Enough already!

Open request--no make that plea-- to the media. Enough with Paris the jailbird heiress. News crews started camping out in Lynwood yesterday giving "live, up the minute news" regarding her release. I have it on good authority from an acquaintance whose brother works at the L.A. facility she was held at for a short time that she cried for four days straight and refused to eat. Of course, the protest by starvation isn't exactly news to anyone who has followed this. Spoiled, rotten brat apparently never thought she would be punished. I have news for her. The law applies to EVERYONE, sweetie. Even spoiled blond heiresses. I can hardly belief that we're the same age and yet there is this huge gulf in maturity. At any rate, I'm sick of hearing about it, but stuck as I am with a laptop, a tv, and a book for amusement, it's tough to ignore.

Bunion Surgery: Two weeks Post-Op

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Had my 2 week post op appointment today. I'm reasonably sure my doctor thinks I'm a complete wuss...which is probably the case at least as far as my feet are concerned. He emphasized how I need to get used to touching and moving my feet. I nodded politely and agreed while thinking "I just had major corrective surgery. Pain and avoidance are kinda natural, don't you think?" I'm not really upset. He's doing his job (well I might add) and doing exactly what I asked of him. Perhaps I'm overreacting just a bit, but I'm still using ice 3-4 times a day for pain and snagged the rest of my roomie's leftover Vicodan to supplement the ibuprofen after my codeine was gone.

My stitches came out (ow!) today and I got these spiffy new sandals today to replace the boot thingies I've been wearing.

Here are my feet sans stitches and tape.

The stitches left a very small surface gap in the skin which should heal up on its own, but I'm planning to cover it in Neosporin just in case.

A piece of suture is also still stuck in in my left foot. The problem with dissolving sutures and feet and that they don't really dissolve quickly (not enough moisture in the feet) but they are more fragile with taking the stitches. Just have to wait for the body to pop it out or dissolve it. Overall, things are looking good except that my right foot under the little toe has a "corner" for lack of a better word.


Close up of the "corner"
After looking at the x-rays we discovered that while the little toe is in great alignment, doc underestimated the curve of the bone and the amount he needed to remove. Not a mistake exactly, but more a result of the severity of the problem and the need to overcorrect due to my age (I'm very young to have had bunions this severe). I'm not overly surprised by this revelation because I've felt a painful kind of sharp poke/rubbing sensation on that spot since day 3 or 4 whenever I put on my boots. However, this will require a second procedure to correct. In about a month or six weeks, dependent on my healing, I'll be headed back to the office to have this protrusion removed with what I think amounts to a small electric sander for bones. Simple in-office procedure with about a half inch incision and some Valium and local anesthetic. Recovery time should be about 2-3 days. I can't say that I'm happy about it, but it will remove the pain and help my shoes to fit better.

Overall, I'm feeling a little psychically/emotionally bruised and traumatized by today's visit. I've been cleared to shower and get my feet wet. I can also start treating the incision sites with vitamin E oil and scar remedies, but it was just not my best appointment. My usual coping mechanisms disappeared months ago under the stress at work, leaving me nearly in tears after my appointment. Maybe the next appointment in two weeks will be better if I'm scrupulous about following my post-op instructions.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Don't I wish I was at Stonehenge last night instead of stuck in bed. Perhaps next year.

Surgery Blog: 10 days post surgery

Finally got the pics downloaded from my camera. I'm due for another followup on Tuesday where I hope I will be told I can finally shower normally. Feet still hurt although less than last week. and my left foot and leg from the knee down has a kind of prickly "gone to sleep" feeling. Oh and one of the things they don't tell you is the twitching muscles and spasms when your feet start to heal. Doc called them "pissed off toes" which adequately describes it.The first three days were the worst.

Afternoon of surgery date. Yes, those are frozen peas as prescribed by my doctor. I found ice packs to be a better option. The peas never stayed cold long enough.


Three days post-op at my followup visit. Bruising is minimal and swelling was actually less than average. Everything was on target.


7-8 days post op. Much less swelling and the light dressing makes my boot-cast thing more comfortable. I swear though that I can feel the bones moving in my toes where they were pinned together. It's freaky.

More pics coming after my second post-op appointment on Tuesday.

Surgery blog: Day 1 Post-Op

I should have gotten the wheelchair :-P The operational mantra today is "I was an idiot to have this done." I hurt. My toes are throbbing and my feet are swollen. Seems kind of nonsensical to inflict greater pain to cure pain. Rationally, I know that this is a curative thing, but it's hard to maintain a rational perspective when just hobbling to the bathroom makes you want to puke and pass out. Now for a little self-indulgence.
I'm tired of laying on my back. There's nothing on TV. The frozen peas don't stay cold long enough.

Doc called to check on me today. My roomie called him yesterday to check if my nausea when standing was normal. My nurse from the surgery center also called to make sure everything was okay. Gotta say, the surgery center people were the nicest. I guess it helps if you are the first patient on a light day. Still getting tired very easily and by god, I'm wondering if my pain medication will last until I can demand a refill on Friday. I'm taking at least one every four hours, but usually two. I'm going to try that recommended glass of wine and see if I can make the pain meds stretch a little further. Oh and did I mention it's tough to have any shame or modesty when you need help just going to bathroom and you're changing pajamas in the living room? These are things they don't tell you before surgery even with the most honest doctor.

Surgery blog: The Big Day

My day started at 5 am today and by 6:40 I was on the operating table being made very sleepy. I'm told the surgery went really well. All I know is that sometime around the suturing of my right foot I started to wake up. I would feel it, but wasn't in any pain at that point. I drifted off briefly and then woke up again. Someone told me to go back to sleep but I partially woke again when they started the incisions on the outside of my left foot. I remember twitching my foot a couple of times because it hurt (not any worse than cutting a finger in the kitchen). Someone commented that they didn't know why I was having a reaction and they must have given me more meds at that point. I am, unfortunately, one of those people who metabolize and adapt to medication very quickly. This is bad for surgery and pain management, but it makes time in the Recovery room short. I was home by 11 am although the walk from the elevator to my apartment was hellacious. I think every swear word I know must have come out of my mouth until my mom and roomie came out with the computer chair to wheel me to the apartment. Needless to say, I'm in pain, but for the most part it's tolerable with the Vicodan, ibuprofen, and ice. Bed, sleep, and pain medication will be my world for the next three days at least. Friday brings a trip to the doc where I will probably have more information. Pics coming later.

--Sionnach a lamed Kitsune

Surgery: 4 days left

In order to best document my upcoming surgery and the results, I've taken some pictures of my poor feet prior to the big day.

You can still see the pen where the doc marked my foot. Scarring should be less noticeable because this doc puts the incision as low as possible and uses a "running subcuticular stitch" to close with tape on the outside. This is a plastic surgery technique which should help to minimize the scarring.


More pen. I'm actually glad to have a perfectionist doctor.

My foot problems are genetic (my mother had this surgery on her right foot about five years ago) and have progressed to the point where I can't stand or walk for longer than 20 minutes and my 4E men's New Balance shoes are no longer wide enough. My feet swell daily (sometimes my shoes are off by 10:30 am) and the outside of my right foot goes numb due to a nerve being compressed. So, I am having a double bunion/double bunionette surgery. In other words, I'm having bunions repaired on both feet on my big and little toes. When I first consulted with Dr. A, we discussed my lifestyle and schedule and tentatively decided that doing one foot at a time, back to back, would probably be the best option. On further consideration and discussion with my family, friends, and employer, I made the decision to have both feet done at the same time. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is simply time. In the end, my recovery time and time lost at work will be less if I do everything at once. The second reason is a lot less noble. While I deal with chronic pain and my pain threshold is pretty high, I'm really something a chicken when it comes to doctors. I don't trust that I would go back after six weeks and have another surgery done. The third reason is support network. My support net only has so much vacation time to help me.

I opted to have this done now, while I am still young and the problem is easily corrected, rather than wait until my first and last toes had finally drifted under or over their neighboring toes. I also have the support base to get me through the minimum of two weeks that I will not be getting out of bed except to use the bathroom. My mother is flying in for two weeks and my best friend and roomie will of course be helping out. Honestly, I think my mother is a saint to use her vacation time to come and nurse me and my friend is--well also a saint. She's gone through a serious injury with me before. She knows what she's getting into. I'm either a complete bitch when I'm in pain or sick or I whine/whimper. Sometimes both at the same time. But both of them have some experience with this kind of thing and know how hard it is.

I'm nervous. It's a fear of the unknown and a fear of pain. I think this is normal, but my desire to be rid of my chronic foot pain and the fact that so many people have adjusted their lives and schedules around me will keep me from backing out at the last minute. I have plenty of activities to keep my occupied-- TV, knitting, books, cross-stitch, Xbox, and the laptop.

I'll try to post something the night before surgery. Perhaps if I can talk my doctor into it, he'll take some pictures of my foot after the surgery and before the bandages and casts go on. I'm sure he'll think this is an unusual request, but I do it in the name of honest and accurate blogging! Who knows? Maybe this bunion surgery series will be helpful to someone considering surgery.

Here's my To-Do list:
1. Rent a walker to help get around.
2. Get alternate garage door opener to avoid the banned stairs into the apartment complex.
3. Buy suitable, cast-friendly clothing. My air-casts will be unwieldy. I think pants are off the menu for the next 4 weeks and since it's illegal to go naked in public, can you say, "Sundresses"?
4. Buy a shower chair and plastic bags. I refuse to go without showering and washing my hair.
5. Get pain medications and all other presciptions filled.
6. Inventory the liquor cabinet. Shocking to hear from a doctor, but he actually recommended that if the pain medication is working at the highest dosage, have a drink (one drink only). At least he's realistic. I'd be pouring a shot of Jamisons or a glass of cabernet anyway to help the pain medication.

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean 3

Okay, this is going to be a short review. I liked it and I would pay to see it again at the theater. I enjoyed the first movie and accepted the second movie as a means to an end much like the second LOTR movie. I don't understand what the professional critics are bitching about. Yes, it's long, but the plot just takes that long to wrap up. Movie pays a nice homage to the Ride with the use of the original ride soundtrack. All in all and without any spoilers, POTC 3 was a nice way to end the trilogy while still leaving the door open for other possible adventures with Jack Sparrow. Given the big box office bucks for these three films and Depp's insistence that he would love to continue playing this character, I suspect the rumors floating around on the net about a fourth film might be valid. Certainly, Disney will think twice about nixing this franchise. I would personally love to see more of Jack Sparrow and Keith Richards as Captain Teague.

Project Argyle Update

Well, my estimated finish date has come and gone. The scarf is coming along slowly and is now approximately 4.5 to 5' long. I think I'm dragging my heels on finishing this project because of the finishing. The back of the project is now a feline wet dream with yarn ends abounding and and the piece sorely in need of a wash.

Congress is now pushing a law that would end the free and open Internet as we know it. Internet providers like AT&T and Verizon are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment and the key to Internet freedom. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more. So Amazon doesn't have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to work more properly on your computer.

Amusing video of Moby on the issue

"It is only the dead who have seen the end of war." -Plato
Rest in peace, guys.

FAREWELLS TO HEROES

A horse-drawn carriage bearing Cpl. Joseph Anzack's casket will travel from Rice Mortuary to the South High Football Stadium today at 4 p.m. The services will be at 5:30 p.m.

THE SERVICE

What: Public memorial service for Cpl. Joseph Anzack Jr.
When: 5:30 p.m. today 06/01/07
Where: South High School football stadium, 4801 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance

ONLINE

Live coverage of the procession and service will be available at KNBC starting about 4p.m.

BACKGROUND

Anzack, who graduated from South High in 2005, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His unit was ambushed while patrolling south of Baghdad and he was taken prisoner. His body was found floating in the Euphrates River on May 23,11 days after he was first missing in action.

Services for U.S. Army Pfc. Daniel Cagle of Del Aire will be Sunday at Los Angeles National Cemetery at 11 a.m. 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd., near Wilshire Boulevard.
Cagle, 22, will be buried with full military honors. Cagle died May 23 while fighting in Iraq when a bomb exploded as he entered a home in a search for insurgents near Ramadi.

I did not know Daniel Cagle or Joseph Anzack Jr. I mourn them nonetheless. I mourn the senseless loss of two lives before they had even begun to really live them. California is leading the nation in military casualties from the war with 362 Californians out of the 3,474 Americans killed. For ten days, friends and family and local people watched and waited for some word of the kidnapped Anzack. Ten days of what was, I'm sure, excruciating waiting and unknowingness. Ten days before the the ultimate pain of learning that a son, a friend, was dead in a war that he had no vote about. Yes, these young men chose to enlist knowing that they might be sent to war. In our country this makes one a hero. I'm sure that cold comfort to his parents who will never see him grow into the man he might have become. Cold comfort indeed.

THOU SHALT NOT KILL

As Mr. Bush has repeatedly stated that he is a good Christian man and his policies follow his faith, I remind him of this simple dictum from his religion. You shall not murder. There are no caveats to this command. Yet, daily the blood of more Americans in on your hands. Whether you kill them with you own hands or order their deaths by sending them into a war we have no business fighting they are ultimately the same. You, Mr. Bush, are a murderer. You have broken one of the major laws of your religion and of the civilised world at large. You have caused pain and suffering for thousands of American families. For ten days, the Anzack family lived in torture, but they are just one of many in this small community. Here the names of the others you have murdered:
David T. Toomalatai, 19, of Carson; Ryan L. Mayhan, 25, of Hawthorne; Micah Gifford, 27, of Torrance; Fernando D. Robinson, 21, of Hawthorne; Rex "Chris" Kenyon, 34, of El Segundo; Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, of Torrance; Sean Lee Brock, 29, of Redondo Beach; Sergio Diaz Varela, 21, of Lomita; Edgar Daclan, 24, of Carson; Brian Wood, 21, of Torrance; Jose Gutierrez, 22, of Lomita; and Daniel Cagle, 23, of Del Aire.

It's time to put down your toys, Mr. Bush. Put away your guns and your bombs and realize that you are playing with human lives and not little plastic army men on a map. It's time to face yourself and your psychotic need for power and control. It's time to realize YOU HAVE KILLED and you will have to stand before your god on your death and account for your actions. How will you explain yourself?

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