Saw Physio Piotr this week – he’s a hard task-master and confirmed that my ankle had indeed improved… but it was not good enough. After exercise/walking, I am getting some pain to either side of my heel. This, says Piotr, is because I need to exercise/stretch/strengthen the plantar fascia (connective tissue at the arch of the foot) – so it’s back to rolling the spikey foot-ball – and adding another 5 minutes to my physio regime….
In about a week’s time, it will be 5 months since the op… so…. stock-take: the doc said that it will be around 9 months-1 year before I’m back to normal… and yes, I’m not back to normal (yet)…. but, I can walk, even if not as far as I use to; I can drive and I can cycle. I’m back at the gym (tho’ not running…. but I didn’t do a whole lot of that anyway). I can now reach up and get things off high shelves (which I couldn’t do so easily a few weeks ago) – I can’t stay on tip-toe for very long and when I try, I can feel the lack of strength. Jumping… I discovered I could do a slightly wobbly jump down from a stile when I went on a walk in the lovely Sheffield countryside with (bro-in-law) Jon the other day… so yes, I’m on my way to jumping. Since the massaging and more regular exercising, I have next to no swelling of the ankle – which means it moves more easily….. so, I’m hopeful that things are on track.
We met an inspirational Mr. Wainwright on our country walk… not THE (deceased/Lake District) Mr. Wainwright of course… but a (60-something?) Mr. Wainwright, former Hounslow school teacher, runner/athlete and Olympic torch-bearer… who was walking along supported by 2 walking sticks and a loyal friend who was encouraging him along. He had survived falling down the stairs and breaking his neck ‘at the hangman’s joint’ (presumably the one they aim for to make sure you die) 5 years ago… and he was still trying and getting further every day….and not giving up.
Piotr is taking a holistic approach to my problem, including my posture, and says there really is only one solution… I have to pretend I’m Kate Moss. Err… you mean I have to lollop along deliberately placing one foot directly in front of the other???..and swishing my hair? I said. Nooo… says Piotr… you must do this… and he pushes his chin in, head slightly down so he’s doing the pilates ‘string at the back of the head’ thing and he pulls his stomach in and thrusts his pelvis forward…have no idea how this will look on me, but if you spot someone striding the streets of south London looking like Kate Moss… that will probably be…. Kate Moss….
jx
Ain't we got it made? 