Day 21 Post Op: The Week I Fell Twice
Week 3 has been the hardest week so far. Not because of the pain alone, but because of the fear that came with it.
On Sunday, we went to the park again. I wanted fresh air, a change of scenery, something to break the routine of elevating, icing, and staying inside. But the moment I got out of the car, things went wrong.
I had my crutches on the wrong side which is on my right instead of my left, and as soon as I shifted my weight, I lost my balance. I fell forward, knee first, onto the soft ground. No injury, just a scare, but it shook me. I thought I was being careful. I thought I was getting better at transfers. Clearly, I wasn’t as stable as I believed.
At the park
Great sunny but windy weather on Sunday
The park entrance was downhill, and when it was time to go home, I fell again. This time I landed on my left wrist. The pain shot through my hand immediately. For a moment, I was terrified I had broken something. I sat there on the ground, holding my wrist, trying not to panic. The pain eventually eased, but the fear stayed.
Now I’m scared to go out. Not because I don’t want to try but because I don’t trust my body yet. I’m realizing I was probably using the wrong mobility device for uneven ground and slopes. Crutches on hills are a different challenge, and I wasn’t prepared for that.
The pain this week has been unpredictable. It jumps from an 8/10 to a 2/10 depending on movement, swelling, and how much the wound is stretching as it heals. It’s not constant, but it’s enough to remind me that my ankle is still fragile.
Then, as if the falls weren’t enough, I accidentally bumped my inner left ankle on the walker. The area was already swollen, and the impact made it worse. The inflammation increased, and every time I put my foot down, it turned dusky like the blood was pooling instantly. I had to elevate it right away to get the color back to normal. That part scared me too.
I’m still processing the fear. I’m still figuring out what mobility device is safest for me outside. I’m still learning how to move without rushing.
But I’m also reminding myself that setbacks don’t erase progress. Two falls don’t mean I’m back at zero. They just mean I need to adjust, slow down, and keep protecting my ankle while it heals.
Week 3 wasn’t pretty. And sometimes that’s the part worth sharing.
