My Left Shoe

I have not had a shoe on my right foot for 4 months! Some of you may know I have been dealing with right foot issues since 2008. I finally broke down and went to a Dr. in Oct. 2009. Here is the chronological break down of my saga since.

Oct. 2009 - Go to the Dr. for a sore ankle. Get MRI, Cat scan, and multiple x-rays.
Diagnosis - ligament damage and something else. Sent to see a foot Dr.
Oct. 2009 - Get boot for ankle. Needs to be supported for 6-8 weeks to heal. But there is something else there. You have a tumor (cyst) in your heel bone. Foot Dr. sends me to foot specialist.
Oct. 2009 - Specialist. You have a tumor (cyst) in your heel bone. Really needs to come out or risk driving the ankle bone into the heel plus we need to make sure it isn't cancerous.
Nov. 2009 - 8 weeks in boot over. Surgery for the heel the Monday before Thanksgiving. Surgery was a breeze but can't put weight on it for 4-6 weeks. Crutches and a walker here I come. Tumor is not cancerous!
Dec. 2009 - Six weeks later (New Year's Eve) I can walk, not well, but I can walk. The incision isn't healing.
Jan.2010 - Incision still not healing and body rejecting some of the material put in the bone. More surgery. Lots of stitches but the foot feels better. Less swelling and I can still walk on it.
Feb. 2010. - New incision not healing. The treatment this week is saline solution. Told I may have to have a skin graft.

Conclusion so far - Foot problems suck and I bet my right shoes don't fit my foot when this is finally over!

Then and Now

We had a great time visiting Jenni for her birthday in NY last week. I can't believe I have a 29 year old. How did that happen? I am officially planning my mid-life crisis for next year when she turns 30.

Here is a photo of Jenni and Hannah just before we left on 07-18-2009 and one of Hannah in one of Jenni's old baby outfits taken 07-19-08. So much has changed in a year. I will post more photos of the trip soon.

baby-sitting

We baby-sat Tucker memorial weekend.  He is one very spoiled large dog.  He loves attention and to be touched or in contact with a human at all times.  While this is not always a bad thing it presents challenges when the dog thinks he weighs 20-30 lbs and is small but is actually 100+ lbs and large.  

Tucker is 4 years old now and has calmed down much from his puppy years.  Think Marley and Me to get an idea of  Tucker's puppy personality.  We searched for years to find an indestructible toy without any luck.  I accidently left out some toys specifically designed for small dogs.  Tucker will not tear these up.  It is hilarious to watch him gently carry one of the toys around in his mouth.  It looks like he is carrying a baby bird.  

Tucker likes to sleep with me.  There is not enough room in the bed for the 3 of us.  I enjoy Tucker's visits but it is nice to get my bed back.  I wonder if Hannah will kick me out of my bed when she is 4?  

 

Mother's Day without her

This was my first mother's day without my mother. I took fresh flowers to the cemetery on Saturday. It was very surreal to see the headstone with her name included. I felt like I needed to go somewhere all day Sunday. The day felt incomplete. I know she is in a better place and strong again. She knew her time was short but I really don't think she was ready to say goodbye. Maybe that is why it's hard to believe she is gone and I still cry sometimes.

Family History

Did I mention I have 8 siblings. Check out this photo from Oct. 2008. Mom is the short lady in the front row. If Mike (blue shirt standing) were on the other side we would be pictured left to right oldest to youngest.