Hi all:

Just wanted to update on Alan’s foot. We just came back from Beth Israel for his follow up. They did not take out the stitches. Next week. He has a big incision on his calf. I asked his doctor what the name of the muscle that was operated on. This is the name and a short description.


GASTROCNEMIUS

In humans, the gastrocnemius (pronounced /ˌgæs.trɑkˈni.mi.əs/) muscle is a very powerful superficial muscle that is in the back part of the lower leg and also called the calf. It runs from its 2 heads just above the knee to the heel, and is involved in standing, walking, running and jumping. Along with the soleus muscle it forms the calf muscle.

As you know, he was in a Cam Walker previously. I brought that with me today to show the doctor. The doctor quietly said: “no, that’s crap, we have a new one that’s perfect for Alan”.

Here’s the photo of his previous Cam Walker



And here’s the new member of our family!!






He’s still uses the wheelchair to get around our apartment because the doctor doesn’t want him too much on the foot. But at least he can get up and down by himself.

Just thought I would share. This one goes all the way almost to the knee. His pants are hiding the top of the boot. Big difference in the shoe boot thing, don’t you think??

Oh, if any of you want to laugh your head off, I posted all about what happened to us today at Beth Israel. On Social Chat forum. Very funny.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...321#post227321

HI Mel!
Sounds like Alan is doing good now from his surgery.....glad he has the new boot and is doing so well! Hooray for new surgeries and technology!!

Roxie:

How come, everytime I look at the photo of the NEW boot, it reminds me of a duck???

lol

That was like my boot I was in for 4 months the grey one. Brings back bad and painful memories. Don't loose the pump. I thought I did and they said it would cost the same as a whole new boot. Hope he is doing better though.

Alan can't use the pump. And I'm not losing it. I'll put it someplace safe.

When the guy was explaining the boot to him, he said: "do you see these two air hoses here, and Alan said 'yes, and the guy brings out this pump thing and it has inflate on one side and deflate on the other side. So he began to inflate (whatever it was he was inflating). I think they are called cells.

He told Alan. "Be careful, and when you start to feel the inflation, that's when you stop inflating". Alan said: "well, I don't feel my feet so I can't feel what you are doing". The guy immediately deflated whatever he was inflating, and said: 'Don't do this, you don't need to do it now, because you are all wrapped up. I forgot that you have neuropathy (this was the orthotics guy). He had read his chart and then he explained. "Because you can't feel it when you inflate it, it's just better not to inflate".

So the little pump is sitting on my kitchen table.

I'll tell you, we did more laughing today with all the shenanigans that went on at Beth Israel. What a beautiful medical center.

How long will he have to wear that snazzy boot for Mel ?