City Sidewalks, Killer Sidewalks, Give A CCA Fear... But In The Air There's A Feeling Of CASTmas

Thursday morning dawned early, at 9:25 for Mrs. HM. The Pony needed assistance to wash his thick curly Samson hair in the kitchen sink, where he propelled himself on his rolly chair. He and Farmer H left at 10:20 for the appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. The Pony had filled out the new patient forms that Farmer H brought home, and had two separate forms for his worker's comp claim that needed completion by the doctor. He also had his disk with the ankle x-ray.

The appointment was at 11:00. The Pony had said he would give me an update as soon as they were out. Noon rolled around, and still no news. I grew apprehensive. What if something was wrong with that ankle? Besides just being broken. What if there was an issue with the paperwork, which still listed the RIGHT ankle, instead of the broken LEFT ankle?

At 12:11, I got a text:

"In a walking boot. 6 to 8 weeks of it, and 10-12 total weeks before I can work."

"Good for the boot! Why so long?"

"That's normal, from what they said. It's because the broken part is where ligaments all connect. They don't want me twisting or bending the foot in a way that could pull them around."

"So the delay didn't hurt it?"

"Not according to them, no. But they did put in their report that treatment was delayed."

"Not even light duty?"

"Nope. They didn't put it on the form. They just checked the NO box on return to work."

"Okay. I'm relieved, but sorry it will take so long. Did you take form to the PO?"

 

"Yes. Copies saved on my phone. And the doctor's office said they were sending it, too."

The Pony DOES miss going to work. He said he told the union rep he finally had seen the specialist, and she asked, "Can you send me the form? LOL." So he did. There should be no shortage of that form making its way to someone who will know what to do with it.

Here's a view of The Pony's ankle, after taking off the splint that had been on it for two weeks:

 

The doctor said that the bruising often shows up on the leg, because of having the ankle elevated. The Pony said most breaks like this are like a vertical crack at the end of the fibula, but that his is more of a horizontal crack. He can have the walking boot, because the fibula is not weight-bearing.

 

Here's the walking boot. Picture taken while cranked back in the recliner, sticking the leg up in the air. That gray bubble is for pumping up the boot, for compression to make the ankle feel better and not swell. There's a valve below it to press for releasing the air. It has to be deflated before taking it off. The Pony can take it off to shower, or while he's sitting around with his ankle propped up. Right now he is still using his crutches, not putting full weight on it, because it hurts. He has another appointment in three weeks.

Farmer H and The Pony celebrated by feasting at Steak N Shake. And then going to Culver's for a chocolate malt and an ice cream cone. The Pony brought home about 1/3 of his malt, and put it in the freezer, later bequeathing it to me. Mmm.

This is the best day I've had in the past two weeks. The Pony, too!