Last Thursday in the middle of class my foot started bothering me. I thought that I had probably just stepped on it wrong, and that it would go away on its own. Instead of getting better, it got worse. Friday was painful. Saturday was worse, so I went into Instacare. They took some X-Ray's, and told me that my foot was fine. At this point I burst into tears (not my normal reaction, but it had been an emotionally draining week, and I was in pain) The doctor told me that there was nothing he could do for me except give me some pain pills that would make me sleepy, so I could only take them at night (but my foot doesn't hurt at night, only when I am walking on it, so why would I take pain killers at night?) He also recommended I stay off my foot (HELLO - I teach 1st grade!) I left feeling pretty glum about the whole situation.
I hobbled my way through Sunday, and Parent Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday I noticed it was getting significantly worse, and I could feel an odd pulling sensation teach time I bent my foot. I called a foot doctor, and hoped that he wouldn't tell me that I was fine!
Thankfully, he didn't. He played with my foot, pulled on my toes, and listened to my explanation of what I was feeling. Eventually, he told me that I have Peroneal Tendonitis, which is the tendon that wraps around the side of your foot (which is why I couldn't walk without limping). I was fitted for a boot, all the time thinking that it wouldn't work. In my head, I thought that since I would still be putting pressure on my foot each time I stood, I would still have the pain. I was shocked when I stood up the first time with the boot on, and the pain was GONE!
Yes, the boot is awkward and unattractive, but I don't even care! The ability to stand and walk -though it might be slowly- without pain is worth it! I didn't have to find ways to sit down while teaching today, and when the day was over, I felt fine!
So for the next few weeks I will wobble around in what my students have dubbed my "Robot Foot" :-) I do wish I had a better story to tell when people ask me what I did to my foot!
(When Maddie came over tonight she decided that her foot was hurt too, so she needed a boot. Pop Pop's slipper seemed to do the job quite well. Funny girl!)
7 comments:
Maddie's boot cracks me up. Out of curiosity which foot doc did you see?
I think that Robot Boot is an appropriate name. :) And I'm glad that it's making you feel so much better!
Oh no! I'm so sorry, but at least the boot makes it feel better. I'm with you in thinking that it wouldn't work, but thank goodness it is!
I can relate to your pain. A few years ago I had a similar problem with my feet and thought I'd die. I would almost have to crawl to my car at the end of the day. All it took for me was a trip to the store for some good shoes with arches! I LOVE the picture of Maddie with her boot! I'm glad she is healthy enough now to think about having a sore foot!
I hate the instacare. They never seem to find anything wrong or usually misdiagnose what you've got. Anyway, I'm glad the boot is helping. By the way, when we got home last night Maddie cried when we made her walk because she said her knee hurts. When I asked her why she said because I hit it on the cement when I was coloring with chalk (which is true- it just happened like 2 weeks ago and she's been fine until last night) I just thought it was funny.
Katie, I'm so glad they were able to find what was wrong!! Now we need to get you feeling better so we can go hike when your well. Remember to get some rest and take good care of yourself!
Robot boot. How funny. How long do you have to wear the boot?
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