I'm having foot surgery on Wednesday, which has been the cause of a great deal of recent angst. And pain. And such.
A lot of people have asked, "What's wrong? What kind of foot surgery? Did you injure it?" and so on, so I figured I'd write an explanation.
My right foot has bothered me off and on since I was in high school. It had just been a minor annoyance with an occasional flare-up of short-lived agony until fairly recently, so it was just easier to ignore it. It's gotten progressively worse, though, to the point where I finally went to a podiatrist.
It should be noted at this time that I hate feet. I. HATE. FEET.
So the first time I went to the podiatrist, I received a phone call from Belle's school saying that the kids were being dismissed immediately because of a sewage issue. When the doctor walked in for the first time, I said, "I have to go ... sewage emergency." (I have a bad habit of saying stupid things before thinking of how they'll sound). The doctor was very nice about it (I did elaborate, by the way, on what I meant), and I got the appointment rescheduled.
Anyway, they did x-rays and stuff at the rescheduled appointment, and I have something called Freiberg's Infraction.
Which, by the way, doesn't show up anywhere--not WebMd, not anywhere! I didn't pay attention when the doctor was explaining the condition because I figured I'd just Google it, but it was crazy. The only stuff I could find was written by doctors, and I don't speak science. My mother, who usually translates medical jargon for me, was in Ireland when I received this news, so I rather hysterically started stalking my sister (she's a microbiologist, which is obviously different from a medical doctor, but she does speak "doctor"). Mary, as always, came through for me, learning more about Freiberg's Infraction than most doctors, I think, and even making a model of where my surgery scar will be and such.
So, basically, I injured my foot when I was a teenager (before the growth plate closed). The second metatarsal, to be exact. Over time, the cartilage between my second toe and the metatarsal bone disappeared, then the bone itself started breaking down (the official word is "necrosed", which of course means "dead" ... have I mentioned that I hate feet?).
It's gotten to the point where it is very painful, and the toe will "pop out" (I don't know how to put it better than that) once in awhile, which freaking kills.
So, yeah, surgery on Wednesday to reshape the bone and such. Gross. I hate feet ;-p
The pain is such, however, that I can't decide if I'm dreading this surgery or looking forward to it (because I want it to stop hurting).
Yeah, the recovery doesn't sound like much fun either.
For three days, I have to sit on my ass with my foot elevated above my heart. Ice on for an hour, off for an hour. Painkillers. Not able to do anything.
The sitting on my ass/elevating foot is a constant for two weeks. I can't drive. I have to wear a sexy surgical shoe.
I don't do well with sitting on my ass. I am feeling claustrophobic at the very thought of not being able to drive. I'm glad that I got a few gift certificates to Barnes and Noble for my birthday last month as I'm going to to be racking up the Nook purchases. There's always TV, I suppose. A lot of family coming for Thanksgiving. Missing work (ugh!) and not being able to do jack for a couple of weeks.
I'm just trying to focus on how nice it will be when this is over and my foot doesn't hurt on a regular basis. It's just going to be a pain--both literal and figurative--getting there.
A lot of people have asked, "What's wrong? What kind of foot surgery? Did you injure it?" and so on, so I figured I'd write an explanation.
My right foot has bothered me off and on since I was in high school. It had just been a minor annoyance with an occasional flare-up of short-lived agony until fairly recently, so it was just easier to ignore it. It's gotten progressively worse, though, to the point where I finally went to a podiatrist.
It should be noted at this time that I hate feet. I. HATE. FEET.
So the first time I went to the podiatrist, I received a phone call from Belle's school saying that the kids were being dismissed immediately because of a sewage issue. When the doctor walked in for the first time, I said, "I have to go ... sewage emergency." (I have a bad habit of saying stupid things before thinking of how they'll sound). The doctor was very nice about it (I did elaborate, by the way, on what I meant), and I got the appointment rescheduled.
Anyway, they did x-rays and stuff at the rescheduled appointment, and I have something called Freiberg's Infraction.
Which, by the way, doesn't show up anywhere--not WebMd, not anywhere! I didn't pay attention when the doctor was explaining the condition because I figured I'd just Google it, but it was crazy. The only stuff I could find was written by doctors, and I don't speak science. My mother, who usually translates medical jargon for me, was in Ireland when I received this news, so I rather hysterically started stalking my sister (she's a microbiologist, which is obviously different from a medical doctor, but she does speak "doctor"). Mary, as always, came through for me, learning more about Freiberg's Infraction than most doctors, I think, and even making a model of where my surgery scar will be and such.
So, basically, I injured my foot when I was a teenager (before the growth plate closed). The second metatarsal, to be exact. Over time, the cartilage between my second toe and the metatarsal bone disappeared, then the bone itself started breaking down (the official word is "necrosed", which of course means "dead" ... have I mentioned that I hate feet?).
It's gotten to the point where it is very painful, and the toe will "pop out" (I don't know how to put it better than that) once in awhile, which freaking kills.
So, yeah, surgery on Wednesday to reshape the bone and such. Gross. I hate feet ;-p
The pain is such, however, that I can't decide if I'm dreading this surgery or looking forward to it (because I want it to stop hurting).
Yeah, the recovery doesn't sound like much fun either.
For three days, I have to sit on my ass with my foot elevated above my heart. Ice on for an hour, off for an hour. Painkillers. Not able to do anything.
The sitting on my ass/elevating foot is a constant for two weeks. I can't drive. I have to wear a sexy surgical shoe.
I don't do well with sitting on my ass. I am feeling claustrophobic at the very thought of not being able to drive. I'm glad that I got a few gift certificates to Barnes and Noble for my birthday last month as I'm going to to be racking up the Nook purchases. There's always TV, I suppose. A lot of family coming for Thanksgiving. Missing work (ugh!) and not being able to do jack for a couple of weeks.
I'm just trying to focus on how nice it will be when this is over and my foot doesn't hurt on a regular basis. It's just going to be a pain--both literal and figurative--getting there.
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Well you're going to have to learn to love sitting on your ass. As comfortable as I am on my ass, I would have problems with the elevated feet. I like my feet elevated, sure, but not that high. I hate doctors in general, and would like to live without going through surgery, but at least when it's over, it's over, and the foot pain should stop once and for all, which is a very good thing.
ReplyDeleteShort term pain, long term gain...and you get people to run around after you for a change. Enjoy the fuss they'll make of you and get your revenge when you can walk again.
ReplyDeleteFirst I wish you a full and speedy recovery. Healing thoughts for the pain and I know being an active person it must seem such an inconvenience but savor every moment - except the pain. It isn't often we get waited on hand and foot. :) I too enjoy giving. It feels so good to give to others, to make them smile, brighten their day in some small way and the best part, the more you do it, it just becomes a daily habit. Kudos to you. :) Thanks for stopping by my place. I am now stalking, um, following you too! ;)
ReplyDelete