Post #389 ....
Today was the last day of pt ….. yippee! I thought many times that this day would never come. I wonder how many pools, cars, hot tubs, and college classes for kids that I've paid for with all those appointment co-pays. In the end, it was worth every penny, but it has certainly been a long time in coming.
I ended up having a schedule conflict on Wednesday, so we finished today instead. Almost all of the ROM measurements had improved and there was ½” less swelling today compared to when we started pt mid-November. I also got a larger shoe-lift as the one that I had was not thick enough. My pt thought that how I’m doing now is the best he has seen in the past 4 years. I’d agree!
The area on the corner of my big toe has been more painful than ever this week, so I made an appt. w/my STL orthopod for next Friday to get it checked out. It looks like nothing, but it doesn’t feel normal. I wondered about an ingrown toenail, but I’ve never had one – not really sure if that is it. Nonetheless I figured I’d better get it checked out. It may just be pain from walking more w/the fused toe – we’ll see. Also have an appt. for mid-April to meet with the hip ortho dr. and will then make a final decision about the possible revision surgery next summer. It takes months to plan for that because blood donation is required, so I have to plan way out.
Beginning on Tuesday, I have 125 students at JA everyday through the end of May …. makes me tired just thinking about it! I continue to be grateful each day for walking, driving, doing things independently, and getting back to normal everyday life. God is good!
Stay warm on this chilly weekend (glad for no open toes)!
Jenny
Friday, January 29, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Pt Graduation Coming Soon .....
The past two weeks have been crazy busy at work, so I apologize for the lack of updates. I have been at JA for multiple evenings each week and things have been super hectic. Things will slow down a bit this week, for which I am very thankful!
All continues to be okay with my foot. I’ve been fighting a callus on the left side of my big toe … it is the area where it rubs on my shoes and the fused toe is still not so swift on wearing certain shoes. I did get this gel “toe sleeve” yesterday, so I’ll try it soon and hopefully that will help.
I’ve heard from multiple friends recently that I am limping more than usual, so I addressed it w/my pt guy on Friday. He measured and sure enough there is a ¾” difference in leg length on the side w/the artificial hip. I knew there was a difference, but I didn’t realize it was that significant. I’m going to try this gel lift in my shoe on the left side to see if that helps …. I was glad it was the hip & not the foot, though. Leg length is something that can be partially corrected when we do the next hip surgery.
I am slowly getting back to working out at the gym. I need to do more of it, but I am being cautious about not overdoing anything. Wednesday will be my pt graduation day ….. yahoo! I wonder how many sessions I went to in the past five years? Someone else can gladly have my table ….. I’ll be happy to share.
Thanks for checking in!
Jenny
All continues to be okay with my foot. I’ve been fighting a callus on the left side of my big toe … it is the area where it rubs on my shoes and the fused toe is still not so swift on wearing certain shoes. I did get this gel “toe sleeve” yesterday, so I’ll try it soon and hopefully that will help.
I’ve heard from multiple friends recently that I am limping more than usual, so I addressed it w/my pt guy on Friday. He measured and sure enough there is a ¾” difference in leg length on the side w/the artificial hip. I knew there was a difference, but I didn’t realize it was that significant. I’m going to try this gel lift in my shoe on the left side to see if that helps …. I was glad it was the hip & not the foot, though. Leg length is something that can be partially corrected when we do the next hip surgery.
I am slowly getting back to working out at the gym. I need to do more of it, but I am being cautious about not overdoing anything. Wednesday will be my pt graduation day ….. yahoo! I wonder how many sessions I went to in the past five years? Someone else can gladly have my table ….. I’ll be happy to share.
Thanks for checking in!
Jenny
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Foot is good .....
Last week was super busy with traveling to Memphis and then coming back to a desk full of work at my office. This week will be busy as well as the individual that I met with last week in Memphis is coming to STL this week to see me in “action” …. at some point I’ll likely return to Memphis as there is still a lot that needs to be done there. Beginning in February, I will have 125 students every day until the end of May ….. I’m taking my vitamins now!
All continues to be stable with the foot. There are still some rough days, but the good days are much greater than the bad ones. It still frustrates me that one day I can wear a pair of shoes/boot just fine and the same pair of shoes may not work at another time … how can that be!?! It happened this morning in the middle of church and it was a long hour. I ordered this “toe sock” this week to try and help with swelling, & rubbing, but it has not arrived yet. I am now wishing that we had never fused the big toe, but it is done now and there is no going back. The great toe has more purpose/function than you’ll ever know! However, I am grateful to even be wearing a shoe so I’m not complaining. It is a shopping shoe challenge now to find something that looks cute and yet feels good/is workable.
I did not have pt last week because of the travel, but I do have it this Friday afternoon. I feel like the toes need to be stretched, so it will be good to go …. Only two sessions left on the current script. It is almost hard to think that I might be nearing the end, as I have my own parking spot, table, locker, and I’m the only one with a file that spills into a binder. The therapist that I have has been great and has hung in there when the situation looked really grim at times. I often joke with him that his job is half physical therapist and half cheerleader …. St. Louis Physical Therapy is the place, if you need pt in STL.
I have been amazed this week at the number of people that assumed that I am married and that my husband has been great about doing this or that through this ordeal …. Nope, no hubby. However, I am actively looking and am hoping for dates ahead – keep your eye out for good prospects. I need to make up for some "lost dating time" .. :)
Wishing you a joyous winter week!
Jenny
All continues to be stable with the foot. There are still some rough days, but the good days are much greater than the bad ones. It still frustrates me that one day I can wear a pair of shoes/boot just fine and the same pair of shoes may not work at another time … how can that be!?! It happened this morning in the middle of church and it was a long hour. I ordered this “toe sock” this week to try and help with swelling, & rubbing, but it has not arrived yet. I am now wishing that we had never fused the big toe, but it is done now and there is no going back. The great toe has more purpose/function than you’ll ever know! However, I am grateful to even be wearing a shoe so I’m not complaining. It is a shopping shoe challenge now to find something that looks cute and yet feels good/is workable.
I did not have pt last week because of the travel, but I do have it this Friday afternoon. I feel like the toes need to be stretched, so it will be good to go …. Only two sessions left on the current script. It is almost hard to think that I might be nearing the end, as I have my own parking spot, table, locker, and I’m the only one with a file that spills into a binder. The therapist that I have has been great and has hung in there when the situation looked really grim at times. I often joke with him that his job is half physical therapist and half cheerleader …. St. Louis Physical Therapy is the place, if you need pt in STL.
I have been amazed this week at the number of people that assumed that I am married and that my husband has been great about doing this or that through this ordeal …. Nope, no hubby. However, I am actively looking and am hoping for dates ahead – keep your eye out for good prospects. I need to make up for some "lost dating time" .. :)
Wishing you a joyous winter week!
Jenny
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Wintery Week .... all is good!
Post #385 . . .
The past week was a good one for the foot with not a lot new happening. On Wednesday, I had lunch with the first physical therapist that I worked with (probably for the first two years), before she changed jobs. It was great to see her and she was really happy to hear that I’m back to doing normal life activities. My pt session went well this week and my therapist finally wrote in his “daily notes” that he thinks I’ve “turned the corner” and no more surgery will be necessary ….. I joked with him that he could have written that months ago, but he said he was being cautious.
Thursday was a snow day and I loved being at home for the day …. Yeah! I got so much done, sipped hot chocolate all morning and leisurely cleaned out closets and got things organized for the New Year.
I received a brief e-mail from Dr. P in Chicago and she told me something else to try when wearing my boots …. it is a thin cover that slips over the big toe, so it doesn’t rub on anything and it somewhat controls the swelling. I tried it one day this week and it seemed a lot better. I didn’t have students this week, so it was a good week to wear the boots since I did more sitting. I was able to wear them all day with the new cover cushion ….. before I could only do several hours. My secretary was laughing at me because I was so excited that I lasted all day in something with a 1” heel …. Yippee!
I am still using the cream from the dermatologist, good thing it was a big jar. I was washing my foot today and evidently pressed too hard with the wash cloth because the next thing I knew – open skin and blood! It will heal up in several days – no worries.
This week I am in Memphis, TN for several days helping with program implementation/management things at our JA office in Memphis ….. I am hoping for some good BBQ and warmer temps. Just for the record …. I’m driving with the right foot.
I remain very thankful for smooth days of walking with no pain ….
Jenny
The past week was a good one for the foot with not a lot new happening. On Wednesday, I had lunch with the first physical therapist that I worked with (probably for the first two years), before she changed jobs. It was great to see her and she was really happy to hear that I’m back to doing normal life activities. My pt session went well this week and my therapist finally wrote in his “daily notes” that he thinks I’ve “turned the corner” and no more surgery will be necessary ….. I joked with him that he could have written that months ago, but he said he was being cautious.
Thursday was a snow day and I loved being at home for the day …. Yeah! I got so much done, sipped hot chocolate all morning and leisurely cleaned out closets and got things organized for the New Year.
I received a brief e-mail from Dr. P in Chicago and she told me something else to try when wearing my boots …. it is a thin cover that slips over the big toe, so it doesn’t rub on anything and it somewhat controls the swelling. I tried it one day this week and it seemed a lot better. I didn’t have students this week, so it was a good week to wear the boots since I did more sitting. I was able to wear them all day with the new cover cushion ….. before I could only do several hours. My secretary was laughing at me because I was so excited that I lasted all day in something with a 1” heel …. Yippee!
I am still using the cream from the dermatologist, good thing it was a big jar. I was washing my foot today and evidently pressed too hard with the wash cloth because the next thing I knew – open skin and blood! It will heal up in several days – no worries.
This week I am in Memphis, TN for several days helping with program implementation/management things at our JA office in Memphis ….. I am hoping for some good BBQ and warmer temps. Just for the record …. I’m driving with the right foot.
I remain very thankful for smooth days of walking with no pain ….
Jenny
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
Post #384 . . .
Happy New Year! Did you see the “snow” falling on this new blog design? It is subtle and you really have to look, but it is there! It has been good to think back over the past year this week and the progress we’ve made. I remembered that last January we thought we were totally done and then that wasn’t the case. There were unexpected highs and lows, but throughout it all God’s grace, love, and strength shined bright. I am hopeful that 2010 will be the end of medical challenges and the beginning of enjoying life.
I am thinking about buying the Bosu ball for home that I use in therapy. It is a rounded ball w/a flat bottom and when I stand on it, it forces the toes to curve and “hang on.” It provides a stretch for the toes that is hard to replicate any other way.
I was cleaning out closets yesterday and consolidated bandage supplies and got rid of some more shoes that are no longer practical. None of the shoes had any big attachment to heart strings, so I was okay with it. I also pitched one of the black post-op boots that was thoroughly worn out.
As for foot positioning, all is still good. If I am on the foot a lot during the day I start to notice some discomfort, but it is manageable. We will likely take ROM measurements this week at pt. I think this past week was the first week in the longest time (maybe a year+) where I did not have any appointments!
At the end of next week, I am traveling to Memphis for work. I will be there for several days helping the JA BizTown Director with best practices that we have implemented in St. Louis. I purchased a 2010 Mary Engelbreit calendar last week and the theme for the calendar is “2010 A Model Year” …… thought that was fitting, as I’m ready for a model year!
Hope your tootsies are staying warm during this chilly weather!
Jenny
Happy New Year! Did you see the “snow” falling on this new blog design? It is subtle and you really have to look, but it is there! It has been good to think back over the past year this week and the progress we’ve made. I remembered that last January we thought we were totally done and then that wasn’t the case. There were unexpected highs and lows, but throughout it all God’s grace, love, and strength shined bright. I am hopeful that 2010 will be the end of medical challenges and the beginning of enjoying life.
I am thinking about buying the Bosu ball for home that I use in therapy. It is a rounded ball w/a flat bottom and when I stand on it, it forces the toes to curve and “hang on.” It provides a stretch for the toes that is hard to replicate any other way.
I was cleaning out closets yesterday and consolidated bandage supplies and got rid of some more shoes that are no longer practical. None of the shoes had any big attachment to heart strings, so I was okay with it. I also pitched one of the black post-op boots that was thoroughly worn out.
As for foot positioning, all is still good. If I am on the foot a lot during the day I start to notice some discomfort, but it is manageable. We will likely take ROM measurements this week at pt. I think this past week was the first week in the longest time (maybe a year+) where I did not have any appointments!
At the end of next week, I am traveling to Memphis for work. I will be there for several days helping the JA BizTown Director with best practices that we have implemented in St. Louis. I purchased a 2010 Mary Engelbreit calendar last week and the theme for the calendar is “2010 A Model Year” …… thought that was fitting, as I’m ready for a model year!
Hope your tootsies are staying warm during this chilly weather!
Jenny
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