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.