Unhappy Feet

If you're reading this, apparently we didn't succumb to the Mayan end of days.  Whew!  Now, what do I do with all this spam?  ;-)

It's been quite a while since a normal weekday post!  If you're not a Facebook follower, I'll catch you up on my foot situation.  I went back to the podiatrist yesterday.  While waiting to go back for my appointment it was geriatric day.  Now I love me some old people, especially sassy ones but when your new shoes match the 65 year olds sitting across from you, it doesn't do much for your confidence, ya know?   I was SO happy to get that damn flexible cast cut off.  I seriously think the tightness of it was impeding recovery.  I was having more problems with the top of my foot than when I went in there.  So I'm hoping having the vice off will expedite things.  The girl said she suggested I get scanned for the orthotic inserts and I asked how much they were, she said $340.  When I came to, she asked if I knew if my insurance covered it or not and I said I had no clue so she called for me.  Another lady came back and said my insurance didn't cover it (surprise) and that unfortunately most don't cover them anymore and only a few will cover them if you're diabetic.  I asked if there were any over the counters I could try first and she said to ask the doc about that because she wasn't allowed to tell me one way or the other.  She said she had bad feet as well and even had surgery.  I asked for what and it was for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) and nerve entrapment (same thing I have) and she said it didn't help and it's actually coming back and the doctor told her it probably would.  Awesome.  I've done a LOT of research and I know for sure if my case was bad enough, I still probably wouldn't want the surgery because of the rate of complications.  The doctor came in and was very pleased to hear I was doing everything she asked.  (What, do most people not??)  She was excitedly writing down all of the things I said I was doing...things she told me to do.  I told her I felt the tape job was holding back my recovery and she said that was fine it didn't need to be taped up again if I felt uncomfortable in it.  (Good because I would've cut it off when I got home!)  She said I have to continue my current regimen (no impact exercise, ice, elevation, rest, stay off of it as much as possible, never walk around the house without ortho slippers/shoes) until I am 100% pain free.  At that time I can re-introduce low impact to see how I do but not until I feel I'm 100% recovered.  Awesome.  :-(

She said she was going to hold off on ordering a nerve test because I haven't complained of numbness or tingling which is a major tell tale of TTS and to keep it stretched.  Though the nice shooting pain I experienced last night while standing making dinner didn't give me much hope but I need to remember yesterday was the first day I had the tape off so who knows if nerves will fire or not.  It was quite a mental setback because it kind of knocked me off of my feet but I will do whatever it takes to get better and  hopefully my body won't punish me for it.  I'm very nervous for tomorrow's weigh in since it's the first weigh in after a full week of modification.  I've been eating fish like almost everyday this week except we had quesadillas for the first time in a while.  I don't know how those got out of rotation but they're comin' back in,  fo' sho!

I'm trying to look at it as a blessing because it's taught us how critical it is to have good foot care.  I admit to being guilty of cheaping out on good shoes in favor of mid-range shoes and running them into the ground.  I never gave exercising on a hard surface a second thought.  But I can't wait for the day I'm recovered from this, assuming I will.  Internet research has also freaked me out but I'd rather be armed with knowledge than go in blindly.

Other than that, just trying to get ready for the holiday and keep my spirits up as much as possible amidst my frustration.

What have you been up to?  

*I am not a doctor and all information in my blog posts regarding Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome should not be construed as medical advice, only my personal experience as stated in the disclaimer tab.*

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