Thanks everyone for your support.

Donna,

Yes, i hear you. and i think, once my foot is viable... i am going to have to take your approach too. just get the "rhythm" of going out there 3x a week, even if i do very little. gradually, i will be able to do more. i saw that happen this year. it will happen again.

sort of a cross between changing my lifestyle and changing my mindset.

Mrs D,

i can't afford to buy special shoes however having had this problem for some time, all the footwear i normally i use - except the ones i recently "tested" with for impact resistance (and was fine) are form fitting and insulate/cushion from walking surface. my running shoes might as well have been molded to fit my foot. when i had big trouble, those were the only shoes i could handle. my indoor home slippers have form-fitting supportive lining and, interestingly, magnetic attachments (marketing gag? seem like big buttons, can't be high potency - but those slippers for whatever reason actually provided pain relief back when i was in bad shape, without NSAID patches. I try to stay away from those, i cannot tolerate them for long - skin does not like. Oral NSAIDs I have to reserve for migraines and other issues.

i realize the "sensitivity" and tendency to trauma is likely to be lifelong... but i was told i could run again, taking it slowly, by the physios who treated me. it has been many years only because of repeated traumas (clumsy me). i have read up on surgery - risk/benefit. i will NEVER EVER do that.

Have you ever been treated with magnetic therapy sessions (usually 20-30 min exposure, either in an open field, or with attachments to the feet)? that works exceedingly well. Or ultrasound in water or by gel? I did ultrasound in water (10-15 min duration) too. When my feet were real bad i had both therapies scripted concomitantly. For both, the benefit is experienced late in the treatment and you continue to have dramatic improvement (with appropriate footwear and rest of course!)

I am sorry about the carpal tunnel and the crochet. My mom can't crochet any more also. She almost didn't manage to finish my cousin's bridal doilies - over 100, (given to guests with almond candy) and that was the last of her crochet.

Bizi, thanks. there is something to that... about getting hurt when we start exercising... what a bummer. i really didn't expect it. i thought i was being so cautious.

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Anyway, this was the first time i got to the point of being able to handle stress/impact, without any pain.

And i blew my chance at jogging! I really believe i had good chances of success. That is the only activity that has ever given me both physical exercise and mental discipline. And low enough complication that i can get myself doing it. walking doesn't have the discipline. swimming costs money and is more complicated ...

i want to bash my head on the wall about the stretching. if i had thought carefully, it might have occurred to me that the "regular" stretching (the forced foot flex) was no longer a good idea for me. and done a gentle passive flex on my foot, using my hands instead.

DANG IT!!!

a good sign is the swelling is mild, and the inflammation is responding 100% to arnica application. so i will keep that up rigorously. for a time, i could stress my feet to the point of mild inflammation which however resolved spontaneously without treatment, just rest. i may be back at that point. but as such i won't be able to walk extensive distances (let alone jog).

i am just mad, because i am also dieting - trying to lose weight (i am, i have, actually ) ... but i need to get my LIFE back in gear... and exercise is a major change that i think would really REALLY help that department too, where dieting won't.

Today i had to go to the pharmacy again to pick up my med but I will rest up totally tomorrow and Monday. I have some legal stuff i should get to Tuesday. I might combine it with my pdoc trip Wednesday even though the timing and logistics are not at all convenient.

well... time will tell, i guess.

~ waves ~ waiting and seeing... with arnica and incense at hand.