My youngest son had a great idea: I should get myself a can to help support and balance myself as I recover. Today my middle son took me out to run a few errands, and we chose a cane with a curved handle and a bigger base for better stability. I had been planning to get a quad-cane (one of those that split into four legs at the bottom), but my son mentioned that I might get that kind caught on things and/or hit my toe on it. He helped me try it out in the store, up and down the aisles. It seemed to help, so I went for it. I'm not thrilled with using a cane, but I am thrilled with being able to get around more easily and with less pain. I had been trying to use the knee-scooter as sort of a walker, but a few times it tipped precariously forward, and I thought it was just a matter of time until I tilted fully face-down onto the floor. It wasn't a good option.
I still don't know how much I'm supposed to be using the boot, but I'm doing a little more every day. Early in the morning, it is nearly impossible to put weight on my right foot, but an hour or two in, it's manageable. With the cane, I can progress even more quickly, which has the potential to be both good and bad. Since my doctor hasn't given me good instructions about how much to be on my foot, I'm using my best judgment. Having the cane makes walking tolerable enough that I might do more than I'm supposed to. So, as with many things in my life, I'm trying to find just the right balance. Today it feels like I'm reaching it.
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