To "selectively" follow doctor's orders?

[CallMeExhausted]

Abbreviated version of annoyingly long back story.

I broke my foot in early September, however after being casted both in a walking cast and non-weight bearing, it was showing no sign of healing. At the beginning of December, I had an op where it was reassembled with a plate and half a dozen screws.

I followed the surgeon's directions to the tee - no weight at all on that foot for 6 weeks, and then 2 weeks ago he gave me the "go ahead" to bear full weight as long as I was in my walking boot again.

I am still behaving myself, but admittedly getting a little tired of this. I saw him again yesterday, and he advised me that there is still no sign of the bone knitting at all. He wants me to continue to walk, but less - although I haven't been doing much over the last two weeks.

He is starting to talk about me requiring more surgery, including a bone graft. Of course, this is not going to happen immediately.

So - here is where it gets complicated. I see the surgeon again in basically two weeks. Two weeks from today, I am due to take a desperately needed weekend trip to see friends I have not seen in years. I have a disabled child, and this will be the first time I have taken time for myself in nearly a decade.

If I go, understandably, there will be a lot of walking. If I don't, it is doubtful that I will have this opportunity again for years.

Of course, I will try to limit myself a bit, but am I foolish to be going at all?

If you were in my shoes (or, more accurately, shoe and walking boot), what would you do?

not go, or go on crutches and not put weight on the foot too often Don't behave irresponsibly.

Could you hire a mobility scooter? (If suitable terrain)

Please don't go. A non Union fracture is dangerous and anything you might do to stress the bone may impair healing

Probably what you're going to do and spend the aftermath being fed up the my foot still isn't right.
If thereâ??s any way you can reschedule the much longed for trip, the sensible hat says try and do that. The other bit of the sensible hat ( too tired for workable metaphors ) suggests contacting the surgeon and falling on their mercy for advice. I really sympathise. Being floored by this sort of thing is wretched.

Why would you go and run the risk that your foot won't/may never heal properly? It's too risky.

You could do a shit load of damage to your foot and put yourself out of commission for a long time. A very long time. Any chance of getting a wheelchair or mobility scooter? If not, I'd definitely not go.

Sadly, rescheduling isn't an option, as it practically took a miracle for me to get the supportive care for my DD scheduled to cover her while DH is at work and I am attending an event when I travel.

I see the surgeon the day before I go, so I will do my best to follow orders until then, and if I have to take my crutches along, I will.

He isn't restricting weight bearing now - the fracture has been nonunion essentially since September. As long as I am in the boot, breaking the titanium plate is unlikely, it is just that he home itself is not showing even primary signs of healing.

I guess one thing that is really bothering me is that when I broke it, I had been training to run my first half marathon (a "bucket list" thing).

That is not how I broke it, though. Anyhow, the surgeon told me yesterday that my running days are through. After losing over 13 stone and starting to run (DD and I do races together - I push her wheelchair) this was something I had really developed a love for. Being told I will not be able to continue has been very disappointing.

Perhaps I am having a bit of a tantrum over it.

I can't see him suggesting that I don't travel, but I may end up back on crutches for the trip.

I don't trust myself on a mobility scooter

I would go but just try and keep the walking to a minimum. Why is there so much walking. I think I would tell my friends that you can't walk far. Seeing them is important so I would try and make it work the best you can. Do you have crutches still?

I'm sorry about your foot, but losing that amount of weight is incredible!

Ask your friends to change the agenda so that there is less walking planned; I'm sure they'd rather make adjustments to the trip than risk you either not being able to go or doing yourself long-term damage.

I have been keeping them abreast of the lack of progress with my foot. I will ask if there is any way we can change some of the activities of the weekend. Fortunately, I do still have crutches, so it is a fall back if I need it.

And thanks, Dognado. It took a while, and I still have a bit more to lose, but right now I am concentrating on not gaining. I am looking forward to being cleared for physiotherapy - this sitting on my hind end thing is tedious.

Get a mobility scooter if you can for some of it. I borrowed one at a stately home a couple of years ago when I broke my foot - was amazing fun - did slow-motion donuts down the lime-tree path .

Go, but take it easy. So take a couple of books with you and resign yourself to maybe only doing half the active stuff - hang out/go easy walking in the morning and then sending your friends out for the afternoon whilst you rest with a book and a cocktail.

FWIW my broken foot took 4 months to get the sign of from the consultant - and I started running properly after it had healed (never really run before). Am not a great runner but I can pound away a couple of 10Ks per week with no problem. You may get to run again. I shall keep my fingers crossed for you!

What activities are planned? Can you go but sit out some of the activities? You'll still get to see your friends but without risking your foot.

Hi OP. I had a non-uniting fracture some 30 years back, and the surgeon was adamant that there was to be no weight-bearing until 6 weeks after the bone graft. He showed me a few cautionary photos, rightly believing a male biker in his early 20s needed frightening.
Congratulations on the weight loss btw. But...I weighed 10st 2 when I broke the leg, and at 6'1" was undernourished. There may (and you can flame me if I'm wrong) be a dietary thing going on with the non-union.

Good luck with it.

Go on the weekend but sit out the activities. Take a great book and wait for them in nearby cafes or the accommodation.

Nothing to do with the topic but just wanted to say that you sound amazing! Caring for your daughter, losing all that weight - wow. Inspiring x

why does there have to be alot of walking? can the plans for the weekend be altered to accommodate your needs?

Thanks to all of you. I have spoken with the friend that I am staying with while I am visiting. I told her about the conversation with the consultant, and she has reassured me that we will amend plans to ensure that I don't overdo it.

That is a huge reassurance - and hopefully my last appointment with the consultant before I travel will bring good news.

Thank you for all of the positive comments.

Hope you have a lovely time! :) Bugger re. your foot not mending though :(

Am intrigued that you won't trust yourself on a mobility scooter - they don't go that fast sadly, I think they're mostly restricted to around 4mph, aren't they? And have 4 wheels, so no balance issues...

Thumb - I borrowed a scooter at the market when I was still under order not to bear weight - while trying to turn in the aisle, I managed to knock most of the contents off a shelf. I am a hazard

quietly Yes to eating meat (and please do not try to convince me that meat in my diet is causing issues - humans would not have canines and incisors if we were not intended to eat meat) but no on smoking.

I ran into my GP in the shops a couple of days ago - she saw I was still in the boot and asked me if I was taking NSAIDs as they can slow bone healing. Sadly, can't even blame that.

I am excited that my friends are willing to amend some of the plans to make sure I am included, and am trying to remain optimistic that the consultant will have good news when I see him in 2 weeks.

I would go but explain you can't do much or any walking.

Not worth the risk.