Saturday, July 20, 2013

Warning! Whining ahead


I have a narrow foot and extra narrow heel. Right now I am dealing with the consequences of settling instead of persevering until I could locate narrow athletic shoes that 1) meet my physical therapist’s guidelines for footwear that will contribute to regaining my balance and mobility, and 2) fit so that my right foot doesn’t slip forward and keep my toes jammed into the front end of the shoe.

The consequence is the second ingrown toenail on that foot since my stroke. The podiatrist has taken action, and the sore toe is gradually healing.

It has helped to wear a flip flop on my right foot and on my left my usual athletic shoe with the Bioness sensor and transmitter or a well worn black shoe that accommodates a plastic brace for times I can’t wear the Bioness. Either combination is definitely weird-looking and doesn’t help me much in staying balanced. The flip flop does, however, help avoid the pain of a shoe touching the sore area.
 Foot-fashionless

Early this year I bought a pair of low-rise boots that met my physical therapist’s approval. The pair works with the heel plate sensor and transmitter for my Bioness foot-drop system.

They are the closest thing I have for dress shoes post-stroke. The occasions that I wear them usually involve challenging environments with crowds of legs, both human and furniture varieties, and for some reason the shoes intensify my uneasiness about keeping my balance in a crowd.

I look forward to the day I can walk in them with the same confidence that I do in my athletic shoes. I also look forward to walking with all my toes healthy, happy and uncomplaining.

Maybe it would help if I adopted Nancy Sinatra’s attitude in the video below.  



Extreme ironing? 
Hubby is watching TV and I just now caught part of a segment about “extreme ironing,” apparently a variation on extreme sports.

I manage to NOT iron by avoiding clothes that require ironing and by strategic timing in removal of laundered clothing from the dryer. And I don’t care to watch other people iron, even if they wield their irons while skydiving or surfing.

I did, however, succumb to perverted fascination and googled. Results numbered “about 2,480,000.” There is even an official Extreme Ironing Bureau (EIB) page. It explained, “Extreme ironing combines the thrill of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt.” Of course, Wikipedia has more here.

I can understand the satisfaction of completing a task that creates crisp order in a chaotic world. But it is not for me. I have been known to iron the occasional tablecloth, but I happily and peacefully coexist with most wrinkles, whether in aging skin or in clothing.

7 comments:

  1. I don't iron, thank goodness for modern fabrics! I hope your foot problems heal soon, I had not heard of the sensor equipment.

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  2. I am the same as you. I put my clothes in the dryer for only a minute. They come out damp...no ironing! Also we are the same with shoes. I have lymphoma and nothing will fit on my feet except my old black Crocs. Not even 4X extra wide. I have even gone to funerals in them, like the other night. The alternative is having the diabetic shoe people come over and measure me and they would look just like little old lady shoes. And even Crocs are better than that!

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  3. now i am wondering if my iron will still heat up and steam, when i retired in 06 i gave up clothing that required touch up ironing.. and extreme anything is not my thing except for Extreme Homes on HGTV.. i do love that show, it shows all the crazy ways people build homes, like out of airplanes.
    i am thinking your boots do not look like Nancy's in the video and also that the clothes you wear with them are not that short. LOL..
    i had two ingrown toenails removed, but that was 30 years ago. I do remember they hurt and shoes do aggravate them.. wear what is best for your balance and feet and don't even think about how it looks...

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  4. I rarely iron, so I can relate to what you wrote. Lol.

    As for shoes, have you tried SAS open toed sandals? That's what I wear -- even on trips abroad, where a lot of walking is necessary.

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  5. I have your skinny feet plus chronic planter fasciitis.
    The shoes that feel the best are basically walking shoes that I wear with everything. They accommodate my orthodics with no problem. I never looked dressed up but am comfortable.
    Hope you find the perfect shoe for you. Comfort is all that matters.

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  6. I sympathize with you on the shoe situation. I hope your toe heals soon :) I've become hooked on Crocs. They're about the only shoe I can wear comfortably, so that's what I wear!

    As for ironing, I avoid it as much as possible, and I've never been very good at it. Ed, on the other hand, can iron a mean dress shirt!

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  7. I can empathize with the shoe problem. I just bought a lovely pair of Mephisto slides via Amazon. They have a with a small heel, but I can't wear them. I have worn flats for so long I felt as if I will shoot out of the shoes face first. My daughter and three of my granddaughters all wear the same sized shoe, so one of them will get these lovely slides. Back to sport shoes for me...sigh. Dianne

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