Time for an update. shoe rant and rave

So I realize that Ive only posted once in the past year. Add to that something significant is going on so its time for another post...


I have gotten two pair of shoes from Merrell that have not been comfortable to my feet. What is going on?!?!? Usually they make love to my feet. With them on, all is right with the world. I can walk as long as I please with no thought of how many more steps there are to take before Im permanently sitting down. Not anymore. I shouldve bought two of the same shoes when they were available. Add to that, my options are limited being that Im not in the U.S. Im lucky to be able to buy them in a store at all.


So, yeah. These are better than the other pair that look so new. I pretty much dont wear them at all. Im about to donate them and someone will enjoy a pair of 100 dollar shoes and probably wont know the difference,lol. Anyway. I had to buy shoes because the two pair I own weren't cutting it. The 'good' pair were so worn they werent any good anymore and I just explained the other pair. I was starting to think it was my custom made insoles because Ive been wearing them nonstop for the past year and a little more. I put one in these new shoes and it made them a bit better. Now my little toe seems to be paying a price. I have a half shoe insole that I will try after I give my feet a rest and go from there. I also bought another pair of Ms that are men's shoes (thats how limited the choices were for me) and I have yet to wear them. I want to wear them around the house and if they are too bad, Ill take them back.

This feels like a step back. I feel like Im taking a step back. I can still wear their sandals,no prob. But sometimes I need a sneaker-to work out and also because I dont want my feet to crack up and fall away in the desert. But dry feet versus hurting feet is a no brainer. I will see how the week transpires. Aside from the shoes being an almost no-go, my ankle is good. My feet are good considering. Flat feet suck.


OH, but I DO have to rave about a HEEL I bought. Its LOOOOOOOVELY! and worth every penny. I need it in black as well because itll be the only heel I can wear for now. It feels like you are wearing a very comfortable sneaker :-). and the picture here doesnt do it justice. Her name is Janae if youre interested.

long time, no post

I didnt realize its been so long since Ive posted. I promised myself Id post whenever there was something significant that happened. That time was a couple months ago...

I was experiencing some pain.Like before the surgery, which was unusual. For a couple days I layed low because I wasnt sure if the pain would subside. I took meds to help with the pain bc I work on my feet most of the time...It got to the point where I couldnt put pressure on my heel for one day and I didnt know what in the world was going on. It felt like before the surgery. I was going to wear the boot to work but putting it on didnt help either so I had no other choice but to wait it out.

Going to the doctor wasnt really an option as Im out of the US and doctors where I am arent the greatest and they didnt do the surgery so I opted to just wait it out. After two days it went away and I was ever so happy. It had been a long while since I had to count my mileage (as we like to put it). Normally, I can walk around as much as I please and it isnt a problem.I was worried that that wouldnt be the case anymore but Im ok. That only happened once in the last year. Otherwise, Ive been A ok and havent had any problems. Keep in mind that I do continue to wear nice shoes. i.e. shoes that are expensive and ugly,lol. privos, merrells...others may be able to wear clarks but they dont do anything for me. I can also wear flip flops no problem but not every day as support is necessary.

I cant wear heals because they just arent comfortable and they werent before the surgery either. As far as the ones with very high heels and the sexy arches-the ones like jessica simpson heels?Post surgery, my foot wont even bend to fit inside that type of shoe. I often end up buying long skirts and dresses so I dont have to worry about looking hot from the ankles up,lol. It sucks being so young and having to wear such ugly shoes. There have been times when Ive paid big money for shoes that I thought Id be able to wear but couldn't and they werent even heals!!! I would say wear them around the house multiple days before taking them outside.It could save you lots of money.

Anyway, I think thats it.I try to come here off and one to check but you can leave messages here or on youtube.There are only a few videos on this surgery and I have about 3 of them. If this is your first entry, I recommend starting from the beginning and reading each post. You will see the link to the other guy who inspired my blog as well as how to prepare for your surgery (that part is a very important part of your healing process which I advise you DO NOT skip!!!!)

good luck on your journey of healing!

Ankle Update

With all the talk recently about ankles, I thought it best if I updated as its been about 17 months since my surgery.

I spent the other day walking the Dubai mall. I was so tired and by the time I got home I could barely walk. I wondered what the following day would have in store for me. . .

If you suffer from the same pain, you know that any amount of walking results in the following morning of dread riiiiiiight before you step out of bed.That initial step will let you know if you will be able to walk and also whether walking that day will be close to unbarable.

So I get up the following morning and its like Id not walked at all the previous day.

No pain.


A year ago I wouldve been crawling.

Literally.

first time in forever

my ankle is feeling that familiar throb that I had pre-surgery.its nothing horrible and the doctor told me that there was still a little arthritis in the bone so its not so surprising although Ive been rather sedentary this past month.

I begin work next week so time will tell if this is a sign of something new to come.
I sure hope not!

A Year Has Passed

A year ago this time, i was healing from major surgery,wheeling around my house.Tired from a trip to the kitchen to get a drink and a bite to eat.

 was elevating my foot, icing my cast to keep down swelling,and taking supplements to help with bone healing. I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND sitting in that apartment and constantly thinking about my next move halfway across the world.

Today, Im sitting here with the same foot propped up. Ankle is good though i did feel a twinge of something last night that I wouldnt quite call pain though a little irritating. Ive walked more in this last year than I have in years back home.

Had I not done this, I dont think Id be able to look back on this year with such a smile on my face.

slooooooooooowwwwwwwwww dooooooooooowwwwwwwwnnnnn

Now that Im not walking as much,Ive started to gain a couple pounds.Not a biggie in and of itself but I was able to eat more without fear because I knew Id be exercising on a daily basis. The insoles have helped *maybe*. It could just be that I needed rest for my foot or a combination of both. Id said that if it didnt stop soon Id go back for an MRI to make sure there wasnt a stress fracture.

Yeah,doc,I see what youre saying about my old bones but Im 100% positive I was fine and then all of a sudden BOOOOOOM!

On the bright side,its all the same foot so I dont have both feet with issues. Even brighter still is that it isnt my ankle or any part of my foot that had the surgery. In a couple weeks it will have been a year since the surgery and if this is  your first time reading,go back to the beginning.If youre contemplating and thinking that you just have occasional pain or that when you lay off it goes away please know that eventually it will not go away and you WILL need something besides an insole.If you dont have arthritis in the bones,its the best time to do it.Not to mention cheaper,shorter healing time,etc.

happy healing everyone!

almost a year

In July, a year will have passed since my operation. Lots has transpired. Since I last wrote,Ive continued to walk much more than before. Each morning I walked 1-1.5 miles easy and then walked throughout the day,all without pain. I wore heels once but since my feet are flat,they still hurt my feet. My big toe feels normal though there is a little difference in the sensation when its touched. My incision points are still sensitive but as long as the entire foot is touched, ie pedicure,its ok.Ive even been going to dancing lessons and am in the intermediate class. I can do turns that turn toward the "good" foot,just not the other.

One Problem: Last week I started to feel pain in my foot...but not the part operated on-that part feels great.Its in the middle of my foot at the top,before you get tot he toes. I was worried that it could be a stress fracture so I put on my boot  for awhile. Being out of the country, I was leery of going to a doc but found a German doc who has a good reputation (I suppose). He xrayed me and said Im ok,that I have ________:something akin to arthritus but cant recall the name right now. He explained to me my foot is about 70 years old.

"thanks for putting that into perspective doc". In my mind, it doesnt explain the sudden pain that I started to feel when everything was going wonderfully. He sent me to a place to get custom made insoles that have to be "perfect for my sensitive feet". I can agree witht hat. I should have had those a long time ago. He talked about how I would have pain in my lower back,knee, and other foot bc of the misalignment. True,Ive been having pain in my knee and know its because of how I walk. If the pain isnt gone after wearing these insoles, Ill go back to see whats going on.

So no more class for me. I will be an intermediate for awhile.Besides, I could use the time to hone in on what ive learned thus far.

How is YOUR foot and healing process going??

9 months

Its been 9 months since my operation. My posts have become less frequent but thats because not much changes from month to month as it has in the past. Not sure what I posted last time and too lazy (for lack of a better word) to go back and check.

Heres the latest:

I walk a couple miles each day in total as a result of walking part of the way to work and walking home from the bus stop. Most places I go involves a good amount of walking and there is no longer the need for down time associated with those walks. There are times when I may walk slower than others but the fact that there is no pain makes me think about how blessed I was to be able to get this procedure done!!!!!!

The other night I went out and wore heels for the first time in about a year. I have flat feet so any shoes (flat or otherwise) hurt my feet within ten minutes of wear. I was wearing a short dress,though,and *needed*,lol,to wear those shoes. I figured id rest my feet here and there and see how the night progressed. I wore them on and off with rests in between for about 5 hours. There was NO ankle pain to speak of and the next day before getting out of bed I was a little concerned about how it would feel to walk and after a few steps,I was good and felt perfectly fine the next day.

If youre contemplating this-DO IT. whatever inconveniences,pain,or irritation you currently feel will only get worse with time if in fact you do have this same bone deformity.
I would say, "let me know how your procedure went" but Ive asked that before to no avail...
whats up with you people?!?!?!?
:-P

progress

Im back to where I was before I hit my toe on the couch...

walking well

no pain to speak of...

only wearing my Merrell sandals which i LOVE.

I recommend them or Privos as they are both excellent shoes to wear and well worth the money!!!!

and this is coming from someone who has problems with most shoes.

HOW ARE YOU HEALING?!

setback

Its been awhile. I was doing very well.Walking normally most of the time...no more meds...Occasionally Id lose footing and would feel it for awhile. But last week I hit my foot on the edge of the couch and it HURT. Ever since then Ive gone back to a slight limp,some days using my cane. Back to taking meds on some days. I have started taking my chondroiton/glucosamine. Its good for joint health,read good reviews. I bought it before the operation but havent taken it. Nows the time I think.

If youre recovering,about to have surgery,good luck with everything! I hope your journey will be as easy as mine has been. Also,leave comments here or on youtube.People are just like you-they want to know the good,bad, and the ugly!

week 22

Im walking normally for shorts periods during some days. At other times I have a small limp, and at other times I use a cane to take the pressure off.

I wear flip flops, sketcher rocker shoes, or sneakers.

At times I get a sharp twinge in my foot that lasts a few mins at the most.

My ankle is bigger than the other foot. On the top of my foot it is also a bit bigger and looks swollen although the foot is hard and it doesnt hurt like a swollen foot does. I dont know if this will go away or not.

In a weeks time, I may take pain meds once.

I am able to comfortably get pedicures and my skin looks normal pretty much aside from peeling (and that may be bc Im in the desert,lol), and the scar on the outside of my foot is raised. The others have flattened out. Because my foot is bigger, the raised scar is slightly above the incision scar (if that makes sense) and it is flat. Its kind of like where the incision and staples were is where the scar should be but swelling has caused them to separate,idk.

The other day I didnt want to pay for a cab bc I was low on funds. I was able to SLOWLY walk from the mall and that was about 20 mins of walking after having been inside the mall. Although its doable, Id much prefer a bike.

From the beginning, I added "tarsal coalition" to my gmail messages so I get notified when it comes up in searches,etc. Ive been able to answer quite a few questions from people who are contemplating their options regarding the condition. I am happy to be of service to others who have no info on this. If you are in forums, please pass on my url to others. There is nothing worse than me reading someone who knows nothing about it to tell someone to get orthotics or to just do stretches.

Take care and happy healing!

ALMOST week 18

Its NOVEMBER!

Ive been doing a LOT of walking. Its been a pain trying to find sneakers that are comfortable. I start off pretty good in the morning and as the day progresses I start to limp more and more. I dont take pain meds daily. Some days I only have to take it once. For the most part, Im good. Even when it does hurt, like at this moment, its not a deep pain. Im resting with my feet up. May soak them for awhile. I go without my boot but if I feel I need a bit more support Ill wear it.
Today, my toes were tingling a little. Actually, just the big one. The irritating part is that they dont have motorized vehicles for handicapped people in stores. Add to that the fact that you have to leave your license with them to "check it out". Its a pain!!
But, at the end of the day I dont complain because this pain is manageable, its temporary, and I know that in time all will be well. Well, kind of. I still have flat feet! lol

walking

I would just like to say that although I continue to walk slow and sometimes have a limp, I can walk UP the stairs fairly normal and there are times when I am walking and I have a prettymuch normal gate. I LOVE IT and I appreciate those times. Its good . . .great that I was able to complete this procedure and that everything worked out.

All things work together for his greater good and he (God) takes care of me :-).

The previous entry tells how many weeks its been. Im not expecting to be back to normal at this point but I am definitely grateful for where I am!!!!!

17 weeks

shy by a few days.

I was supposed to take the boot off the other day. I continued to wear it. Even as I was going to school I heard a scripture-"Take up your bed and walk". Still, I wore it a few more days.
Yesterday, I took it off as soon as I got home. I went and got a pedi/mani. Although my foot is still sensitive, it felt fine and wasnt a problem. She did use a wand to scrub but it wasnt a harsh one.

I shouldve gotten my toes painted a color :-(

Anyway, I ended up walking a couple blocks last night. SHWAY SHWAY mind you but I did it,lol. No pain once home and I didnt take pain meds yesterday. Today I didnt wear the boot to school and although I felt discomfort here and there it was in the foot, not the bone. For some reason I feel I keep stressing that. To me, this shows me what I feel is from the operation and that the original problem is solved.

There is NO WAY I wouldve been able to walk as much as I have been otherwise. Now, a soak after walking too much pretty much does the job. Before there was NO WAY that wouldve worked.

I AM EVER SO THANKFUL TO GOD, THE DR's, AND FOR NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS. Without them, it wouldnt have been possible.

I think of those who arent able to lay around and rest up from July to October. All I can say is that (1) I was able to leave and get around without being tired by around Sept but I wouldnt have been able to work if it had entailed standing. (2) regardless of your job buy or purchase (based on price) a knee roller. YOU WILL NEED IT and you wont have to depend on others. Made my life much easier! Also, If you have a choice between a big one that has a pivoting/turning front wheel axis and basket OR a smaller one that doesnt pivot.  .  .GET THE SMALLER ONE even if it doesnt pivot. It was much easier for me to handle the latter and I did have experience with both. The smaller one folding with one click and was easy to take around. The first one was a hassle to take anywhere so I didnt and that kind of defeats the purpose.

Times up!

As of yesterday, I should be done with this boot and walking with shoes. I will,however, continue to wear it to work as Im afraid not to. I dont ahve lots of swelling and only a bit of pain here and there. My foot still has sensitivities and that is cool. I am walking better and better and as long as it isnt too much walking I am ok.

Bones feel great

Still satisfied

want a pedicure but just dont know about the sensitivity. . .

week 15

I am no longer walking like a just had a hip replacement. Being that I am starting a new job in a new place (see other blog), I have been doing a good bit of walking. Ive noticed that I have more mobility in my ankle-it moves up and down when walking more freely so that I am now walking with my foot instead of my whole leg.
I experience soreness from walking too much but I will add that both feet tend to hurt after a lot of walking as I am flat footed. Having said that, there is pain from walking to much but it isnt pain in the bones or a feeling of arthritic pain. The pain I feel is more so from the operation. No, I do not feel heel pain like some speak of feeling the screws in the heel. For that I am definitely grateful!
According to the doctore, I have one more week in the  boot but I may wear it for a bit longer. I noticed that my leg is still small from where the boot rests on my leg,lol.
Ill definitely be glad when I can walk comfortably again as I want to go and do lots of things in my new environment. I do wait patiently knowing that once healed, I wont be plagued with the pain of arthritis that no amount of pills would heal!

Ma salaam

Incisions

My incision is beginning to itch off and one and I wont dare scratch it. I did buy that liquid St Johns wort and I figured I wouldnt need it after having the cast on so long but it came in handy last night!!!!
I puts some on both incisions on the side of my foot.

*side note*
When I touch the incision,It creates this tingling sensation in my foot,especially on the opposite side of my foot-around the big toe.

So I put that on and it felt better. No itching or funny feeling all night. And let me tell you why!

liquid St Johns Wort helps nerve cells to regenerate and reduces pain. (It also helps with mood stabilization)
Natural Remedies: Nondrug Healing Strategies That Work Best

****Please keep in mind that all supplements,vitamins,herbs,etc are not created equally! So the items you can pick up at WM arent of the same quality of items at a reputable health food store. And that is not to say that you should go to a GNC either. Some of your mom and pop places are great, you can even get Tumeric from your local farmers market and cap it yourself as health food stores sell capsules by the bag.Also check out Eastern herbalists AND do your research!!!!!
These items have side effects for some as well. What works for me may not work for someone else just as with regular meds.

HAPPY HEALING!

Week 13

So Im getting about 100 readers per month. That tells me that people want to know about this deformity and about the surgery. I hope that blog is helping you guys-even if you arent saying anything,lol. I promise I dont bite. Right Amy?

Differences between my last update (9 weeks) and now?

• occasional discomfort
• walking more
• no need to readjust 'bubbles' in boot so maybe that has to do with less swelling
• big toe still sensitive,not numb but close to that feeling. I dont like it touched so no pedis for me
• have NOT walked on it without a boot. Will wear skechers shape ups sandals after Im dont with boot
• regular ibuprofen works fine but I take the prescribed ones if Im going to be doing a lot of walking
• still a little foot peeling-on heal and by big toe
• It is difficult to walk up or down stairs. I do it sideways
• no crutches but a cane would be helpful

I think thats it. Just wanted to update my status and progress. I havent been doing the 3 exercises with my ankle and calf daily but the doc said I didnt need physical therapy so its no biggie.

*I am still taking my bone health supplements because I wasnt taking them when I was supposed to so I have a lot left. FYI, they are horse pills and you (or I) have to eat with them or they will make you sick. At least thats my experience with most vitamins. And I think they make your nails grow.

If you are reading this and will be getting a procedure soon or have just gotten it-GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING and read about how to aide your body in the healing process. It has been my experience that this doesnt have to be such a bad experience as it has been for others. I have been blessed to go through this process with ease and I wish the same for you (or someone you know). God has given us everything we need on this earth. There are supplements you can take to  help relieve pain and to help your bones heal (coupled with a diet change and listening to your doctor).

HAPPY HEALING!

walking

I
AM
WALKING!

well, for the most part. I was down to one crutch for the last couple days even though the doc said id be off in a week. Today, I still have it by my side but Im mostly walking on my own.

Now, its not a regular walk mind you. Its more of an elderly walk. . .like someone who has a "bad hip" kind of walk,lol. I also notice that my foot tends to land on the outside, as if Im walking on the side of my foot. Thats something that I pay attention to because I did read (somewhere) that you have to make sure you dont start walking that way.

Before I put my boot on this morning I stood up without anything on my feet. It feels funny and I have to make my foot touch the floor completely. Im supposed to be out of this boot by the end of October. . .

I do see that the swelling is less than I expected. Even at the end of the day, its not like I thought it would be. I imagined this big, sausage toe looking foot, possibly shiny from the skin being stretched so much, somewhat painful and needing elevation.

Nothing of the sort, thank God!

As stated before and it remains true-any discomfort I feel is virtually non existant when compared to what I felt before! Anything that i DO feel is in the foot as opposed to before where it was deep in the bone. Makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!!!

and Im not even walking, walking yet.

Good thing Im not on the market for a man because the looks my walking will attract wont be the ones I want,lol.

skin

or scales as one would have it.
I did a very good job of NOT peeling off any skin. That was my plan initially but I decided against such craziness. As it is now Thursday, a week has passed and my foot is almost back to normal skin-wise. 2X daily moisturizing with shea butter and/or vaseline (shea butter is preferred)-of course socks are changed out as well.

I washed with a moisturizing soap and a gentle exfoliant on the leg and foot but not around any incisions. I would also let my foot soak while I sit in the tub and bathe. I continue to sit on a stool with the shower running as I do NOT want to sit in water with dead and peeling skin. TOO GROSS!

Not much itching to speak of and thats possibly because I keep it from being dry. I continue to walk on crutches-some days adding more pressure than others. Last night while sleeping, I would feel a small discomfort here or there. One doesnt realize how stretching pulls on the whole  body until something like this. I try to stop my stretch from going into the ankle,lol.

So far, short "pains" are more so in the areas of incision. No discomfort in the heal yet but that could change when I get into shoes,idk. I will be sure to post if I get pains that are equal to or greater than what I felt pre-surgery. That was the whole reason I did this after all-to get rid of pain.
So far I continue to be pleased!