I called all three neurologists today that I had phone numbers for from my STL ortho doctor. He forwarded me the names and numbers, but didn't make any personal calls. They are all part of the Wash-U network. My experience with them has been less than desirable in the past and today was no different. All three offices require a dr. referral letter in writing, medical records to be faxed to their office and then they will MAIL me a letter stating the date of the appointment. Two out of three are easily 6-8 week appointment waits, which I really feel is longer than I’ll be able to wait. We’ll see what happens, but I’m not real optimistic on these leads. I faxed 55 pages of the latest medical records to each office this afternoon – they asked for it! I’m sure it will take another week for someone to read those, make a decision on whether I merit an appt., and then mail me a letter.
Unless something else occurs easily or naturally, I’m done trying to make this happen. There is only so much I can do on my end. I am disappointed that none of my doctors will call and try to get me in sooner; We’ll see what I learn on March
10th and 11th and will go from there ….
je
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Some progress today ....
I made some progress today, FINALLY! My physical therapist had a friend that is a dr. and he referred me to a neurologist, so I managed to get an hour appointment with her on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 10th. She does not do Botox and is more “general neurology,” but at least it is an appointment! I have no idea if she has seen neuro problems that are foot related in other patients or not. If I find someone better between now and then, I can always cancel the appt.
Last night I decided that I just need to get a plane ticket and fly to Dallas to see the Dallas ortho surgeon. Since he operated last and now there seem to be some complications, he needs to see it. I can’t properly consider if more surgery is necessary w/out that step happening. The Dallas dr. is out of town this week, so that is why communication has been hard w/them this week. I scheduled an appt. to see him on Wednesday, March 11th – 10:50am. I will fly to Dallas early Wed. morning and back Wed. evening ….. going alone & a friend will meet me at the airport & will play chauffer for the day. Today was the “two week mark” for a better flight rate, so I booked a ticket tonight for $115 – roundtrip! It is totally worth the money.
My St. Louis dr. came up with three other neurologists in STL, but two have long waits of several months. It was after 5pm today when I received the e-mail, so I’ll have to call tomorrow and see if any are worth pursuing. I should really try to get two neuro opinions to see if I can get any agreement. Still pursuing a possible physician referral in Chicago, too.
I’m feeling a little better about it tonight …. at least there is an initial plan and there is something “in the works.” Thanks for all your prayers this week …. they are helping! Keep praying for wisdom in decision making, patience, managing expectations, and perhaps this will be something that won’t require additional surgery.
Really long day today, so I’m heading to bed ….. the Eickhorst family is welcoming a new baby tonight in Indianapolis, so we are excited about that special blessing!
Hugs –
Jenny
Last night I decided that I just need to get a plane ticket and fly to Dallas to see the Dallas ortho surgeon. Since he operated last and now there seem to be some complications, he needs to see it. I can’t properly consider if more surgery is necessary w/out that step happening. The Dallas dr. is out of town this week, so that is why communication has been hard w/them this week. I scheduled an appt. to see him on Wednesday, March 11th – 10:50am. I will fly to Dallas early Wed. morning and back Wed. evening ….. going alone & a friend will meet me at the airport & will play chauffer for the day. Today was the “two week mark” for a better flight rate, so I booked a ticket tonight for $115 – roundtrip! It is totally worth the money.
My St. Louis dr. came up with three other neurologists in STL, but two have long waits of several months. It was after 5pm today when I received the e-mail, so I’ll have to call tomorrow and see if any are worth pursuing. I should really try to get two neuro opinions to see if I can get any agreement. Still pursuing a possible physician referral in Chicago, too.
I’m feeling a little better about it tonight …. at least there is an initial plan and there is something “in the works.” Thanks for all your prayers this week …. they are helping! Keep praying for wisdom in decision making, patience, managing expectations, and perhaps this will be something that won’t require additional surgery.
Really long day today, so I’m heading to bed ….. the Eickhorst family is welcoming a new baby tonight in Indianapolis, so we are excited about that special blessing!
Hugs –
Jenny
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Skin mess & more waiting .....
How is it that just two weeks ago we were doing so incredibly well and I thought I'd be able to go the whole month of March with no co-pays or dr. appointments!? I tell you, when it rains it pours with this deal.
Today I had a dermatologist appt. to have the skin checked around the November incision. It has looked continually irritated, red, itchy, scabs, and although it looks healed, it has been somewhat of a "skin mess" all along. Get this: I'm allergic to the internal sutures that were used in the November surgery and the "skin mess" is the bodies way of trying to get them out! The skin dr. said I should have been in there long ago, but I kept thinking it would get better. Patience is not a virtue sometimes! So, we're starting on this high powered cream routine tonight, to try and get it to improve. The sutures deep down will dissolve eventually, but she said that it could take 6-12 months .... great. I'm supposed to call Dallas and find out the material used, so as not to use it in the future. Have to go back in 2-3 weeks to have it checked again and see if it is improving any - it is almost like an internal infection under the incision area. Now I've been to 4-6 ortho appointments since November easily and none of them ever said anything about an allergic reaction .... they all asked me why it looked so bad, but no one suggested that I seek out a dermatologist. Just goes to show that you have to be persistent, & somewhat pushy to get progress in the medical field!
I sent an e-mail to the STL surgeon today asking him what progress he made in referring me to a neurologist .... didn't hear back from him. I'll call his office tomorrow and will get him on the phone, if I don't hear something back ..... he will be out of town the remainder of the week, so it is Wed. or nothing.
I may call Dallas tomorrow & see about flying down there one day next week to have him look at it and get his opinion in person. At the moment there isn't anyone truly "monitoring the situation" intensely - there are 3 doctors involved, but no one is really leading anything.
Long day today .... will see what tomorrow brings, but my patience is waning.
Love & hugs,
Jenny
Today I had a dermatologist appt. to have the skin checked around the November incision. It has looked continually irritated, red, itchy, scabs, and although it looks healed, it has been somewhat of a "skin mess" all along. Get this: I'm allergic to the internal sutures that were used in the November surgery and the "skin mess" is the bodies way of trying to get them out! The skin dr. said I should have been in there long ago, but I kept thinking it would get better. Patience is not a virtue sometimes! So, we're starting on this high powered cream routine tonight, to try and get it to improve. The sutures deep down will dissolve eventually, but she said that it could take 6-12 months .... great. I'm supposed to call Dallas and find out the material used, so as not to use it in the future. Have to go back in 2-3 weeks to have it checked again and see if it is improving any - it is almost like an internal infection under the incision area. Now I've been to 4-6 ortho appointments since November easily and none of them ever said anything about an allergic reaction .... they all asked me why it looked so bad, but no one suggested that I seek out a dermatologist. Just goes to show that you have to be persistent, & somewhat pushy to get progress in the medical field!
I sent an e-mail to the STL surgeon today asking him what progress he made in referring me to a neurologist .... didn't hear back from him. I'll call his office tomorrow and will get him on the phone, if I don't hear something back ..... he will be out of town the remainder of the week, so it is Wed. or nothing.
I may call Dallas tomorrow & see about flying down there one day next week to have him look at it and get his opinion in person. At the moment there isn't anyone truly "monitoring the situation" intensely - there are 3 doctors involved, but no one is really leading anything.
Long day today .... will see what tomorrow brings, but my patience is waning.
Love & hugs,
Jenny
Monday, February 23, 2009
No progress yet .....
No progress yet w/appointments ..... I called lots of offices today and everyone is booked out several months. The joke for today was one office that I called told me that they I can make an appointment for a new patient on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (this is just to schedule, not the appointment itself)! I about lost it with the lady on the phone .... guess they have that many patients that they can be selective. Another office wanted me to fax all my records and then a board would review my case before scheduling ...... I don't have time for any of that!
If my STL surgeon doesn't get back to me by noon tomorrow, I am supposed to call him. He is willing to do a referral if he knows the neurologist (which is what I'm waiting to hear on tomorrow). He is in surgery all day tomorrow, so I'm not sure if he will do anything on this on Tuesday & he leaves on a trip on Thursday. I've heard nothing back from Chicago on a possible referral.
Still doing some other checking on my own and a relative is making another possible contact in the Chicago area .... it is a slow process. At the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to have an appt. scheduled by the end of the week. I think the Botox shot is out. Finding a neurologist that has seen foot problems in other patients is the kicker - this isn't your "normal" neuro problem - it is nothing like Parkinson's, Lupus, MS, etc.
I'm going to ask the STL dr. tomorrow about pain, just to make sure that nothing has torn or come a part inside the foot .... the pain level is quite high for a tendon problem. There is more pain now than I remember having in November.
I'm trying to hold all of this together and do this around work. I have very little time to make phone calls or send e-mails, faxes this week, but I'm trying to get it all done. I told my staff today that if I'm in the middle of speaking to 100 kids and a dr. calls me back on my cell phone, that someone has to come and take my microphone and finish the speech. Thankfully, I have a good staff! I have kids all day Tuesday through Friday this week and evening meetings tonight, Tues. & Wed. - it is too much w/a good foot.
Hanging in there and trying to be patient. Thanks for praying!
Jenny
If my STL surgeon doesn't get back to me by noon tomorrow, I am supposed to call him. He is willing to do a referral if he knows the neurologist (which is what I'm waiting to hear on tomorrow). He is in surgery all day tomorrow, so I'm not sure if he will do anything on this on Tuesday & he leaves on a trip on Thursday. I've heard nothing back from Chicago on a possible referral.
Still doing some other checking on my own and a relative is making another possible contact in the Chicago area .... it is a slow process. At the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to have an appt. scheduled by the end of the week. I think the Botox shot is out. Finding a neurologist that has seen foot problems in other patients is the kicker - this isn't your "normal" neuro problem - it is nothing like Parkinson's, Lupus, MS, etc.
I'm going to ask the STL dr. tomorrow about pain, just to make sure that nothing has torn or come a part inside the foot .... the pain level is quite high for a tendon problem. There is more pain now than I remember having in November.
I'm trying to hold all of this together and do this around work. I have very little time to make phone calls or send e-mails, faxes this week, but I'm trying to get it all done. I told my staff today that if I'm in the middle of speaking to 100 kids and a dr. calls me back on my cell phone, that someone has to come and take my microphone and finish the speech. Thankfully, I have a good staff! I have kids all day Tuesday through Friday this week and evening meetings tonight, Tues. & Wed. - it is too much w/a good foot.
Hanging in there and trying to be patient. Thanks for praying!
Jenny
Friday, February 20, 2009
The journey continues .....
This blog post comes with a huge WARNING:
1. Grab Kleenex before you read it ….. sad post today.
2. Don’t attempt to understand or make sense of the details, as I can’t comprehend and understand it myself.
3. This is a blog post that I never dreamed I’d have to write.
Over the past five days the unthinkable has happened and deep down my greatest fear has occurred ….. the tendon contraction problem or some neurological issue has returned in my foot. For whatever reason, the November surgery “fix” did not last and on Monday of this week my four small toes began pulling upward off the ground. It has become significantly worse as the week has progressed and they are now all close to 1” off the ground. I can only walk on my heel area. I’m back to taking narcotics, which hasn’t happened in 4-5 months. I can physically feel the pulling, tightness and stiffness in the tendon area (much stronger than before).
My gait pattern has been altered and I’m back to walking with a clomping motion, instead of the normal “toe-off” step through pattern that is normal. Pain is now 7/10 (ten is ER pain). I can no longer walk around the grocery store, Wal-Mart or really anything that requires more than about ten minutes of standing/walking.
Wednesday was my last pt appointment and the range of motion that I now have is less in all areas than when I started pt in early January, after the last surgery. The therapist and I measured multiple times because neither of us could believe that I was now in the “negative number” category for range-of-motion. We both were in shock to say the least.
All of this has happened since Monday of this week. Just last Saturday night, mom & I were having a fun dinner at the Weber Grill restaurant in Chicago and we went to dine at someplace nice to celebrate being done w/the foot ordeal. We talked about what we had learned, fun things I wanted to do this spring and dreams that I wanted to pursue. I even bought fun shoes that I’m shipping back tomorrow.
No one can explain why any of this has occurred so suddenly. The past 3-4 months have been fantastic and I can honestly say it has been the best several months of living in the past five years. I am right at the 3-month post-op mark, since the November surgery and this is pretty unusual for complications to happen this late – considering I’ve been in no pain, able to walk well, exercise, etc. with absolutely no problems.
I’ve spent considerable time this week on the phone with doctors and e-mailing for opinions. My Chicago orthopod says this is totally beyond her comprehension & she believes there is still an underlying neurological problem that has been missed. Dallas says to try a Botox injection (to try & stop the contraction before it becomes worse) and if it doesn’t work the November surgery needs to be re-done …. although the same thing could happen again. This morning I met w/my STL orthopod and he also believes there is some neuro issue; he will try to get me into see a neurologist in STL as soon as possible. I cannot see a neurologist for an appt. quickly w/out the help of another dr. scheduling it for me. I’ve already seen 4 top neurologists and have had all the tests done in the past and everything comes back negative, but I’m open to trying again.
I really need to find the top neurologist in the US & see this individual like ASAP –don’t have a clue who that is. Most neuro people tell me that this is an orthopedic problem and vice-versa – totally frustrating. I did learn this morning that this has not happened because of anything that I did or didn’t do (i.e. over exercising, walking, etc.).
Needless to say, it has been a sad and disheartening week because I have been doing incredibly well ….. a million times better than I could have ever hoped. None of it makes sense and none of it is fair. My feelings about it all have been all over the board this week. I have three top orthopedic doctors and none of them have seen this happen, know what caused it, they don’t know how to fix it and they are as exhausted with it all as I am.
Just last week I sent a long thank-you note to the Dallas surgeon telling him how well things had progressed and thanking him for his medical help ….. this week I am calling him begging for answers, pain medication and talking about another surgery date.
The risk of re-doing the November surgery is quite high because it involves opening up the previous incision for the second time, which is NOT good in my case – total open door for big time wound issues. My past success with “re-do” operations has not been good for the most part. The bottom line is that we have to get to the root of the problem and figure out why this is happening (this is way easier said than done). Today I can’t deal w/the idea of an 18th surgery, so I’m not dwelling on that for now.
In the short term, I need to find a strong neurologist & meet this person like w/in the next 1-2 weeks. If we are going to do the Botox, it really needs to happen this next week or hope of it working won’t happen (time issue). We are stopping pt for now. My mom came over tonight and did some simple cleaning at my house, as walking is really difficult and painful now. I have student visits (100-125 kiddos) every day from now through the end of May, so that will be rough.
All I can say is PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! Take heart in the fact that God is still in control and His plan is always the best. This is debilitating, but not life-threatening. I’ll get through it, but obviously our journey with this has not ended. Keep believing, hoping and praying that God will provide wisdom, peace and courage to go on with what is ahead & that somehow we’ll figure out the best physician to consult with and I’ll get the necessary appointments scheduled quickly. I really need to see a neuro doctor that has seen neurological foot issues in other patients …. He/she is out there somewhere!
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him …. Psalm 37:7
Love,
Jenny
1. Grab Kleenex before you read it ….. sad post today.
2. Don’t attempt to understand or make sense of the details, as I can’t comprehend and understand it myself.
3. This is a blog post that I never dreamed I’d have to write.
Over the past five days the unthinkable has happened and deep down my greatest fear has occurred ….. the tendon contraction problem or some neurological issue has returned in my foot. For whatever reason, the November surgery “fix” did not last and on Monday of this week my four small toes began pulling upward off the ground. It has become significantly worse as the week has progressed and they are now all close to 1” off the ground. I can only walk on my heel area. I’m back to taking narcotics, which hasn’t happened in 4-5 months. I can physically feel the pulling, tightness and stiffness in the tendon area (much stronger than before).
My gait pattern has been altered and I’m back to walking with a clomping motion, instead of the normal “toe-off” step through pattern that is normal. Pain is now 7/10 (ten is ER pain). I can no longer walk around the grocery store, Wal-Mart or really anything that requires more than about ten minutes of standing/walking.
Wednesday was my last pt appointment and the range of motion that I now have is less in all areas than when I started pt in early January, after the last surgery. The therapist and I measured multiple times because neither of us could believe that I was now in the “negative number” category for range-of-motion. We both were in shock to say the least.
All of this has happened since Monday of this week. Just last Saturday night, mom & I were having a fun dinner at the Weber Grill restaurant in Chicago and we went to dine at someplace nice to celebrate being done w/the foot ordeal. We talked about what we had learned, fun things I wanted to do this spring and dreams that I wanted to pursue. I even bought fun shoes that I’m shipping back tomorrow.
No one can explain why any of this has occurred so suddenly. The past 3-4 months have been fantastic and I can honestly say it has been the best several months of living in the past five years. I am right at the 3-month post-op mark, since the November surgery and this is pretty unusual for complications to happen this late – considering I’ve been in no pain, able to walk well, exercise, etc. with absolutely no problems.
I’ve spent considerable time this week on the phone with doctors and e-mailing for opinions. My Chicago orthopod says this is totally beyond her comprehension & she believes there is still an underlying neurological problem that has been missed. Dallas says to try a Botox injection (to try & stop the contraction before it becomes worse) and if it doesn’t work the November surgery needs to be re-done …. although the same thing could happen again. This morning I met w/my STL orthopod and he also believes there is some neuro issue; he will try to get me into see a neurologist in STL as soon as possible. I cannot see a neurologist for an appt. quickly w/out the help of another dr. scheduling it for me. I’ve already seen 4 top neurologists and have had all the tests done in the past and everything comes back negative, but I’m open to trying again.
I really need to find the top neurologist in the US & see this individual like ASAP –don’t have a clue who that is. Most neuro people tell me that this is an orthopedic problem and vice-versa – totally frustrating. I did learn this morning that this has not happened because of anything that I did or didn’t do (i.e. over exercising, walking, etc.).
Needless to say, it has been a sad and disheartening week because I have been doing incredibly well ….. a million times better than I could have ever hoped. None of it makes sense and none of it is fair. My feelings about it all have been all over the board this week. I have three top orthopedic doctors and none of them have seen this happen, know what caused it, they don’t know how to fix it and they are as exhausted with it all as I am.
Just last week I sent a long thank-you note to the Dallas surgeon telling him how well things had progressed and thanking him for his medical help ….. this week I am calling him begging for answers, pain medication and talking about another surgery date.
The risk of re-doing the November surgery is quite high because it involves opening up the previous incision for the second time, which is NOT good in my case – total open door for big time wound issues. My past success with “re-do” operations has not been good for the most part. The bottom line is that we have to get to the root of the problem and figure out why this is happening (this is way easier said than done). Today I can’t deal w/the idea of an 18th surgery, so I’m not dwelling on that for now.
In the short term, I need to find a strong neurologist & meet this person like w/in the next 1-2 weeks. If we are going to do the Botox, it really needs to happen this next week or hope of it working won’t happen (time issue). We are stopping pt for now. My mom came over tonight and did some simple cleaning at my house, as walking is really difficult and painful now. I have student visits (100-125 kiddos) every day from now through the end of May, so that will be rough.
All I can say is PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!! Take heart in the fact that God is still in control and His plan is always the best. This is debilitating, but not life-threatening. I’ll get through it, but obviously our journey with this has not ended. Keep believing, hoping and praying that God will provide wisdom, peace and courage to go on with what is ahead & that somehow we’ll figure out the best physician to consult with and I’ll get the necessary appointments scheduled quickly. I really need to see a neuro doctor that has seen neurological foot issues in other patients …. He/she is out there somewhere!
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him …. Psalm 37:7
Love,
Jenny
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Challenging week ....
Unfortunately, I don’t have much more to share tonight. I am waiting for either phone calls or e-mails back from all three doctors (STL, Chicago, Dallas) and didn’t hear from anyone today. Pray that this happens tomorrow – Thursday. There are setbacks happening, which are substantial and I really need some answers to questions. These would be good things to pray for specifically tonight:
- Calmness – that I can handle whatever I hear for answers to questions.
- Faith – that I’ll remain strong, when it seems like things are going astray.
- Pain management – relief to get through the work week
- Courage
- Wisdom – to sort out medical advice & make sense of the situation
- Sleep – that it will resume & worrying will stop
- Job Peace – our office has cut jobs in the past several weeks & the possibility of losing a job (& health insurance) is more than I can handle at the moment.
- Pray that a huge past medical problem (still foot related) has not re-surfaced.
I realize this is still fairly vague, but things are not going as planned at the moment. I don’t understand any of it, so I’m not in a place to begin to describe it to anyone else.
Trying to be strong, remain patient, and make sense of negative new foot developments …. it has been a very challenging week. Hoping I’ll feel a bit better once several conversations have taken place w/surgeons ….. Thursday is a surgery day though for all three doctors, so pray hard that someone responds … will be a long weekend otherwise. KEEP PRAYING!
Hanging in there,
je
- Calmness – that I can handle whatever I hear for answers to questions.
- Faith – that I’ll remain strong, when it seems like things are going astray.
- Pain management – relief to get through the work week
- Courage
- Wisdom – to sort out medical advice & make sense of the situation
- Sleep – that it will resume & worrying will stop
- Job Peace – our office has cut jobs in the past several weeks & the possibility of losing a job (& health insurance) is more than I can handle at the moment.
- Pray that a huge past medical problem (still foot related) has not re-surfaced.
I realize this is still fairly vague, but things are not going as planned at the moment. I don’t understand any of it, so I’m not in a place to begin to describe it to anyone else.
Trying to be strong, remain patient, and make sense of negative new foot developments …. it has been a very challenging week. Hoping I’ll feel a bit better once several conversations have taken place w/surgeons ….. Thursday is a surgery day though for all three doctors, so pray hard that someone responds … will be a long weekend otherwise. KEEP PRAYING!
Hanging in there,
je
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Keep praying!
We are home from Chicago ..... we had a great time doing fun things on Sunday and Monday. The appointment was somewhat mixed. I really can't share much yet other than to say that we need to step up the prayers for the foot this week - like big time! Pray, pray, pray!! Sorry I'm going to be vague on this one, but I need to get some additional questions answered tomorrow before sharing anything.
Jenny
Jenny
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chicago Weekend ahead ....
Whew .... I'm ready for the weekend. We have had kids at JA everyday this week, so after tomorrow it will be 600 kids that I've seen this week alone. My boss's husband passed away this week from lung cancer, so it has been emotionally stressful, too. I was the one relaying all the messages and e-mails between her family and our staff. I haven't made it to the gym once this week because I ended up being stuck at work several evenings this week.
I have a follow-up appt. on Monday (9:45am) with the Chicago ortho dr. Mom & I are driving to IL on Saturday morning .... we'll spend the night w/family and then will head to Chicago on Sunday. We'll drive back to STL on Monday afternoon. We are getting close to being at the end of appointments. My big question is if there is a way to tell if it is worth continuing to do pt or not .... I will definitely do it, if she thinks there is still room for improvement. It is hard for me to tell. I was limping significantly earlier this week & parents were commenting about it continually, but I think that is from the difference in leg length w/the artificial hip (it is about 3/4") .... will see what she thinks. Got a pedicure tonight with hot pink polish.
I remember that last year on President's Day was when I walked into her office with no appointment & was adamant that I get to the best plastic guy in the US .... that was the beginning of the relationship w/the San Antonio doctor. I was done w/wound care. Two years ago we had just returned from our first big surgery in Chicago .... that was the one where she (dr.) didn't have the right tool to remove the hardware & she was in the middle of the operation. She called the manufacturer of the tool set and they told her to get creative!
I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend and four day work week next week.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Jenny
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Doing okay .....
Greetings! Sorry for very few updates this week .... it has been a hectic week at work and 4 visit days with kids. Not a lot new happened this week. Still going to pt twice a week. I have a follow-up appt. with the surgeon in Chicago in about nine days. We are making progress with pt, but if you go by the measurement numbers the progress is very minimal.
On the way home from work on Monday, I stopped by Kohl's to see if I could find a pair of dress shoes to wear Tuesday am for a speaking event (dressy). Everything had higher heels than I could do, so I left somewhat discouraged w/nothing. On Tuesday morning while getting ready, I tried on a pair of dress shoes that I had in my closet and I could wear them! I put them on right before I had to speak and only wore them about 3 hrs., but it is a start.
Tonight I've had pain, swelling and redness a little below the ankle area ... not sure what that is all about. I've been using ice and have tried to stay off of it. I wondered if the tendon was starting to contract again late afternoon today, but it is hard to tell. I'll watch it see what happens tomorrow ... perhaps we just overworked it at pt yesterday (hoping that is it).
I finished my scrapbook this week with pictures from the past year. I did the first several years in a prior scrapbook.
Wishing you a joyous weekend!
Jenny
On the way home from work on Monday, I stopped by Kohl's to see if I could find a pair of dress shoes to wear Tuesday am for a speaking event (dressy). Everything had higher heels than I could do, so I left somewhat discouraged w/nothing. On Tuesday morning while getting ready, I tried on a pair of dress shoes that I had in my closet and I could wear them! I put them on right before I had to speak and only wore them about 3 hrs., but it is a start.
Tonight I've had pain, swelling and redness a little below the ankle area ... not sure what that is all about. I've been using ice and have tried to stay off of it. I wondered if the tendon was starting to contract again late afternoon today, but it is hard to tell. I'll watch it see what happens tomorrow ... perhaps we just overworked it at pt yesterday (hoping that is it).
I finished my scrapbook this week with pictures from the past year. I did the first several years in a prior scrapbook.
Wishing you a joyous weekend!
Jenny
Monday, February 2, 2009
Record Day for Steps - Sat. - 1/31/09
Saturday was a record for walking the most steps in one day - 14,000 steps! I just had weekend stuff to do and kept going & going. I was feeling it by the end of the day, so I took it a bit lighter on Sunday.
I started going through old foot photos on Saturday and sent a bunch to Wal-Mart for reprints to go into a scrapbook. When I went to pick up the reprints, the guy at Wal-Mart asked me what happened & said that my photos were a bit on the graphic nature .... I apologized, told him it was a long story & said that I'd call ahead next time to give him the "heads up" on what would be coming out the reprint machine. He knew the foot pics belonged to me right way, as soon as I told him my last name.
I had pt today and have it again on Friday of this week. My calf on the operative side has increased by 1/2" in 4 weeks, which means it is getting stronger - larger is a good thing, in this case. I think I'm going to go to Chicago in two weeks to see that surgeon & will get her opinion on how much more pt I need to do .... pt guys will have you work on it forever! I probably need to do more, but how much is the question. Tonight I had a hard time getting in to a dress shoe (for a speaking event tomorrow morning), but I am hoping that was due to swelling at the end of the day. My toes are still moving, although they continue to be plenty stiff. Some days it is hard to remember that although it is not perfect, I need to be happy & thankful with it being live able.
Need to call it a day, as I have an early am meeting tomorrow.
Hugs -
je
I started going through old foot photos on Saturday and sent a bunch to Wal-Mart for reprints to go into a scrapbook. When I went to pick up the reprints, the guy at Wal-Mart asked me what happened & said that my photos were a bit on the graphic nature .... I apologized, told him it was a long story & said that I'd call ahead next time to give him the "heads up" on what would be coming out the reprint machine. He knew the foot pics belonged to me right way, as soon as I told him my last name.
I had pt today and have it again on Friday of this week. My calf on the operative side has increased by 1/2" in 4 weeks, which means it is getting stronger - larger is a good thing, in this case. I think I'm going to go to Chicago in two weeks to see that surgeon & will get her opinion on how much more pt I need to do .... pt guys will have you work on it forever! I probably need to do more, but how much is the question. Tonight I had a hard time getting in to a dress shoe (for a speaking event tomorrow morning), but I am hoping that was due to swelling at the end of the day. My toes are still moving, although they continue to be plenty stiff. Some days it is hard to remember that although it is not perfect, I need to be happy & thankful with it being live able.
Need to call it a day, as I have an early am meeting tomorrow.
Hugs -
je
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