A Little Too Much, A Little Too Early

So, while I started walking in the boot last week, the steps I was taking were small, slow, and few.  Not only was my foot keeping my tempo down, but I also got hit with a horrible sinus infection after that weekend trip to Cali . . . so, I spent most of last week lying in bed emptying an entire Kleenex box and catching up on all my favorite ABC dramas on the DVR.

So, after two weeks of lying in bed, you can imagine how dirty (and stinky) my little studio had become.  But, I woke up today feeling full of energy and ready to take on the day!  I immediately got up, laced on my walking boot, and got to work.  I just kept thinking to myself, "I feel so good.  I can finally get down on my knees to scrub the bathtub . . . I can stand long enough to wash all of this week's dishes . . . I can finally get caught up on my laundry . . . I finally have enough strength in my legs to clean and get rid of that geriatric commode over the toilet and to sit down properly on the white porcelain again . . ." (um, yeah sorry if that was TMI; I could write an entire post just about all the medical equipment I now own since this surgery and how I need a second bedroom just to store all of it.)

But, by the time I was hanging my delicates up to dry at about 4 this afternoon, it had hit me--the aching and swelling.  Not only had my left ankle grown to the size of a grapefruit inside the boot, but my right foot was aching too.  Damn that CMT!  The high arches I have make long periods of walking and standing nearly impossible.  I've had to teach myself over the last year that while I may have the fortitude to get my long list of chores done, my feet usually can't keep up with my mind.  If I try to fill a Saturday with "putting" around the house, I usually find that I can only do about half of what I'd like to achieve.  If I'd like to get it all done, I really have to try to complete small jobs each day throughout the week instead of trying to do it all on the weekend. . . I guess I just forgot what I already knew for a short time today. . .  that's life with CMT now, learning again and again how to change my thinking and to listen to my body.

So, I spent dinnertime ordering take out, sitting on the couch, and icing my feet!