Summer shoes ....

I'm back from our Vegas weekend .... we had a fantastic time and it was a much needed break from several challenging months. We walked, walked, and walked and the foot held up amazingly well. I am sure that I walked half a mile on one day. It was definitely the most walking that I've done in over two years. We stopped when it got tired, but the pain/discomfort was manageable. I still need to wear the tennis shoes when walking, but the picture above provides hope for months ahead! It may take another several months with the tennis shoes, but you have to start somewhere. (If you click on the photo above, I think it will enlarge.)

I e-mailed the above photo to the Chicago surgeon and told her that I can't wait for her to see it in person next Friday. She wrote back within an hour and said: "I continue to be flabbergasted and cannot wait to see and feel the foot in person next week. Whatever happened in Vegas stays in Vegas, but the awesome shoes can come home with you." I would love to have lunch with her at some point, although that probably won't happen next week.

I saw lots of lots of individuals in motorized scooters on our trip. My heart went out to them as I realize that could have easily been my future. I am grateful at the grace and healing that God has provided. I am in the process of writing down some notes on how all this has transpired and details that are not coincidental. It was fun to reflect with my mom on past events and how we can use the situation and miracle to inspire or impact the lives of others. It is my hope that you will not stop praying .... the walking does get a little easier each day, but this is going to take some time yet. It is hard for me to convey that we have made HUGE progress, but there is still some function and strength issues that I'm going to need to make happen.

The skin on the bottom of the foot is beginning to get stronger. There is a small spot of bone near the big toe that is painful , so I am hoping that it resolves itself. I love to walk barefoot, so hopefully this will become more natural or tolerable at some point. We will likely resume physical therapy at the end of August for some additional sessions. There is a lot of stiffness that we need to work through and need to keep the toes moving.

Go put on your favorite pair of summer shoes and wiggle your toes ...

je