Saint
Augustine once said, “ The
Greatest Evil is physical pain.”
Should this be true then a great evil has entered my life. When one experiences any type of
physical incapability it is never fun.
Be it from the common cold to a serious operation we must learn how to
function and survive when these things occur. It is my goal
with this blog to over come that “great evil” that has come into my life. I have learned the power of meditation, the power of
positivity, the power of belief, and mainly the power of love. With these, I know I will heal
faster. I hope you can follow my
journey and if anything feel touched, moved and inspired by my words.
I have
been physically active since I was a child. I grew up doing gymnastics, dancing and performing and
continued to do so in my adult life. Injury is something that I’m not unfamiliar with. It was last year when I was so fortunate to be start working
on stage again when I began noticing significant changes in my body. I hadn’t done a musical in quite some
time, I was a little older, and my hours and daily life have changed. The adrenaline and love of being back
on stage was amazing. I didn’t
want to stop, so I didn’t. I
booked job after job and pushed myself. I began taking ice baths filled with Epsom Salt,
going to physical therapy, and trying to get a yoga class in. It was my left foot that I
noticed significant pain in. My
Achilles tendon would inflame so much at times my whole foot would be
purple. I had to continue with
my productions, I love performing, I was so committed to the people in the
shows, my directors who I LOVE to this day, the cast who I LOVE, performing was
my life. I took drastic
steps to do so. I got homeopathic
injections put in my foot to help with the inflammation. As risky as this can be, I can
say that it was incredible. I had
an amazing supportive and educational doctors working with me. I went to a place called Back to
Total Health, and I will do nothing but sing their praise for how they have
helped me in many ways. They got
me through my shows and I continued therapy, but my left foot still was not
improving. My Dr. recommended it
was time to see a specialist.
I got a wonderful referral to the Foot and Ankle institute of Santa Monica
by my friend Gary.
After my new GOREOUS if I may add, Foot Doctor did a full examine the
conclusion was I had Insertional Tendonosis, Achilles Haglands (Haglunds Deformity) , a deformity on
the outside of my little toe, which is commonly referred to as a Tailors
Bunion, a broken ring toe, and a slightly infected large toe.
I had already
explained to the gorgeous Dr. that I have spent the past year doing physical
therapy, buying insoles/orthopedics, taking anti-inflammatory meds and getting
injections. Being that he
said my foot looked as if it had a massive bulbous protruding from both the
back, the side, and the top, and I have already exhausted my efforts surgery
was my best option. He
then recommended specific shoes that I needed to get fitted for to help with
comfort until my procedure.
I want to share this with you because getting these shoes really changed
my life. I got the best Asics
Sneakers I’ve ever worn and a pair of Eco Brand Dress Shoes. I need to wear dress shoes to work
and this brand of shoe that was very expensive, that I bought from Nordstrom
seriously helped save me until surgery.
This news was all
delivered to me in early January.
Literally days later I had my world turned up side down when I was hit
in a car accident throwing my entire body out of place. This not only again messed with my
physical body, but had to have me post-pone my surgery so I could be in a
stronger physical health to handle the post after math.
Two days before
I went in for surgery, May 13th, I had my temporary last day of work. I went around saying good-bye to
everyone and was truly filled with emotion. My co-workers could not have been more supportive, caring
and loving, They gave me everything from a gift basket of goodies, get well
soon cards, to some even giving me money to help with my finances during this
difficult time. I was moved to tears. I have recently begun a new relationship
with an amazing man, we’ll call him Ralphi. I am so grateful for how supportive he has been. I was incredibly scared going into
surgery, feeling that this might create changes. His care and support has proved so much to me. I am beyond words.
May 15th-May17th-
My surgery went very well!
Ralphi stayed at the hospital the whole time, My leg was numb from the knee down and I didn’t feel
much pain when I woke up. My
pain killers said to take one every four-six hours but I only took one when I
got home then one at bedtime. BIG
MISTAKE! At 3:00 o’clock in
the morning I woke with incredible pain sensation in my foot. It felt like I had been stabbed. I had tears in my eyes instantly, I
almost screamed, but just started breathing. Ralphi was there and I grabbed him, and got some more pain
medicine. Then I thought I’d
get up to get some blood circulating and I fell over on my crutches, Ralphi
jumped up and picked me up and put me in bed so fast! I took another pain pill and laid with out moving in one
spot the rest of the night. The
next day my foot hurt really bad all day.
It felt like a severe cramp or charlie horse in my foot. I didn’t want to move, but I knew I had
to stay happy. Ralphi had to run
some errands, so I would be home a lone.
I gave myself my first sponge bath, cooked dinner, and rested. My sister has a service dog who she
even dropped off to visit while she was out working for the day. I was in significant pain on this day,
but I still managed to be take care of me cause I knew I needed to. Today- Sunday, I felt so much
better. I began taking my pain
killers regularly and the pain has really gone away. There was a big event at the Los Angeles
Convention Center called Drag Con as
well as Long Beach Pride this weekend that I couldn’t go too. So I figured, I’d have my own little
thing at home. I dressed up and
Ralphi did a photo shoot, later we
did face masks, then I ended the night with a new tattoo. I have a lot of time left to get
used to and this weekend was already a tough challenge, but I’m ready to rest,
I’m ready to read, I’m ready to really learn what the universe has next in
store for me to bring my best foot forward!
Here are some links to provide you with some more medical info.
WARNING: GRAPHIC- SURGICAL VIDEO OF INSERTIONAL ACHILLE'S TENDINITIS AND HAGLUND'S REMOVAL
WARNING: GRAPHIC- SURGICAL VIDEO OF TAILORS BUNION REMOVAL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAOuLNavJl0
