The decision came the day I returned two pairs of sneakers to a local sporting goods store: The bunion is coming off! That cantankerous, throbbing growth below and to the side of the big toe on my right foot dictated my shoe purchases for almost 20 years! Gradually, the dress heels I wore for work dropped from a modest two-plus inches to one inch or less. Pointed-toed shoes were replaced by rounded, wider toe box models. Boring and drab!
Still, the beast wasn’t satisfied.
Shoe purchases became even more restricted. Strips of fabric or other materials that cut across the bunion annoyed it to no end, hence throbbing pain. Some low-heeled, strappy sandals were OK as long as the mountain summit could poke out between two straps. Now, isn’t that just really attractive!
But when my sneaker purchases were finally limited, I knew it was time. In October, I made an appointment with the podiatrist who performed a bunionectomy on my mom several years ago. (Yes, there is a hereditary factor.) When he heard my story and saw the lump then the X-ray, he didn’t hesitate. He described the out-patient procedure, the post-op restrictions and, of course, the risks. Bill and I had already discussed timing of the surgery to be after the cow/calf pairs were trucked to their winter quarters; and after the Kansas Livestock Association’s annual convention the first week of December so I could feed the Bobsey twin calves while he was gone. Surgery was scheduled for December 10th.
Post-surgical restrictions involved wearing a protective boot, three weeks of no weight-bearing on the right foot, minimal mobility using crutches or a walker and keeping the foot elevated as much as possible. Also, no driving. It’s actually illegal in Kansas to drive wearing the protective boot. After that three-week period, I likely would be allowed to carefully and gradually start putting weight on the foot, but to still wear the boot for at least two more weeks.
With all that downtime, I needed projects so I put together a list:
The next project was to plan ahead for my limited mobility. Initially, I opted for crutches over using a walker. Luckily, we have both, plus other home health assistance items left over from Bill’s knee replacement surgery a few years ago. At my pre-op appointment with the podiatrist, I was issued the glamorous boot (Not Prada or Gucci as I requested. Seems Blue Cross-Blue Shield frowned on these!). So I practiced using crutches while wearing the boot to build strength and coordination. Then, after surgery, the post-op nurse encouraged using a walker and provided one for a few minutes of practice. When we returned home, I switched to a walker, which is admittedly more stable.
Still, the beast wasn’t satisfied.
Shoe purchases became even more restricted. Strips of fabric or other materials that cut across the bunion annoyed it to no end, hence throbbing pain. Some low-heeled, strappy sandals were OK as long as the mountain summit could poke out between two straps. Now, isn’t that just really attractive!
But when my sneaker purchases were finally limited, I knew it was time. In October, I made an appointment with the podiatrist who performed a bunionectomy on my mom several years ago. (Yes, there is a hereditary factor.) When he heard my story and saw the lump then the X-ray, he didn’t hesitate. He described the out-patient procedure, the post-op restrictions and, of course, the risks. Bill and I had already discussed timing of the surgery to be after the cow/calf pairs were trucked to their winter quarters; and after the Kansas Livestock Association’s annual convention the first week of December so I could feed the Bobsey twin calves while he was gone. Surgery was scheduled for December 10th.
Post-surgical restrictions involved wearing a protective boot, three weeks of no weight-bearing on the right foot, minimal mobility using crutches or a walker and keeping the foot elevated as much as possible. Also, no driving. It’s actually illegal in Kansas to drive wearing the protective boot. After that three-week period, I likely would be allowed to carefully and gradually start putting weight on the foot, but to still wear the boot for at least two more weeks.
With all that downtime, I needed projects so I put together a list:
- Sort through many boxes of pictures and ancestral memorabilia from both Mom’s and Dad’s sides of the family. Mom was the repository for these until we moved her into a studio apartment at the assisted living facility. I have three siblings and, except for my youngest sister who took home some pictures when she visited in the fall, none of them wanted much of this stuff. Guess who ended up with it!
- Read all the books I hadn't had time for;
- Check out some DVD movies from the library;
- Clean up and delete computer files and emails;
- Update all my financial spreadsheets for 2014 income taxes, including book income, expenses and sales taxes, my medical expenses, and Mom’s medical and financial information.
- Create blogs for future posting.
The next project was to plan ahead for my limited mobility. Initially, I opted for crutches over using a walker. Luckily, we have both, plus other home health assistance items left over from Bill’s knee replacement surgery a few years ago. At my pre-op appointment with the podiatrist, I was issued the glamorous boot (Not Prada or Gucci as I requested. Seems Blue Cross-Blue Shield frowned on these!). So I practiced using crutches while wearing the boot to build strength and coordination. Then, after surgery, the post-op nurse encouraged using a walker and provided one for a few minutes of practice. When we returned home, I switched to a walker, which is admittedly more stable.
The walker also proved to be a versatile recuperation multi-tool. I’m camped out on the couch in the living room for most of the day and need a table within arm’s reach. There is an end table, but it’s behind me. I suggested to Bill he find a board to place across the middle supports on each side of the walker. He found a “one by twelve” he shortened and it works great as a table! I can also use it transport stuff I can’t carry. The walker is also tricked out with a cloth bag for light-weight items.
The little portable table came in handy on a few days when Bill was gone at lunchtime, either in town on errands or doing farm projects such as fertilizing pastures and hay fields. I’d laid in a supply of nuke-able low calorie frozen entrees. I used my walker-table to transport my lunch from the microwave to the table and when finished, back to the kitchen counter.
One of my major concerns during recuperation was transporting my coffee from the kitchen to the living room. Dedicated coffee-drinkers understand why this seemingly trivial item is labeled as “major”! Bill is home most of the time so that isn’t a problem. But what about when he has to be away for a few hours? The solution is pictured below. I have a water bottle holder on a nylon belt that fastens around my waist. My coffee travel mug fits in the holder beautifully! Yes, I could hang it on the front of the walker, as in the first picture above, or transport it on the board, but didn’t want to risk the potential mess of a full mug of coffee toppling over. The little drink holes leak even when closed.
Another major pre-planning task was showering. Post-op instructions were emphatic about not getting the dressing wet! I was also advised that no matter how tightly a plastic bag is taped around the dressing, it will likely leak. We have a shower chair left over from Bill’s surgery. My bathroom has a one-piece shower/tub unit. We placed the chair in the tub sideways, propped my feet outside the tub on a chair, put the plastic shower curtain across my lap with the bottom turned inside toward me so water sluiced back into the tub. We also placed an old shower curtain over my legs and feet as extra protection. Voila! I’m able to shower and wash my hair without risking a soggy dressing or flooded bathroom!
Anyone we told about my surgery who either experienced it or knew someone who had, expressed the same sentiment: “That’s so painful” or “That’s the worst surgery you can have!” I was never too concerned about pain. The doctor prescribed two pain meds, Oxycontin and hydrocodone, and recommended ice packs to reduce pain and swelling. I don’t usually experience adverse side effects from surgical anesthesia or post-op pain meds, and didn't this time. I’d anticipated trips to “la-la land” from the pain meds, but that didn't happen either. I remained awake and alert during the day. After three days, I was still pain-free, so discontinued the Oxycontin. The next day, I stopped the hydrocodone and switched to naproxen sodium (brand name Aleve). The day after that, I ditched the naproxen. Apparently, I have a high tolerance to pain. Also, I follow directions extremely well so heeded the doc’s advice about no weight-bearing and minimal mobility. So far, it’s paid off—I’m ahead on the healing curve!
I couldn't get through this recuperation without my home health aide extraordinaire, Bill. We've always shared cooking duties, but now he’s doing it all, plus laundry and housework. He helps me get in and out of the shower and, while I’m showering, he assembles my post-shower and hair paraphernalia on the bathroom countertop. He even has my coffee, jug of water and newspaper by the couch when I get up in the morning. That’s my farmer and my love!
My post-surgical expectations are reasonable:
In the past, I dreaded shoe shopping. Now I can hardly wait to go!
Anyone we told about my surgery who either experienced it or knew someone who had, expressed the same sentiment: “That’s so painful” or “That’s the worst surgery you can have!” I was never too concerned about pain. The doctor prescribed two pain meds, Oxycontin and hydrocodone, and recommended ice packs to reduce pain and swelling. I don’t usually experience adverse side effects from surgical anesthesia or post-op pain meds, and didn't this time. I’d anticipated trips to “la-la land” from the pain meds, but that didn't happen either. I remained awake and alert during the day. After three days, I was still pain-free, so discontinued the Oxycontin. The next day, I stopped the hydrocodone and switched to naproxen sodium (brand name Aleve). The day after that, I ditched the naproxen. Apparently, I have a high tolerance to pain. Also, I follow directions extremely well so heeded the doc’s advice about no weight-bearing and minimal mobility. So far, it’s paid off—I’m ahead on the healing curve!
I couldn't get through this recuperation without my home health aide extraordinaire, Bill. We've always shared cooking duties, but now he’s doing it all, plus laundry and housework. He helps me get in and out of the shower and, while I’m showering, he assembles my post-shower and hair paraphernalia on the bathroom countertop. He even has my coffee, jug of water and newspaper by the couch when I get up in the morning. That’s my farmer and my love!
My post-surgical expectations are reasonable:
- To be fully recovered by March;
- To wear low-heeled, comfortable and attractive leather shoes for dress and casual events;
- To choose from a limitless variety of sneakers.
In the past, I dreaded shoe shopping. Now I can hardly wait to go!
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