A Dreadful Christmas Present I Gave Myself

For many years I have been having troubles with my feet.

It started with plantar fasciitis and bone spurs on my heels. I have had to wear arch supports in all my shoes. Neuromas were screaming pain at me from between my toes making it feel like I was walking on marbles. I was growing bony lumps on the sides of my feet. And to top it off, I was getting bunions. SHEESH!!! How much can two feet on one woman handle?!?

With the expense of my pacemaker surgery earlier in the year, combined with our more recent mission call heaped upon my sore aching feet, I came to the conclusion I would never be able to endure 3 years of wearing dress shoes 24/7 without taking drastic measures.

So, taking a deep breath, carefully calculating my best time to do something about it, I scheduled double foot surgery four days before Christmas. Our deductible had been met with the pacemaker, so this was going to be a free surgery.

Glen had planned to stay home from Minnesota the last two weeks of December which made it the absolute only time I could have surgery with him home to be my nursemaid the first two weeks when I could only get up 4-5 times a day to use the bathroom.

Hence the Christmas gift I gave myself... Couldn't resist putting the festively wrapped post-op boots under the tree in anticipation of the big day.

Glen proved to be the most attentive nursemaid. He carefully loosened the bandaged wrap as instructed by the doctor to try and ease the pain due to swelling.

 YIKES!! That wasn't a pretty sight!

I spent the majority of my time on the couch with my feet up on pillows with some compression pumps going on my legs and ice packs on my feet--30 minutes on, 30 minutes off, etc. Glen was so determined to keep my feet properly iced the first 3 days--AND NIGHTS--that he set his alarm every 30 minutes all through the day AND NIGHT. He slept (or attempted to sleep in 30 minute segments) in the chair next to the couch.

Glen brought breakfast, lunch and dinner to me in bed. Well on couch. Which was my bed. For several weeks.

Here I am demonstrating my walking ability in my new boots. This was taken before all the pain medicine given to me during surgery had worn off. After that--my expression wasn't this happy.

Glen was not only willing to be my nursemaid, but he also was willing to host my side of the family's annual Christmas Eve dinner party. It had been scheduled for our house well before I had any thought of surgery enter my mind. Glen felt like having it at our house would be the only way I would be able to attend. Bring on the guests!!

Sarah named this the rest and recovery station when we learned Maggie had just had foot surgery the same day I had surgery.

Time for prayer to begin dinner.

After the food, we moved into the living room to have our traditional family program where anyone who wants to can share a talent or something with the group.

Rachel played a piano solo and so did Maggie--cast on her piano-pedal foot and all.

Maggie put me to shame. Not only did she out-perform me, but she was getting around the house without a problem on her crutches. And she didn't act like she was in pain at all. She was my hero!!

Ben and Haley's clay animation movie about Nephi and his brothers going to get the plates from Laban was a big hit on our Disney family vacation and was a big hit once again with the little people in the audience.

It was a lovely evening and I was so glad Glen had insisted we go ahead with the original plan. The food that was leftover for us to eat was very much appreciated!