Shiver ‘me timber’s laddies and lassies! Hope you’ve got a corn beef brisket goin’ in the crock pot and some potatoes on the stove! Maybe some soda bread baking in the oven, too! If not, I hope you are at least wearing some green so you don’t get pinched! I’ve added a silly video, below, so check it out!
The importance of surroundings!
Having Charcot foot is not the end of the world, (though surely may seem like it, at times!) but it certainly is a game-changer and many adaptations have to be made for our daily living. When we are diagnosed with Charcot foot, we are usually immediately ordered to become “non-weight-bearing” on the affected foot. Either we are put in an aircast, or boot, and need to wait several months for our fractures to heal and the bones to come back in alignment, or perhaps have just completed a reconstruction surgery and once again will need to be off the foot completely for several more months. In either case, we pretty much need to sit down for the entire day, usually in one spot, to avoid getting up and down repetitively. You might ask why must I stay put? Remember, if you have one Charcot foot, the other foot becomes your one source of mobility, and it has to carry the burden now of doing all the supportive work…you need to be sure not to over-stress your good foot because we now are relying on it 100%! In addition, our good foot is vulnerable as well of getting Charcot, so give it a break.
And it is for this reason that one’s surroundings become important in that it can affect our well-being to some degree. With hanging out in one spot for such long lengths of time, it is natural to desire to have pleasant surroundings. I suggest that you claim a stake at the window with the best view of the outdoors, and place a desk right by, or in front of it. Don’t be shy to have a friend or family member move the furniture around for you, because sitting in one spot for months deserves the best view in the house! I find it very important to bring the outdoors in, as much as one can, because we are basically home-bound for most of the day.
If you don’t happen to have a very scenic or charming view, there are a few things I can recommend to improve on that…
Hang a hummingbird feeder or bird-seed feeder outside your window…..
Or put up some lovely sounding windchimes…..
Or put a window box with flowers, or some potted plants…
Or maybe even a couple of friends!!
Another important thing you will need is a desk. This is your command center, and you are captain of the ship! With a desk, all the things you might need during the day are within arms reach; water, snacks, laptop, magazines, etc. Also, the space is great for doing crafts, or jigsaw puzzles. I hand paint the vintage purses for my purse line at my desk, as well as numerous other crafts. It’s important to keep busy and keep our spirits from sinking into depression about our situation, so do not despair, and get to work on those pleasant surroundings!
WELCOME TO THE CHARCOT CHA-CHA BLOG!
“I have discovered that is does not require feet to dance!” -Cassandra, Charcot chacha
This blogsite is dedicated to all the aspects of living with the disabling condition known as Charcot foot. In nearly all cases, with some exceptions, Charcot foot is caused by Diabetes Mellitus, though only about 6% of Diabetics will develop it. This affliction effects either one or both of our feet. Most diagnosed with Charcot foot have had a history of diabetic neuropathy in their feet…with many cases cropping up after long-term neuropathy, such as 8-10 years.
I named my site after a friend of mine made a joke about my situation, stating that my “dancing days are over”, to which I was, for once, quick-witted and said: “ You are mistaken, I can now do the Charcot cha-cha!”
From the moment we are diagnosed with Charcot foot, our lives are changed forever. For some of us, the ability to continue the lifestyles we once enjoyed is suddenly cut off. The jobs we loved involving the mobility we were used to become immediately at risk of being lost to our future of uncertain mobility.
I will share my own devastating and equally inspiring journey with this challenging condition. From the unsuspecting and dangerous months leading up to my diagnosis, to my current prognosis, including my much anticipated reconstruction surgery.
It is with a sense of humor and a positive outlook that I will present this blogsite. I will present relevant information and links to websites regarding this condition. I will share my own videos designed to give motivation and idea’s regarding everyday living with this disabling and frustrating condition. Together we can overcome the numerous obstacles that we often face dealing with Charcot foot. I hope you make it a habit to visit this blog for insight and hope for a brighter future! I will post at least once a week, and add links as I go. I am new at blogging, so bear with me as I a do the learning curve thing!
Thank you!