Throughout my childhood, my family took yearly road trips to Utah to visit great-grandparents and distant relatives. We used to stay at my Great-Grandma Lamb's house (dad's dad's mom). I remember her fruit trees on the hill in her back yard, with a bench-swing right in the middle of the orchard. I remember how adventurous her dark cinderblock basement was with tunnels that went through the walls. But most of all, I remember... her feet. The poor woman had toes that were so mangled by corns, bunions, hammer toes, age and genetics that she couldn't wear shoes anymore. She wore nude nylons and slippers- a combination that provided flexibility enough to allow for the unnatural shape of her feet. And I remember hearing through out my youth that, "Looks like you have your Great-Grandma Lamb's feet." AAAAAHHHHHhhhhhhhh!!!!!
I went to a podiatrist once, as a teenager. I wasn't there long. He told me I was
too young to start then, but to "expect multiple surgeries on those feet in the future." Thanks doc. Then, a couple of years ago, driving home from work, a commercial on the radio asked me, "Do you have a bunion on one or both of your feet?" Yes. "Does it sometimes give you pain or discomfort?" Yes. "Are you unable to wear the stylish shoes you really want to because of this hiddeous growth of bone out of the side of your foot?" Yes, Yes, Yes. The commercial was advertising free bunionectomies to patients willing to test out a new post-operative pain medication. I couldn't participate at the time because I was pregnant, but I thought, "Man, I need that surgery anyway. How cool would it be to get it done for free?" Needless to say, I took advantage this time the commercial came around.
too young to start then, but to "expect multiple surgeries on those feet in the future." Thanks doc. Then, a couple of years ago, driving home from work, a commercial on the radio asked me, "Do you have a bunion on one or both of your feet?" Yes. "Does it sometimes give you pain or discomfort?" Yes. "Are you unable to wear the stylish shoes you really want to because of this hiddeous growth of bone out of the side of your foot?" Yes, Yes, Yes. The commercial was advertising free bunionectomies to patients willing to test out a new post-operative pain medication. I couldn't participate at the time because I was pregnant, but I thought, "Man, I need that surgery anyway. How cool would it be to get it done for free?" Needless to say, I took advantage this time the commercial came around.
*the before picture doesn't do it justice, bu you can already see a change in the shape of my foot!
Long story a little longer, last Friday I had the surgery. Due to the study, I had to be hospitalized with NO VISITORS for 48 hours! They didn't want anyone sneaking me any drugs and messing with their results. For some reason, I thought it would be fun. Other than knowing I would miss my baby, I thought, "48 hours to catch up on all the books I've been wanting to read! 48 hours of rented movies to my hearts content! 48 hours to sleep in and take naps if I want!" But the glass was only half full. There was a lot of pain, nausea, vomiting, and nurses coming in to check my pain level and blood pressure every hour (so much for a good night's sleep). I also didn't realize how "out of comission" I would be. I started getting really frustrated that I couldn't take care of Wendy. When I got home, I couldn't bathe her, get her in or out of her crib, chase her around, or even pick her up. But I've been getting a little better each day, the hardest thing to do is be patient.
Special thanks to my wonderful husband Ryan who really stepped up to the plate. Thank you for realizing this was going to be more of an ordeal than I did. Thank you for taking on the role of the mom, the dad, the nurse, organizing babysitters, dinners, AND go to work each day. I get a little choked up just thinking about how grateful I am for all you've done. And thank you to my mom, my mother-in-law, aunt Jacque next door and my sister Rachel for taking care of Wendy when I couldn't.
Special thanks to my wonderful husband Ryan who really stepped up to the plate. Thank you for realizing this was going to be more of an ordeal than I did. Thank you for taking on the role of the mom, the dad, the nurse, organizing babysitters, dinners, AND go to work each day. I get a little choked up just thinking about how grateful I am for all you've done. And thank you to my mom, my mother-in-law, aunt Jacque next door and my sister Rachel for taking care of Wendy when I couldn't.
5 comments:
I am glad you are in the road to recovery! And just think of how cute your feet will be this summer in your sandles!
I can imagine foot surgery would be pretty painful. I hope you are up and around soon. Also, your foot already looks great, even with a bandage. That's exciting. I always take comfort that my kids are (or were) too little to remember some of the neglects they may have suffered. I'm sure Wendy will never think the worse of you for having the surgery. It is hard to not be able to do things for yourself though. I don't accept help well. Anyway, feel better! And woohoo for free surgery!
I did a free wisdom tooth removal a few years back, and it was only for 24 hours, but it was awful! They said it was for pain medication, But I swear I got the placebo because I too was up all night in extreme pain. Way to go though. Are you using a brace or anything to help get your range of motion back? Chris works for a medical device company that makes splints, and they have ones for people recovering from bunionextomies. They are suppost to cut recovery time in half.
aw, that sounds painful. but i agree, the shape of your foot already looks better in the bandage. yeah, that would be frustrating to not be able to take care of your baby when you thought it would be a simple surgery. feel better soon!
I'm glad you are feeling better, sounds really painful.
Post a Comment