Heel Spurs and Micro Tears and More oh My! Update #2 plus the unthinkable

Iriebabel said:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/heel-spurs-and-micro-tears-and-more-oh-my-physio-update-1.60373/

Update number 2 as promised. Today, a day like no other I had a follow up with the Podiatrist. Early to bed , early to rise no breakfast in sight and forced to open my eyes ....at 5am. I hurried got dressed out the door a little after 6am for the long drive into the city. I caught the sunrise View attachment 52561 I arrived early beating the early morning traffic... see momma didn’t raise a fool because I actually got a parking space in the parking garage and on the ground floor, at that! Yes I know, I was feeling quite special . I walked across to the famaliar red building and took the too familiar long walk to the main floor of the main building.

This time I was not on crutches though...I’m feeling tall in my new HOKA One Tor ultra Hi’s That’s right..looking so good..I got stopped by a doctor then by a nurse “hey what are you wearing? I’ve been looking for some comfortable walking shoes. I’m on my feet all day what are those?”. I proudly replied “these are my new Hoka’s it’s like walking on a cloud with this heel spur of mine. Hahaha. I swear I was being punked or I was on a television commercial where someone asks what are you wearing then the the person replies “im wearing blah blah jeans”. But I was indeed proud of my progress. Here I was walking without crutches and with limited pain for the first time in 8 months since my last camino.

I was early so I went up to the second floor to hunt down some coffee but sadly it was closed. So hopping on the elevator again wouldn’t you know the elevator would not move...yup broken. ...de ja vous. The 5 of us waiting, stepped off then waited for another to come . The door of the other elevator opened and two wheelchairs were facing backwards.. 2 of the 5 got of us hstepped on and the remaining 3 of us (females) remained outside. Why you ask? Well since you asked I’ll tell you. One of the wheelchairs spoke...it said “come on in we have enough room and if we don’t you can sit on my lap”. Yes I could not believe it myself. The 3 of us let the door close and I turned to the young girl wearing medical scrubs and I said to her that was un called for I hope you never stand for that”. And with that we each shared thoughts of what happened and instances of this type of rude behavior. It’s not every one but the few make it bad for the many....and if his mother wouldn’t like it neither would I.

Anyway I decided to forgo the coffee even though I need the jolt of caffeine after getting out of my bed so early and I went to the waiting room. I am still early so I sat turned up my headphones and the latest James Patterson Murder Club Mystery. 5 minutes later the receptionist came and gathered all the names of those of us waiting and a few minutes after that they called my name.

Ok so I was in ignorant bliss...get in and out right? Hmmm totally wrong as I was informed I am getting #2 of 3 PRP (Platlet Rich Plasma) Therapy Injection. Yes! . WHAAAT!!! WHO!!!! WHEN!!!! No one told me. I was never told I was getting 3 procedures I’m not ready. As if I needed to prepare. I have 3 weeks to the camino . She, the doctor, said don’t worry you will make it. I was confused I thought she said I was getting injected again today? . so after a momentary lapse she explainded after she performed her assesment. I was feeling about 80% better and less pain. so its possible I won’t need the 3rd procedure...yeah right! . Any way...she rolled in the centrifuge and the needles...we signed the consent and off we went AGAIN! . Again, draw the blood...Spirt goes the blood from my vein into the tube then more onto the floor. I have a very giving left arm. this made her happy.

Some topical spray then Lidocaine into the nerve at my ankle bone, once again it did not travel down to my heel so it’s 3-4-5 sticks later ...yes I felt that...then complete nothing..I felt nothing... centerfuge runs 5 minutes ...that’s forever... plasma inserted...4-5 more needle sticks but I feel nothing folks yup she is full once more. “that’s a lot of fluid” she said and I Laugh because I had a flashback. Somehow the story seems the same but it’s a different doctor with a new student trainee. Yes it’s the same foot unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at things . 3rd injection scheduled 11 March., just 10 days before leaving for Spain I’m starting to think this is a test of will. who will win...well ME of course! but wait it’s not over.

She then introduced me to the walking boot. (My pretty Hoka’s On there left ignore the ugly boot on the right) View attachment 52563
No more crutches but instructions to continue Physio therapy, no Ice, no NSAIDS no pain relievers. But how was I to drive home, it is my right foot and 1 hr to home? good question. She stretched my sock over the compression bandage then fitted the walking boot . She called for wheel chair transport, yes I got smart I was not going to push myself this time in the giant wheelchair. It was easy peasy getting back to the parking garage this time... and when I got to the car I took the boot off and drove home with a numb foot and in my sock being careful not to place my heel on the ground. Not easy but doable when you have no other choice.

So was Today a good day? I’m not sure ...well she make it to Spain and the Camino? Will she have to further modify her walking schedule the first week? Will her foot be used as an extra water bladder since it can hold so much fluid? Will the boot make it past the garbage bins in the garage ? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of “As the World turns on the Spurs of the Heel” See ya Soon!

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