On April 12 I had ankle surgery. The surgeon found lots of damage. A patch of arthritis and a couple of ganglion cysts were removed, a tear in one of my tendons was repaired and a rather large (as the surgeon called it) bone spur was burred off.

But perhaps the thing that will affect my ankle the most was that the surgeon “tightened up” my ankle ligaments. He used what is called the “pants over vest” method which basically means he folded the ligaments over on themselves and then stitched ‘em up real good. The recovery time for this procedure is six weeks, non-weight bearing, in a cast.

I went with red.

I am especially happy for the invention of knee scooters because even with their faults (they really need a tighter turning radius) it is certainly better than six weeks on crutches, ugh.

I had all kind of plans for what I would do with my recovery time. I’ve been meaning to type a few new recipes into my menu planner (and organize the ones I already have a little better). I was going to fix all of the photos that went missing when I had to move my blog. I was going to take an online Photoshop class. The thing is, all these plans I had involved the computer and I quickly found that if I sat at my desk at the computer my ankle swelled up inside my cast and it made me miserable. I tried moving my laptop and working with it on the couch (so I could keep my ankle elevated) but It just wouldn’t work for me. My back hurt, my wrist hurt, my elbow hurt. It just wasn’t meant to be.

I wish I was more of a reader because this would obviously have been a great time to get some reading done, but for some reason the only time I really enjoy reading is when I am camping (and then I can’t get enough of it). I did devour a stack of magazines that a friend dropped off with my husband and I caught up on 10 or so Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season eight comic books (which were great). I also kept on on Food Blogs which let me enjoy the start of spring produce vicariously.

I spent a lot of time watching TV. I generally watch quite a bit of TV but I had it on almost all the time while I was recovering. I also spent time on Twitter and Facebook. I can count on one hand the number of times I left the house in six weeks and while I had some visitors they were few and far between. I felt completely cut off from the outside world so my social media outlets helped me to fell a little more connected. It’s funny because my job involves me being alone a lot of the time but I guess the two minutes I spend talking to my produce guys and the checkers and baggers at the grocery store are important to my sanity. I can definitely say I can’t see myself becoming agoraphobic any time soon.

I’m grateful that my Mom came to help me out in the few days right after my surgery. It was  especially difficult to get around the first few days so having someone there during the day (when my husband was at work) was wonderful. I’m also grateful for the friends that did come by. Visits from Nicole, Dawn, Cathy and Irene lifted my spirits immeasurably.

I’ve always considered myself lucky for finding the man I call my husband but in the last six weeks he has been amazing. So patient with my requests (especially on my cranky days), fetching me whatever I might need. Meals, beverages, blankets, even lilacs from the back yard. Whatever I asked for I received. He made my recovery so much easier.

I’ve been out of my cast and in a walking boot for two days. So much better (but not without it’s own difficulties). I get my next box of goodies from Full Circle Farm on Wednesday. I can hardly wait to get back in the kitchen (the stove is actually dusty) and back to cooking up yummy meals.