Just Had Ankle Surgery

[afuller5]

Hi all,

I just had ankle surgery yesterday to repair two badly damaged tendons (peroneus longus and peroneus brevis). No weight bearing for 6 weeks. Since it is the right ankle, no driving for six weeks. I will also not be able to play the organ properly for at least 6 weeks. I will be playing the piano for church services. The doctor said that it will be 6 to 8 months before I have completely recovered.

Later,
Allen

[Silken Path]

Get well soon, my friend.

[myorgan]

Allen,

It's too bad you can't drive with your left foot! Perhaps if you moved to the UK?

It is unfortunate you had to have surgery, and there is such a long recovery time. I am guessing you will manipulate the piano pedal with your left foot. Best with your recovery, and please keep us posted! You bring a lot to the Forum.

Michael

[afuller5]

Michael,

Yes, I will manipulate the piano pedal with my left foot. I am also going to elevate my right foot while I play. It puts me at an odd angle but is doable for a short while. One does what one must.

Regarding the driving, I recall in my youth before the United States Post Office used mail trucks that many of rural delivery drivers used their own personal cars, which back then had bench seats. They would sit in the middle of the seat and drive with their left foot. When placing mail in the box, they would reach out the right open window with their right hand. Unfortunately, most vehicles do not have bench seats now.

Later,
Allen

[myorgan]

If I see someone driving with their hand out the right-hand window in Atlanta, I'll know it's you! ;-) Where I live, they still do that.

Michael

[Silken Path]

They do that in the red-dirt piney woods here, too - one in a pickup.

[RogerM]

Allen,

It's too bad you can't drive with your left foot! Perhaps if you moved to the UK?

We might drive on the other side of the road but from what I recall the controls are the same way round :)

[myorgan]

Oh, no! He will be a backwards organist driver there too! I thought your shift was on the left for standard transmissions?

Michael

[RogerM]

Sorry if I confused you - I was talking about the pedals. Yes, gearstick (shift) is on the left of the driving position, in between the two front seats.

[Pipeorganbuilder]

Wishing you a speedy recovery. I tore mine several years ago in a skydiving accident. Enjoyed the down time.

Michael

[jbird604]

As an Arkie who has driven numerous rental cars in the UK, I can say that the foot controls are operated just as they are in the US, with the accelerator pedal on the right and the brake pedal more or less centered below you as you sit in the driver's seat, just like in the US. Both are normally pressed with the right foot. So Allen would be as handicapped driving in the UK as in the US!

Oh, and get well soon, my friend! It will be tough staying off the organ pedals for several months, but I suspect that once you are back on the pedals your skills will return quickly, and you may even find that you'll play better after a hiatus. There's some kind of phenomenon I once read about that relates to this -- staying away from a particular activity for a period of time often results in returning to it with improved agility, almost like a recurrence of "beginner's luck." So have fun with the piano and get ready for some awesome organ playing!

[musicgeek854]

Yes. after i come home from a vacation i seem to play even better.

[Organfella]

Sorry to hear Allen. We pray for a speedy and complete recovery. There is always the option of playing the mouth organ in the meantime...:->

Nico

[afuller5]

I guess I could also play my accordion if someone could tote it for me.

Allen

[Larrytow]

Allen, I too wish you a successful recovery. Not being able to drive for 8 weeks is very inconvenient for sure. Guys like us tend to take Drs recommendations about recovery periods not as seriously as we should a lot of times. Probably not the best idea though; they do know more about how long it takes things to heal up properly than we do ( most of the time ).

I'm retired from owning a vehicle repair shop, and do recall us putting in left foot accelerator pedal extension devices in cars for some clients. It is an extra pedal that goes on the left of the brake pedal, with a rod going back to the actual accelerator pedal. So you are working the pedal as normal, just from a different place on the floor. These are made by various outfits that specialize in handicap accessibility conversions.

It's been so long since I had to source one of those that I don't recall any Mfgs names though. They were only about 120.00 or so for the kit if I recall correctly, but that was back in the late 90s. Pretty much any competent mechanic could install one - it is not real complicated. But getting an actual kit is the way to do it - rigging a homemade one is way more work than buying the kit.

I don't know if that would be something you want to bother with for only 2 months, but it is an option.

[afuller5]

HI all,

I should have posted an update on my recovery sooner. However, I am walking and driving now. I have to wear a lace-up brace with my shoe over it though August 12. After that, it will be just the shoe. I am also back playing the organ. Since I play mostly on spinet organs, I can operate the expression pedal fine. I can also use the pedals on the piano properly as well.

I am thankful that I haven't any complications from my surgery.

The not driving turned out to be worse than when I originally posted. My mother, who lives with me, was hospitalized and then had to go to in-patient rehab. It was a challenge finding a ride to see her everyday. Additionally, we had relatives from Utah, whom we'd never met, come for a visit. They were very gracious to included me and drive me around on a few outings. But I would have enjoyed the visit more had I been more mobile.

Later,
Allen

[myorgan]

Allen,

Thank you for the update. I hope you continue to recover as well as you already have.

Michael