Over a Year Later: How I've Been

Time flies when you're having fun! It also flies when there aren't any complications/negatives with my foot :) It's been so long since I've updated, and honestly the reason is because there's not much to update on. Everything with my foot has been phenomenal!

I run, I lift weights, I do yoga, I swim, I chase after the two boys I nanny, I walk to and from my classes (over a mile one way) every day, and none of this bothers my foot. Since the toe lays down lower than the rest, I will feel a weird sensation when I roll the ball of my foot with weight on it (like when I stand and roll my foot around). It doesn't hurt though, and really doesn't happen often so it doesn't bother me.

I wear sandals almost all the time, and I don't even think about it when I take off my socks/shoes in front of people. I have noticed that it's still smaller than the toe on my right foot, and at times I'll get a little self-conscious, but no one has ever said anything about it and I always like to remind myself what my foot looked like before the surgery. A couple months ago, my roommate asked me about my surgery. She had to ask what foot and what toe I got the surgery done on because she couldn't tell, and when I pointed out my scar she said, "I didn't even know you had a scar there!" She asked if I had gotten surgery on the toe that was "a little smaller" but she said it because my toe is literally thinner and more petite-looking than my pinky toe, which (as you guys know) is fatter because it's had to bear the weight for so many years. The fact that she couldn't tell which toe/foot it was, and the fact that she had never noticed my scar really gave me the confidence and assurance that others around me see my foot as a normal foot.

Additionally, if any of you are having pain in any of your other toes, I just want to share my experience (I can't remember if I've mentioned this before or not, but either way it's important to know). Before the surgery, I could feel a bunion forming. My big toe had been starting to point inward toward my other toes more, and it gave me almost constant discomfort. There would be times when it felt like muscle cramps up and down my big toe. My doctor thought I was an idiot when I told him I thought my brachymetatarsia was affecting my bunion, but lo and behold I have no more pain in my big toe! The surgery has definitely helped slow/stop the progress of the bunion, which I am so happy about.

I have gotten several emails from people who are going through the surgery and have questions or just wanted to say thank-you for my blog, and it makes me so happy! It's so nice to know that people around the world have found my blog and are reading it to help with their own journey; that was the main point of making a blog in the first place, because when I was planning and preparing for my own surgery, it was the blogs of others before me who had been through the process that really helped calm my nerves and answer my questions.

Like I've said numerous times before, I'm here to help if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. Take care!

Below are current pictures of what my foot looks like. I'll add the before picture just to compare :)

(The scar in the above picture looks way darker on camera than it does in person...don't worry)

Month 7: Back to Normal (For the most part)

It has been so long since I've posted anything! I've successfully made it past the half year mark since my surgery, and I can't explain how happy I am!!!! It's crazy to think that before surgery I never went without wearing socks or hiding my foot around people. I used to have nightmares that I forgot to wear a sock and people were able to look at my brachy toe...fast forward to now and this isn't the case at all. I walk around barefoot with other people around, I don't get anxiety over having to take off my shoes and socks, and I have gotten several pedicures (I never did with the brachy toe...literally never).  So into the details:

• Pain/discomfort: I do not have any swelling anymore. Even after being on my feet all day or going for a run (which I do now!) my foot doesn't swell. As for pain, I have none. I do, however, have discomfort--or as my doctor calls it, "grouchy" feelings. This occurs when it gets cold outside, so I notice it mostly when I wake up and start walking around and also at night. Strangely, I sometimes feel as if my toe/metatarsal is on fire. I don't know how else to describe it, but it feels as if the bone is burning. This doesn't hurt as it only lasts a few seconds, and I think it's kinda cool to be honest! Another source of discomfort is when I'm doing lunges or other exercises which require I put the weight on the balls of my feet, which brings me to my next bullet point.
• Exercise/working out: I have been regularly exercising again! A few weeks ago I went on my first hike, which included steep hills. My foot was surprisingly accepting of the hike, so I also started to go for jogs. My jogs don't go more than 1.5 miles, as I don't want to overdo it. At yesterday's checkup appointment (Jan. 15) my doctor said to be cautious of running on hard surfaces like concrete, but my foot seems to be taking it well. I've also been working out at home with body weight exercises, like squats, lunges, planks, etc. When doing lunges, I can feel my toe popping/cracking...It doesn't hurt so I've kept doing it because I know the toe needs to be stretched. Working out has also showed me how much stronger my right side really is. My left foot in particular is much, much weaker than my right. The muscles literally won't react in the way the muscles in my right foot do. For example, running up stairs on the balls of my feet is difficult on my left foot and it makes me feel weak. However, this is just motivation to keep working out and getting my strength back on my left side!
• Appearance: In terms of the scar, it has lightened up a lot since the last time I took pictures (Day 90: Feeling Good!). However, the toe is still sitting a lot lower than the other toes, and it's pretty noticeable. I think that it has improved over time, and I'm sure that it will gradually improve with more walking and exercising. When I'm sitting or laying down I will gently stretch the toe and metatarsal upwards so it gets used to lying in line with the rest of my toes. I also focus on my lunges and calf raises when exercising because I feel it helps push the toe into line. The appearance of my toe laying down lower than the rest does not bother me all that much; I am just so grateful that it isn't a brachy toe anymore!

I think that's all I have for updates. If you're reading this and have any questions that I didn't answer, ask away!!!

Sorry if this pic looks blurry... but here's my feet! 

 Notice two things: 1) my scar has lightened up a lot, and 2) my toe is lying down more than the rest. It's not as bad as the last time I took pictures though, which shows that it has been improving! 

This is what my foot looks like when I'm weight bearing. It looks normal! Woohoo.