Wishing For My Chaco's

 

The human body is truly an amazing creation.  How everything works together just to keep us going each day.  Because it takes everything working together, it doesn't take much to throw it off balance.  Unfortunately, mine has been in a rough cycle the past two years.

The swelling that started on March 10th still an issue.  I've had an echocardiogram.  I had ultrasound to rule out blood clots in femoral artery.  I also went to a vein clinic and had an ultrasound done on the smaller veins in my leg and to make sure that all my valves were opening and closing correctly.  All of those tests were clear. 

Which leads me back to the foot clinic.  The end of April I got into the foot clinic and x-rays were done.  He could not see anything but arthritis on top where the swelling is.  No fracture.  No other reason for the fluid. I got a steroid shot and two pills.  One steroid and one for inflammation.  I also got a compression sock. Appointment in a month to check progress.   

One month later and I am still not in my Chaco's.  If you know me at all -- that is my only footwear unless there is snow on the ground.  Oh yes, I've been able to get my foot in there, but by the afternoon I usually regret it because of the swelling.  My foot has still never been back to normal. In fact -- sometimes my right foot likes to join in the fun.  😑  

So I am realizing that this might be my new normal.  If a month of steroids cannot bring my foot back to normal, I am not sure if it will ever be that way again.  Am I used to arthritis?  If you have seen my hands then you know that arthritis has been a part of my life since I was 25 unfortunately.  But the way it is progressing the past few years, it actually is changing me.  I am only 50, but I have been using one of those jar openers that is made for seniors for a couple years now.  I sleep with ice packs on my back.  My knees snap, crackle, and pop.  I cooked for two days for my daughter's wedding shower -- and had throbbing pain for days in my hands and feet after.  The exhaustion that didn't go away with a B12 shot. The stiffness.  The signs are all there.  

I have asked to go to a rheumatologist.  Of course, my regular doctor wants to see me before she will make the referral.  So that appointment is next week. But looking online at Mercy's rheumatology department, the wait list is long.  So I am sure that my appointment will not be soon even after the referral.  Apparently, I am not the only one falling apart.  😄 Until then, I am here.  In my velcro shoes like a toddler.  Wishing for hiking and my Chaco's this summer.