Ankle fusion and triple arthodesis?

I don't think that I have a blood clot as this swelling comes and goes depending on how much I am on my feet, and it always goes away overnight. I guess it is still possible, and worth asking the doctor about as I am not sure what causes swelling, but my ankle has done this since I broke it in 1971. A lot of that stemmed from the fact that I did not get a correct diaganosis and setting of the cast at the small medical center that I went to. When I went to an orthopedic surgeon 6 weeks later, I was told there had been 3 bones broken, I should have had an operation and pins put in, and that it was set incorrectly.... but it was too late to do anything about it other than put another cast on for 3 months and hope for the best. 9 months later, I could still not walk on it without a lot of pain. I worked as a boilermaker on steel construction and climbing up and down the sides of steel vessles, sometimes 100 feet high, was hard for awhile. So, swelling around the ankle joint became second nature to me. But, 30 + years later I decided to look into ankle fusion or replacement, as the pain was getting worse. The fusion helped considerably, but there was always some swelling and slight pain, but now it is really bad. I don't know how long it will take to get x-rays or CT scan after I see my doctor.

I am not finished building my log cabin/home as winter hit before I could get it fully enclosed. I won't be able to do anything for at least 2-3 months. I have to finish it before next winter as I am living in a 30 foot camper while doing the build. I am not a carpenter, have never built anything before, so it took me longer to build, as I had to figure things out as I went along. I didn't use traditional logs, I constructed them using 2"x8" rough milled lumber, so they were actually those dimensions. I put 3 of the 2"x8" together, with the middle one raised 2" above the other 2, so that it made a tongue and grove log, with a 2" tongue above and a 2" grove, or gap on the bottom. The constructed logs were then placed on top of eash other and screwed together where the tongue went into the groove, sort of like putting LEGO together. The 3 pieces of 2"x8" were screwed and glued together with construction adhesive. I used over 23,000 deck screws putting up the 8 foot high walls. The log structure is very easy to heat as I have 6" thick walls with no air gaps. I found this construction method on U-tube and it looked a lot less complicated than traditional building methods and something I could do alone....or almost do... which is why I looked into this website hoping I could get some insight from others. Thanks to all.

@eatnb1 That sounds like an interesting way to build. In thinking ahead to the future, in case you were no longer able to walk, would your cabin be handicap accessible? For example doors wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair, light switches and sinks in reach of a seated person? Easy access or place for a ramp into and out of the house? My folks had a house built like this, a ranch house all on one level.

You've been through a lot. Do you have a good specialist for your ankle?

I have a 6 foot wide covered veranda that runs along the whole front of the cabin and there is a 2 foot overhang of the roof past the front of the veranda as well, which is great for keeping rain and snow off the veranda. I put steps at one end of the veranda, but I built a ramp over top of that so I could put my motorbike there for the winter. I just left the ramp over top of the steps as it is easier walking up it than it is to use the steps. I have a torn meniscus in that knee which makes stairs a bit of an issue. I can "straight-leg" it up and down stairs, but that takes more time, so I just use the ramp. I hope I never need a wheel chair, but if I do, the ramp is there. I guess by then I won't be able to use the motorbike. I haven't put too much thought into the inside, but thanks for the input...I will think about it. The only door is wide enouogh and I only have a totally open concept, no partitions, just 1 big room... maybe a movable curtain on ceiling track around bathroom. The cabin is 28 feet wide x 24 feet deep, 624 square feet inside living space. I am thinking of a walk in tub as my wife died from ALS and it was a chore lifting her in and out of a regular tub.

I don't have a specialist for my ankle...I have to go to my GP doctor, then he will have to book x-rays and/or CT scan, or maybe the specialist will have to do, not sure how the system works now', but it is a slow process sometimes.

@eatnb1 You also could opt for a wheel-in shower with no barriers on the floor to get over like in hotel rooms that have accessible rooms, and with a hand-held shower head and grab rails. There are some nice shower chairs on large wheels or shower benches. I bought one for my mom who does use a wheelchair, and she transfers between them. Particularly if you live alone, preventing falling should be a priority. It sounds like your cabin is your sanctuary and a place to relax and put your energy into building the details.

I'm sorry you lost your wife. That must be hard. Being a caregiver is hard work too, and when you loose someone, that job is over. I can see why you love your cabin and want to do volunteer work to feel fulfilled. It must be very therapeutic to work on the cabin. I was a caregiver for my dad at his end stages of heart disease, so I understand.

It would be worth seeing an orthopedic specialist about your ankle and your knee. It's easy to assume that something like swelling may be your normal, but if something changes, that could mask a problem. I made that mistake thinking I had sinus problems, and I had an infection in a tooth. It creates the same symptoms, so I missed it because I thought I knew the answer. Do you know where to find a good orthopedic surgeon in your area?

Thank you for all the info, very, very helpful. I live in New Brunswick, Canada and our health system is different than yours....since we don't pay we have to go through all the hoops which means seeing my family doctor first and he gives a referal to the specialist, i.e., the orthopedic surgeon. In between appointments my doctor will request x-rays, CT scans, etc., and I go to the hospital for that. So, it is a few weeks or longer getting to the specialist, maybe more if they are booked up. I have my Dr's appointment next week, so should know more then.
There are good orthopedic surgeons here, at least there was...I haven't been to one since my hip replcacement and that's about 15 years ago.
My cabin is quite therapeutic, as well as being a challenge...some of the logs were about 75-85 lbs, and putting them in place got me in better shape than when I started. I will be glad to get moved into it as winter living in a camper isn't ideal. I am glad I put a wood stove in as it has been very cold here. Quite a few people at the Church told me I was crazy to do that and many offered to help, but I set out to do it by myself and am very glad to have almost completed it. Thanks for your helpful suggestions, better to have these ideas now, before I get into the inside work. I still have to drill a well, if it isn't too expensive. I have been hauling water from the Church (no it isn't holy water).
Thanks again for the help.