First Real Snow of the Season

Watch Out for the Snowballs! 

Winter doesn't officially start until Monday, but we woke up to a four-inch blanket of wet snow this morning. It made shoveling a chore, but it’s perfect for snowmen or a fort. I imagine there are plenty of snowball fights happening out there—though getting hit with a wet one is a great excuse for some 'revenge' by dropping snow down a friend's coat!

 

A Necessary Saturday Reset

Unfortunately, a cold finally caught up with me last night. It started with a sore throat, and while that has passed, the sneezing has begun. I headed to bed early last night, simply worn out. I felt a bit guilty sleeping until 10:00 this morning, but since it’s Saturday, I figured the rest was necessary. I still managed an hour of stretching and exercises in bed before getting up to get my blood circulating for the day.

 

Digestion Problems = Weight Loss

When Eating Becomes a Battle

Gaining weight has been a constant struggle lately—not because of an eating disorder, but due to a bile duct issue that went undiagnosed for two years. The pain after every meal became so intense that eating simply wasn't enjoyable anymore. In July, a surgeon found my bile duct was dilated to six times its normal size and then strictured so they inserted a stent to help the bile flow.

 

Persistence Through the Pain

While the stent was removed in October 2009 after clogging, the discomfort has recently returned. I’m fighting to not let the pain stop me from eating, but it’s a battle. At 5’9”, my weight dropped to 101 lbs last January. People told me I looked 'too thin,' but few understood that the pain was the real barrier. I’ve managed to gain 7 pounds since then, and I'm taking it one day at a time. 

 

Thanks for visiting, and happy surfing!"

Dusting Off the Blog: What I’ve Been Up To

Long Overdue Update

It has been over a year since my last post—November 2008, to be exact. I’m 49 now; a year older, though perhaps not much wiser! While I’m notorious for breaking New Year’s resolutions, I’m going to try to post twice a month. You heard it here first.

 

No More Tip-Toeing Around

A lot has happened since I was last here, most notably reconstructive surgery on my left foot. After walking on my toes for over 30 years, being able to stand with my foot flat on the ground feels nothing short of amazing.

 

Why Surgery Couldn't Wait Any Longer

My foot had reached a breaking point; over three decades, the bones had shifted so significantly that I had to use sponges to keep my toes from curling and digging into my shoes. I relied on custom-made shoes for years, but eventually, the ulcerated calluses became too much to manage. I knew it was finally time for surgery.

 

Four Major Corrections, One New Foot

My first surgery on August 4, 2008, involved four major corrections: flattening the protruding bones on the bottom of my foot, inserting pins to straighten my four hammer toes, removing a bunion, and fusing my big toe. The fusion was the hardest part to adjust to; because my big toe was now in a permanent, fixed position, both my walking boot and my subsequent custom shoes required a special indentation to ensure the toe never bore any weight.

 

 

Bracing for Impact—That Never Came

The pins in my toes ranged from four to over six inches long. When it came time to remove them, Dr. Lee clipped the white, pearl-like tips and told me he was ready to pull. I braced myself, eyes squeezed shut, chanting 'Oh no, oh no' in anticipation of the pain. Ten seconds later, I opened my eyes to tell him I was ready for the next one, only to find he’d already finished pulling all of them out!

 

Not Your Average Angel's Halo

My second surgery on October 24, 2008, was less extensive but far more painful. After thirty years of walking 'plantar fixed' (on my toes), my foot was stuck at a -42° angle rather than a flat 90°. To correct this, I was fitted with an external fixator—a 'halo.' It was held in place by six wires through my bones and two heavy bolts in my heel and shin for stability.

 

 

Bracing for the Unknown

The day after the 'halo' was installed, my surgeon shared a sobering concern: because years of RA had made my heel bone porous, he feared the wires might rip through as we adjusted the struts to bring my foot to 90°. I was grateful for the hospital's pain management at that moment; it kept my anxiety at bay.

 

Confined but Moving Forward

For 73 days, I was confined to a bed or wheelchair, relying on Spirit Medical Transport for every appointment. The most intense period was the two weeks spent turning the struts. Even in millimeter increments, the torque was so strong that my brother could feel the strain as he helped me.

 

One Down, One to Go!

When the halo finally came off on January 5, 2009, the relief was immense. I am no longer a 'ballerina' on my left foot—I can walk flat-footed! I never realized how incredible it would be to feel my heel with every step. My surgeons, Dr. Lee and Dr. DeCarbo in Columbus, were phenomenal. Though the recovery was painful and slow, Dr. DeCarbo’s patience was right: I just needed time. Now, I’m doing 110% better than I ever imagined. My next step (pun intended!) is to have my right foot done this April so I can be flat-footed on both sides by year’s end.