Oct 27th 2013 Skydive Landing

It was a peaceful Sunday (Oct 27th 2013) when I made my trip down to Belen, New Mexico where I would do my 9th skydive. I was in training and was progressing well. All my thoughts were focused on my next jump. It was time to head up in the plane with my coach. We went over the Skydive several times in our heads and we were ready to go.

At 10,500 feet we made our exit and started our free fall. while falling I practiced a few things and then at 5,000 feet I opened my canopy. Everything was moving along nicely. I stayed in my approach for a few minutes and then started my normal cadence for landing. All is going perfectly. At about 300 feet I made my final approach and started to look for my landing place. It looked at that time I was going to nail it in the center of the landing area. As I kept descending I focused on keeping my knees together, slightly bent so I could prepare for a PLF( Parachute Landing Fall). Finally it was time to flair my canopy and land. I brought my toggles all the way down to my waist and prepared myself to touch earth again.  Everything seemed perfect and then at the very last second I saw this pile of dirt (berm) and thought to myself, "I'm going to land on this sucker and I hope its sturdy". Just then bam. I felt my left ankle go right away. I know I made a huge grunt as I flew back up into the air and flew forward. It seemed like I flew up 10-15 feet again. I thought to myself , OH NO,dam I have to land again. I hit the earth with my whole body and hollered in pain.
There were three people on the ground watching my landing. Unfortunately the camera I had to video my landings was not on. I immediately hollered for help. What was a shocker to me was, why was a berm of dirt left in a drop zone? I later found out that when they plowed the drop zone into the zia symbol , they had left the berm at the edge of one of the designs rectangles. No wonder they were on the radio telling someone at the hanger to get out to the drop zone and bring a shovel to knock down the berm of dirt I hit. It should of never been left there.

Help arrived quickly and we could see that my left ankle was toast. My right ankle didn't feel so bad.  I was hoping it was only my left ankle that got damaged. I'm very thankful for the people who helped me. One guy (Sean) who was  with me on the skydive is a Para-Medic (as in Parachute)  in a special ops unit. He was fantastic in helping me stay calm and he checked all my vitals. I was soon loaded up into the DZ van and brought back to the hanger where we met the ambulance crew. After getting inside the ambulance I was given an IV and they started some pain medication. We kept both legs stable for the 30 mile ride to UNM hospital.

Upon my arrival at UNMH I was brought to xray. I still gave out hope that I had nothing but a sprain in my right ankle.  It turned out not only was the left ankle broke in 3 places but I also had broken the Fibula just below the knee, and  I also broke my right ankle in three places as well. The medical term for breaking an ankle in three places is called, " Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture".  Both  ankles would be needing surgery and the news wasn't good.

Trimalleolar Fracture

It was now time for me to have the ankles/leg set so a splint could be put on. That's when a crash cart and 5 guys walked into the ER with a portable x-ray machine. I was given a heavy dose of drugs and they started their work on my legs. After about an hour of cranking on my legs there were set. (See Photo 1.)

Photo 1. Time to set the broken ankles.

Night one in the hospital was spent with no sleep at all. I kept reliving the accident and thinking what I could of done differently. They were also preparing me for surgery the following morning. I knew I was in for it but I didn't know to what extent. I heard everything from I may lose my left foot to you will need to have an external effixor installed.

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 5

Photo 4

It was now Monday one day after I hit the earth and busted up two good ankles. I was brought down to the  ER operating room and filled with more drugs. Drugs to block my nerves to my feet and drugs to put me under for my 5 hour surgery. After finally coming out of surgery I was presented with a dose of reality in the form of some pictures. See photos 2, 3, 4 and 5. Two plates in each with about nine screws in each.

I spent 5 days in the hospital before being told I could go home. I was equipped with a wheel chair and a transfer board. I was still being heavily medicated so it all felt sort of normal.That was until I saw the huge splints on my ankles and the pain started in after the block wore off. Talk about pain. It was intense and a 10.

Photo 6- first appointment Post Op

Photo 7 -first set of 3 sets of casts.

I finally got home only to have everything in my life turned upside down. I had to remove doors, figure out how to get into bed, I had to figure out everything you need to live in a new way.  I was now upset, depressed and medicated heavily using Oxy.  Seven days later I finally got my first post operative visit with my surgeon and had some new casts put on. (See Photos 6 and 7)


Time is moving slowly. Weeks 2, 3 4 and 5:

I'm fortunate enough to have a job where I work full-time from home. It didn't take me but one day to maneuver my workstation around so I could start working and feel somewhat normal again.  Once home I made sure I could get into the bathroom. The hospital gave me a wide wheel chair to take home. This wheelchair was much too wide for me to get into any normal size doorways so I purchased a wheel chair that didn't have the width to make it easier around the house. I found that insurance companies don't take into consideration as to how one will make it on their own once released from the hospital. Meaning, if you live alone, are self sufficient, your sort of out of luck and you will have to figure out everything on your own. Luckily for me I didn't have to go on short term disability.

Photo 8- sutures in back of legs

It was onto week Two. Another appointment to get my stitches removed and again new casts put on. I couldn't believe how many sutures I had in each leg (40) and I about passed out after my casts were cut off. (See Photo 8) . I never had enough time being out of the casts. My feet looked awful and my calfs had shrunk to nothing. Remember this is all normal and it will come back.

It was week Three where the pain would hit me spurts. I would get these god awful shock pains on the top of my feet especially at night.This pain lasted about four weeks and finally started to subside. One helpful prescription for these shock pains was LRYICA. I finally got off the OXY and that in itself was a difficult thing to do. I had become dependent of it and I didn't want to be so I quit cold turkey. I also started working out my upper body at home and started doing air leg cycles and lifts  to get some strength back into my legs. You have to get strong or you will not heal. also, during week three I used some sleep meds to get rest I wasn't nearly getting enough of. They helped but I still had a heck of a time falling a sleep. Eventually I found ways to fall asleep but to this day (Week Seven) I still have a heck of a time falling asleep. I'm hoping this will correct itself over time.

Week Five

I had another visit with my surgeon. I was really hoping he would tell me we didn't need the casts on any longer that was wishful thinking on my part because I was told to keep wearing the casts and that I could walk out of the office in week nine. I was lucky enough to have a new set of casts put on. This is now my third and final set of casts.  Because of the holidays,  (Christmas and New Year) it  meant me being in the casts an extra week but it also meant I would also walk out of the office my next visit.  This all sounds great to me and I guess time will tell.  It was week five where I started to get comfortable being in a wheel chair. I know it sounds crazy for me to say I'm comfortable being in a wheelchair but it amazes me how we adapt to some of the worse conditions we are put in. The main thing is to stay positive and try to work through what your given. Never say , "I can't". Staying strong is also vital to recovery. Get yourself some whey protein and drink it everyday. The amino acids in the protein promote healing especially the amino acid named ,"Arginine".

Week Six and Seven

Pretty much of the same. One thing getting me now is this pain that is on my left foot below my big toe. I mean when it hits me it cripples me. I have no idea what it is but I'm think it is called, "Metatarsalgia".The pain will last for 4-5 seconds and then go away. A minute or two later it will hit me again. It been doing this five days now but improving. It doesn't do it all the time either. I know I have much more movement in my casts now as the swelling has gone way down. I'm thinking its because I'm moving my toes further and there is still much more healing happening. 

I'm now going to the gym three days a week and working my upper body. I have always been dedicated to working out ever since I was 19 years old. I'm now 55 and haven't missed but a few workouts in all those years. Its vital for my own sanity and mental freedom, not to mention it helps with everything in life including healing.  I'm thankful I have had the support to get to the gym from a friend.

Week Eight 

I will be heading into week eight  tomorrow. The little pain in my foot pad is still grabbing me from time to time. I don't get it. My sleep is still off and hasn't been normal in the eight weeks since the accident. I use to take naps and fall a sleep in minutes , bit now its like Im constantly awake. I'm hoping that once I start walking, doing cardio and staying out of a wheelchair things will fall into place again as far as sleeping goes.

Week Nine (Dec 29, 2013)

This is the week in which I was told by my surgeons the casts will come off and I will walk out of the office. This lead me to think,  how will I walk out of the office? in what? with what? and what about physical therapy? I'm sure I will know so much more come this Thursday (Jan 2 2014). 

My feet feel good. I don't have any pain anymore and I feel that my feet have shrunk inside the casts. I have found new use for a tongue scraper as well. Put some lotion on it and slide it between your feet and the cast and magic happens. I'm also flexing my calf muscles and I'm still doing air leg lifts and cycles. All these movements can be nothing but helpful when I do walk again. I so much want this week to be over with and the New Year to begin.

Finally its Jan 2nd 2014. Today I go in to see my surgeon, get xrays and hopefully get out of these casts. I'm nervous because I expect more change and I'm not sure what the new change will bring.

I now have some boots along with crutches and I will use this combination for a month. The x-rays showed that I was healing fine. Its great to be out of the casts. I do realize I have some more obstacles to overcome in the next few months. I was told by my surgeon that Physical Therapy will not be needed but I could do it on my own. He informed me the best PT is walking. I was given the go ahead to pedal the recumbent bike. Its weird how the feet feel in their new home. Its hard to describe. I was able to soak them in some warm water last night. This easily took off the nasty hard skin that formed over the time. My next appoint is Feb 5th 2014. Im told to bring street shoes.

Week Ten (Jan 5 2014)

I knew this new phase (Crutches and Walking boots) was going to be tough but not this tough. My feet hurt like a muther. Each day I walk on the feet its get a little better. All the dead skin is gone and the muscles and tendons are finding their way back. Its takes TIME!!! Be patient, yea right me? LOL. Ive been looking into getting a foot massager but what I should do is crank up my spa heat and start putting my feet in it. Being my next appointment isn't till another month I have to find ways to heal. I'm told walking is the best thing for healing. It seems odd but NO PT was prescribed. I agree with this stance because sometimes its what is right below our noses that helps us the most and in this case its walking. One item I bought to get some blood circulating in my feet is a ucomfy foot and calf massager. I use it two times a day for 15 minutes.

Week Eleven (Jan 12 2014)

Still having some pain where the sutures were on the left ankle inside. I have applied some mole skin and Im currently massaging the scar to loosen up the tissue.  The right ankle is in better shape in the I don't have any of this irritation pain. I also notice that I can touch my heal to the ground on the right leg more easily then on the left side. The left is just stiffer and I'm hoping in time it will loosen up. Been going to the gym and doing some recumbent bicycling with NO load for about 10 minutes. I wish things were moving along faster but it is what it is and all I can do is keep moving forward.

Week Twelve (Jan 19 2014)

Much of the same. I do feel like I can walk without crutches in the boots now but havent done so. Also, when I spa my feet at night , I cannot sleep well. My feet get all tingly after a spa. Im not sure why that would even happen. I have been hitting the gym and riding the recumbent bike about 10 minutes every other day. Im also doing some very light leg extensions and abductor work. I can now see my veins again in my feet which indicates to me that the swelling has been greatly reduced. Im still icing them and elevating them as needed. 

Week Thirteen (Jan 26 2014)

I think these two photos tell a good story about healing. Much of the same this week but with one added bonus, I did drive a short distance and it went well. Being I can drive for the first time in 13 weeks was a huge step forward.

Week Fourteen (Feb 2, 2014)

Big week as I see my Surgeon on Feb 5 2014. Im hoping to be walking out of there in my street shoes. I get all kinds of numbness and strange feeling after a hard day. I've been massaging them the best I can and working the tendons and muscles in a hot tub.  Im using my ultra sound to work them as well.  The ankles are very stiff and I suspect it will be awhile before I have total relief.
Update:
Back from my appointment. The bones have healed and everything is in place. Told I can walk around house in street shoes but have to wear some lace up braces. If I go out for anything that will take lots of walking that I should wear the air casts. Can start using the Eliptical in a couple weeks. Also, I was given a prescription to start Physical Therapy.  I plan on starting PT very soon. I hear its going to be painful. Oh well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'am now wearing two ankle lace up braces and tennis shoes. I'm glad PT is starting this Thursday Feb 13th.

Week Sixteen (Feb 16, 2014)

Although I'm getting movement back they are still very stiff. The right one has a pretty good pain in the inside just below the ankle knob that hurts while moving the ankle backwards towards my leg. Sort of has me worried. I beleive its tendon but I'm not sure. I have my second PT session tomorrow. I have been doing my exercises on my own with some pain involved. I feel like I'm at about 50%. I just have to keep working them to bring back the full range of movement. Feb 19th I saw surgeon again about pain in right foot, he told me that their was nothing was nothing to worry about.

Week Seventeen (Feb 23, 2014)

This past week was a downer. I could hardly walk on Wednesday. This is contributed to the hurt I'm getting in my right ankle in that specific location. I have since backed down in what I'm doing in PT. I'm now wearing a brace again on this ankle only.  It feels like a hurt tendon and i'm debating whether or not to see my surgeon again. I'm going to give it some more time but if no relief is felt in another week , I will need to see him again. I have since cut back on the range of motion exercises hoping some rest will do it good.

Week Eighteen ( March 2 2014)

Pain in right foot has been pretty intense. I have since made an appointment for a second opinion on Weds. I could hardly walk Friday or Saturday of last week, started wearing the air cats again. Since I have started, I have already noticed the pain is less. So until Wednesday I have no idea as to what happening in that one spot. March 5 , went for a second opinion on pain in right foot. Looks like its tendon inflammation. This could be the direct result of getting on my two feet without any support and working it to hard. We injected the hurt area and I will see the doc in two weeks. Fingers crossed. Oh and no more PT.

March 24, 2014
Received another shot of Cortisone in the right ankle on March 20th. The last shot left me 50% better and were hoping this one will get me close to 100%. I need to get rid of the grabbing pain in the right foot that got worse by doing PT  a few weeks back. If this shot doesn't kick it then we will have to take some photos to see if anything else can be done. Its a setback but not major. Im walking in tennis shoes and my feet get stiff still.

March 31,2014
Seem to be progressing well since the last injection in my right ankle on March 20th. I hoping I have hit the peak and I'm now on my way. Time is going to tell.

April 21,2014
Finally got my MRI completed and the results are in. Looks like that besides all the broken bones in my ankle I also have some mild tearing in two main tendons. I will be seeing my second doctor on Tuesday to discuss what the plan is. I suspect nothing will be done and its going to take some time to heal.

May 7, 2014
I saw my Surgeon and he also looked over the MRI. They also took some new xrays. His suggestion was to get a specially made brace made for the right foot. So....Ill be doing that very soon.

May 15, 2014
Had my appointment done for my specially made brace I will be wearing the rest of my life or until 1) a none fusion is done 2) An ankle replacement is done. My consultant knew exactly why I was having pain in the right foot. A major ligament inside the right foot area isn't bring my foot back into a straight position after I step. The new brace will help with this movement.

Aug 6 ,2014

I folded up the wheel chair yesterday. Im currently  wearing a springer brace on my right foot to help the ligaments to their job of keeping my foot straight when I walk. I'm walking more and more each day without pain. The pain was primarily in my right ankle due to me breaking my tib/fib in 1990. This affected the alignments of the bones I broke in the ankle. I seriously think the road to recovery is well over a year. I mean before you really start to feel some what normal again. Dont rush it. I did that with PT and that was a huge mistake.

The Future

As things progress I plan on keeping you informed via this blog. I'm writing this to help others who may have been thrown into a similar situation. My hope is to make life a little easier during recovery of TWO broken legs. So much is written about people with one broken leg but not so much with two. Breaking one is bad enough but two brings on a whole new set of obstacles.

Feel free to leave a note.

Thanks