Sunday, June 27, 2010

Toes Are Supposed To Point Forward, Aren't They?

About six years ago, I was morbidly obese, a condition I feel was directly contributed to by my very long term GID, and my complete lack of ability to do anything about it. After several episodes of nearly passing out at work, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. Since then I have lost lost a very significant amount of weight. I eat a proper low glycemic index diet, and get regular exercise, and my blood sugar stays within the normal range now, but the damage to my body caused by prolonged high blood sugar was done. Part of that damage was diabetic neuropathy. A numbness in the lower half of my feet.

Last night, just before going to bed, I washed my face in the bathroom next to my bedroom. After toweling my face dry, I turned to go to my bedroom, and stubbed the little toe on my left foot. Because of my neuropathy, all I felt was a strange sensation. I looked down and the little toe on my left foot was pointing outward at about a 60 degree angle! I was shocked at what I saw, but since it didn't hurt much, I reached down and straightened it back out , and went on to bed. It didn't keep me awake, and although it has been mildly painful since, it isn't making me suffer. It's black and blue now, and I'm not sure if I just dislocated it, or actually broke a bone. I haven't done anything about it, because I broke the bone in the tip of my right big toe once, and wasted my time and money going to the hospital to get it checked out. After several hours in the emergency room, an X-ray, and an examination by an intern, I was told that I had indeed broken it, but nothing could be done about it. After all, they aren't going to put your entire foot in a cast for one broken toe.

So, we will see how it develops. I've had foot injuries before, and they can be annoying, because they take weeks, if not months to heal. I hope this heals quick. I was just getting over a nasty blood blister on my right foot, caused by ill fitting shoes worn while cutting grass. That finally cleared up, and now this.

After a couple of days of relatively normal summer weather, if low 90's can be interpreted as normal, the intense heat is scheduled to return again tomorrow, with temperatures once again soaring towards the century mark. It looks like we may be in for one of those long hot summers, reminiscent of the one in the movie, The Seven Year Itch. Now if only I had a lovely neighbor like Marilyn Monroe to share it with!

Melissa XX

7 comments:

Amy K. said...

Ouch! I hope it's nothing serious, and that it feels much better soon. Please be careful?

bree said...

you might want to buddy tape it to the toe next to it. If broke theres nothing that can be done besides that. Make sure you have good circulation, lightly squeeze the nail watch it go from pink to white-ish then back to pink, anything longer than 3 seconds is a tad concerning. Also make sure no red streaks extend from the toe up your foot and leg. If you have questions email me.
Oh yeah, I hope it feels better :)

B

Anji said...

Melissa!!!
You know that you should always protect your feet. You've obviously worked very hard to get your blood sugar under control (I know how difficult that can be). Please, please be careful in future, you don't want to lose your toes

Kay & Sarah said...

You should follow Bree's advice. Your toe is probably broken. Since you have diabetic neuropathy, in addition to following Bree's advice, inspect your feet every day, especially, the hurt one. You could have something serious going on and not know it because of the decreased sensation.

VĂ©ro B said...

So sorry to hear that you have damaged your big toe! Others here seem to be giving good advice, so I'll just say hope things heal quickly!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

I have no medical training so cant give any advise but just be careful.
x

Calie said...

You poor thing! Be careful, girl! Listen to Bree...she's our resident nurse, you know.

Gee, I'm wondering if all of this is a blessing in disguise? Does this mean you can walk in heels and never have pain?

Calie xxx