Charcot Foot

[livingwith]

I broke my ankle in march 2007 and have been wearing some form of cast ever since. I used to adore buying shoes & sandles but now I am delegated to wearing one comfy slip on and a huge orthosis. I used to walk briskly everywhere and now I hobble along like an old lady. I can’t go bowling with my kids anymore, I can’t clean my house properly, I can’t kneel down or cross my legs & I can’t get up & down the stairs properly.
I was diagnosed with Diabetes 10 years...Read the full article

[chance]

Hey, I understand. My first Charcot (right foot) occurred 5 years ago. Misdiagnosed, the cuboid fell, southwest, and I now have a large lump on the bottom of my foot. Okay, I can live with it - no more great shoes, etc., but I guess the thing that I really try to look at is that I still have a foot, big though it is.
December 2006, I noticed severe leg cramps in my left leg. Then I noticed some heat and some slight swelling. Went directly to podiatrist, did not pass "Go", did not consult MD. Told the podiatrist I thought I had Charcot's starting in my left foot. He raised an eyebrow, and said, "Well, let's take some pictures." Shore 'nuff, Maynard, there it was. Boot cast time - I now have a pair! Things were going pretty well, things were settling down and healing. Just about out of the boot cast, in May, we noticed an ulcer on that dear little cuboid lump on my right foot. Stay off of it. Right, we know how that is. However, when I also developed a small ulcer on the bottom of my big toe (from trying to stay off the other one), I was slapped into a wheelchair. Karen, let me tell you, I'd much rather walk around with a big foot than have to deal with that again. Talk about taking away your life! I know people adjust, there are many wheelchair bound people who get along, but it hit me hard! The alternative, however, was the very real possibility of those ulcers getting infected and possibly losing the foot - not my idea of a good solution! Now, in August, although the one larger ulcer area is still oozing, the ulcer itself is healed, and the molds have been made for my new "pillow" orthonics.

I've started studying medical transcription as it is something I can do from home with my feet up, if necessary, and still make a good living. I will always be limited to 5-6 hours on my feet a day - not many if you count all those minutes. Therefore, a lifestyle change. This winter,after giving me some time to be "humna" again, the podiatrist wants to go in and shave down that cuboid bone to help prevent another ulcer. More time off the feet, but if it prevents another ulcer, I'm all for it!

My saving grace is that I'm still allowed my true passion - horses. I can ride, because I'm not on MY feet. No, I can't wear the boots (or shoes) I would like, but there are things I can do. I've learned to do a lot of things differently. I WATCH MY BLOOD SUGAR!!!!! Religiously. I am Type II. If I notice ANYTHING unusual - cramping, heat, discomfort - in my feet or legs, I head for the podiatrist.

I want to keep both my feet - big though they may be. So do you. AND, you want to live your life. If your man wants to marry you, which he obviously does, MARRY HIM! He loves YOU, not your former foot, not your former fast gait, He loves YOU, what makes up who you are. Love him back. Let him love you. Enjoy what you have!!! You are never given anything in life that, with His help, you can't handle, but only if you let Him help. It would maybe seem that He sent your honey to help you.

BTW, I am 54. The left foot healed with no visible changes, due to quick treatment. It doesn't work quite as well as it used to, but it works! At 54, I AM making a career change and its going to work for me. Seriously, ask yourself, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT? Then, do something about it.

I'm not happy all the time, and I have days, no more like moments, I get really down and feel sorry for myself (I'm no saint), and I look down at my feet and say, "Why me???" , then I make myself look at my feet and say, "Hey, I've got feet down there - MY feet, REAL feet, with blood circulating through them, and muscle and tendons and ligaments and bones and nerves. Why, I'm pretty lucky, aren't I?" nd I pull myself up by my bootstraps and get on with my life.

Be aware, watch your blood sugar, and look at those wonderful feet - and BE HAPPY!

[thomasale]

Now this really picked me up...thanks for the notes