to the incredible doctors and staff at Kaiser who made sure that my ankle healed as good as new. My undying gratitude to the staff and management at KHITS for their understanding and help that even ncluded putting a studio in my home so I could broadcast from there, and last but not least, to my wonderful wife who was there for me for everything from the moment it happened. Thank you all so very very much.
Here's the latest X-Ray taken on Tuesday of my left ankle since my surgery. 
It's my left ankle. On the inside (left on the Xray) you can see two large screws they inserted directly into the broken bone on that side. Those screws are about two inches long. On the outside of my ankle(right side of Xray) you can see 5 smaller screws each about an inch long that are attached to a plate and then drilled into the other broken bone. There is a sixth screw that is not attached to the plate but inserted directly into the bone. The doctor assured me he meant to do that and did not miss the plate by accident.
The doctor says the healing is doing very well and that after another four weeks in the new cast that they placed me in on Tuesday June 29th, I will be placed in a walking boot and put into a physical therapy program to get me walking again.
The screws will stay in my foot for life unless I suddenly develop an aversion to them which would mean another surgery to remove them. I don't plan on that.
So, if you see me at the security line of an airport about to go through the metal detectors, don't stand behind me. I think I'll be there for a while explaining the beeping detector to the officers.
Actually my doctor says the screws are too low to the ground so unless they wand me, I should have no problem. Yeah, and Soap Box Derby cars are completely safe.
Joey Mitchell
After suffering my broken ankle in a silly soap box derby accident, doctors told me with two broken bones and three months of healing in a cast, NO WEIGHT on that left foot. How would I get around, go to work, do things? Well my son, Joe Jr. searched the internet and found the answer for me. The Freedom leg walking brace and Voyager scooter from Forward Mobility.
 The Freedom Leg Walking Brace allowed me to walk around without having to put any pressure or weight on my broken ankle whatsoever. I could even carry a cup of coffee or soda without spilling a drop. At first, it took some getting use to. So, until I had my balance just right, I used the brace while leaning on a cane or crutch. Once I had the balance right, I was off and walking to the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom. The mobility without any weight bearing was remarkable and allowed me a great deal more ability to get things done on my own without having to rely on someone else for the mundane routines of everyday life. Putting the brace on was easy too. It was just a matter of a few Velcro straps and minor adjustments and in a few minutes I was off and running. Well, not running but slowly walking to where ever I had to be.
For longer trips, in the backyard or out front, I was delighted with my Voyager scooter. Complete with a padded seat, handbrakes and sleek design, the scooter provided complete protection for my broken ankle and the ease and comfort on the lightweight and very cool looking scooter.
Check them both out at the following links:
I got to go on a big outing today. A trip to Walmart. Now if that doesn’t sound very big to you, imagine staying home for two months with a broken ankle. You see, it is a big outing getting to visit a local Walmart.
The cool thing about the store is that they offer those electric riding carts with a giant basket for people who can’t walk. Perfect! My wife can drop me off at the front door with my walker, and then I can transfer to the powered riding cart and drive all around Walmart. How cool is that? What could possibly go wrong? Wait for it, cause I guarantee it’s coming.
She drops me at the door, and I hobble to the closest riding electric cart. Jeanette parks and meets me at the Redbox DVD rental unit. We rent a movie, visit other departments and when we’re done shopping I follow her thru the check out and we buy our items. Everythings going great and Jeanette goes for the car while I wait sitting in the electric cart. When she shows up, I drive over to the car and hop in leaving the cart by the handicapped parking. Trip to Walmart a total success.
When we get home, Jeanette opens the back of our SUV to remove the walker that I use to get back into the house. THE WALKER! Oh no, we left it at Walmart when I transferred to the electric cart. We back out of the driveway and head straight back to the store. My wife parks and heads for the spot I left the walker. Nothing there. She questions the greeter. Nothing. Lost and found, nothing. We check the entire parking lot. NOTHING. Someone stole my walker. What kind of Karma is that. The worst part is I got a custom basket for it from the walker store (yes there is one) that cost me thirty bucks. Luckily I didn’t buy the rear view mirror and horn, cause some low life stole my walker!
So if you happen to see someone hopping by, using a walker with a white basket hooked on the handlebars, I would appreciate it if you let them know it’s mine and they have seven years of bad luck coming. Oh that’s a broken mirror. Okay maybe some explaining to do when they have to tell St. Peter how they ended up with a free customized walker.
Thank God for the thrift store, got another one, but it’s missing a white basket. What’s up with that? |
