Walking!

[Keesha]

Those are large dogs Jim. I can understand you wanting to help your wife walk them.
For some reason I don’t imagine anyone old. Maybe that’s a good thing. Lol.

Smart move Sue. I wasn’t so smart and took my girls out in 30 plus degree heat. Our poor old Yorker had such a tough time that I carried her. The thing is I should know better.

Today we walked on groomed grounds that has been bug sprayed. Those big horse flies are really biting this time of year.
The heat wave is breaking up some.

 

[RadishRose]

Thanks for all your lovely photos along the way, Keesha!

 

[Lara]

That last photo! I swear it's identical to a detour path leading off our greenway (section of greenway closed temporarily). I'm not kidding. I need to take a photo so we can compare it. It twists like that and has the same trees and ferns. Your shadow is so clever

 

[Keesha]

That last photo! I swear it's identical to a detour path leading off our greenway (section of greenway closed temporarily). I'm not kidding. I need to take a photo so we can compare it. It twists like that and has the same trees and ferns. Your shadow is so clever

Thanks Lara. I will await your photo.
Twin Trails.:laugh:

Its nice knowing you and your dog(s) have a nice place to walk in this heat. Are you getting a heatwave where you live ?

 

[JimW]

So I had my appointment with the orthopedic foot surgeon this morning and the outcome was pretty much as I thought. He gave me two choices. Either wear a brace that looks like the one below for the rest of my life and endure whatever pain comes with it, or have surgery to reconstruct my arch and repair/replace the torn tendons and my foot should be like new in about 8 months. The choice was pretty easy for me, I'm opting for surgery.

 

[rgp]

So I had my appointment with the orthopedic foot surgeon this morning and the outcome was pretty much as I thought. He gave me two choices. Either wear a brace that looks like the one below for the rest of my life and endure whatever pain comes with it, or have surgery to reconstruct my arch and repair/replace the torn tendons and my foot should be like new in about 8 months. The choice was pretty easy for me, I'm opting for surgery.

View attachment 54068

Hoping you heal quickly...and with minimal pain !!!!

 

[JimW]

Hoping you heal quickly...and with minimal pain !!!!

Thank you RGP!

 

[Keesha]

So I had my appointment with the orthopedic foot surgeon this morning and the outcome was pretty much as I thought. He gave me two choices. Either wear a brace that looks like the one below for the rest of my life and endure whatever pain comes with it, or have surgery to reconstruct my arch and repair/replace the torn tendons and my foot should be like new in about 8 months. The choice was pretty easy for me, I'm opting for surgery.

View attachment 54068

When will you be having the surgery Jim and how will you get from point A to point B. Will you have a temporary brace ? Use a cane? I don’t blame you for wanting the surgery.

 

[JimW]

When will you be having the surgery Jim and how will you get from point A to point B. Will you have a temporary brace ? Use a cane? I don’t blame you for wanting the surgery.

Surgery is about a month out. I'm waiting for my MRI appointment to be scheduled, then I will talk to the doc again and schedule surgery from there. My foot will be in a boot cast and it will be non weight bearing for 6-8 weeks which means crutches and no driving. During that time my wife and possibly co-workers will be driving me back and forth to work. After the boot comes off I will start physical therapy and can start light walking and hopefully driving back and forth to work. It will take 6-8 months before I feel close to 100%, possibly a year to be completely healed and back to normal.

This surgery is no joke. They will be cutting my heel across the width of my foot, shifting it over and adding a piece of cadaver bone that will force the foot into an arch, that will be held in place with screws. Then they will either repair or replace the damaged tendons that support the arch. The rehab is long and stressful, but I'd still rather suffer with it for a year than be burdened by that brace and foot pain for the rest of my life. You can look up Adult Acquired Flatfoot and PTTD surgery for more info and pics of what it looks like.

 

[Keesha]

That sounds like a logical sound plan Jim. It’s really great that you have so much support with this. It must make you feel that much more grateful for life , family and friends.

It isounds like a long process but with the skilled surgeons, staff , medical technology as well as follow up physiotherapy, you’ve GOT THIS! I will, however wish you well with a speedy recovery.

 

[JimW]

That sounds like a logical sound plan Jim. It’s really great that you have so much support with this. It must make you feel that much more grateful for life , family and friends.

It isounds like a long process but with the skilled surgeons, staff , medical technology as well as follow up physiotherapy, you’ve GOT THIS! I will, however wish you well with a speedy recovery.

Yes I am very thankful for the support I have, especially my wife. I can't wait to get back to normal, it's amazing how much I miss something so simple as walking our dogs together.

Thanks for your kind words Keesha, much appreciated.

Just got the word my MRI is Wed @ 9am.

 

[moviequeen1]

I'm in 7th heaven again because I'm taking my close friend's dog,Aiker,pharoh hound aka 'my buddy boy' twice daily on walks until Weds afternoon when Marcia returns
Her husband,Dave is out of town until Fri.Their youngest son,Alexei has a full time summer job,can't be home to walk him,I offered to do this,they profusely thanked me
This morning I came over around 8:40,walked into the house calling for 'bb',he raced down the stairs happy to see me,wagging his tail.This afternoon I took him around 1,it was more humid so we didn't walk far because he was panting. When we got back,noticed the A/C was on,he was content lying on the rug
We've had heat/humidity here past couple of weeks,so I couldn't get my 3 walks in.Most days I took 2 walks before noon,because the humidity would zap my energy Sue

 

[JimW]

I had my MRI last week and the results are exactly as I thought. I will need to have a surgical procedure called an "anterior calcaneal osteotomy" which will involve the cutting and repositioning of my heel bone along with the insertion of a piece of cadaver bone, this will help to raise the arch back up and keep the bones properly aligned. They will use staples or screws to secure everything together. I will also have a "posterior tibial tendon" repair procedure. The Dr will take a tendon from the small toes and attach it to the larger posterior tibial tendon that supports the arch to strengthen it. The surgery is scheduled for Sept 5th. I wish I could have it done sooner, but this was the first available date. I will be non-weight bearing on my right foot for 6 to 8 weeks with no driving for up to 12 weeks. I should be pretty good on crutches by that time and my wife will have had her fill of chauffeuring me around lol.

I'm looking forward to getting it done and starting the rehab so I can get back to normal. The Dr says I should be back to regular walking activities in 4 to 6 months, but 8 to 10 months, maybe a year before I'm 100%. The pain in the foot has gotten worse and it really stinks not being able to do my normal day to day activities. You don't realize how fulfilling something so simple as walking the dogs is until you can't do it.

 

[Keesha]

You’re a good doggie mom Sue. You’ve either had dogs before or instinctively know them well, either way I’m glad you enjoyed your extra company. He was probably equally thrilled.


While I haven’t been posting much regarding my walks, I still walk everyday. With the season being summer I’m also swimming as well. Last Sunday I got a really long swim in the lake and it was wonderful. Swimming in the wild is heavenly. Since I swam a mile down the beach I got to walk a mile back. The sand in between my toes felt so good. Some of life’s simplest things are the most enjoyable.


Today was a great day also. We went to the lake in a different location and let the girls get their exercise while meeting some wildlife.


Some Canadian Geese having an afternoon siesta in the hot sun and some families of ducks enjoying the afternoon.
The mom of a pair of young ducklings was trusting enough to let me get really close to her babies.
Life is good.

 

[Keesha]

Jim , your operation was sure a speedy one, meaning you got booked in quite quickly. This is good news. I’m glad it went well but I’m sorry you are in such pain and discomfort. Plus I’m feeling a bit bad about posting what wonderful walks I’ve been on lately.
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope the pain diminishes daily.


Here are some more pictures from over the last few days.

 

[JimW]

Jim , your operation was sure a speedy one, meaning you got booked in quite quickly. This is good news. I’m glad it went well but I’m sorry you are in such pain and discomfort. Plus I’m feeling a bit bad about posting what wonderful walks I’ve been on lately.
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope the pain diminishes daily.

Keesha please post stories and pics about all of your walks, it gives me something to look forward to! My surgery is on Sept 5th, I wish I could have had it done sooner.

 

[Keesha]

Ok! Will do. Is the pain getting any better?
Do you think a walker would help you recover better once you start walking, meaning those 4 wheeling ones.
I guess you’re reading and watching lots of television etc.

 

[moviequeen1]

Keesha,thanks for your kind words regarding my walking my 'buddy boy',Aiker,who is a pharoh hound
I am a life long dog lover,as my siblings and I were growing up we had different dogs through the years.Our last dog was a golden retriever,TY who was a love,we had her for 15 yrs that was 30yrs ago.I have her dog tags hanging around a ceramic golden retriever
I'm still taking my walks,some days when its not humid,I'll go on my afternoon walk,lately that hasn't happened.Instead I take 2 walks before noon Sue

 

[JimW]

Ok! Will do. Is the pain getting any better?
Do you think a walker would help you recover better once you start walking, meaning those 4 wheeling ones.
I guess you’re reading and watching lots of television etc.

I'm not sure what they will have me doing once I start physical therapy, but I'm sure I'll need assistance of some sort with walking in the beginning. I'm leaning more towards a cane though, one of those walkers would really make me feel old, lol. I bought a couple books off Amazon for my down time and Netflix & Amazon tv will be getting a workout for sure.

 

[Keesha]

Keesha,thanks for your kind words regarding my walking my 'buddy boy',Aiker,who is a pharoh hound
I am a life long dog lover,as my siblings and I were growing up we had different dogs through the years.Our last dog was a golden retriever,TY who was a love,we had her for 15 yrs that was 30yrs ago.I have her dog tags hanging around a ceramic golden retriever
I'm still taking my walks,some days when its not humid,I'll go on my afternoon walk,lately that hasn't happened.Instead I take 2 walks before noon Sue

You’re most welcome Sue. I could tell from your reactions that you indeed genuinely like dogs.
Your golden retriever had a long life. Fifteen years for a larger dog like that is an incredible lifespan.
Dogs sure leave an impact on our lives when they do finally leave us. Their memories and legacy live on forever afterwards.
After all, they are woman’s best friends

Have a lovely day Sue.

 

[Keesha]

I'm not sure what they will have me doing once I start physical therapy, but I'm sure I'll need assistance of some sort with walking in the beginning. I'm leaning more towards a cane though, one of those walkers would really make me feel old, lol. I bought a couple books off Amazon for my down time and Netflix & Amazon tv will be getting a workout for sure.

Yes I suppose you will have to wait and see what they recommend. A walker would make me feel old too BUT if it helped me get around with less pain then I wouldn’t really care what it looked like but I have to admit that canes can look quite classy.
One day I’m going to carve one.
Good thing you get Netflix. That should help keep you well entertained.
Im assuming this is still quite painful.
I’ll send some healing vibes your way and will be sure to post lots of pics and information about my walks to help keep you entertained.
Take care Jim.

 

[JimW]

Yes I suppose you will have to wait and see what they recommend. A walker would make me feel old too BUT if it helped me get around with less pain then I wouldn’t really care what it looked like but I have to admit that canes can look quite classy.
One day I’m going to carve one.
Good thing you get Netflix. That should help keep you well entertained.
Im assuming this is still quite painful.
I’ll send some healing vibes your way and will be sure to post lots of pics and information about my walks to help keep you entertained.
Take care Jim.

I'm thinking I'll go full on Mr Magoo with a cane, top hat and monocle.

Thanks Keesha.

 

[Keesha]

Today is a perfect Sunday for a wonderful walk and that’s just what we did.
We decided to check out a new path we haven’t been on before and it was really nice.
It follows one of the main rivers in our area that are filled with salmon and sturgeons ( the most unchanged fish of the millennia ) - famous in the area.

This area has also been well known for its lumber processing. Eastern White Pines grow very tall and are used but Sugar Maples dominate the forests and are a beautiful hardwood. A pine tree with the lingering smoke, that smells like cherry almond from my husbands vape managed to photo bomb my picture but it looked a bit magical so I left it.


Another picture I took of a slender Jack Pine and got a gorgeous shot of the unique sky which was dotted with clouds.



Thess trails had some nice bridges and it really was fun.

My husband took a picture of my hair from behind as it dried.



I hope your your foot is healing well Jim and the pain is greatly reduced.
You came to mind today which was why I brought my camera.

Have an awesome day people.

 

[JimW]

Keesha, I haven't had my surgery yet it's scheduled for Wed, Sept 5th. But thank you for the well wishes.

Great pics! I've always wanted to go fishing for Sturgeon, those suckers are huge!

 

[Keesha]

I’m not sure how I messed that one up. For some reason I thought you had your surgery already when it actually was that you you got it booked. September 5th isn’t too far away.
Sturgeons are huge and ugly, ugly as sin.