Having ankle surgery to remove 2 screws and clean the scar tissue after 3 years of constant pain has by far been a tough mental endeavor. Iāve faced so many challenges in the last two weeks within myself. Yesterday was by far the hardest day Iāve had in a very very long time. I saw my ankle doctor for my first post op follow up. Getting my cast off & trying to walk was the biggest challenge Iāve faced in a while. I thought āthe cast will come off and Iāll be completely fineā, was not not the case at all. Even the slightest step of pressure was extremely cringeworthy. My poor ankle has been through so much in the last almost 4 years.
I was not in the greatest place mentally yesterday to begin with. My sweet dad drove me to my appointment but on the way, he had to GO to the bathroom. Heās closer to 70 now than he is to 60 and when he has to go, itās nothing to take lightly. He ran into a gas station and was gone for a minute. When he came back to the car...All I could smell was complete shit. He made a little mess and it was on his pants by his knees. š
I have never been so frustrated yet laughing my butt off all at the same time. I laugh when I get REALLY uncomfortable. I felt bad for laughing but I couldnāt help myself. I was trying not to start gagging from the smell and frustrated because we were almost late for my appointment. I felt so embarrassed. I didnāt want anyone to see him like that. I told him to stay in the car. I shouldnāt be embarrassed but I am and I canāt help it. Iām embarrassed because sometimes I feel like he is very careless. Which is true to an extent but Iām coming to realize that he has slowed down so much. Itās completely terrifying. Iām realizing he just canāt do certain things like a normal person. His hands are shot so they cramp up and his body has so many miles on it.
After my appointment I cried so hard when we got in the car. All from frustration with myself, and with him and the situation and the smell. It was awful. The worst part was, we were in MY car. Thatās another reason I was so frustrated. Itās very hard right now to do certain things on my own and the entire time all I could think was if my car has anything in it itās going to be so hard to clean up, blah blah blah. Just thinking of myself and not the big picture.
The big picture is my poor dad is now a crazy old man that I love and adore but that also drives me completely up the freaking wall!
Iām always so caring and helpful for everyone but not as much for him because until this point, I never realized how bad his condition was. Karen said he might have dementia per the doctor. He hardly tells me anything when it comes to his health.
After I got home, I was still feeling so overwhelmed. I needed a shower and I was running out of clean clothes. I was crying because I had no clean laundry. I have so many stairs at my house. I felt so trapped and helpless! However I had therapy and that helped me so much. I absolutely love therapy. It brings me so much peace and reminds me how I feel is valid. I used to hard on myself constantly on thinking my own feelings to myself were not valid just from being so mentally abused as a kid. Feeling like I donāt matter and how I feel doesnāt matter. Itās so sad I ever used to think this way!
My therapist has completely opened my mind and heart to help me love myself more and more everyday. Iām extremely thankful for her. She is one of the sweetest and kindest humans Iāve ever met.
Which brings me to say that my friend Rich is also that. He has been in my life for 4 months. We are just friends. Lately since Iāve had my surgery, he has been there for me more then anyone else has. More than Katie. I havenāt asked her for anything because I know how bad sheās hurting right now and she doesnāt have enough to give to anyone right now mentally. That has made this entire situation even that much more difficult because Iāve been going through this completely alone. Alone every single day pretty much most of the day. My dad helped a lot in the very beginning but he can only do so much. He loves me so much.
Rich has come over every single night for dinner for at least the past week. I made us both chiropractor appointments yesterday. I was over due and he has been saying since I met him how much pain heās always in with his back so I made our appointments together.
We went back to his house after and we brought my laundry. He did all of my laundry and made sure I was taken care of. The plan was just to stay there last night since he had everything all in one floor, no stairs. He went to see some friends last night but before he left me made sure I was good and had everything I needed. He told me he would sleep on the couch so I could have his bed and I said āno why would you do that.ā He said āyou havenāt slept in a bed in 2 weeks. Make yourself comfortable.ā I told him it was fine and he really didnāt have to do that. I didnāt see the need for it. (Only his bedroom has AC) He left last night to go see some friends but before he left he made sure I was taken care of.
I showered and I went to sleep. I heard him open the door at one point last night and check on me and I heard the door shut. When I got up to pee this morning I saw him on the couch. 1. His bed is so comfy. 2. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing and caring friend like him. This has been so hard for me. Itās so hard for me to ask for help! I hate feeling so helpless. I know everyone has their own lives. People have said if I need anything, to let them know but thatās just not who I am. I wonāt ask.
My heart is just full this morning. I woke up feeling like I actually am well rested for the first time in two weeks. I start PT today. Rich is taking me to PT this morning.
We will see how it goes. Iām scared because my foot is still very swollen.