December 09th, 2025

Any interest in an update on my stupid foot?

Turns out I have not one, but two stupid feet.  I accidentally whacked my good foot into the leg of the ottoman in the family room and broke the second toe on the good foot.  For Heaven's Sakes.  As you may be able to tell looking at my Very Ugly Feet in the above photograph.   Broken toes don't bother me. I've done it so often that I know exactly how to walk to accommodate the injured party.  But it does complicate things a little since the "good foot" has been compensating for the "bad foot" these days.  My walk has gone from a hobble to a double hobble.  It's not pretty but it gets me where I'm going.

When last we discussed things, I had finally given in and gone to Urgent Care where they decided that I had indeed fractured my foot, instructed me to see a specialist, compression wrapped the foot, gave me a wildly too large sandal type boot and sent me on my way.

I did, indeed, reach out to a specialist and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was able to get an appointment. yay!    I was not shocked to learn that they wanted to take their own x-rays (they always do) but I was interested to learn that I had not one but multiple fractures in that foot. Apparently, I did a Fine Job, very thorough.  

My foot was rewrapped in a new compression bandage and I was given a better fitting and frankly better quality proper boot with instructions to wear the boot at all times, except when showering, swimming or sleeping.  AND worse, I was to stay off the foot as much as possible.  I asked, ' so except for when I'm busy right?'   He smiled but gave me a very knowing look and said, (and this is a direct quote), "I want you to be a couch Poh Tay Toe".  Geez.

So I've been good about wearing the boot all day long so that must count for something. My walk is still very Frankenstein's Monster with all the clumping about. I have not attempted the noonwalk OR a hike since then.  And I am taking more breaks throughout the day to just sit for a little bit. But honest to goodness, how am I supposed to accomplish anything if I sit on my prodigious arse all day?  I think that is an unrealistic expectation on his part!

Yesterday was the two week checkup meaning, more x-rays to compare to the first set, looking for signs of healing.  And was told to continue for two more weeks whereupon we will have yet more x-rays and more comparing, more investigatory work. And I'm already so over this.

I miss hiking with Joy.  I miss the noonwalk with Tim.  I miss wearing matching footwear!  I miss having a smaller keister.  (I have this theory about butts and chairs.  It is my totally  unscientific observation that when a person sits a great deal, their butt grows to the size of their chair.  Much like a goldfish grows to the size of it's fishbowl. I am not happy about this).

Mostly I miss my independence.  

It used to be that if I randomly felt like taking a walk on the beach, off I'd go.  Or if I had a free afternoon and decided to walk downtown to window shop. Or to surprise Tim with fresh scones for breakfast it would only be a quick easy jog to Upper Crust Bakery and back.   Now there are no surprises as I need to be driven anywhere I need or want to go.   If I'm baking and realize zero hour that I dont' have enough vanilla, I cannot just jump in the car and quickly zoom over to Publix to pick up more. Nope. Gotta wait 'til Tim is free. 

I reallllllllly am not happy with the whole walking thing being out of the question just that, right there.  That along goes completely against the grain with me.   I walk. That's who I am, it's what i do.  I am a professional pedestrian.  Except right now, I'm not at all.

I also cannot spontaneously bust out a dance move without risking falling (a bad thing) because I'm so awkward and unbalanced with this dang boot.  Cannot play the chase game with the kittyboys.  I miss all phone calls because by the time I have stumped my way over to the phone, they've hung up.   I move very slowly and deliberately,  which, while in and of itself is not a bad thing, it definitely feels like an old thing and while I am old, (at 72 I am frankly old) I didn't used to feel old as I jumped around and bounced and twirled and raced along my way everywhere I went.  Now I am more like one of those giant tortoises. I am not a fan.

This year, my only personal Christmas wish is to be able to get back out there walking and hiking and resuming my old energy spark.  So, I will wear the dang boot and compression wrap.  I will not do walks or hikes.  I will sit far more than I actually want to with my foot up.  I will grit my teeth and behave. And hopefully, I will be able to start the new year, Boot Free!

It's a goal.