Thanks mr_90proof. At this point, I don’t think there is a cast color I haven’t had. The only color I really don’t care for is white because it gets dirty so easily. I may end up telling my surgeon to surprise me.
This last week has been a whirlwind with multiple appointments. The biggest was my pre op appointment for surgery next week. I’m including a pic of the part of the consent detailing everything getting done. It’s a lot, and I’m starting to mentality prepare for what’s coming.
I’ve been talking to my back doctor regarding how to manage my back through this. I will have to really decrease my brace wearing time for the first week or so to avoid any post op respiratory complications, and no nighttime wear while taking heavy narcotics. Is a bit frustrating considering all I’ve done to get use to wearing it full time. My hope is that I can obtain good pain management quickly without having to rely on narcotics too long so I don’t lose too much of the stabilization and correction I have already accomplished.
I also had a routine appointment with my oral maxillofacial surgeon who has been working with my orthodontist through my journey. Unfortunately, the elastics that I had to start wearing again have created a TMJ flare up in just a week. Elastics are a necessary evil. The timing is terrible with having to stop all Motrin/aleve use for my upcoming surgery. It only leaves Tylenol to counter my pain for now. We discussed the possibility that even once my bite is corrected, the TMJ may not resolve. We also discussed that Botox injections may be needed during and/or after braces treatment if it worsens, and the potential need for a bite plate of some sort for longterm use that would need to be used beyond nighttime.
This week has been difficult being in this holding pattern. There are no easy fixes for anything, and no short term solutions. In the meantime, my mind is swimming with what needs to be done before I’m laid up next week- all the coordinating that needs to be arranged to get my kids carted around town as HS soccer (son) and basketball (daughter) begin ramping up, as well as temporarily relocating to the downstairs guest room, and forecast what I will need down there without going upstairs for awhile. Unfortunately, most everything will land on my husband, including him caring for me. I could not imagine being in this situation without having a strong marriage. Our 18th anniversary is in a few weeks. I definitely need to think of a way to let him know how much he is loved and how grateful I am to having him in my life.
For all of you who read my posts, thank you. It’s not in my character to share as much as I have in this forum. The fact that so many of you take the time to read my posts is nice to know that you find my not so average stay at home mom life interesting.
I’ll try to update again soon.
https://dereferer.me/?https://i.imgur.com/jvCUe2q.png

Just a quick update, I’m home from my ankle surgery. I ended up having two anchors and fiber tape used to replace my spring ligament, two more anchors used to tighten the previous fiber tape replacement of my ATFL, my peroneal longish tendon repaired, and two “tightropes” of fiber tape with 4 anchors between my tibia and fibula to hold the together. The nerve block I had is partially working with meds helping the pain that remains.
I asked my surgeon to surprise me when he asked what color cast I wanted, and he chose pink. I’ll be in a cast for 6 weeks with a few cast changes in between.
Thanks so much for all the well wishes and prayers.
I’ll keep you updated as things progress.

Current situation. I’ve been sleeping most of the time. Pain meds are working much better, but still have intense tearing sensation where tendon was repaired when I bend my knee. I notified my doctor who said to limit knee movement, but keep it partially bent and elevated until he sees me at my first post op appointment. I have been able to were my elastics without additional pain for the last 3 nights. I started wearing my back brace since I couldn’t stand up straight yesterday without back pain. I do take it off every couple of hours to get in some deep breathing. https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/LDHqq9C

I had my first post-op appointment today. My incisions were cleaned, X-rays were taken, and a new cast applied. First thing I noticed when I saw my X-ray was the plate and two screws on my fibula which was not previously discussed. Because of the multiple anchors in my distal fibula, the bone integrity is affected. Without the plate, there would be a strong chance that the bone would not be able to support the tension held by the two tightropes to keep my tib/fib together and aligned. I’ll take the plate in lieu of a 4th reconstruction. https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/pFPs4Ut
I was interested to see how many incisions I had and where they were located. For those of you who don’t want to see the pictures, there are 3. A pretty large one on the outside of my ankle, and two smaller ones on the inside- one in front of the ankle bone above my arch and the other above my ankle bone. I think I counted 35 sutures total. Don’t look at this picture if you’re at all squeamish. For those of you with a dark curiosity, here you go https://dereferer.me/?https://imgur.com/a/vCkBAqD
I have my next appointment in a week. I’ll have my sutures removed and another cast applied. I got purple this time. I didn’t choose- one of the office staff did.
I’ll keep you updated as things progress.

Congratulations! It looks very good. May you soon be well again!

Best wishes and prayers sent your way for a quick recovery.

I am so glad you are finding the best in all this.   What are the houses you are referring to?  I am assuming fraternity/sorority?  I was in a (I know, cut me some slack) fraternity in college.  We had a lot more than 4 houses though.   And no, green ligatures on braces are a no go in my book.

How is the Scolibrace?  Still managing? 

Mainly I am glad to hear you seem to be doing great and recover is going well.