Two months from today I will be at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC having my free vascularized fibular graft surgery.
I’ve been trying to take advantage of being able to walk as often as I can. Thanks to the snow and ice on the ground it’s a little more painful than normal, but I manage to get a mile or two in every day.
Knowing about this surgery so far in advance almost makes things worse. Being on crutches is tough, but it’s the little things that really make it hard: getting groceries, carrying meals from the kitchen to the couch, going up and down my building’s front steps, getting in and out of cars, opening doors, just to name a few. Every day I am one day closer to losing the ability to do all those small things.
I am expected to be on crutches for 6 months, but that’s just an educated guess. If the bone takes longer than 6 months to heal, you’ll stay on crutches until the doctor’s feel comfortable letting you walk. Last time it took 7 months, I’m hoping this time I heal faster, or at least just as fast.
I know things will never be the same for me. I just hope after this next surgery and recovery period I’ll be able to resume my career and continue my life.