Update!!

        Hello!! It has been awhile since I have posted an update and I apologize, but better late than never. The past couple months have really tested my patience and my resolve to remain encouraged despite how my body was feeling. To be honest, I thought as soon as I had both of the implants in my feet, I would be off and running. A little naive I know, but I tend to believe for the brightest outcome possible. With that being said, I have made substantial progress and am filled with so much hope when I think about how far I have come. 

Back in May (my last post), I had removed the brace from my right foot and was walking in shoes without orthotics for the first time in my life. Walking may not be the correct word, I was attempting to put one foot in front of the other in a controlled manner (it didn't look pretty). I did not have much pain in either foot, but I had a really difficult time walking in a normal motion. In hindsight, I realize it was my body getting used to the realignment but at the time I was a little frustrated with this stage of the healing process. 

At the same time, I was experiencing a lot of pain in my left knee, specifically the IT band (a piece of tissue that connects the hip to the kneecap). Initially, with every step I took my left knee would pop and it would burn after short stints of walking. This continued for several weeks but began to improve, albeit extremely slowly. My parents recommended I visit a physical therapist and in June, I started going for therapy twice a week. I explained my condition to the therapist (he had never seen a case like mine) and he watched me walk barefoot for a few moments. He could tell my leg muscles were extremely weak and tight and consequently, it was putting additional stress on my joints (specifically my knee) when I walked. He immediately told me to start stretching for ten minutes twice a day and I started therapy the following week. 

I underestimated how difficult physical therapy could be but it was exactly what I needed. My therapist had me complete exercises to strengthen my hips and quads at the beginning. Exercises included the resistance bike, one-legged wall sits (ouch!!), weighted hip raises, leg press, single leg bridges, among many others. After every session I was completely wiped after pushing myself to the limit for about an hour and a half. Slowly but surely, my therapist added to my routine, making it more difficult as the weeks flew by and I became stronger. Increasing resistance on the bike, making me hold wall sits for longer and adding new exercises were just some of the challenges the therapist threw my way. Soon I was jumping and going through speed drills with a stepping block. This process has reminded me that transformation rarely takes place overnight but with a plan and consistent effort, you can chip away at whatever stands in your way. I haven't yet started running but that is next on the agenda. 

In terms of pain in my feet, I have none in my left foot and the occasional ache in my right foot (the second foot that was operated on). I am believing the right foot will be pain free similar to the left. The difference is literally night and day. Over the past couple months I was able to participate in a number of activities that I wouldn't have been able to before. In July, I went to the beach and was able to walk barefoot on the sand for miles (a miracle!!). In August I started going to yoga with a couple coworkers (a major challenge but that would be a blog post in itself) and was able to hold various poses barefoot. This month I went to a music festival over two days and was on my feet for a majority of the time both days. My feet felt great and although they grew tired after 10 hours of standing, it was nothing compared to the pain I experienced previously. This weekend I went hiking for over two hours on difficult terrain and up/down steep hills and it felt great, I wanted to do more after we had already finished. I am so thankful because just a year ago I wouldn't have been able to do any of these things and it is only the beginning. I am not sure how long I will need to go to therapy for but I am trusting God and believing for full restoration of my body no matter how long it takes. Also, my family and friends have been amazing throughout this journey and I am so grateful to have them in my life. I will update this more frequently going forward (at least once a month).

Verse of the day: "Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."

Psalm 66: 8-12

Making Progress...It's Undeniable!!

Greetings! It has been awhile since I have updated this, but I come with good news. It has been 2.5 months since I had surgery on my right foot and a little over five months since I had the first surgery on my left foot. To say that things are going well would be an understatement. I am walking around without orthotics in my shoes (which doctors told me would never happen) and I have no pain in my feet (which is foreign to me) but I can definitely get used to this. A couple weeks ago I was able to walk into a shoe store and buy shoes without needing to put my insoles in them first, something I hadn’t done in more than ten years. God is good. For real. Make no mistake, the journey has not been a piece of cake, but if I had to go through it again I would not hesitate. Although I have no pain in my feet, I am still getting used to walking now that I am using muscles in my legs/feet that I didn’t use before when my feet were misaligned.

I do have lingering knee discomfort, when I walk my knee pops, but I should note that it is only when I wear dress shoes for work. I think I need to buy some new shoes, but as a precaution, I scheduled a session for physical therapy this week. I am not sure I need it but I think it would be helpful to go through strengthening exercises for my knees and the rest of my lower body. I will do a better job of updating this (at least once a month) because although I have made a lot of improvement, I know that I still have a ways to go before I am running/jumping. I am not quite where I want to be but thank God I’m not where I used to be. I am so grateful. 

Verse of the day: “But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
1 Corinthians 15:57

One Down, One to Go!!!

Four days ago I had the Hyprocure procedure on my other foot (the right one). Thus far, things are going smoothly. I must admit that this process is much easier than my initial surgery when I had no idea what to expect. I had my ice packs and medication ready to go, my fridge stocked and the path to my couch fully cleared so I could immediately lay down once home from the hospital. My expertise with crutches from the first operation has served me well this time around. I knew how to use them before, but my shoulders have developed endurance from the last time around, an unintended benefit. The procedure was exactly the same as last time; same doctor, same anesthesia and I even saw the same nurse in the pre-op room. Right after the anesthesiologist put the drugs in my IV I passed out, and when I woke up it was all over. I actually thought I woke up during the surgery but it was just my doctor taking out the stitches from my other foot – that would have been terrible. The nurse was there to greet me with some ginger ale and crackers. I had never been so happy to see some Canada Dry and saltines; I was really hungry from having not eaten since the previous evening. Afterwards my mom and godmother drove me back to my apartment, but we managed to get lost along the way. I’m pretty bad with giving directions and apparently I’m not much better right after surgery.

The past few days have been pretty peaceful. I haven’t had much pain, similar to last time. I have passed the time working from home, watching TV, and reading some. The first two days were fine, but now I’m starting to get a little restless; my back hurts from sitting too much (I can’t complain though). I am looking forward to walking next week when I go to see the doctor.

As an update, my left foot (which I had the operation on three months ago) feels and looks amazing. I have no pain from putting all my weight on it, something that would have been impossible literally three months ago. Obviously, I am not fully recovered but I am really glad I made the decision to get this procedure. Things are only going to get better and I will be sure to document it here.

Verse of the day: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this” Psalm 37:5

Right Foot Operation is Tomorrow

Some time has passed since I updated this but I come with good news. It has been a little under three months since I had the operation on my left foot and it has healed really well. I do not have any pain in my foot at all, and am no longer wearing insoles in my left shoe (miracles are happening!!). I do still have discomfort in my knee but I think it is a function of my body getting used to the new, aligned position.

I am getting the operation on my other foot tomorrow and am pretty excited to move forward with the process. I know exactly what to expect this time around so I feel this should be even easier than the last one. Also, I can think of worse things than being confined to the couch for a week. I am super grateful for what’s about to transpire tomorrow and am looking forward to the day without crutches, canes, insoles or pain. That day is coming soon. God is good for real.

Verse of the day: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26            

8 Weeks Out

Today marks eight weeks since the surgery on my left foot. I can already tell that my life is changing drastically. A week and a half ago I was able to take off the brace and simply put my foot in a shoe. No orthotic (i.e. custom arch support), just my foot inside of a sock inside of a shoe. I haven’t done that in more than ten years. It feels good! It also feels different, but I am welcoming this period of adjustment with open arms. I have no pain walking or going up and down stairs. I can walk full speed, but I do take it easy when going down stairs. I am really thankful and in awe at how well my foot is responding to the device. Additionally, my knee pain is fading, another great sign. Things are looking up!

I spoke to the doctor last week and am scheduled to have my other foot operated on next month. I am in a bit of an awkward stage right now because one foot is corrected and the other isn’t so when I stand barefoot, my right foot starts hurting but the left has no pain. Needless to say I am excited to move forward and have the operation on my other foot. I am amazed at how quickly things are coming together. This is something that I have been dealing with for quite some time now and for it to be resolved in a matter of months is crazy to me. I know I’m not near finished yet but there is light at the end of this tunnel. Super super thankful and hopeful.

Verse of the day: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8

5 weeks out - things are looking good

Happy New Year! 2013 is shaping up to be a great one. It’s been a little more than 5 weeks since I had the operation on my left foot. Yesterday I went and saw the doctor so he could take x-rays and examine my foot. He told me that everything looked great and the stent is still exactly where it needs to be (great news as after four weeks there is virtually zero chance of displacement). God is good!! Additionally, I have no pain when walking or going up and down stairs which he said was an excellent sign.

I see a HUGE improvement in my foot, especially in comparison to the other one. There is a slight arch (where there was none before) and my heel no longer pronates, it is straight and aligned with my ankle (will post a before and after picture at some point). More important than what I see though is how it feels. I am getting used to walking differently but I am encouraged by the fact that it does not hurt. I am still wearing the ankle brace inside tennis shoes; the doctor wants me to wait a couple days until the wound completely dries. I cannot walk super fast but I am pretty mobile and am holding my own in NYC and as they say if you can make it here you can make it anywhere.

The other piece of good news is that the doctor said I can schedule my other foot whenever I am ready. I was happy to hear that because it feels weird having one corrected foot and one that isn’t (although it’s better than two that are bad). I want to do it as soon as possible but I need to clear it with work and the hospital – things are definitely headed in the right direction! I have a lot to be thankful for, going into this operation I wasn’t really sure what to expect but so far the recovery has exceeded all my expectations. Obviously I am nowhere near 100% yet but I am looking forward to the day when this will all be behind me.

Verse of the day: "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "so shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God has power to do what he had promised." Romans 4:18 – 21