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Thy Word is a Lamp Unto my Sanity


Writing my first post (and hopefully not the last) for the year with the announcement of an injury I’ve sustained on my right foot. Those who’ve been on this platform with me from the beginning would probably know (but why would you?) that I’ve had some pretty serious foot issues that may or may not have influenced the choices I’ve made in life. 

Last week, I braved myself and made that appointment with a podiatrist. I could tell he was a little pleased to have found himself a special case to deal with, away from his daily doses of ingrown nails and shin splints. My feet are undoubtedly far more exciting than those. A perfect case study. So perfect he asked if he could have a couple of podiatry students in the room to discuss my situation. But no. I wasn’t in the right headspace for that. 

Turns out that the band between the second and third toes are inflamed, impinging on some nerve in that area, causing a variety of localised pain. It also feels like I’m constantly walking on a pebble, and on rougher days, it just hurts throughout the night making me restless. Well, I’ve gone to see him just in time before the band snapped. Otherwise, it’ll be a surgery which will take a longer recovery time, and I can’t imagine spending the entire year of the dragon, hobbling around like an injured sheep. 

The podiatrist comes with a hopeful promise. That I’d heal and reset without a surgery. For that, I’ve to tape my toes down for three months, have an insole in all of my favourite shoes and work on my calves to bring about zen to my lower extremities. It’s a promise I value even if the outcome is still a surgery in the end. A positive outlook from a foot doctor goes a long way in deciding whether I’d be good or bad for the year. My mental health is tied to my feet and spoken words from doctors/ therapists is a lamp unto my sanity. The last time I saw a foot doctor, he told me to stop my active lifestyle (with no solution offered) simply because "you're not an athlete". You wouldn't want to know what life was for me after that! 

And that's why I find myself in a library today, writing, instead of let's just say, breaking bad. 


State Library Victoria. It's beautiful in here. 


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Comments

  1. Blue Grumpster05 March, 2024

    I hear ya, Jaya J. I hope this foot doctor knows what he is doing and that you won't be needing surgery.

    Blue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JJ07 March, 2024

      Thanks Blue! It's been quite alright since the intervention. I tape down the toes, and with that little insert in the shoe, I'm quite functional. Biomechanics isn't perfect at the moment, but i will take what I've been offered now.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous04 April, 2024

    Hi Jaya - I'm happy you have a non-surgical solution for now. Let's see what happens. I hope you will come out of this successfully, regardless. However, I'd much prefer to see you languishing in the creative peace than running a marathon as that brings so many benefits to your readers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JJ18 April, 2024

      Hi! Thank you! The foot is so much better now, thanks to the treatments. However, last week, silly me walked into a metal bed and gained a microfracture on the shin. It hurt like mad but it's better now. I can walk, but just have to take it easy until it completely heals. Running a marathon has long been out of the question for me, but I do want to be able to walk as much as I like till the end of time. And yes to creative peace! I know I haven't been writing as much as I'd like to, but I also take comfort in other forms of creativity these days like crafting and painting. Maybe I should put something up here.

      Delete
  3. Terra Shield22 December, 2024

    How is your foot now? I too have been plagued by foot issues this year. Doctors keep blaming my safety boots. Yet to see a specialist, though...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Blue Grumpster29 December, 2024

    Well, Jaya J, 2025 is knockin' on our door. I wonder what it'll bring. Do we even want to know. We should buy a lottery ticket and just win, you know? And I don't mean 10 bucks.

    You take good care now.

    Blue

    ReplyDelete
  5. Blue Grumpster25 January, 2025

    How's your foot now, Jaya J?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JJ06 February, 2025

      Hey hey! Foot is okay, manageable. Thank you and happy new year, though its Feb. How are you doing? Tried the lottery but the 100 mil went to someone else last weekend.

      Delete

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