Hello fellow readers! As I promised here is my post to explain what my foot conditions are. In addition to explaining them, I also included a quote of something I wrote a few days after finding out the news of the third opinion and where my head went on one of the nights.
I have been diagnosed with a tarsal coalition and severe flat feet, and most recently found out I also have started to develop osteoarthritis in my right foot and my joints in my right foot and ankle have begun to break down. Upon hearing that, I also had found out there is a higher chance I may one day have to face choosing to either be in a wheelchair the rest of my life or amputate and get fitted for prosthetics. Since posting about this briefly the first time I am in a much better space mentally and emotionally about the whole thing for the most part. I still have off days, but that’s okay! So, what exactly is a tarsal coalition, and what is osteoarthritis?
A Tarsal Coalition is, simply put, when certain joints and or bones are connected in a way they should not be. Tarsal coalitions are a congenital difference meaning they are present at birth. Their symptoms do not have a specific time that they begin presenting themselves. Some people have symptoms starting at a very young age, and others have their symptoms progress and show up at a later age. Symptoms of this conditions can show up as difficulty walking, pain while walking, pain due to physical activity, and other symptoms. Now, onto osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the degeneration (breaking down) of joint cartilage and the underlying bone and is most commonly seen in middle aged people onward. It causes pain and stiffness, especially in the knee, hip, and thumb joints. But, as we can see, it is not limited to just the knee, hip, and thumb joints. What is severe flat feet?
Well, severe flat feet is exactly what it sounds like. Haha! Feet that are completely flat on the bottom of the foot with no arch what so ever. It can make wearing and finding shoes very difficult. I cannot wear sandals and flat shoes because they cause my feet to hurt due to lack of support. I cannot wear shoes with any level of arch support in them, as that will cause my feet to hurt. So, most of the time I am in tennis shoes that can provide my feet with support and as much comfort as they can.
I was diagnosed with one other difference in my feet that I do not quite yet know how to explain it. All I can say about that is from what I read it seems like it has some similarity or connection with having club feet. So, don’t hold me to that, but there you have it. Haha! I think that concludes this post for now. Below is something I typed into my notes app on my phone a few nights after finding all of this out, and I decided I wanted to share it. So, please enjoy!
Notes Excerpt:
“You hear news like this and you just can’t help but dwell on the initial news. Then, you start thinking about how news like this puts things into this whole new perspective kind of. Eventually you find yourself having thoughts like, “I don’t know how I’m going to face this”, or “I’m really not ready for my adventures to come to an end.” These are just two examples, but these types of thoughts can really be killers in their own way. I personally had a thought that I can’t help but acknowledge. After finding this news out and going through the motions of processing, which I still am going through a bit. I had this particular thought, “the people that the universe chooses to put through these things, though the people don’t like it and it’s difficult. They must be chosen to go through it because they are either strong enough to handle it and face it and the universe knows that, or maybe the universe is trying to help teach a lesson through these trials and struggles.” You know. I am someone who does believe everything happens for a reason. I don’t know quite yet what the reason is for this upcoming and current battle, but I know one thing for sure is if it were something with an easy fix it wouldn’t be given to me. I have had struggles my whole life and in a way you could say “easy doesn’t really fit my life’s vocabulary.” My hard times have shaped me, they’ve taught me, they’ve broken me, and they most importantly built me. I’m not stopping because of this new news. It’s going to be hard, yes, I know. But, I know damn well I’m going to get through every bit of it. No matter how terrifying it is to me. My story will be one of strength, success, and happiness. No matter how hard I have to fight for it. Life’s a battle, but I’m not going down without a fight. I’m going to take this one step at a time just like I have with everything else in my life, and I’m going to do my best to kick some serious butt in the process! The only thing that can bring me down is myself and my own thoughts, not my differences, or my struggles.”
Thanks for reading and hearing a little more on what my foot conditions are. I hope all of you have been doing well! Be grateful for what you have and try not to take anything for granted. Love you all very much! I appreciate you!
Best regards,
The Inspiring Hummingbird!
Commentaires