Painted Toes

Hello-

Went for orthotics. Reshaped cast. Removed one layer of heel from my sneaker. Pretty much an unremarkable appointment except the lady was a little rough on my leg. Ugh.

Went in for my PT. Received a red rubber thingy. Did plantarflexion exercises. Went to the scale and was told to put 37 lbs of weight on my foot. I had a hard time doing it-as I usually put in too much weight-they wanted me to hold onto 37 lbs steady but that was difficult! I did it though, and then hobbled a lap with crutches and 37 lbs on my bad foot. I had 2 pts watching me the whole time. Whee! I love entourages

The Pt then told me that i am to cease using the wheelchair at home! The chair is now in the van when I need it for long walking distances. The PT says I can walk on my bad foot with crutches inside my house,  and outside anywhere only if its a flat and smooth surface and not too far. Man, I was so excited!!!!!!!

I asked when I will be able to ditch the crutches-Pt said in about 4 weeks. Mmm. Better than 6 more weeks. I need to remind myself-one day (or week) at a time.

I complained to the PT that I was deprived of any massage therapies like many of you have!!!!! He laughed and said there was one that I could do at home. I thought, ME DO IT? Someone else doing it for me is even better!!!!!!!!!! Oh well-better than nothing! So he said to use my thumb and gently press it on the side of the scar and run it across it and back. I was to do that until I reached the end of the scar. There was one area where I pressed that caused a lot of “electricity” or what the PT calls “lightening” feeling. The nerves are sensitive in that area. The PT said that my doctor noticed that I have an abnormal nerve structure in my leg/foot and that I had more than necessary. Just wonderful. The dr. was not able to avoid all of them, and was forced to cut through some. The PT said it was very possible that I may have permanent nerve damage, but the doctor was not too concerned. He thinks the nerve will resolve itself in a couple of months. MONTHS? Gosh. Ok. Fine. At least that won’t impede with walking/running! Anyway-the PT says to put Vitamin E on the scar (NOT on scabs-they must fall off first), and massage as instructed. I am looking forward to doing that, as I want to relieve the itch!

Got home and stood on my two feet for the first time since June 17 (of course, just 37 lbs on the bad foot). It felt GREAT. Gosh, I never thought I’d miss such a simple act as standing up on your own two feet. After a while, I realized I was exhausted. Just putting on 37 lbs and standing up took a lot out of me.

Next week will be my last orthotics appointment, so that means I will no longer be in that pink/white splint/cast. I have mixed feelings as the splint offers me some protection and some confidence…we’ll see. I also wonder if they’ll put some heels inside my sneakers, but I doubt it as it’ll be my last appt.

Till then!!!!!!!!