Free at Last!

I visited to the Orthopedist today and he has given me his blessing to take off the boot and start wearing regular shoes. In all honesty, I've been walking around without the boot for the past few days. It doesn't hurt much when I'm wearing shoes because those typically have a bit of a heel but walking barefoot still smarts. He said he wants me to start some PT for 2-6 weeks depending on how well I progress and then, toward the middle or end of November, I can get back on the ice.

My plan is to add walking back into my daily routine (I was doing 6,000 steps a day before the injury but I might now have to start slow and build back up to that), pick up my new boots and blades, and start back on the ice unofficially in mid to late November. Nothing fancy. Just edges mostly until I start feeling more capable. The last thing I want to do is re-injure myself and have to start from scratch. Then, I will make an official return to the ice in January (with a contract) and start back at lessons again. I figure two months will be enough to get comfortable again on the ice and get used to new skates.

I'm still planning on doing Sectionals in March and since I've been away from the ice I'll be keeping my Star Wars program because I won't have time to learn something new. However...I have ideas swimming around in my head for something fun for my next freeskate program. I already bought the dress and I'm thinking outside of the box on this one. Something....dark.

Update!

I had a follow-up appointment at the orthopedist's office today! He pretty much asked me if it still hurts and then felt my calf for a bit before making the declaration that I need to remain in the boot for another 3 weeks. At that time, he'll look at me again and consider removing one of the heel wedges in the boot to gradually get me walking normally again. This tells me he'll have me stay in the boot for some time after he removes the wedge. Sigh.

I'm getting around better, though, and he gave me his blessing to walk in the boot without having to use crutches. But he ordered me to rest when I can and avoid moving as much as possible. Basically, I should only walk when necessary.

I'm bored out of my mind, though. I haven't sat around this much in a long time. But, I'm getting a lot of reading done on the weekends since I really have nothing else to do on my days off.

So yeah, I'm still in the boot and then I'll be in the boot for some time after that. I am a prisoner of the boot...