Brachymetatarsia - A Transformational Journey: 8th Week

Saturday, April 16, 2011

8th Week — Post-Op Summary

A bit of a breakthrough this week. YES!

The first bit of good news is I finished my taxes! ;o) At a turtles pace, but they are done! Yay!

That soon was coupled with an unseasonably warm day this week. I got to open my windows and let some fresh warm air flow through the apartment. (I can't walk Missy yet so she does all her business on her wee pads— the venting was needed. ;o)

PAIN

Heel pain I had last week diminished. Looking at my scars I decided it was time to bathe without a plastic bag on my foot. (I had not wanted to do this until the skin had really bonded together well— I didn't want incisions to reopen.)

Running water on my foot...OMG, this was amazing!!!!! I hadn't done that in 52 days!!! It was awesome. I gently scrubbed my foot with soap and water. (Had only periodically washed with a damp washcloth.) It was dreeeeamy!

MORE GOOD NEWS

I actually could put on a regular sock without it bothering me now. Wooohoo! (tried shoes... not happening yet.)

STRANGE (congestion)

I have to talk to my doc about this. Whenever my leg is down it changes color. (and becomes painful) I presume it's blood. The feeling of this several weeks ago was painful. Now the feeling is just uncomfortable. But the color thing is a little un-nerving. Gonna ask about it. Looks purple-ee. (what this is: see: "PURPLE-EE (CONGESTION)")

SCARS
Apposed to last week, this week I decided to go back to the ace bandage. I feel my scars still need the "pressure" for the scars.

Also, at the end of this week I decided one morning to massage my scars. (Doing it in the morning ensures any pain from it will subside by nightfall.) I thought it would be good for the scar tissue, to hopefully help heal with more flexibility.

Genius that I am, I did it too hard! The tendon underneath my Brachy scar swelled up. (made me panic a bit) and the opposite side of the heal-scar swelled up too! OY. I put the ace bandage on tight, checked it now and then. By the following morning things were fine.

A friend of mine went to physical therapy for a scar on her finger. She did confirm my thoughts about massaging the scar tissue. So I will continue, but gentler.

SLEEPING
Horrible. I have to do something about this...

LANDMARK

I'M 3/4 of the way through the 1st phase! YAY! 4 more weeks and I should be able to take my first steps! WooooHooo!

TOE
This week I've been moving my toe as Dr. Yes recommended. Not remembering 3 times a day though. I do see immediate difference as to where the toe lays, but after a while it seems to revert back. I think I have to really do it 3 times a day and understand that it's a slow process. Let's see what happens.

Have a great week!

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INTRUDUCTION

While I am a go-getter and live positively, this blog is not full of "How wonderful, my toe is fixed" sentiments. ;o) I feel doing that alone covers up important information needed in order to consider this surgery. Some of this information is what the professionals surrounding this condition do not (or can not) share.

So read the details and make the decision that is best for you. NOTE: My experience may be different than yours in that I had 2 bunionectomies and the Brachy correction done on the same foot— at the same time.

If the answer to your question isn't on this blog, just leave a comment below the post in question. I'll reply as soon as I can. Thanks for following my blog! ;o)
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History

When my sister, sent me an online link in 2000 she wrote, "Even the name is ugly!" For 30 years we had no idea of the name of our deformity or how many people shared the condition.

For those of us with this condition it is supremely embarrassing. It fills you with grief and you have to fight off the isolation it can make you feel.

I won't pretend though. You can have positive days where you say, "So What?! There are worse conditions! I'm buying sandals today!" We go out and try them on and most times come back home empty handed. Or if we buy them we never make it past the front door.

Some of us do make it past the front door though. Some overcome the looks & stares and walk around in the world with open-toe shoes. Kudos to those that can! Truly! But for those that can't I hope my blogged journey will help.

My Surgery was February 2011
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One-stage Brachymetatarsia Correction

Wk 1-2
Waiting for reduction of swelling.

Wk 1-11 (total span of time)
On short-term disability. Unable to work my desk job.

Wk 2-4
In a hard-cast. (from below the knee)

Wk 3-12 (total span of time)
Used removable cast cuz permanent cast was too uncomfortable

Wk 1-12 (total 3mo span)
On crutches. Never bearing weight on foot. Leg couldn't be lowered for more than 20min without it becoming painful.

Wk 13-14 (3mo)
Transitioned form NW (non-weight bearing) to PW (partial-weight bearing). Walking with Boot and Crutches.

Wk 15 (3.5mo)
Off crutches. Boot gone. In sneakers. A whole lot of pain. Sciatic nerve issue for weeks!

Wk 17 (4mo)
Working on sciatic pain with God's help! Experiencing foot pain and swelling when walking— that's normal. Much happier because pain is manageable. Starting to look good in flip flops!

Wk 19 (4.5mo)
Still working on sciatic pain. Taking ibuprofen or naproxen daily.

Wk 23 (5.5mo)
Three weeks post-op for right foot (bunionectomies). Both feet are achy. Only very short walks are in order.

Wk 32 (7mo)
Feeling awesome. Before and after pics are pretty amazing. Working on endurance to walk normally.

Wk 39 (9mo)
Went on vacation. Had to take Aleve all the while. Limping when tired. Wearing sandals. ;0)

Wk 52 (12mo)
Finally, pain free and walking without a limp.

Wk 60 (14mo)
Loving the flip-flop life!
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Exposure for this condition is one of my objectives. Below are people who chose the best option for them. Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing. So is education.

Review carefully, maybe their stories will help you decide what is best for you.

• Anita

From Spain— External Fixator
March 2010

• Cyn

From Arizona— One Stage
2013

• Pia

From Denmark— One Stage
December 2009

• Gloria (20s)

From Florida— External Fixator
August 2009

• Rachel
Liverpool— Loves her toe
Her facebook page celebrating it

• Susan

From NYC— External Fixator
March 2010

• Female (40s)

From NYC— External Fixator
Dec 2011

• Female (20s)

From ???— External Fixator
Dec 2011

• Chris (40s)

From Texas— External Fixator AND an implant
March 2012

• Female (20s)

From Texas— External Fixator
April 2012

• Mariia

From Florida— External Fixator
April 2012

• Precious (20s)

From — External Fixator
June 2012

(I've been told that "Google Chrome" helps to decipher foreign language websites.)

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THANK YOUs

"Thank you" to so many of the people who gave of themselves and their time. I pray the Lord will replenish what you've given. —My cup runneth over.

Danny, Thank you for driving me home (2hrs) and staying the night with me. For showing me how to use my crutches and taking me to my first food shopping trip. And for the to/from airport transport. ;o) • Kathy, Thanks for driving 2hrs to vacuum and mop. For helping move furniture for the ant exterminator, and staying the night & And for walking Missy. • Marlinda, Thank you for asking, "what can we do to help?" and then putting my need out there. ;o) For visiting and praying with me. • Asana, Thank you for coming every Friday and spending countless hours with me. Thank you for going up-and-down, in-and-out, to do my laundry so faithfully. For sharing yourself. For praying with me. And for walking Missy. • Leo, Thank you for patiently wheeling me around to do my shopping/errands and allowing me to monopolize your time. ;o) And for walking Missy. Thanks for getting my out of the house and into some sun. • Mom, Thank you for caring for me that first week, boy did I need it! Thanks for not minding my neediness and praying for me always. For helping to clean on your visit. • Dad, Thanks for lending mom to me that week. ;o) and for taking me to see the doctor. • Nancy, Thank you for being so sensitive to look me up and ask me what I needed. For wheeling me around to do my food shopping and errands. And for walking Missy. • Jack, Thank you for loaning me Nancy. LOL. • Jane, Thank you for stopping by. And for thinking/taking me to Easter dinner. • Shirley, Thank you for connecting me to my post-op doctor. For having me over on Easter. • Maggie, Thank you for faithfully taking me to every single one of my doctor appointments. And for walking Missy. • Izzy, Thanks for loaning me Maggie. ;o) • Cora, Thank you for not knowing me and yet wheel-chairing me around IKEA so I could find just the right chair. For taking me to the bank and the post-office. • Nati, Thank you for opening your home and taking the time to care of Missy while I was gone! and for letting my borrow the chair for the tub. • Nancy, Thank you for pitching in with Missy's care.

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DISCLAIMER
Nothing in this Blog is intended, or should be considered,
medical advice.
This is a BLOG of 'one' person's experience. Keep that in mind.

Information on this Blog is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including,
but not limited to, the completeness, accuracy, currentness or reliability of such content and information.

All references to medications, conditions and/or treatments, whether specifically or generically, are for informational purposes only and are not endorsements for your personal condition or treatment.

It is your responsibility to verify any information contained on this Blog prior to relying on it.

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

8th Week — Post-Op Summary

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