Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 53, Post Op Day 41

Good Bye Cast!!

Its been about 8 weeks since "the incident" and 6 weeks since the surgery. Today Kevin gets to lose the cast, and get his walking boot. Very excited to no longer need crutches.

BYE CAST!!

Leg Atrophy. 

Hello Walking Boot!!

fyi - its the same one that Kobe is wearing, so Kevin feels really cool. hahah 

There's a knob where you can inflate and deflate the boot. The silver bump is where you can "pump" up the boot. (just like those old pump basketball shoes) 

And after 8 weeks .. Kevin is WALKING!!! 

YAY!!!!!

Showering at the Gym.. one of life's great lessons

For years I wouldn't dare enter the gym showers with all the rumors of disease and bacteria. I was always one of those people who took really long showers like 20+ mins and always over packed. It would take me an average of 1 to 1.5 hours to get ready. I was never able to understand how a person could take a 2-5 min shower and get ready in 10 mins or less. Even when I tried to be quick, it never worked out.
 As odd as it sounds, I'm really glad I started showering at the gym.

I overcame my fear of the gym showers when I started swimming at they gym pool, (you really can't skip the showering part). After a week or so, I learned how to take a fast shower, because you  never know when someone is gonna "not know you're there" and open your shower door. And because its just too cumbersome to carry all the bathroom/makeup amenities, I learned how to bring just the necessities to the gym and find products with multiple uses, (ex. 3 in 1 shampoo, conditioner, and soap). Also getting ready at the gym, you need to be quick, else you'll get the death stare from other girl waiting for the mirror space.  (I'm also guilty of giving the stink eye to ladies who take up the whole counter and not just a spot.)

Its been years since I've spent a long time in the bathroom getting ready and I feel really proud of myself, as silly as it sounds.

Running in a Skirt?

While on my run today, I saw a girl running in a knee length pencil skirt, which a small slit in the back. Not one of those tennis or running skirts, an actual pencil skirt you could wear to church or work.

My immediate thought was, "huh, she must be new to this?"
Then I thought, "Maybe shes grabbing a quick jog during her break and didn't have time to change?" But in this heat, it'll be hard to get back to work not drenched in sweat..

As I watched her, I could tell she wasn't a rookie, which made me think more.. "could this probably be a new training method?"

With her minimalist running shoes, the pencil skirt forces her to shorten her gait and forcing her to have a forefoot strike. Genius!

I don't know if that was her actual purpose or she just wanted a quick jog before lunch.. but it was interesting to contemplate her motives and keep my mind occupied during mile 4.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to try it yet.. but its definitely something to think about.

First event for 2012

I know I said I wasn't going to race this year, but this is a new race from Nike (my beloved) and I just couldn't resist. Also its a 10k so I don't really have to worry about training for it. Its 80's themed so it'll be fun seeing bright neon colors and big hair. I wanted to dress up, but ended up not having enough time to plan an outfit.


Nike - She Runs LA 10K 


There's not much info online about it..except for a facebook page about it. https://www.facebook.com/NikeRunningLA/app_310399559009262

Some basic info


EVENT INFO

WHERE IS THIS RACE?
The race will begin and end at Paramount Studios, with an iconic out and back course along LA’s famed Melrose Ave.

PARAMOUNT STUDIOS
5555 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

WHAT TIME DOES THE RACE START?
The race starts at 10:00AM. Paramount gates will open at 8:00AM and runners are encouraged to carpool and arrive early.

Ruptured Achilles Tendon - Day 39 Post Op Day 27

Its been 6 weeks since the "incident" and about 4 weeks since Surgery. 

We got some 'good' news. The Doctor was aiming for 8 weeks in a cast, but we may be able to cut it down to 6 weeks (so 2 more weeks of a cast). Kevin was able to move a his foot from a 40 degree angle to  about 80-85 degrees right now. Originally, the doctor thought Kevin would only be able to move it to 60 degrees, but with his progress, hopefully in 2 weeks Kevin can go into a Boot and start weight bearing. 

I didn't think his leg would atrophy so much in just 6 weeks, but it did. His left leg is probably about 20-30% thinner now. 

I wasn't able to get a good shot because I didn't want to disrupt Dr. Smith working.  Also Dr. Smith has been really nice letting me get lots of photos in, and pausing so I can take photos. He must think I am one of those a crazy tourist that photograph everything.

Kevin looking happy to get a new cast.

Dr. Smith and The Saw that is going to cut off the cast. As creepy as it looks and sounds, it was actually safe to touch the moving blade. 

The Wound is healing well. 

Leg comparison. I wasn't able to get the legs side by side, next time. I'm sure in 2 weeks it will shrink even more. You can see how beefy his right leg is, and how smooth and delicate the left one looks. hehe 

Kevin's foot is placed on a contraption that allows him to bend his foot so Dr. Smith can recast him in that position. 

Almost at 90 degrees :) 

Recasted. 

We also asked Dr. Smith to lower the cast, so its not so high up on his calf to make things a little more comfortable. 

The Skin on Kevin's leg that was covered by the cast was by far the Grossest part for me! 

I don't mind looking at the wound, or pus, etc, but 6 weeks of skin not being able to shed by itself, left for Nasty-Flakey-Fish Scale looking skin. Thinking about it makes me want to vomit profusely. I made Kevin scrub the skin off. Begrudgingly, he did to stop me from shrieking and scaring the dog. lol. and NO I don't have a photo of the skin. 

Cast comparison