Day 42 - Post Surgery (6 days in shoes)

So I bet everyone's been wondering what the heck happened to me and if they'd ever hear a word again now that I'm FREE?! Well, I've been really disappointed with my progress, or lack of, since I got my shoes back. First of all, I could only fit in lace up shoes of which I have tennis shoes and one pair of brown casual shoes. Nothing else fits and/or is comfortable enough to wear. Either they are too narrow, too high heeled or slip ons - none of which I can wear yet.

Last Wednesday I wore my tennis shoes and Thursday I wore my brown lace up shoes. Friday I worked from home, mostly in sock feet. I found no real noticable improvement walking over the past week. In fact, definitely more periods of stiffness, which can make me walk even slower than the slow grandma walk I'm already doing. I was beginning to wonder how in the world I was ever going to be able to chaperone an out-of-state trip the first weekend in January, like I was all signed up to do? Needless to say, I never made it into the actual gym. I'm pretty sure the treadmill won't even go slow enough for me right now - LOL!

So, over the weekend we went in search of another pair of shoes. Black and a little more dressy that I could wear with casual clothes and my more dressy work clothes that I have to wear again starting in January (December is casual month). The best solution I found were a pair of black Dansko shoes. These turned out to be very comfortable shoes. I highly recommend them! Wider in the front of the foot. Nice with jeans and will work with dress pants.

Today, was my best day of the week so far. Not just because I took a 1/2 day off and ran several errands, but because I also drove the most I have driven in 6 weeks, stood the most I've stood, and generally moved about more than ever and feel pretty good.

I also ended my day with my first PT appointment. I think this PT decision is going to be the best decision that is going to change everything for me and get me capable of the walking I need to do the first weekend in January. I found out I've been doing a couple of things wrong. First I have not ever iced my feet correctly. They told me I need to ice to the point of my feet actually feelng numb from the cold. That is the point where the ice actually impacts the swelling. I've also not taken Ibuprofin "correctly". I've taken a couple at night and occasionally in the morning or during the day. The PT says taking it that way does not impact the swelling, just the pain. I am suppose to take one every 4 hours or two every 8 hours, consistently, to positively impact the swelling.

I was also taught a couple of exercises and how to correctly "pin and stretch" my scar tissue to get it loosened up. Here's a copy of my Exercise Program and the rest of the notes from today's session:

One of the exercises is to grab a towel with my toes and pull it towards me with just my toes. The other exercise is a weight shifting exercise where I do a rocking motion with my feet, concentrating on pushing-off with my back foot. This is the one that is going to make a huge difference. This is why I am having trouble walking. My feet are so stiff in this position that I can't walk correctly. While I am practicing the exercise all my toes and the top of my foot is cracking and popping constantly from not having been moved in the last 6 weeks.

I was also taught the "pin and stretch" for scar mobilization. This is where you press your finger down on the scar and use another finger to press against the scar pushing it away from the finger pressing down. This is suppose to stretch out the scar tissue.

They also gave me some special things they made for me to wear on my scars at night. They kind of look like silly putty, but are stiff. They molded them to my scars and then they slightly harden so they don't change shape anymore, but are still soft. I am suppose to wear these under socks or the compression bandage every night at bedtime. These are suppose to completely get rid of the raised scar and loosen the scar tissue. Not sure how exactly this works. She says it will likely be uncomfortable at first and I may not be able to wear them more than an hour or two at first. I can't imagine this, but I will let you know how it goes. Here's what they look like:

The last update I have for the night is on the incision/scar area itself. One of my errands today was my semi-annual dermatologist appointment. I showed my doctor my scars and asked if I should use Vitamin E or what? She said there is no proof to indicate that does anything more than the petroleum jelly I'm using right now. She said the scars look great and I should just keep using the petroleum jelly. So, now we know!

Here's today's feet pictures. Other than the swelling, the are really healing nicely!

Day 36 - Post Surgery (Tennis Shoes Day)

Woohoo! Tennis shoes day has finally come. Almost as exciting as surgery day and stitches out day! :)

This is my three day at work week. I got Monday in and planned to be at the office Wednesday and Thursday, then work from home on Friday. Next week I will be back in the office all week.

So this morning I packed my tennis shoes in my bag and got to my appointment shortly after 8 AM. I already knew the shoes I was bring with me fit because I had tried them on Sunday.

When I got into the office they told me they were going to take another set of x-rays. So we did another three views of each foot and I waited in the office for the doctor. While I was waiting I started looking through the old photos on my phone and noticed that my feet were actually more swollen today that they were the day I had my stitches out. Hmm?!

The doctor showed up and was quite happy. He had already reviewed my x-rays in the hall and said he was very proud of his work on my feet. He took a look at my feet and told me how great they look. I expressed concern about the swelling and he said that feet are at the lowest point in my body's food chain and that swelling can be expected for quite some time yet, even up to one full year if I overdo it or wear the wrong shoes. We discuss stuff for the incisions and he recommended Vitamin E. He said that I should be rubbing on the incision site each time I apply something on the incision to help loosen the scar tissue. He also asked if I wanted a referral to a physical therapist to make a couple of visits. I told him I thought this was a good idea. I will make that appointment in the next day or so. He told me I was free to do whatever I was comfortable with and to just listen to my feet. He said I couldn't hurt them anymore, but they could hurt me. :) I have another follow up appointment in two months. I didn't realize there'd be another appointment, I thought I was done after this one. He probably just likes my smile and wants to see me again! HAHA!!

Anyway, I walked out of the doctor's office in my tennis shoes. It had been 5 weeks since I had shoes on. Wow. A littlie unconfortable for sure and had to open the laces nice and wide. But they work and it's a lot easier to get around in those than the boots.

My husband took me to work, because I didn't want to try driving yet and I put my feet up under my desk all day. I ended getting up from my desk a few extra times and standed to talk to coworkers a couple of times, and my feet got sore enough that I had to go sit down.

In the afternoon we closed down a couple of hours early for a work party, where I stood awhile and then sat in a chair with my feet on the floor for an hour. I finally had to get another chair to put my feet up on. The party was over at 4 PM and a friend dropped me at my house. I was EXHAUSTED and litterally laid on the couch and fell asleep. I slept until my husband woke me at 5 PM for supper.

After supper I decided I needed to try driving to see if I could plan on driving myself to work tomorrow. Strangely enough, my feet didn't bother me at all driving. I felt akward, just because it'd been so long since I've driven, but no issues at all with the feet. Yahoo - I'm free!!!

So, tomorrow I am driving myself to work. Next week I'm going to hit the gym and see what I can do on a treadmill - LOL! More to come...

Day 33 - Post Surgery ( 3 days to Tennis Shoes)

Walking more every day, trying to prepare for life on my feet in tennis shoes this coming week.

I worked two full days in the office last week. No significant problems as I kept my feet up on my "crate ottoman" both days and minimized the number of times I got up from my desk as much as possible.

I have been walking sock footed almost all day when I am in the house, concentrating on tryng to walk "normal", which isn't quite possible yet and less possible the more I've been on my feet. I am really good at going up the stairs. Going down, not so much. Starting to practice coming down more normally in socks this week. Since I'm really not sure I'm even supposed to be doing this yet, I am being careful not to overdo it. :)

Yesterday I walked the dog all the way to the end of the block and back up the other side. The fresh air was wonderful and I really felt great. Callie loved it, too! It helped that I spent most of the day before and after the walk with my feet up. :) Success none-the less! I also tried on my right tennis shoe the other day, just to see how it would feel and fit. My right foot has been substantially less sore and swollen than my left. I opened the laces all the way and slipped my socked foot in the shoe. Um, not very comfortable. Kind of hurt to bend my foot to get it in and seemed awfully tight. I slipped it off pretty quickly and didn't even think about trying on the left shoe yet.

Today, I decided that I really needed to get both shoes on and just make sure they fit, since I'm suppose to be able to wear them out of the doctor's office this Wednesday already! I opened up the laces nice and wide and slipped my right foot in. Not too horrible. Now the left foot. The swollen foot. The very slow to heal incision foot. Opened the laces really wide and gingerly slipped my foot into the shoe. Hmmm? Tight and slightly uncomfortable, but they were on. Wore them from my bedroom, down the stairs and into the kitchen. Kept them on walking around the house for a little bit, even wondered if I should dare to wear them to the store? Decided that was just too crazy to consider and threw my boots on. Big, clumsy, loose, comfortable and SAFE boots. :) Tennis shoes will come soon enough.

This week I will be working three full days at work, next week back to full time at my desk. On Wedneday, my last post op appointment is at 8 AM and I was told to bring my tennis shoes. I will be working at my desk all day that day, so it will be VERY interesting to spend my first full day in tennis shoes at work. I won't lie, I'm a little worried how that's going to go. We have a departmental Holiday party that afternoon - I sure hope they have plenty of places for me to sit and put my feet up!

Check back Wednesday night and I'll let you now how it all went!

Day 29 - Post Surgery (1st full day at work)

I spent the first couple of days working from home again this week. I was so busy on Tuesday, I never got my boots off to ice my feet all day. Luckily I kept them elevated on the couch and never really noticed the difference.

I am starting to walk a little more and stand a little more each day, trying strike that balance between building up strength/energy and not overdoing. I had planned to work in the office two full days this week, three full days next week, then full time back in the office the following week, slowly working my way back.

So, today was my first full day at work. Everything went better than I expected. Had I taken some Ibuprofin in the morning like I'd planned, but forgot about, I wouldn't have had any discomfort at all. About 11 AM my feet were feeling a little sore - probably from the extra walking (to get into the building/to my desk and back and forth to the restroom/break area for water) - and I realized that I still had my vitamin and Ibuprofin in my pocket from the morning! Took those and had no discomfort the rest of the day. My feet are still up at work, which I'm guessing I'll be doing for awhile yet, until the swelling is completely gone. Other than being a little more tired than usual, my feet don't seem more sore or swollen at all.

I am also proud to say I haven't had any additional feet misshaps since the weekend - boy I hope I didn't just jinx myself by putting that in writing! Not much longer and I will be enjoying long walks with the dog, driving and even all the normal day-to day activities I'm used to like shopping, cooking and even cleaning!

COUNT DOWN TO TENNIS SHOES = 6 MORE DAYS!

Day 26 - Post Surgery

I am coming up on four weeks post surgery this coming Tuesday. Seems like not as much changing every day anymore.

Made it through another 1/2 day of work on Friday. Work hasn't turned out to be much of an issue while I am sitting at my desk. Arranged the perfect little moving crate thing on wheels under my legs that slides in and out with my chair so I can comfortably reach my keyboard and my legs stay elevated. The only problem is that I have to take my boots off at my desk, otherwise my legs are too uncomfortable. So, everytime I need to get up from my desk I have to put both boots on, then take them off when I get back to my desk. I am also a little more tired on working days, due to the extra walking. Next week I plan to work two full days and three full days the following week. My feet are definitely not as swollen and sore as they were last week, perhaps because I've tried to get them elevated above my heart 1-2 times each day now?

I have started walking around the house a little more just in my sock feet, instead of wearing my boots. I am pretty cautious depending on who's around me and what they are doing...especially if the boys/husband are screwing around I really keep my distance. Unfortunately, I can't protect myself from ME!

Yesterday morning I actually dropped the remote control on my left foot -- right on the bone where the incision was. That had me doing some pretty good swearing under my breath! Then this morning, I was rushing around before church in sock feet, even going up/down the stairs and on one of the times up I stubbed by left big toe into the stairs! Are you kidding me?! My left foot again. That darn thing can't catch a break. This time no swearing....just tears to my eyes. STUPID me. I really need to SLOW down when I don't have my boots on. Clearly I am feeling better every day and it's getting easier to forget that my feet are still tender.

Here's today's pictures. The first is a before and the second is after at almost four weeks. You can see they're still pretty puffy/swollen, but definitiely going to be nice and straight when the swelling is gone!

Here's a photo of my incisions. The right foot is definitely further along. The left foot towards the bottom of the incision is still pretty sore. I think from the increased swelling, this foot it is taking longer to heal.

Looking at the calendar I realize I am now 10 just days to tennis shoes and driving, so life is good!

Day 22 - Post Surgery (First 1/2 Day Back to Work)

Yesterday I concentrated on saving my feet for the impending day at work today. I made sure I did not overdo the standing/walking and kept up on the elevation and ice. I even picked out my clothes last night and got to sleep at a decent time.

I woke up at normal time for my workout and was dropped off at my office door at 7:20 AM. I had pre-arranged for a plastic moving crate to be placed under my desk yesterday so I had something sturdy to rest my feet on. I had also planned which door to enter of my building that was closest to the elevator and the break area so I could get my morning water filled before I went to my desk.

All in all everything worked out well. I worked from 7:30 AM to noon at my desk, and the rest of the day on my couch. I have to say it took about 1/2 the morning for me to figure out how to get my feet and chair positioned comfortably. I found out that I had to take my boots off, because my knees were locking out without a pillow to cushion the underside of my legs. I am going to bring in a pillow to keep at my desk this Friday, which should really help. Once I was in my socks I put my feet on my coat for a cushion and finally was able to get comfortable enough not to think about my feet or legs!

I have a photo of me in my boots, before I slipped them off:

I am still struggling with quite a bit of swelling and soreness, more in my left foot than the right. Here's a photo of my sock feet tonight. I think you can see the swelling where my bunions USED to be....these should eventually be almost completely flat...when the swelling is gone, that is.

Tomorrow is another day of work from the couch for me.

PS - check out the new FB page to connect with others at Bunion Surgery Recovery - Chats, Q&A's, and Connection:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Bunion-Surgery-Recovery-Chats-QAs-and-Connection/266239080090146

Day 20 - Post Surgery 19 Days

How exciting is that? I am 19 DAYS POST SURGERY! Just 2-1/2 weeks to tennis shoes. I might need to start counting down the days in the title instead of counting up! :)

Yesterday we slept in, still making up for missing sleep from our midnight black Friday shopping. Had a nice breakfast and started in on all the indoor decorations. My husband has been back to being a good helper, which I really appreciate. :)

All the boxes were brought up and I started with instructions on the order: first the tree branches, then the lights, then the garland and last all the ornaments. Our youngest was home to assist dad with the application of ornaments. I pretty much sat on the couch with my feet up, provided as little direction as I could stand and passed them the ornaments to hang. Afterwards I began my room-to-room swap of regular items on the mantel, table top, etc. for the traditional lit garland, stockings, candles and santas. This is the part I had to do myself, finding just the right spot for everything.

We also went to meet with our small group for a couple of hours where I was able to keep my feet up on the stools in the kitchen or on the couch in the living room. Boy did it feel nice to get out of the house for a couple of hours!

This morning I was back at my workout, after having taken the last few days off since Thanksgiving. Felt good to strain and sweat a little. Showered, ate my bowl of cereal and got to work. Had over 100 emails after being out on Friday. YIKES! Didn't anyone else take off?!

Tonight I made dinner, homemade turkey noodle soup, and fresh baked bread. I'm pretty ok with standing 15-20 minutes at a time a few times a day, but when I do this I make sure I also keep my feet up and ice enough the rest of the day.

The last accomplishment tonight was running to two stores to pick up a couple more Christmas presents. They both had wheel chairs, so at least I didn't have much walking and we were home in an hour, so not the three hour excursion I had the other day.

All in all, another successful day in my book!