Fracture Follow-up

November 19th, I saw the VA doctor for a followup on my fractured foot - not good.

Radiology says there is "little significant change" since the X-rays in October. Even with Large doses of Calcium and Vitamin D3 and the use of the electronic Bone Growth Stimulator, "little significant change".

I'm still supposed to stay off of it unless "absolutely necessary" Non-weight bearing and mostly bed rest.

To top things off, because of the use of a walker to keep the weight off of my foot (and the last two races), I have tendonitis in my previously injured right arm.

This is starting to SUCK!

Next up - Endocrinology and Wheelchair clinic in December ... and a fracture follow-up in January.

Happy Birthday - the followup

Yesterday, I was called in by the VA ... to pickup a temporary wheelchair. They REALLY want me to stay off of the fractured foot!

After that, I had an appointment with my Primary Care ...

My B12, D3 and ... were low. Consult to endocrinology, prescribe D3, ...

Had concerns about lack of healing in my foot. Wasn't happy about the CT and Dexa Scans of my Spine. Prescribed Alendronate Sodium 70mg once a week.

This has not been a good week for me.

Just what I needed

As previously blogged, I have no sensation in my feet. Yesterday, I stepped onto an uneven surface - but the lack of sensation didn't warn me that it was uneven ... AND that my foot was NOT firmly planted. Therefore, I almost fell - when my left foot twisted under.

I knew it was injured - because for the first time in years I felt pain ... LOTS of it. I applied ice packs and hot compresses and had no swelling or bruising - initially. I sent a secure message to my Primary Care at the Tallahassee VA just to cover myself, but didn't expect to need any further contact.

This morning, I could barely walk and the least amount of pressure was excruciating. There was also some swelling and bruising - therefore, I called the Tallahassee VA and left a voice mail for my Primary Care.

I was called back within a few minutes - X-rays were ordered; come over right now.

You know it isn't good when the X-ray Tech tells you to wait and brings a wheelchair because - Your foot IS broken!

Now I have this:

and a walker ... and orders to stay off of it!

For those interested, I have a 'Jones Fracture'.

Follow-up

Since I never heard back from my Neurologist, I called the Gainesville VAMC yesterday. My Neurologist was a Resident/Fellow from Shands ... and graduated and no longer was associated with the VA; they had to assign a new Doctor to my case; he would review things during my follow-up appointment in OCTOBER; call my Primary Care Physician in Tallahassee; yada yada.

Needless to say that was frustrating.

I sent a Secure Message to my Primary Care Physician at the Tallahassee VAOPC ... and the Nurse noted that I had contacted Neurology at Gainesville, so the matter should be resolved. o/O

I responded back that it wasn't resolved, and called the Patient Advocate for my Region - and had to leave a Voice Mail and was told it may take up to 48 HOURS for them to respond.

It only took 24 hours for the Patient Advocate to respond. They contacted Neurology ... My October appointment has been moved up to September (something 'impossible' yesterday); I have a new Doctor assigned, but he is out today (but is supposed to contact me tomorrow); yada yada.

My Primary Care Physician called - he is filling the prescription that the out-going Doctor failed to fill; told me the new Doctor's name and verified that he has a message waiting for him; yada yada.

I feel a little better about things now - I was falling through a crack and managed to patch it up some. Now I just need to see where we go with the CT Scans of my Spine that show "Significant Abnormalities - Attention Required"