Well, I want to wish everyone out there a happy 2016!! I have bounded into the New Year with both feet on the ground!! I am now walking with the aid of just a simple little cane, and it pauses me in wonderment at times! I am getting a bit of swelling, but not enough to be too worried about, next week is my 5 week check up and x-rays, we shall see then if my foot is bearing all of this newfound walking well or not. It has been a marvelous cascade of advances…about mid December I ditched the wheelchair on my outings, and transitioned easily to using the walker for all errands and shopping. Last week my physical therapist showed me how to walk with the cane, (my request) and have not touched the walker at all after that! I still use it at home, because I do not wear my big clunky boot all day, it makes my leg swell a bit. But I have been shopping with the cane, and a free hand to hold things, whoooohoo!! The other day I took a 1/2 mile walk with the cane and it felt sooo good! The only complaint was my wrist, gripping the cane for such a distance, but for that I could have walked 5 miles! I am wondering just how much walking is allowed, and how much is too much…but my theory is to throw everything at it and see what it can withstand…we shall see at my 5 week checkup. Mind you, I am aware of being cautious and not to overdue it too much. Hopefully my doctor will be able to clearly outline what my limitations are to be.
Speaking of Doctors, I am hopeful for the New Year that more of them will become aware of Charcot Foot and be on the lookout for the early signs and be able to be proactive in being able to properly diagnose , and treat, before ulcers and surgery are required!! I am hopeful for new surgical techniques and treatment options that can hopefully reduce a person’s down time. Being off work for so long can be financially devastating, so we Charcoters need to be repaired as quickly as possible! So, tell as many people you can about Charcot Foot, because the world needs to know about it. The more it is tossed around in conversation, the more common the knowledge of it will become, and it will no longer be so horribly mis-diagnosed!! My own mis-diagnosis lasted from May until October, when I finally developed and ulcer and bone infection…hopefully in 2016, that won’t happen to anyone else. We can always HOPE!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
-Cassandra, Charcotchacha copyright 2016