I made a July appointment for surgery and have already postponed it (for a variety of reasons, most of them from reading this board.)

I think I am a lot older than most of the people posting here (51) and always managed to get by just wearing really wide shoes. But things are catching up with me, especially since moving to the beach.
Blew off surgery last spring when my co-worker got pregnant, then in the fall my husband took a new job and we ended up moving from Denver to this little beach town in northwest Florida. We've been here since November.

We are still very unsettled, renting a house with most of our possessions in storage and after spending much of yesterday morning reading this board, I decided to put off the surgery until late in the fall.

I will need a pin in the toe of my right foot, but not the left.
I was going to do first one foot, wait a month or so, then the other.
Having read everyone's recovery stories, I am, to say the least, freaked out.

I am not working, so no job to take time off of.
But.
We have two 135 lb dogs, two cats, a 16 year old boy, and I basically do every single household chore--with no cleaning lady or anything like that.
I am not a clean freak, but I dread how quickly downhill our household might go with me unable to do much. We have no family out here.
I think I need to do a lot more research and prep before going under the knife.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
(I'm having nightmares about one of our dogs accidentally stepping on my foot!) :rolleyes: :)

Cil, I'm a couple of years older than you. I think I wrote that I was 53 the other day, but I am 54, my birthday was last month. How could I forget that!! Anyway, since you live at the beach, I would sure wait till the fall. I wouldn't want anything to get in the way of me going to the beach. I kept putting off my surgery too. I didn't want it to get in the way of my weekend jogging 5-10 miles. Haven't been able to do that in a while - just long walks.

Anyway, I was supposed to get one foot done at a time. Decided on getting both. The worst day was the day after surgery. I've been walking a little each day ever since. I've done some light household chores the past few days - making the bed, washing up dishes - no vacuuming. The day before my surgery, I had someone come in and clean my house thoroughly. I've never had someone clean my house before. She was great. So things still look pretty clean inside.

We have dogs too. I haven't seen them much. I didn't want them jumping on my feet. Of course, they are no where near as big as your dogs.

I wish I had had this surgery done a long time ago. It might have been a little less complicated. I read all kinds of things on this message board. I went to an excellent orthopaedist. He's a sports medicine doctor. His goal is to get people back on their feet as soon as he can. I wanted a wheel chair. He said no, I'd be able to walk. He was right. I've been walking. I go up and down our stairs 4-7 times a day. Of course, I go very slowly. Each day is getting a little easier.

We post on this board for ideas to make things easier, to see if others are having the same problems or symptom, and just to go through this ordeal with others, makes the time go by.

If you've been reading posts recently, rbstarr is in her early 20s. She and I had surgery the same day, May 2. Mish Mish had her surgery 5 days before us. Debz just had her surgery. She lives in England don't know how she's doing.

Now that I've rambled on, I'm not saying this has been a piece of cake, but I'm glad I got it done. Of course, I haven't gone through the whole healing process yet. Some people seem to have problems with the screws a few months to a year later. You take care and I'll keep watching for your decision. Deb :angel:

Hi Cil,
I know I'm alot younger than most who get his surgery done, I'm only 23. However, I myself have put it off 3 times already. I'm only 9 days post op, and I'm very glad I finally did it. From reading these boards, I too was freaked out, I was sick to my stomach days before the surgery, but I just continued on, and I did it. I never would have thought I'd be at this stage of recovery already. I believed every horror story on this board, and didn't for a minute believe my surgeon. He said I'd be up and walking the next day, which I was, and he also said I'd be throwing my crutches away in a couple days, which I did. I know it is very different with our age differences, but look at footsy's (Deb) case.
I live on my own with my boyfriend, and I too was worried about the house cleaning situation. It's hard to ask him to clean the house when he waits on me and gets everything I need. I let it get to a point, then I have a speak up. But previous to getting the surgery done, I did a massive spring cleaning, and it managed to stay pretty clean for a while. It's mostly just the dishes, sweeping, daily clutter and stuff.
These boards are incredibly supportive, I don't know how I'd be coping without them. At least you know when and if you do decide to get surgery, you can always come here and talk to people who know exactly what you're going through.
If I could give any advice to people considering the surgery, I'd say don't put it off too long. Painwise, I'm already off my meds, and able to get by. The worst was the 2nd and 3rd day, after that, it's amazing how fast I am improving, and it sounds like Deb is also improving fast. Look more at the success stories. Those that are now pain free.

rbstarr, I agree with you 100%. I was a bundle of nerves after reading the many horror stories. I know I waited too long, but I'm so glad I did it. I wish I could have done it during the winter months, but summer has it's advantages too, ie, I can wear sandals till my foot gets closer to a normal size. Things are looking better every day. I was even thinking about going back to work Monday for half days, but my husband said I need to wait till I've had my first visit with the doctor which is next Wednesday (to get the stitches out). He said I need to relax and enjoy this time off before getting back into the rat race of working. I just hate using up leave. Oh well. I'm glad there's the internet to read.
don't you get your stitches out tomorrow?

Wow! I feel like I am reading my own mind with these posts! I always put off surgery for 12 years, making excuses. I am 33. I have severe bunions, plus problems with 2nd and 3rd toes. My left foot is all fixed. Although frustrating, the recuperation was a lot better than I expected. Keep in mind I had bunionectomy, an osteotomy, one toe shortened and knuckles shaved down on 2 toes.

I live alone. Have a 35 lb dog. I did not clean for about 2 weeks. The dog was actually very patient with me on crutches. She had to settle for quick potty trips instead of walks for 4 weeks. The time it takes to get the surgery and recuperate goes much faster than the time we take to anticipate and postpone it again and again.

Last year, I finally just went for it, didn't look back and the next thing, I was at home recuperating. I had so much time in bed that I was able to get creative on how I was going to dust, vacuum, prepare food, fetch drinks, etc... Human nature: you will figure out how to survive. It's not that bad. It's just inconvenient for some weeks. Things that were once effortless require effort and forethought. Once you get it done, you'll be like, "I cannot believe I waited this long." The benefit far outweighs the cost!!! I fell several times being cautious not to put any weight on my foot. I thought the x-rays would reveal that I messed everything up and everything was in tact. I didn't fall hard enough to move anything or displace anything. You will do fine!!!!

This board helped a lot with ideas and for venting frustrations.

Wow, thank you rbstarr and footsy for all the encouraging replies.
Yes, I've put this off awhile. I never had that much pain, and my job (teaching preschool) had me on my feet a lot but preschool teachers tend to wear practical, comfy footwear. But now I have the beginnings of pain, and the barest beginnings of crossing toes.
Footsy I especially appreciate hearing from someone in my age group who is healing okay. I am glad to hear that you are getting in some long walks.
I am by no means super-athletic, but I am active, and dread being shut in.
I do worry about the animal thing. I am the main caretaker for our critters.
I think what I will have to do is get a little bit of paid help around here.
The spouse might not like it, but oh well.
I will keep hanging around here; I will try to be supportive in addition to getting support and knowledge.
Thanks again! :)