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!