Late yesterday I called my doctor and told his nurse either they can remove the cast or I am going to. I told them I have claustrophobic tendencies and this cast is really starting to get to me. The first nurse I spoke to said don't worry it happens all the time. The second nurse said if I take it off on my own they would document it. I told her to document all you want but it's coming off. They had us come in today at 9:00 to remove the hard cast and put me in a boot. I called my brother last night since he had a similar surgery a year ago and he said he was never in a hard cast. I asked the nurse why they didn't just have me go to the boot in the first place and she said Dr. Schwartz is very conservative and likes the hard cast on for 2-4 weeks and then puts the boot on.
The one good thing is I was going to take the cast off the exact same way they removed it. I told her I was going to take it off in such a way that I could duct tape it back on in order to survive until February 14th. I am not sure I believe this but she told Huli and I that a man took a cast off of his arm with a circular saw that ended up costing him his hand. I told her I was going to use a utility knife with the blade only exposed 1/8" so it would just barely go through the fiberglass cast. I was then going to hinge the cast and then wrap it with duct tape. She kind of laughed and said I had obviously thought about it quite a bit.
The boot actually seems to immobilize my ankle as much as the hard cast but it has straps on it so you can remove it if you feel the need. Just knowing I can remove it allows me to wear it with no problem.
Jack
A journal written about life, retirement and our journey throughout the United States in a 5th wheel, along with our two Shih Tzus, Tanner and Syndey. Written not for notoriety but for our sons, family and friends, so they know where we are at any given time. And particularly for ourselves. Finally, we get to slow down and smell the roses and we don't want to forget any of it. You are welcome to join us as we go 'Down the Road a Piece'.
