This is what a left-foot should look like: | |
However, on 20/Mar/03, my foot looked like |
That darkened region just below the ankle (on the "head of the
talus")
is a giant
cell tumor.
Btw, this bone basically supports ALL of my weight;
it is therefore very important!
The good news is:
The bad news is:
(In "doctor-speak", I will be "uncomfortable".)
Btw, walking (without crutches) is a high-impact activity.
Assuming everything goes well:
30/May: I'm back from the hospital.
The good news is:
The bad news is:
I'm still feeling a bit weak but basically ok.
After they cut the holes in me, they had to close the wounds.
With staples! Honest!
(Note: these are a bit gruesome...)
Hip region
Left foot
16/June: The staples are out. Phew. They still do not know whether the graft will take.
1/July/03: Current views
Foot
Hip
Boot -- orthotic I need to wear 24/7, to
keep foot rigid and not supporting weight
Stay tuned for more, as it happens.
17/July/03: met with the surgeon, who tells me I am allowed
When I be allowed to put weight on my feet -- eg walk without crutches?
Dunno.
(Dunno == the surgeon won't tell me.)
But NOT before my next MD appointment, which is 18/Sept. Sigh.
Btw, my interpretation is... I will be cast-free once three things happen: (this was updated 18/Sept)
The bottom line is: The tumour is annoying, and I wish it had not happened.
However, I am also very grateful: this could have been MUCH MUCH worse.
I understand this tumour has essentially zero chance of metasticizing,
and there is an excellent chance of a complete recovery.
(Knock on wood.)
Had this happened 50 years ago, it would probably not have been detected and addressed, and chances are, I would have lost the use of this foot, permanently. I am grateful!
18/Sept/03:
I saw the surgeon today.
The graft is taking nicely.
Apparently there is a possible fracture at the back of the talus;
this is why I am not supposed to put stress on my foot.
This is also "trying hard to heal". Yeah.
So... I am now allowed to put up to 10lbs on my left foot.
(How do I do this?
... other than dropping my weight down to 20lbs total... :-)
And allowed to go biking, and told to go swimming, daily if possible. Ok.
Next appointment will be in December. X-ray foot and lungs, to make sure things continue to go well.
New estimate: this may take as long as 8 months to heal "completely".
4/Dec/03:
I saw the surgeon today.
The graft is taking nicely: the bone is growing through the graft (which
is good!).
The chest X-ray is negative -- ie, no sign of metastasis there
(again, this is GOOD!)
I should gradually add more weight ... eg, add another 10 lbs / week
... and get some exercise, like biking or swimming.
But no skiing, nor even putting full weight on the foot.
Figure another 6 months before things are more normal. Sigh. In the grand scheme of things, this is not bad... I keep telling myself.
29 Jan'04: After 6+ months using crutches, I started going solo. It felt weird at first, especially I kept trying to figure out what i was forgetting... Oh yes, the crutches... :-)
March'04: the "top" of my foot (talus) feels fine. But now my HEEL hurts. (Probably not that surprising, given that I am now putting weight on it, after > 1/2year of not.) Xrays show
Dec'04: Surgeon says: everything is going as well as possible!
May'05: Surgeon says: Try whatever you want!
May'07: Met with surgeon for the 5th year anniversary examination... and given a clean bill of health: That is, the chance of getting a recurrence is very low -- comparable to getting a tumor, at all!
Last update: 30/May/07