Today is heaven on earth. Today is Opening Day for baseball!
My long winter's sleep is over and I can look forward to a game almost every day. LOVE IT!
This is the day when all is possible - even the World Series for Cubs fans (not that it'll happen).
The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, Mike Shannon's voice on the radio. I get all this all summer and into the fall. And if the baseball gods are with us - I'll get it into October.
And if all goes right then by the first of May, Cubs fans will be saying "wait'll next year!"
But right now I'm happy to be able to have my baseball back on the radio. All is good.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Quick Foot Update
So I did some obedience work with the dogs yesterday. Everyone had a fun time.
I'm pleased to report that my foot and ankle held up, even during the 'fast' part of our heeling. I'll be honest, I doubt that I used proper walking mechanics thru the fast as I wasn't thinking about mechanics out there and I know that the habit to protect the foot probably took over. But even tho I felt like an elephant out there, I did do a fast nicely. Yay!
I've stopped taking photos of the foot as it doesn't look any different than the last few weeks. It swells with too much use but then subsides to the 'regular' swelling that is my new normal. Hopefully in a few months that, too, will subside and my foot will look more like a regular foot.
The joint feels fine. I know it's fused as it is stiff and sometimes awkward, but it was like that before the surgeries. The change is that there is no pain with the stiffness. Just what we wanted.
The other toes are still painful during and after use. how much pain depends on how much use and whether or not I remember to use proper mechanics when walking. If I 'compensate' then they don't hurt as much, If I walk properly, then they hurt some during the walk but more afterwards in the evening.
The tendon still stiffens up - pretty tight at the top, somewhat tight at the ankle. Still have a bit of soreness in the tendon when I massage it - just above where it inserts into the bursa. The spots where the soft tissue connectors are screwed in to hold the tendon in place aren't nearly as sensitive as they had been. I can still find them, but definitely better.
I see the doctor tomorrow. It should be my last appointment, I would think.
I'm pleased to report that my foot and ankle held up, even during the 'fast' part of our heeling. I'll be honest, I doubt that I used proper walking mechanics thru the fast as I wasn't thinking about mechanics out there and I know that the habit to protect the foot probably took over. But even tho I felt like an elephant out there, I did do a fast nicely. Yay!
I've stopped taking photos of the foot as it doesn't look any different than the last few weeks. It swells with too much use but then subsides to the 'regular' swelling that is my new normal. Hopefully in a few months that, too, will subside and my foot will look more like a regular foot.
The joint feels fine. I know it's fused as it is stiff and sometimes awkward, but it was like that before the surgeries. The change is that there is no pain with the stiffness. Just what we wanted.
The other toes are still painful during and after use. how much pain depends on how much use and whether or not I remember to use proper mechanics when walking. If I 'compensate' then they don't hurt as much, If I walk properly, then they hurt some during the walk but more afterwards in the evening.
The tendon still stiffens up - pretty tight at the top, somewhat tight at the ankle. Still have a bit of soreness in the tendon when I massage it - just above where it inserts into the bursa. The spots where the soft tissue connectors are screwed in to hold the tendon in place aren't nearly as sensitive as they had been. I can still find them, but definitely better.
I see the doctor tomorrow. It should be my last appointment, I would think.
Friday, March 18, 2011
15 Weeks and Counting!
So after having a long day in Louisville on Wednesday my foot was pretty pudgy-feeling on the drive home. By the time we got home (1am) I just took my shoes and socks off and fell into bed. I really didn't care at that point what my foot looked like! Lisa stayed and caught a 3.5 hour "nap" and then drove home in time to do chores and go to work. I was glad as I didn't want her falling asleep at the wheel.
Thursday was a 'sleep in' morning, except that Trey didn't want to be alone in her crate downstairs and started yipping about 6:30. So I got up and slugged back a pot of coffee. Didn't do much to clear the cobwebs but did taste good. Thursday afternoon I met with one of Judy's students to help her fix some training issues as she is entered at Springfield in two weeks. Not sure she's ready but it will be a great learning opportunity for her and her dog. It was fun to be back out thinking about obedience and talking about Judy.
By the time I got home the foot and ankle were very tired. So I made supper and then put my feet up -- and promptly fell asleep! I was tired! Today I am at McDonald's using their free wi-fi to update my laptop and get some online work done that is quicker with something other than the dial up service I have at home. I hope my battery holds out until the updates all download. We'll see I guess.
My foot is still more swollen over all than it had been a couple weeks ago. The tendon tends to be stiffer in the morning but does work itself loose as I move around and use it. The fused joint feels about the same, too, pretty good over all. The pain in the foot from the other toes has subsided but does flare with increased use. I've still not taken the girls for a walk in about a week. The weather just hasn't been cooperative and I'm not motivated enough to walk in cold, wind, or rain. Today will be a walk day as the girls and I are all a bit sluggish and could use the exercise.
I do believe as I get more active doing stuff, especially yard work now that it's spring, and daily dog walks that the foot and ankle will improve and get stronger. My knees, too, will benefit from increased activity. Right now it is an effort to get around (it doesn't help that I'm carting about 50# more than I had last year at this time!) and I find myself huffing and puffing if I do much more than a modest stroll. I am really working on getting back into shape. I'm there mentally, just need to commit to the time to be more active. I think today I will go out and clean the yard of a winter's worth of dog poop. Walking on uneven ground will be good therapy for the ankle.
I see the doctor next Tuesday and will be released. I think I am generally satisfied with the foot and how it feels. Could it be better? Absolutely. But a lot of that depends on my efforts and I'll be honest, I've not been as consistent with my PT exercises as I had been. But life and work gets in the way and doing them three times a day just takes too much time. I still stretch the tendon at random times during the day. I was even doing some heel raises and tendon stretching in Louisville as I watch the dogs in the breed ring. (BTW the sire of my litter, Brodie, won the Herding titled Champions class and an Award of Merit on Wednesday, and an Award of Merit on Thursday!)
So, hey, spring is almost here and my foot feels much, much better. Life is good!
Thursday was a 'sleep in' morning, except that Trey didn't want to be alone in her crate downstairs and started yipping about 6:30. So I got up and slugged back a pot of coffee. Didn't do much to clear the cobwebs but did taste good. Thursday afternoon I met with one of Judy's students to help her fix some training issues as she is entered at Springfield in two weeks. Not sure she's ready but it will be a great learning opportunity for her and her dog. It was fun to be back out thinking about obedience and talking about Judy.
By the time I got home the foot and ankle were very tired. So I made supper and then put my feet up -- and promptly fell asleep! I was tired! Today I am at McDonald's using their free wi-fi to update my laptop and get some online work done that is quicker with something other than the dial up service I have at home. I hope my battery holds out until the updates all download. We'll see I guess.
My foot is still more swollen over all than it had been a couple weeks ago. The tendon tends to be stiffer in the morning but does work itself loose as I move around and use it. The fused joint feels about the same, too, pretty good over all. The pain in the foot from the other toes has subsided but does flare with increased use. I've still not taken the girls for a walk in about a week. The weather just hasn't been cooperative and I'm not motivated enough to walk in cold, wind, or rain. Today will be a walk day as the girls and I are all a bit sluggish and could use the exercise.
I do believe as I get more active doing stuff, especially yard work now that it's spring, and daily dog walks that the foot and ankle will improve and get stronger. My knees, too, will benefit from increased activity. Right now it is an effort to get around (it doesn't help that I'm carting about 50# more than I had last year at this time!) and I find myself huffing and puffing if I do much more than a modest stroll. I am really working on getting back into shape. I'm there mentally, just need to commit to the time to be more active. I think today I will go out and clean the yard of a winter's worth of dog poop. Walking on uneven ground will be good therapy for the ankle.
I see the doctor next Tuesday and will be released. I think I am generally satisfied with the foot and how it feels. Could it be better? Absolutely. But a lot of that depends on my efforts and I'll be honest, I've not been as consistent with my PT exercises as I had been. But life and work gets in the way and doing them three times a day just takes too much time. I still stretch the tendon at random times during the day. I was even doing some heel raises and tendon stretching in Louisville as I watch the dogs in the breed ring. (BTW the sire of my litter, Brodie, won the Herding titled Champions class and an Award of Merit on Wednesday, and an Award of Merit on Thursday!)
So, hey, spring is almost here and my foot feels much, much better. Life is good!
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