Oh - Toe is me!!!

Last week I had the entire toenail removed from my left big toe. I'm really glad! I had really bad ingrown edges that actually curled down 1/4 inch and back under my main nail about a 1/4 inch. Earlier this summer, one part didn't get cut and was growing out the end of my toe. (that was pretty painful) Needless to say my toe and nail got infected, so the whole nail had to be removed. It was pretty interesting procedure. It didn't hurt as much as I expected. (But it was still kinda numb for several days afterwards - which is really an unexpected blessing.) Tuesday, they ripped off the medicine impregnated gauze that was embedded on the area where my nail lies. YE-OUCH!! So I'm back to it really hurting beyond the normal "sensitivity" to pressure etc.

Now, I have full feeling and it must be healing up nicely because those nerve endings are exceptionally sensitive. This creates its own challenges in the manner and type of dressing I can use and the shoes I wear. (I lucked out! This summer is the first time in the history of our courts that we can wear open toed - sandle type shoes and no nylons.) However those shoes are killer on my feet. I've been battling a painful case of plantar fascititus (sp?) for the past couple years. Yes, my arches are falling and the tearing of that support band on the bottom of my feet is nearly crippling at times. I have only been able to wear a couple pairs of shoes with my specially formed inserts for at least a year - with an occasional sandal or flip flop thrown in if its not for too long.

Well, the only shoes my toe dictates I wear for the next month are split toe sandals or flip flops. (Most other types cut right across my toe nail bed or pull on the dressing so that it feels like some one is squeezing it as I walk.) But these shoes worn long term are KILLER on my feet. Looks like I'll be going in for a cortisone shot in another week or so which though not ideal, will keep the swelling and pain at bay long enough for my toe to heal so that I can start to wear normal shoes again. Guess it was good that I did this in summer. I definitely wouldn't want to do it in the winter. Anyway I can't wait to get back to "normal." Come on September!!!!