Thursday, October 20, 2005

May I whine?

A year ago, my knees were my worst problem; once I quit my job, with its eight hours of walking a day, the pain in my knees became bearable.  I can't run, or walk fast; I can't squat or kneel.  But as long as I stroll slowly, the pain isn't that noticable.  A walk back to the cabin, three or four times a day, hasn't been a big deal.  In fact, it was downright pleasant.  When you walk slowly, you take time to "smell the roses".

Then came this plantar fasciitis; my right heel hurts worse every day.  In fact, it's much more intense than any pain I ever had with my knees. 

I'm doing the exercises.  I bought an over-the-counter heel pad, which really helped Cliff.  Nothing has done a thing for me.

Cliff now believes in medical miracles, since getting his new hearing aid, and he urged me to go ahead with the specially-made-for-my-foot orthodic inserts, even though insurance won't pay the $350.  So I went and got fitted.  It'll be another ten days till I get them.  To be honest, I don't expect them to fix my problem.  Can you tell I'm depressed?

You see, I've walked for exercise since the late 1970's.  Usually three to four miles a day, six days a week.  When I got my last job I stopped walking for exercise at home, but I walked all day long at my job.

Now I'm getting fat.  I have very little self-control when it comes to eating, and walking has always been my salvation.  Try as I might, I can't force myself to walk very far with the kind of pain I'm having.  And by the way, although I'm not vain about my looks by any means, it's humiliating to realize I am waddling like a duck because I'm hurting, and can't do a thing about it.

I do count my blessings.  At least I can walk.  I find great pleasure in riding my horse, and that's exercise for me as well as the horse (but winter is coming when I won't be able to ride often).  And thank God for the Internet and good books.

It seems the more sedentary I become, the more I think up delicious things to bake.

I guess if I become fat enough, I can always go get that stomach bypass surgery like Cliff's brother's wife had.  (I think I'm kidding.)

OK, enough of this pity-party.  No more whining for at least a month.  I promise.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I sure hope the new inserts will help your heel. Sorry you are hurting and feeling bad. I get depressed with this bad back of mine. I have been cutting a little each day on the cannas that I know will have to come down. I know they will be harder to cut when dry. Hope your heel soon get better. Helen

Anonymous said...

Oh I feel your pain. I had the same problem with both my feet. There is no way to escape it, I mean you need your feet. Simple tasks like walking from the couch to the bathroom were unbearable...the only thing that gave me relief...and I went without relief for well over a year was the cortizone shot.  All it took was one and I have been great since then. It will be about a year since my shot.  Once in a great while I will have trouble early in the morning...do you notice it is worse after sitting for a long time?  I hope the inserts work..crossing my fingers for you!

Anonymous said...

In answer to Robinblaster:  I did get a cortisone shot, but it didn't help.  I do appreciate the advice I've gotten from everyone.  What works for one, doesn't work for another.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to my world. It sucks! I used to be able to walk 5 miles an hour and I walked everyday. I was in great shape and then came multiple feet problems. With your first bout of plantar fasciitis expect it to last from 9 months to a year. Try everything. I did. If all else fails there is a doctor (M.D.)  in Kansas City who only does feet and his name is Dr. Timothy Badwey. He is with Dixon Dively Orthopedics. He is very conservative in the treatment of this problem. I have seen many foot doctors but he is THE BEST. For anybody who has never had this it is hard to imagine how intense the pain is. I remember thinking I would never recover. Even today I am plagued by it, but it is managable. I have accepted the fact that I will never be about to walk like I used to, but am grateful that I CAN walk. Believe you me Mo...........I feel your pain!  Whine away!   Anne

Anonymous said...

Arch support is what helps me with the plantar fasciitis. I notice a big difference if I go barefoot or flat footed for a lenghty time. If I put on the orthopedic sandles (Berkinstocks or Arco Pedicos) in stead of slippers, I do not have pain upon getting out of bed.
Tess

Anonymous said...

Heck Mosie, you NEVER whine!  You're entries are always pleasant and upbeat, and a joy to read.  You're entitled to an occasional whine!  May I offer you some cheese with that whine?? lol
Hey.. about the heart surgery!  That is not going to happen!  You are far to healthy!  It's just been in the last couple of years that you have had to slow down a bit.  You aren't going down any "heart surgery" road!  Nope Nope Nope!  :)

I hope those foot orthodics work for you!  Plantar Fascitis is very painful!  Never had it myself, but have seen plenty of people come into the ER with it.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sending you lots of good thoughts and prayers!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

Mosie my dear, I echo the "You never whine" comment.  If it's to the point that you speak of it, it's gotta be bad.  I'll pray that the shoe thingamajoogies work for you.  Lord knows you prayed about my pain and it helped me.

XXOO

La Banana

Anonymous said...

Sorry you are hurting. Have a friend who has this and is divorced and has to work. Growing older can be a bummer. I have had to give up line dancing and long walks because of swollen ankles. Like you with your horse I can still ride my bike. Paula

Anonymous said...

Hell, mom, you are the toughest bird I know.  You deal with a lot without so much as a public word.  My horse dumped you, leaving bruises that lasted months, and you laughed about it, even posting entries in your journal.  You layer up the clothes to deal with cold, bring out a fan to deal with heat, and run heating/cooling appliances for minimal days per year.  You get up early to watch your granddaughters, fix big meals with no notice for those of us who "drop by" at meal times, ride a motorcycle for hundreds of miles at a time, and care for animals daily.  You complain so seldom that I got really worried for a minute about this entry.  I post a similar one weekly, so I think you deserve this one.  I aspire to be like you.

Anonymous said...

I know that heel pain. I'd say my bout with it can account for at least 50 of my lbs that I packed on. Knees and back account for another 50. It's not pretty. But have you thought about ways to keep moving but stay off your foot? Crutches, perhaps? They aren't the best for hiking, but will take the pressure off your foot for those flat stretches.

Anonymous said...

You never whine! I hope that you can get your feet feeling better soon. I think that when the feet hurt, the whole body just goes to pieces!

Anonymous said...

Ouch!!! I have had this and it is not nice!! Mine hurt worse after I had sat down and then try to get back up. I got the jell  heel pads and soaked my foot in hor water every night then massaged it.
hope it goes aways quick.
Carlene