I hope I can prevent this from happening to other operators.

[RayIN]

I am about 4 weeks behind in the healing process. After a second operation to stabilize my fibula by adding a second plate and a bunch more screws, I thought I was on the mend.
A week later I was an ER intake with a severe blood clot running hip to ankle.
Home again now and this is first day I am feeling a bit better.

If you ever have an injury that seems not to be healing as well as you expect, get it fully examined fast.
Blood clots or infections can kill.

We had to cancel our camping trip end of July.
I hope we can go on second planned trip in September.
Hoping by the end of the week, I can take a few steps without a walker.
Taking heavy doses of Eloquis, dangerous and expensive stuff. I need to discuss with my doctor about switching to Cumiden, and bring quick clot kit along for the trip, Incase I need first aid.
Yuck!

Cumiden is a brand name for Warfarin, the same drug as in mouse and rat poison. It is very effective at dissolving blood clots and preventing formation of blood clots.
When taking Warfarin/Cumiden you must get a blood test weekly to monitor that drug level in your blood, too much and you bleed to to death internally, just like it happens in a mouse/rat.
That's why Eliquis is so much more expensive, it's much safer.
BTW, there is no first aid counter-treatment for Warfarin at home as far as I know.
Take a deep breath then re-evaluate your goal vs short-term desires.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've had pretty good luck with coumiden/Warfrin. Been on Warfrin for 9 years, but as others have mentioned, monthly INR tests are needed. My INR numbers remain well within the 2.0 - 3.5 range - unless I load up on a lot of green leaf vegetables a day or two before testing. That'll blow up your numbers real quick.
Warfrin is cheap, actually 100% covered by Medicare. Originally the Doc had me on Plavix. That was fine until they jacked up the price to $150 for a month's worth. That's when I switched to Warfrin. No regrets there.
As others have said, you'll find that you bruise quickly. That looks bad, but there aren't any pain drawbacks. Also, you'll bleed more with any scratch or cut. That's agravating, but not dangerous. The only drawback I've seen is that I've much more cold-natured than pre-Warfrin. I'm not sure the two are actually related, but both happened about the same time, i.e. started on Warfrin and began relishing warm weather. All-in-all, the drawbacks are much better with than withouut

 

[mike69440]

Well I walked about 10' using a cane a few times today finally after more than 8 week since I messed myself up. I called my surgeon's office today and requested an order for PT. Both my wife and I will go together. She wants to get back on a horse, me an iron horse.

 

[Racer4]

Well I walked about 10' using a cane a few times today finally after more than 8 week since I messed myself up. I called my surgeon's office today and requested an order for PT. Both my wife and I will go together. She wants to get back on a horse, me an iron horse.

Glad to hear you’re on the mend and moving forward.

Broke my ankle on January 31 after falling off a ladder, I was only 2 steps up. Been on ladders all my adult life. Grabbed my helper’s ladder, not mine and it kicked sideways when I was pushing up on a board. Down I went. Had surgery to repair it and was using a knee scooter to get around, as recommended by the Dr.

Ended up going to the hospital on March 4, woke up with my heart racing and trouble breathing. Paramedics gave me a jolt of electricity to settle my heart down before the ambulance ride.

They found a pulmonary embolism, a big one in the “saddle” between the lungs. Then took a helicopter ride to another hospital to get that removed. Was out of the hospital 2 days later. On eliquis until September now.

I was down about 8 weeks total. Still have issues walking at times, even after PT. Working an 8 hour day is tough and my ankle gets swollen. They said that may happen for up to a year.

 

[mike69440]

Glad to hear you’re on the mend and moving forward.

Broke my ankle on January 31 after falling off a ladder, I was only 2 steps up. Been on ladders all my adult life. Grabbed my helper’s ladder, not mine and it kicked sideways when I was pushing up on a board. Down I went. Had surgery to repair it and was using a knee scooter to get around, as recommended by the Dr.

Ended up going to the hospital on March 4, woke up with my heart racing and trouble breathing. Paramedics gave me a jolt of electricity to settle my heart down before the ambulance ride.

They found a pulmonary embolism, a big one in the “saddle” between the lungs. Then took a helicopter ride to another hospital to get that removed. Was out of the hospital 2 days later. On eliquis until September now.

I was down about 8 weeks total. Still have issues walking at times, even after PT. Working an 8 hour day is tough and my ankle gets swollen. They said that may happen for up to a year.

Being out of commission and being dependent on others gives me a great appreciation of how life is so precious and the freedom, independence, and productivity being healthy allows. Sounds like you are on the mend also

 

[IXLR8]

Just found your thread. Thanks for posting, it is a good warning for all of us. Glad to hear you are on the mend. We are all routing for your recovery. I have done a few things in my time that have lead me to getting injured, luckily nothing requiring pins or rods. As I get older, I take fewer and fewer risks.... but I am not without my moments.

Lets all be careful out there.

 

[Racer4]

Being out of commission and being dependent on others gives me a great appreciation of how life is so precious and the freedom, independence, and productivity being healthy allows. Sounds like you are on the mend also

Most definitely. I felt really bad for my wife, who had to pick up the slack. I’ve got twin boys, age 9. She worked her butt off during that time (and still does) I couldn’t get up and down the steps. In-laws being just up the street helped a lot.