Friday, January 9, 2015

I Need Some Help!!

And that's a HUGE admission. I'm not the type of person to ask for help. I usually know my own mind and am very decisive. And, no, I'm not talking about decorating---I'm good with that.

This time, I'm talking about my health situation---more directly, my papa toe!! I have a rather large bone spur that prevents my toe from moving and functioning properly. It hurts---not constantly, but if I do a lot of walking, standing for long periods of time or stay on the treadmill too long---I feel like an old, crippled woman. I saw a podiatrist and was ready to go with a joint replacement---until a friend of mine freaked out! She said I needed to see an orthopedic surgeon. She arranged it. I went. He said I need a "fusion" as it was a permanent fix rather than a joint replacement which would not last more than 8-10 years and could also cause pain. Of course, the choice was a "no brainer." I'm all about permanent---I'm not a "let's just put a band aid on it." I'm a firm believer of fixing something right the first time.

This decision was made in September. When the nurse called to schedule the surgery, I wanted the first part of March. She was surprised and said her calendar didn't go out that far. Clearly she doesn't know me! I'm a planner of the highest degree!! She called me back about 6 weeks later to  book it. I'm all set for March 6th. Smack in the middle of a couple of trips---Costa Rica in February and a British Isles cruise in August. There's really no better time.

Now I'm starting to have second thoughts. There is a pretty long recuperation period. For the first month, I'll be on crutches. I've never been on crutches. I'm worried about that. I don't know how I'll even get up the stairs in to my house. What about getting up at night to use the bathroom? This seems like it's going to be so hard. For the second month, I'll be in a walking boot. That seems okay, but again, getting up at night---putting on the boot to use the bathroom. Knowing me, I won't be able to "hold it" long enough to get the boot on. I'm not exactly able to hop around on one foot either.

The third month I'll be in a tennis shoe.

I guess if I admit it, I'm scared. Not about the surgery, but about how I will possibly get around. Maybe it will be easier than I think.

This is where you come in. Do you think I should go ahead and do it? This is not a problem that will go away or get better by itself. It will only get worse. And, I need to do the other foot too---it's not as bad as my right foot. But eventually, it will be.

Just by writing this all out and thinking about it, I think I've answered my own question. I need to go ahead and just do it. I guess it's the fear of the unknown. I need to come up with a plan. I probably should cut back on the fluids. Yeah, that's what I'll do. That's what I'm most concerned about anyway.

Okay, I guess I don't really need any help.

8 comments:

  1. Writing something down really does get it out of your brain and on to paper and then the clarity of mind that brings I find amazing. I'm glad you made your decision, you know it's the right thing and of course you will cope with the 'afterwards' an organised positive person like you will have it sorted in no time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm wishing you all the very best with this. I know what you mean - I was on crutches for the first time over the summer and there's no doubt that it's limiting. But you'll find a way of laughing at the situation: I'm getting to know you well enough to know that :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOL - glad we could help! I'd definitely go ahead and get it done. I'm all for taking care of things rather than letting them keep bother me. . . . Of course, I've never been on crutches, etc either!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Barbara ~ Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment this morning. My "Just a Quote for Friday" is just right for you today! ;o) I love that you came to your own conclusion just by writing this blog post. Blogging is so awesome that way! And, as a yoga instructor I can tell you that you need to take care of your feet! Otherwise, your entire body alignment will eventually suffer! Best of luck as you move forward on this! xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. oh Barbara..I feel your pain. I was in the same dilemma over a year ago now with my hip....i didn't have a replacement either. As it's giving you pain you are right you should have it done. it got to a point where i couldn't go on without an operation (in the end i had three ops) - I couldn't walk at all for weeks, couldn't drive for nearly four months and on crutches for 7 months - it was without a doubt a nightmare. You do adapt though and you do manage. you will get around - and if you can't for a while i'm sure you will have plenty of friends offering to wiz you about. good luck - you'll be back on your feet in no time and wondering why you didn't have it done sooner...i bet!!! x x x

    ReplyDelete
  6. cutting back on fluids doesn't affect the night time need to pee. That is caused by your Lymph system working better when you are lying down. It drains the excess fluids from your legs and processes them so that you wake up needing to go. the answer to that is to ensure that you sit with your legs higher than your bottom for at least an hour every day. You will be doing this because it will be part of your healing to "rest" your foot. Stop worrying about it because the final result will far exceed the interim trouble

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sometimes the anticipation is far worse than the actual event. Wishing you the best with it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just do it. You'll be so glad when it is behind you. I say do it while you are not any older, it will just get harder each year you put it off......think positive. Think how happy Papa toe will be!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting. If you would like a response from me, then please leave your email address.