This recovery is nothing like the last

So, after being with out the pain ball for 3 days now, I can confidently say that this recovery is NOTHING like last year's.  I think it's time to detail the differences between the two surgeries.

Details about the Left Foot:

The left foot was much worse than the right foot which is why I decided to have that foot operated on first.  For this foot, Dr. Nunley performed a calcaneal slide, cotton osteotomy,  lateral column lengthening, and achilles tendon stretching.  This is what my X-Ray looked like after surgery:

I stayed over night in the hospital for this procedure and went home with the pain ball that lasted two or three days.  Once the pain ball ran out of medicine I. was. in. AGONY. The pain was terribly excruciating.  There were times where I had to take three oxycodone at one time (one pill more than the recommended dose) because the pain was so unbearable (and don't worry, we called a pharmacist/ orthopaedic resident on call to make sure this was okay).  Bottom line, the pain on the left side was on the daily between a 7-8 on a scale of 1 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain of my life).

That screw is ~2 inches and it induced so much pain after I was out of the walking boot and back into a shoe, that I had to have a second surgery for them to remove the screw.  This surgery happened in December of 2012.  At that point I was a 21 year old female in college who had to get around campus on a mobility scooter and with a walking cane in my black and pink cushioned tennis shoes (I was the coolest, let me just tell you). So I was incredibly thankful the surgery worked and I didn't have any more heel pain!

Details about the Right foot:

For this surgery, Dr. Nunley performed a calcaneal slide, lateral column lengthening, and cotton osteotomy, but NO ACHILLES TENDON STRETCHING.

The pain level is a complete 180- Last year I was begggggggging for medicine.  This year, mom is beggggggging me to take the medicine.  There are two noteable differences to the procedure.  a) The Achilles was left untouched and b) to account for the screw complication last year, they used a headless screw this time.  I honestly chalk the no pain up to the fact that they didn't stretch my achilles because most of my pain was in that heel area.  I'm certainly thankful to be having a much different experience this time around.

Some other differences: preparation of my body before surgery

Before the surgery in May of 2012, I went to the gym 2 to 3 times a week for cardio and weight training.

I noticed my muscles atrophied pretty quickly and did not feel all that time in the gym helped at all.

Before the surgery in May of 2013, I did not go to the gym.  I did a little bit of strenuous activity in Physical Therapy for my left foot, but that's it.  I will admit I am more winded crutching from room to room, but I don't feel less strong.  I don't think I did a disservice to myself by not going to the gym is what I'm saying.  However, it is only day 6 since post op.

Speaking of Physical Therapy, you need to be prepared to undergo lots of Physical Therapy.
At first, I went to PT for Gait Training and Muscle Strengthening (because walking is totally different and your leg's been immobile for basically 3 months.  He helped with my gait training but muscle strengthening was limited due to the screw pain. So that was put on hold. He massaged and ultra sounded the tender areas of my foot which seemed to help.

Then I under went surgery

Then I went to PT at a different place that specializes in balance and a technique called the Graston technique (google it). That helped me a. LOT. as far as the pain management.  We then shifted the focus towards balance improvement and strength training to prepare me for surgery. I didn't get to go as often as I would have liked, but the little bit I did go seems to have helped a bit.

I also got to shower yesterday for the first time.  It was nice and refreshing and I don't feel like a dirty hobo anymore! Yay!  I think that's all for now.