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