One Month and Counting

This will more than likely be one of my final weekly posts on my feetsies.

With that being said, they are healing marvelously, and although doc said I need to tame it down a bit, I'm a "Romero" by genes, a mother by nature, and wife that means business, I'm not exactly sure what "tame it down" means, but I hear it's rather boring.

So far, it's been over a month, and although my feet aren't 100% better (and they will be in about 11 months. yes... I know.), I am in awe at how well the body heals itself, and with me being a youngin' and all, its that much more apparent.  yay!

Everyday, I push myself further, and I push the abilities of what my feet could and couldn't do yesterday.  Sometimes, it comes back to bite me in the butt, while others, I am one step closer (pun intended) to victory! ::throws hands up in the air and shimmies::

Its been a while since I've shown pix from Week 1, and since the healing progress is very much progressing, I think its time to shown them off, again.

WEEK 1:

WEEK 5:

Top 10 things I can do NOW that I couldn't do Week 1:

1) Take a shower.  (this is DEF #1!!)  But I'll admit, its a bit tricky.  My wounds are still a bit bruised, and with huge water droplets coming down with a "rain shower head" vengeance, its a tad bit painful.  I have, however, conjured up some rather nifty positions in which those droplets can drown... right down the drain. =]

2) I am able to SHAVE.... ALL of my leg. Before, it looked like an ankle sock made of hair. Not cute.

3) I wear SHOES.... oh how I've missed thee. However, I can only wear sneakers (yes, I call them sneakers).  Otherwise, I could run the risk of dislocating my toes. OUCH!

4) I can cut my toe nails!  Something that felt superrrr weird before, due to the numbness of my toes.  And although, this is wonderful, I haven't actually made my way to doing it quite yet.  Tonight after #1, I will though! And possibly even paint them??

5) I can rest my feet on top of each other!  I loveeee crossing my legs while chillin' in the cama or lounging on the couch.  This is also makes it easier while in my oh so peaceful slumber.  I don't have to worry about knocking them on each other.  Not pleasant, might I add.

6) I can sleep with blankets ON my feet.  Before the weight of the covers were to much to bear, but now, its not so bad, and once I'm asleep, I hardly realize any pain at all. Other times, my feet get entangled in the sheets, and I freak out, which then DOES cause pain. ::cough:: loser, I know.

7) I can brave public without a wheelchair or people looking at me funny. I do however, still have to walk a bit slower. And those I'm with, still walk ahead of me. Rude.

8) I'm able to be up and about a bit more...  prob not as much as I should, but um yeah, we discussed this at the beginning of this post. ha.  I can't quite hop on my elliptical (that is collecting dusts as I type), but at least I'm more mobile than I was before, and that means at least some kinda calories are being burned.

9) I am able to DRIVE.  Well, technically, yes, but Jr won't allow me.  However, my mind is wandering towards "Be rebellious, Casey".  Maybe??

10) And last, but not least, I can walk on my ENTIRE foot.  Before, I was walking on either my heals or the side of my feet which has resulted in them becoming severely dry and cracked.  Again, not cute, and well, not very pleasant feeling wise.  Doc did give me powerful lotion, and it seems to be clearing up slowly but surely.  Nonetheless, walking on my ENTIRE foot is freedom!

{1st day I wore both shoes. Happy Feet, indeed!}

- I am still not able to get too too close to Aislynn, Jr, or my pups, because it still seems that when I do, something or rather grazes my feet, and pain is slightly inflicted.  After last week's incident, I'm not so sure I'm ready to take my chances.

- I also can't walk around without at least socks on, and even then I'm being very brave (and possibly stupid).  My dog weighs about 50+ lbs maybe, and she loves to give me hugs, while both pups love to follow me around all.day.long, and then sit at my feet wherever I park them, soooo I have to be extra careful. 

- I can't yet stand up for too too long.  My feet start to ache extremely bad, and although I'm back to working, I still make sure I ice my feet once I get home just in case.

- I can't fully bend my feet yet.  This somewhat makes me sad, because although I only danced for said amount of years, I worked hard to get my feet as flexible as they were, and for some odd reason, I don't think they will be same once healing is complete.  I'm not as flexible elsewhere, and my feet were the only flexible awesomeness left.  =(

- I can't exercise.  And of course, I've never had the desire to exercise more in my entire.life. Go figure. We always want what we can't have. =/

- Stretching is still kinda funny, and a bit tingly.  You know when you get up in the morning, and naturally your body grows about 5 inches? ha.  My bones simply aren't ready for that much action... yet.



So, that's about it for, now.  Either way, both ways, and every which'a'way, I am thankful!





Faith, Love, and Flexibility (literally and figuratively),
Casey

One knock. One foot. One shoe.

Oh my stars!! I have been so anxiously awaiting to write this post, and boy do I got a good one for you guys!

So, I was originally supposed to see my doctor yesterday (Monday).  This visit wasn't any regular follow up, but THE one where I got BOTH of my bandages removed, and the boots were to be hidden for-ever.  Plans changed, and thankfully, too, because in all honesty, I was scared about wearing regular shoes again, and then walking in them. Although its only been almost a full month, I somewhat feel like an toddler just learning to walk again; I guess you can say, I'm a bit apprehensive.  So anywho, I wasn't ready on Monday; I hadn't worked myself up enough to prepare for whatever possible pain I was going to endure.

Well, the pain I felt today, was no where near anything anybody could have prepared for.

I stumped my toe.  And I stumped it hard.  So hard, it popped like I have never heard a bone pop in my entire life.  Promise, no drama, here.  I am totally serious.  It popped so loud, Jr didn't realize what it was until I took a HUGE deep breath and my eyes got as big whatever you can imagine.  Oh.em.gee.becky.  I'm not even sure how to describe that type of pain, but wow.  It wasn't so much the actual pain (which hurt like heck), but more so the thought that I could have broken, fractured, or dislocated my toe (or two).  Not to mention I stumped my toe on a binder hidden under my bed; one that I have actually been looking for. (its found now, btw, and now, I feel like throwing it away.)  Really, I'm surprised I didn't pass out.  I'm almost positive I was inches away from face planting it on my bedroom floor.  I wasn't sure what to think other than we were NOW running late, and I couldn't even lift my foot from the ground, much less hop/wobble/walk on it.  I'm also not entirely sure what kind of words came out of my mouth, but I can guarantee it wasn't exactly G-rated.

 

So we got there, and I told them what happened, and of course, they ordered some x-rays.  All of which came back perfectly fine, thank you Jesus!  HOWEVER, doc said he was going to allow ONE normal shoe to leave on ONE foot, but on my recently injured foot, he needed to bandage up for another week just to be sure.  ::insert sad face::  It was bittersweet.  But enough of that... it was time to put on my SHOE!  ::insert glowing light::  OH! But wait... not wearing socks for almost an entire month, mighttttt make you forget to bring them.  Oops.  I looked at Jr, and then looked at his own feet, and said, "umm hand them over." And he did, and I slipped on the used sock, and ohhhh.... I did a little mini jig.  They felt so snuggly and cozy in this little tiny (used) sock.  All I can compare it to is when you're bare foot and walk on some uber expensive carpet.  Yes.... picture it with me, now. Ahhhhhh.

Now, you think THAT is good?? Wait until you hear this... although, it may be one of those things were you just have to be there, or well, be the person experiencing.  Anywho, in order to take an x-ray of my foot, I had to walk to the x-ray point.  At this point, my bandages had already been removed, and my feet were bare.  So without even thinking about "ohh I can't wait!", I cautiously scooted off my chair, and placed my bare feet on the floor.  I was literally taken aback.  Like, time stood still or something.  The feeling of the floor... cold, dirty, who cares, because I sure didn't.  It felt oh so wonderful, and oh so foreign. Now, the only way I can describe this feeling, is if you have seen Avatar.... when Jake gets feeling back in his legs after fully becoming an Avatar.  That's EXACTLY how I felt, and it.was.good.


Okay, so back to the shoe.  Jr was so so sweet and surprised me with my first actual pair of GOOD running shoes.  Typically, I buy them because they're less than $20 or they're super cute AND less than $20.  I've never actually had a pair that fits the comfort and conform of my feet.  But these... oh man.... these shoes... Where have they been all my life??  After what took about 10 minutes, I finally slipped my (somewhat still swollen) foot into the shoe.  I stood up, and I literally got the urge to run, bounce, and hop around.  I was on cloud nine...with one foot at least.  Next week, both shoes will be on!!  Music to my ears!  Thankful, I at least walked out with ONE shoe on.

 Cracked feet.  There's dead skin on them from ummm since before I had surgery nearly a month ago!

Shower time!  And I surely cannot wait to hit the nail salon for a pedi once my feet can handle it.  Who's gonna treat me?? =D

 Before the swelling settled in after I got home. =(

But don't they look soooo good??

 My babies.  Big and little. =]

Daddy was tired from staying up watching the game the night before, BUT Texans won, so I GUESS it was worth it.  Not a football fan by any means.

My mom bought this movie, and Aislynn is obsessed. 

Like, she literally sleeps with the DVD. 

 My new pretty shoes shoe.

Movin' on up...those stairs! Yes'sir! 

ps. on the way home, I did come up with a little word I could use to replace those icky words that slipped while in the midst of my temporary death:  "Holy Mother of Pearl!!!!" (you know...sounds classy and all, right?? I thought so, too.)






Faith, Love, and One Shoe,
Casey

Week 3 {And Counting}

Whoo.  Has it really been 3+ weeks??  No, no, it hasn't.  At least not until this upcoming Friday.  As slow as I'm moving, it actually feels like its been months.  Okay, maybe not months, but yes, a full month, maybe.

Today, I went in for my 3rd check-up, and everything seems to be going great!  Dr even cleaned my feet with some alcohol swabs.  With this heat, and them being wrapped up 24/7... well you get the picture.  But next week!! Next week!  These bandages are coming off, and these ugo boots are going into hiding, and hopefully forever.  I finallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy get to wear normal shoes.  But of course, not so fast... I can't wear my beloved flip flops, for the simple fact that, I can "dislocate my toe" if I were to trip or get my sandal caught on something.  UGH.  Just the thought of that happening makes me want to pass out.  No really, I can't even fathom that type of pain, and I can take pain rather well, but its that funny kinda pain/sensation that makes me want to cry.  You know what I mean?  It just feels...weird.  So, not sure what exactly I'll be wearing, but I've gotta find something this week! *hint hint* nudge nudge*

So aside from everything coming along great, this past week, I noticed what seemed to be an ingrown toenail.  YES!  Of course, I would discover it AFTER surgery.  So, I've already made an appointment to go in for a simple (yet painful) procedure come November to get that nasty sucker out of there.  Early last week, I made the mistake of trying to examine it, and without thinking, I pulled my toe closer to me... talk about the worst pain I have felt in a longgggg time.  I felt like I had dislocated my toe, and it fell off, but was still attached.  OUCH.  Major OUCH!  Ouch enough to make me feel queasy for 24+ hours.  Never again.


So anywho, here's some updated pics!

 {I am totally treating myself to a much needed pedi as soon as I possibly can!}

 {See my ingrown toenail??? Major YUCK! And so not cute!!}

{ps. my lower ankles have yet to be seen by an actual razor.  

Next week though...they shall meet again! 

Thankfully!}

I still can't walk as much as I'd like.  (which the doctor said, I'm gonna have to miss this year's Alzheimer's walk.  Sorry, Kathy!! Next year!)  I still can't take "normal" showers.  I can't get my feet wet, or clean them with anything besides a wipey and that's only on the non-gauzed areas.  However, I am now able to drive (although Jr won't let me).  Anddddd that's about it!  Ha! Oh oh!! And I clipped my nails when I got home!! FREEEEEEDOM!!  

Slowly, but surely, things are coming along, and so am I.  I still get frustrated not being able to move as fast as I'd like, or not being able to stand for long periods of time, or having to take bird baths (ew), but I am grateful for a wonderful doctor and fast healing beautiful feet!  

I am sooo looking forward to working out, again! I think that's what I am most excited about.  (yes, this is still ME typing)  I'm hoping to get these as my first new and actually fitted pair of shoes  (someone put in a good word for me *wink wink* nudge nudge*) Like, I have literally had dreams about these shoes.  I go to the link at least once a day and fantasize what it would be like to wear them and put them to work.  I hear they are one of THE best running shoes, and well, I think its time I invest in a pair, and not just because they're cute, or because I got them on super super super sale, but because I need shoes that work for me, and of course, it's always plus if they work for my personality as well, and these def do!

http://www.finishline.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?productId=prod676727&lid=10696890&sourceid=cj&CID=3872207

Anywho, next week's update will prob be my fave so far! 

Can't wait!

Faith and Love,

Casey

A bump here. A bump there. A bump EVERYWHERE.

As many of y'all (yes, I say, "y'all! I'm from, Texas!) know, I went on my very first outing last last last Friday as a handicap. (yeah, this post is a bit late)

-I have no handicap sticker
-I have no walking aid (cane, crutches, or wheelchair)
--The arm of my husband might count, but then again, it doesn't when he has to drop me off at the front of the store, and then go park, and THEN make his way back to the front of the store.  By this time, I am already being looked at like I have some sort of disease. Makes you want to slap some people, if Jesus weren't looking. (yes, I said that. c'mon, you wish you could too, sometimes, don't you?)

So as I stand there aimlessly, and occupying-ly (sometimes, I make up my own words) "browsing" my phone so I don't have to face the stares of the ignorant or the just plain rude, or the kiddos who wonder what the heck happened to this adults feet.  {my daughter says I have rocks in my feet, and that they are broken. =/ }


Then, walks in my knight and shining armor. {insert hallelujah chorus}  Me not being brave enough (or really, me not NOT caring what other people think), I allow him to go and kindly ask for a wheelchair of some sort.  He wheels my aid to my side, and I confusingly sit down (not every wheel chair is the same).  And then we're off!

Up and down the aisles we go!  At Hobby Lobby, where we'll stop, nobody knows!

 {yes, I was slightly drugged}

 {she wanted to pose by these gorgeous whatever they are... lol}

{this is how we scooter-ed along most of the way...}

Okay, okay we stopped in every single aisle that had anything Christmas related adored on those brown metal shelves.  If it looked sparkly and or had a red and green personality, we stopped and sighed at it.  Oh, how I love Christmas time!! And oh how my bank account despises it.  You'd think year after year of collecting Christmas goodies, I'd have enough by now.  But NO, never, will I have enough Christmas shiny red and green goodness adorning my walls, my trees (yes plural), my stair case, my windows, my fireplace, my front yard, doors, and whatever other empty spaces I can find! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!  I'll admit (shhhhhhh), one year, I maxed out an entire credit card JUST to purchase Christmas goodies.  EEK! I know horrible!!!  But, my home sho looks like a cozy wonderland!  Ekk! Even worse!  mmk... back to my humble handicap of story!


ahem.

So Hobby Lobby was fun, and we got minimal goodies needed for a work project, and we were off!

{waiting for prince charming}

To Target... where they have electronic wheelchairs.  Meaning, I wouldn't be pushed around by my knight in shining armor.  It meant, I had to come to my own rescue, and figure out how to work this machine.  Hmm...not pretty...

I bumped that thing so many times, I lost count. And one time, I even bumped my own head in the process.  Don't ask.

 {Bump 1}

{Bump 2. This is where I hit my head. again, don't ask}

I will admit, this time it was harder, and I am so thankful we went just as they were about to close, because I have no clue how people manage to maneuver this thing when there are swarms of people.  Especially those who are crowding the aisle, and see that you need to get through, yet completely ignore you and your hanicap-ness.   I just want to shout, "I'm not that handicap sticker abuser you curse in store parking lots!!"  It was a mess.  All I wanted was colored highlighters, and all that lady wanted to do was dig for hours through the same colored folders over and over again. 


Well, I finally got my colored highlighters, and I made my way not through the aisle, but around the aisle, and 2 others that were also blocked by early school shopping mothers.  And in case you're wondering, yes, I bumped into things along the way.

So, I made my way out only to find myself at yet another road aisle block.  This time it was a mother and her (very picky) 3 year old son browsing through the SALE of $5.00 $4.50 movies.  The boy couldn't make up his mind on what he wanted, and really, that wasn't the problem. I can barely make up my mind on what (sale) movies I want.  However, why she felt the need to take up the entire aisle with her and her basket was completely beyond me. 

ahh! My Knight and Shining Armor (he gets capital letters here for a reason) comes dashing so handsomely down the aisle! (no, really, he was dashing in an effort to get to the other side of the store to grab some batteries before the electronic section closed).  He was like Jesus parting the red sea!  He parted the aisle (the lady and her basket), and paved a nice little pathway for me.  (and here's where he loses the capital letters)  Before I could thank my handsome prince, he's off back to the other end of the store.  He leaves me, to be, wondering aimlessly and bitterly through the home decor section, where I run into yet another road aisle block.  One, where I had to sit and stare in order for people to move.  (ugh)  I know, I know.  Why didn't I open my mouth??  yeah yeah.  People need to open their eyes, see, and be courteous.  (this is me being bitter)

Comes time to check out.  I see an empty lane open, but its at the front register, and I was, of course, at the back.  I make my way around the other register, and the hippo of a wheelchair didn't fit through, and got stuck!  So, some lady and her kids beat me to it. ARGH!  Then.... just then... a sweet girl sees my "disability", and makes her way through to the closed register located oh so thankfully right in front me.  She laughed with me (not at me), and we paid, and I was off... to park that thing right back where I found it.  I didn't even have Jr get the car to pick me up, I just wanted to get out of there, and so I walked, very painfully, all the way back to the car.  (prideful, much? sure, why not?)


Today is Tuesday, and that has been my last outing, and will probably be my last outing until further notice.


All in all, despite my ongoing complaints, that experience really did humble me.  And it reminded me of a forever ago episode of Tyra, where she dresses up as "fat person", and makes her way down the streets of New York City.  She received so much hate and so much ridicule a long the way, that it drove her to tears (not that that takes much, but you know what I mean).  She set out on her "fat person" adventure to make a point; how society can be so mean, cruel, and just plain ugly.  I felt like Tyra that night as I slowly made my way around Hobby Lobby and Target. I wanted to crawl in the basket of that wheelchair and cry like a big fat baby.

I commend those... and who's to say who "those" are?  Nowadays, people (you and I included) stare at everything they stick their nose up at.  Why?  What makes you, me, her, him so much better?  What makes you higher than authority to point out your ugly finger and point and then laugh?  We're equally alike, and we're all equally unique.  Nobody is better than anybody, right?  God made us in His image; not yours or mine.  So yeah, next time, there's a handicap mama cruising down your aisle, either kindly get out of the way, or heck, even offer to get something down from the shelf.  =D


Be kind.

Be love.

{by the end of the week. lol}

Stayed tuned tomorrow for my 3 week check-up! Weehoo! 3 weeks already?? Yeah, it feels longer. ha!



Faith, Love, and Wheelchairs,
Casey

10 Days and Counting

This will be short.

Its been 10 days since D Day.
And its been 10 days of not being able to do a lot.
A lot of which I took for granted.
A lot of which, I've pushed my limits to see how far my feet will take me. (not very far...yet.)


Its been 10 days of reflecting.
10 days of thankfulness.
10 days of humbleness
10 days of downtime.
10 days of ME time.
10 days of inspiration.
10 days of prayer.
10 days of being...
being all of the above.  All of which, I never made time for.

God slowed me down, and slowed me how, and who, what, and when, and where, and why.

It may sound silly, but you really do have more time to stop and smell the roses, when you actually well... have time to stop and smell the roses.


I've enjoyed it.  And I'm anxious to see what else the Lord has in store for me these next couple of weeks.

But don't get me wrong, I'm ready to be up and at it!  Ready to take actual showers, and drive my car (that just got washed, and fancied with new stickers)!  Ready to walk down the stairs like an adult, rather than a 2 year old with not long enough legs or coordination.  I'm ready to play with my dogs, and I'm ready to head to the pool with Aislynn.  I'm ready to get back to exercising, and cooking my own meals.  Yes, the list goes on...

Anywho, that will all come, soon.  "Patience little one", I tell myself.  Patience.

So, its been 10 days.  And today was my 2nd check-up, and I must say, I'm surprised at how well the healing is coming along.  Doc said its cause I'm young.  I said, its cause he's awesome!  I literally can feel the difference everyday.  I can feel myself getting better and being able to do even a little bit more, and I am so very thankful!

I can already tell the difference from before I had them done, and then from last Monday, and then today.  I'll be in some super cute ballet flats come winter!  The hubby bought me some adorable Cole Haan flats, that I wore ONCE.  They've been sitting in my closet for 2 years collecting dust.  ::insert sad face::  I can' wait to wear them, and not have to fret about them digging into my bones, and then leaving me bruised by the end of the day. 


So to recap!

Before Surgery- {7/22/11}:

Last Monday- {7/25/11}:

and today - {8/1/11}

ps. I have no clue what happened to the white balance on my camera phone. Looks like I got a bad fake tan. No fake and bake, here. Just a faulty wb. =/

ps that white powder is I'm guessing an antiseptic. 

pss. I haven't shaved much below my calf, due to the bandages, so cut me some slack. lol

Doc says in 2 weeks, I should be out of bandages! YIPPIE!!

Update next Tuesday!

Faith and Love, 

Casey

Markers, Stickers, and Everything Colorful.

{written 7/27/11}

As you all might have read in yesterday's post, Aislynn and I are finding new ways to get creative and spend our time, since mommy can't do much.  Here's what was on the agenda yesterday!

 ps. excuse my longer than usual toe nails.  

I haven't been able to cut them, as they are still numb, and send a not so lovely feeling shooting up my foot.

^ ^ Before ^ ^

I hadn't realized how boo boo her markers had gotten.  

Daddy picked some new ones up after work. 

We can't have faulty design tools.

 She's good to go!

 ^ ^ The mouth of concentration syndrome, which she gets from her mommy, which I get from my dad. 

I like to say he has the worst case of us all. yep! ^ ^

^ ^ Yes, that's hair on my leg, but YES, I FINALLY DID shave last night! Ahhhh! FREEDOM! ^ ^

 And now, the stickers! 

Stickers make everything pretty! 

Especially Lisa Frank stickers!

 All done!  

Why she didn't get more creative is beyond me. 

We'll try next week as I get new bandages on Monday.

And then she dropped me like a hot tamale in order to look out for daddy. =P

Happy Monday!
Blessed week, everyone!

Faith and Love, 

Casey