Tag Archives: Haglunds Deformity

From Injury to Healing: A Step-by-Step Recovery Journey

Posted on by
2

In 2020 I was diagnosed with Haglund’s Deformity. It is a bony growth at the insertion point of the Achilles tendon. I limped along with it for five years before giving up and having surgery performed on my left heel.

On January 22nd I had surgery on my left heel. I was in a cast for ten days and then moved to a boot with heel wedges in place. Each week I got to remove one wedge. And…..finally…..a week ago I became boot free. Hallelujah!

Doesn’t that boot look like something from Star Wars? I looked like a Storm Trooper from the knee down.

What have I been doing with my time

  • My rig EmmyLou has been having repairs done. I fixed the refrigerator door and its lock system. I have taken things apart and put them back together again. I have made new covers for the area under the captains chairs. She is getting spiffed up. Anything I can do sitting down is getting done.
  • I have a background in Holistic Health and Healing. I have a Masters in it. I believe that healing involves all modalities. Kaiser offered free rides to.appointments. I have had Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Active Release Technique done once a week. I got to visit with the drivers and see the world.
  • My Crochet Hooks have been busy. I love the creative process. I am very good at taking things out and trying again.
  • In situations like this all the streaming services on the TV helped pass the time. I caught up on Bridgerton, Surfing videos and more.
  • My friends came to visit and enjoy the healing atmosphere of my friend Drew’s home. They also took me out to breakfast and lunch.
  • There has been a jigsaw puzzle going since I have arrived here just before surgery.
  • When Drew wasn’t watching I got out in the yard and did some weeding.

Physical Therapy has begun. I have exercises to do each day. Up on the toes and down again. Lean forward and the come back to standing. Balance on one foot then try the other. Do some Yoga and go to the gym. I am busy.

I like going to Kaiser for my appointments. It gives me something new and different to do. And I have finally discovered what is on the sixth floor. I am driving so I am back in EmmyLou and driving myself to appointments.

I am walking some each day. When my heel becomes mildly swollen, I stop for the day. I put my foot up and allow myself some time off. And then its back to “feet on the ground” and ready to take the next step forward.

Time does go by no matter whether I am active or not. It has made me grateful that I am now back on both feet. It has made me thankful for the lack of pain in my left heel and calf. Whew I put up with that for five years. I could have been dancing. What was I thinking?!?

Now it is time for me to remember to take one step at a time. Just like many I will need to remind myself to take it easy and stop when needed. I guess I won’t be climbing any mountains or biking the distance any time soon.

It feels like it has been forever since this all started but in reality in has been six weeks. For someone who likes being on the move it has felt much longer. I keep reminding myself that I chose to have this done and I can do this.

I will continue to move forward, One Step at a Time.

Today I am thankful for two feet on the ground.

Finding Care Options After Foot Surgery

Posted on by
1

Thursday, today I am having surgery on my left foot. I have a condition called Haglund’s Deformity. It showed up in 2020 although I am sure that it was there for a long time before that. It involves a bone spur at the insertion point of the Achilles tendon.

In March of 2020 I stopped Scottish dancing. Sigh. My heels were swollen and sore to walk on. It was the first time in almost fifty years that I have not danced. I have not danced since. Sigh.

I tried several healing modalities. Chiropractics, Myofascial Release, ART, Massage Therapy and more. I had a hand held ultrasound machine that helped the most. All these techniques gave me temporary relief. The spur on my left Achilles tendon and the tendon itself are getting worse. I have grown weary of the pain and so I gave up and am having surgery.

What do I have to anticipate? A full month of no weight bearing. Physical therapy starts a month later and then I slowly progress back to walking and hopefully less and less pain.

What I really wanted to share with you is the process of figuring out how to make this happen. My RV is too small for a long recovery. My birth family lives in Ohio and New Jersey. They are too far away to rely on. What does a solo person in this world do when a situation like this presents itself. Where is Jim when I need him? Sigh.

In the fall of 2025 I began to look at living options.

  • VRBO and other vacation rentals were expensive. I would still be on my own. What if I needed support?
  • I researched Furnished Finder. Again I would be alone without assistance if I needed it.
  • The third choice I explored was respite care in Continuing Care Facilities. I interviewed and toured three of them. The first one would have been great. However, they had nowhere to park an oversized vehicle. The second interview was at a facility that focused on memory care. It was expensive and did not feel right for what I needed. The third facility was perfect. I would have had my own room. Meals would have been covered along with any activities I wanted to participate in. I would have chosen this except a fourth presented itself.
  • And the final and winning choice…After my week exploring the Continuing Care places I had lunch with Drew. Drew is the husband of a good friend of mine. Therese died almost four years ago. When I am in town I have a meal with Drew to catch up. When I told him of my week of exploring facilities he said; “Why don’t you stay here?” A woman from his church stayed while she was recovering from foot surgery. Other people have stay at this lovely home on a canyon in San Diego. I have house sat for them while they traveled. I decided on this option. He said that if Therese were still here, they would also be inviting me to stay.

Tonight I am settled into my home for the next few months. I have my own bed and bath. I have company. Drew even wants to cook for me. My friends are ready to help out if needed. And…I am not alone.

it is interesting to sort through this whole phase of my life. I like most people that are in relationships figure we will have the other to help us out. If only that were true. As I age I will be faced with this dilemma again. So many of us are young minds in aging bodies. I saw my father go through this. He often couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t walk as far, be as active as he once was. It is hard to create a scenario where our body and mind are at the same age.

This event in my life helps me to understand why people choose to move into 55 and up communities. Some opt for Continuing Care facilities. Others consider a Co-housing situation. When you move into this scenario there is someone to help out. There is someone who will knock on the door and make sure you are OK. Meals will arrive on schedule. You are not alone. It will be interesting to see when I will truly start to look at alternative living situations.

I am a bit anxious but doing OK. Last year it was Hawaii this year surgery. What a difference a year makes. Wish me the best and….

Today I am thankful.

I am thankful for my feet that have carried me this far. I am thankful for a good surgeon so my feet can carry me further. And I am so thankful for Drew who opened his door to this wandering woman.