While I sit at home, working and watching Kobe grow into his feet, I entertain thoughts of him accompanying me on long hikes and eventually backpacking excursions. As I do, I think about getting him accustomed to hauling his own water or other items. In my free time, I research packs and doggie boots to protect his delicate puppy paws. I think it’s funny what motivates us/me in these days of COVID. Don’t you?
Upon acquiring some second hand Ruffwear Boots, I eagerly put them on him. Not surprisingly, Kobe is eager to free his paws from the boots I’ve just put on him. Repeatedly, he frees his paws, only to have me put the boots back on him. With the boots now on all 4 paws, I run circles around the house, playfully encouraging him to chase me. We make a few circles through the living room, down the hallway, into the dining room, and back into the living room. I decide to change it up and quickly make a turn into the family room. As I do, he follows me, boots flapping along as he tries to figure out how to maneuver with them. Then, it happens…
Not watching my step, I place it directly on the pointy end of a hard chew bone, transferring all of my weight to the foot before the HARD reality of the bone sends me to the floor. Writhing in pain, as young Kobe circles with his excited joy of playtime with me. Crying, I fear what damage I could have done and, as the base/proximal phalange of my middle toe seems to hurt the worse, I consider the possibility of a broken toe.
I’ve been here before, remembering the broken toe of many years ago. I buddy-tape the toe to its neighbor toe and don the hard soled shoes I got after breaking my toe the last time. And I wait it out. Initially, it bruises but it never progresses to the dark bruising consistent with a break. I am encouraged.
Fast forward to Sunday, after 6 days of minimal activity. I get a text from my friend, Cindy, asking about a hike. I think better of it, but then decide that it could be okay if I wear the walking boot she has to loan me.
As you may imagine, that wasn’t my smartest plan. I don the boot and immediately notice that the distal part of my toes hangs over the edge a bit. I try it out and all feels well. So we head out and about a 1/4 mile down the trail I start feeling the pain. I shift my weight more to the heel of my foot and keep going. It quickly becomes clear that walking is NOT a GOOD idea. I stop at a bench, and send my friend onward down the trail. She walks another 1/2 mile or so more before turning around. Then we hobble back to the cars ever so SLOWLY. I even stop at the creek to see if soaking my foot in the cold water will relieve the pain so that I can get back to my car more comfortably.
And today I got an x-ray to survey the damage. No breaks or fractures seen my the examining physician. So, unless the radiologist sees something, I can rehap knowing that nothing is broken. As for the buddy-taping (which never felt quite right), apparently it isn’t recommended for sprains or bruises.
It will be a while until I am able to boogie again – possibly 8 weeks or so. Until then, I’ll try to be patient while I rehap.
Note: Initially, I did NOT want to go to the doctor’s office since I didn’t want to risk exposure to COVID and also didn’t think anything would change the treatment plan. I am glad that I went and very happy with the measure that Kaiser has incorporated to reduce to risks for everyone. It is too bad that *EVERYONE* isn’t doing what they can to reduce the spread of COVID infections. #justsaying