This month I’m participating in 30 Days of Thanks (#30DaysofThanks) by writing a blog post about 30 things I’m thankful for. To join in, go to the link above. The best part is, you don’t need to have a blog or even be on social media to take part in the project; you just need to be thankful. I can’t wait to see how my life might change by spending the 30 days in November giving thanks for things in my life — every single day.
Today I’m thankful that my podiatrist was able to give me a diagnosis on the newest issue I’m having with my left foot.
You remember that I got a steroid shot a couple of weeks ago, and since then, things have been great. The pain had mostly dissipated, and it’s been back to normal life. Until Monday, that is.
I was on a normal late afternoon walk with Sofi, when all of a sudden, I took a step and felt a something in my heel tear apart. The pain was instantaneous and excruciating. And of course, I was only halfway through with the walk, meaning I had to walk about 15 minutes to get home. I’ve got a high tolerance for pain, but tears stung my eyes as I hobbled home. Poor Sofi kept looking back at me as if to say, “why are we going so slow and why are you walking that way?”
Since the initial rip, I’ve been worried about what actually happened. I finally got in to see the podiatrist today, and after X-rays, he told me that I tore my fascia. He said that while he knew it was incredibly painful, in a way it was a blessing in disguise, because the tear had actually stretched the fascia, which is akin to what they would’ve done in surgery. He said that now I’ll be able to heal, as long as I keep up with the exercises/stretches. The downside is that I can’t get another steroid shot for 3-4 months, and it will take at least that long for it to heal.
So I’m also thankful that I walked out of his office with an RX for prescription-strength Motrin to help me manage the pain.
In addition, I’m incredibly grateful to my friend Heidi, who is letting me use her night brace. My doctor told me that it’s going to be an essential part of my recovery. I just hope I can sleep with this thing on!
I’m thankful to know what’s wrong with me and approximately how long it will take to heal, but I have to be honest, having plantar fasciitis and now a torn fascia sucks. I have to admit, I’m not at all thankful for that.
Bella on the Beach 
Oh no, that sounds so horrible. But you are right, a diagnosis is way better than having trouble all the time and not knowing why. Hope you are getting better soon.
Oh my! I’m so sorry! I know two runners who have had that surgery and it was a long road back (and one I know wore a night boot like yours). But the healing can begin for you now. In that book Born to Run, he calls plantars “the vampire bite of running” b/c once you’ve been bit by it, it’s always in you — unless you do the surgery, or do it the unplanned way involuntarily in your case. Do you have access to an indoor pool? Maybe core workout videos or arms? Can’t imagine how it must have hurt on your walk back!
The walk back was awful. Describing PF as a vampire bite is right on the mark. It definitely feels like a curse!
Yes, thankfully I have an indoor pool at the gym, so I’ll be doing a lot of Bella Tri’s this winter.
Sounds really painful. I hope the painkillers are doing their job and wish you a speedy recovery.