Along for the ride:

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Adoptions and X-Rays



It's official. The papers have been signed. Sweet Abbey-Rose has been adopted. No tears this time. We spent so much time with Abbey's new Mom that the final transition was stress-free.
The timing worked out well as I had come to the conclusion that there was something amiss with my feet. I've been blaming my shoes for several months now. I bought new trainers for dog-walking. I carried two pairs of shoes in my car and had another two pairs at the office, so that I could change frequently. The epiphany came at the nail salon. When my pedicurist firmly grasped my foot at the base of my big toe, I almost decked her. Ouch! The X-rays (mine, not hers) show osteoarthritis in my toes.
What am I supposed to do with that? Me? The dog-walker and even without-dog-walker, Hobbled! It's taken a week of rest, pills and not much improvement to understand that if I play my cards right, I can turn this around. She who can no longer walk must ride everywhere, and I'm talking four-hooved locomotion, not some sleazy limo. See, it's all about the spin.

23 comments:

  1. Well, shoot. You still hafta walk a little. Cortisone shots? But this is a great excuse to get back in the saddle.

    I am so glad to hear that Abbey found a great home; she's a beautiful girl and has come such a long way. Good for her!

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  2. As someone who has suffered several bouts of gout I can certainly sympathize with you. I haven't been following your blog for long but I have a good idea that this isn't going to hold you back for long.

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  3. You could loll on a litter carried by tall handsome and well-tanned men. I understand it worked for Cleopatra. Though I hope you can turn it around soon.
    Congrats on Abbey!

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  4. Oh bloody hell... I hope you can get that under control, and keep on strolling to your hearts content... And that your dream pony shows up too for longer treks.

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  5. When someone says to put your best foot forward, at least now you won't have to think about it! Seriously, hope you get it managed well.

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  6. Yep, nature wants you on horseback. Go with the flow. Don't fight it!

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  7. People are slowly but surely giving up their cars. No,no, it's true. Now, most are taking to their bicycles, but there's no reason why the right steed wouldn't work for you. What a figure you would cut! And not only would a horse ultimately be cheaper than a car, but it would love you back.
    I don't remember the last time my car nuzzled me.

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  8. Ouch, sounds very painful. But.... silver linings and all that, enjoy your riding, it's mandatory now! ;-)

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  9. Depending on how serious it is you should be able to walk again. Lots of people I know (they're mainly oldies round here) have osteoarthritis somewhere: hips, toes, knees etc. and still walk.

    Failing that, there's always the dog arthritis medicine!

    Seriously, riding horses and bikes are good alternatives. You can also have special shoes made but I daresay that would be very expensive without the NHS.

    Abbey is a very lucky girl to have had and still have so many kind people in her life. I'm glad she's gone to a good home.

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  10. Kerry, I've been pounding the pavement pretty relentlessly, with my succession of foster dogs, for the last two years. It's so much a part of my training method. I'm hoping a break will calm down my angry feet. If not, there is a surgical fix.

    Stephen, I was worried that I had gout, but no. My husband had that a couple of times and it seems excruciating. He controls it entirely now by watching his food selections.

    Merry, what a Merry thought. We might need an escort and a change of crew on the freeway to work though. Hmm.

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  11. Owen, there are certainly worse ailments I could have. Best of all, my riding boots don't hurt my feet.

    Silliyak, Thanks for the good wishes.

    Steve, don't you agree, it's a sign?

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  12. Deborah, I rode yesterday and it went very well. That feeling will stay with me and carry me through the week until next time. You're right, a car is not the same.

    Di, My thoughts exactly.

    Friko, Shoes that don't bend are helpful as they limit the movement in the big toe. I'll be shopping with a fresh approach from now on.

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  13. I have it in both knees. Fish oil helps a bit. I like the idea of riding to exercise the dogs. Very stylish.

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  14. You need one of those scooter things... for the walks outside the house... you could carry tea and treats,

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  15. Ouch! thats sounds painful and indeed - life pattern altering. Sorry to hear that. Hope you can find a new way that works for you without making you frustrated.

    I can empathize though -I'm off my feet right now (after my knee went 'bang!' in Zumba last friday) so MRI tomorrow and possible surgery after that. I'm as frustrated as hell - you sound remarkably calm?!

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  16. Wally That would work in England, not so much here, unfortunately.

    @eloh, That sounds very civilized, but probably not as good for my health.

    Joanna, in part I am calm because I had such a good result when they fixed my knee. I am not freaked out by a surgical option. I waited way to long last time.Good luck with your knee. How can you keep up with that little girl of yours?

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  17. Best of luck...As one with osteoarthritis and no surgical options, you are fortunate to have access to decent docs and surgery.

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  18. Well, shoot, so sorry to hear about your being off your feet and the pain. I so hope you are able to recover without surgery. You are one of the "good guys" and you have lots still to do in this world.

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  19. I'm pleased that you were albe to say a relatively painless goodbye to Abbey, it must be hesrterning to know the people she's going to be with are good folks.

    As for your toes, I hope you do get a solution - I messed mine up weeks ago and they still hurt if I walk too much. Stiff shoes are definitely a help to prevent unnecessary flexing of them.

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  20. e, I'm not galloping off down the path to surgery, but it is good to know it could help me. We're self employed so we pay our own insurance. It's a priority, right up there with keeping lights and phones on, when we have to decide what bills to pay.

    TechnoBabe, Your comment felt like a hug. Thanks.

    Argent, I feel really happy for Abbey. I was told about rigid footwear being helpful and it makes sense. I was wearing work boots for a while but it is too warm so I dug out an old sandal with a chunky wooden sole. Yesterday I was at the shoe store bending shoes. I bought some of those fashionable tone as you walk things, that I normally wouldn't go near.

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  21. Ah, I was going to recommend you try the Skechers Shape ups. They helped my knees--of course my knees have since been replaced, but that's another story. The rocker motion might take some of the toe bend pressure off.

    Wishing you well, regardless. Now, what you really need is one of those guide horses:
    http://www.guidehorse.com/ in a suitable size for you to sit on. It would allowed in all sorts of public places just as a guide dog would be and....well....WHY NOT?!!!?? *lol*

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  22. Jean, I just calculated that I walked 1,200 vigorous miles with Abbey. I wish I'd had the foresight to wear these rocking shoes before I had a problem, but then I wouldn't have had an excuse to get a guide horse. I always wanted to be a trainer of police horses but couldn't do it without joining the police force.

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  23. Darn that news about your toes. Can't believe I never heard of osteoarthritis affecting toes and, in your case, I wish I never had! So sorry. And yes it is all in the spin, but I think you are the sort that will be walking dogs again after taking good care to follow doctor's orders and ride for awhile.

    Abbey-Rose is home. Home. Thanks to you. How wonderful.

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