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