day 36

Three steps forward, two steps back. The foot has had swelling issues the past two days. Again, it's the toes that are the most problematic. I get this weird tight feeling on the underside of my foot just where the toes attach to my foot. It feels like someone has pulled fishing line tight at the bottom of each toe. When I feel there, I really can't feel where the toes meet the forefoot because it is too swollen and still probably 50% numb. I'm still at the point that it is a bit of a challenge to clean between the toes. A Q-Tip will barely fit between them with the space between the 3rd and 4th toe being the tightest. It's a bit uncomfortable to do. To combat this returned swelling, I've cut back on most extra exercises, am only doing sets of 20 on the physical therapy, am staying down more and am icing more often. Sigh. Thank god for all my electronic toys, TV and dogs to keep me company.

I've also had a sore back because all I do is lie around and, when I'm up, my body is not at all neutrally aligned. I guess I do remember the same thing when I broke this foot a while back and was non weight-bearing for 6 weeks. It's sad to work so hard to build a stong back only to have it turn to mush when something like this happens. At least I've had enough long-lasting setbacks that I know it's only temporary and things improve quickly once I'm back on my feet again (pun intended).

Yesterday was hot by Seattle standards and I so wanted to plunge into a pool and just lose myself in laps for a good hour. The surgeon said by the time I can swim, I'll be out of this cast so I knew I'd just have to be patient.

It really does help writing all this in a public forum. I'm forced to be as objective as I can and it helps me sort things out in my head. After reading and rereading other blogs, I know my progress is "normal" and I've tried hard to give info that will help others going through this gague their progress too. So it's helpful for me and hopefully for others. I'm starting to ramble, so it's time to sign off.

Pain -  2 with brief shooting 3s, swelling 4