Oh, Melody, you are cruel to tell me that. It was 100 degrees here today.

It's 100 degrees where you live????


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH

I'm freezing my knickers off and I would kill to have 100 degrees. I have no pain whatsoever when it's 100 degrees. Not that I could run a marathon, but believe me, when we had a heat spell and everyone was croaking in the street, pouring water bottles over their head, I took my IPOD, took my water bottle, took my fanny pack and I marched one mile.

Never felt better. I do very well when it's 100. People look at me like I'm crazy. They can't even stand up straight and there I go with my IPOD.

But it has to be really hot and no humidity.

I would do very well in New Mexico or the Sahara lol

Melody

Glad that things are better...just keep an eagle eye out for it all, as I know you will.
Happy walking to you both - j

Wonderful news! Doctors must love you and Alan. You guys are so systematic about following the doctors directions. (very intelligent too...) I'm glad you've been rewarded.

Also, don't know if you've ordered from Zapho's before (online? right?) but I have and reading the comments about the shoes helped me a lot. The pair of shoes to buy had comments that said they ran small so I ordered a size larger and I was VERY glad I did so I'm sure you do it already but just in case you don't, read the user comments, caveat emptor (or something like that.)

Hi Texas Geek:

GREAT NEWS!!!!

We just came back from PAYLESS.

Let me tell you what happened earlier this morning. Alan had gone to his doctor for his blood test. I was on the avenue after going out for Dunkin dounuts coffee all my myself.

I passed this pharmacy and they had these Orthopedic shoes on a stand outsife of their doorway. So I am looking and I walk in and I tell them. "My husband is not diabetic but he wears a size 10 1/2 5 E but he might need a 6E because he has a tailor bunions.

She said "I have the exact shoe for him" She runs downstairs, and she brings up these PROPET (now he has worn this brand before). and they are 10 1/2 5 E. Well, I'm about to tell her that no way would a 5 E fit him when I take a look at these shoes and I go WHOA!!!!!

These were the biggest toe box sandal sort of shoe I hve ever seen.

I said "can you please put these aside, I'll bring my husband in later". She said fine. Now this is an ordinary pharmacy on the avenue. No special medical supply store or anything like that.

So Alan later comes home, I tell him about the shoes (They are $90, by the way). Oh, I had gone to Zappos on line and they were over $100, we have shoes by them also).

So he says "lets' go to PAYLESS first, they have buy one and get one half price. I said 'Do you really think they are going to have a size 10 1/2 6 E? He said: "No, but I might be able to fit in larger shoes with my newer orthotics." (He hadn't been able to wear them as of yet).

So we take the laundry, I go to the laundromat and he goes across the street to PAYLESS. I then walk to meet up with him, and there is my husband trying on Shoe after Shoe size 13 W. I just looked at him and said WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING, YOU DON'T WEAR A SIZE 13??

He said "oh yeah??? well, in this store, I do and with these orthotics I most certainly do!!!!" So he puts his orthotics inside these nice black dressy shoes and he starts walking around the store. He walked around the store 5 times, just to make sure. He said "these I want". So he puts another pair of shoes on Size 13W. These were more athletic " HE LOVED THEM. No pinching of the tailor bunions.

So here's a picture of the two pairs of Size 13 W shoes he got at payless. Total price for the two pairs $37.00



and here’s a photo of the dressy shoes size 13W


Now here’s where it gets interesting.

We then went to the pharmacy to see the Propets. I knew that as soon as Alan saw them, and put them on, he would HAVE to buy them.

The lady then took the $90 shoes, walked Alan over to a chair, took out the inserts that were already in the shoes, took Alan’s orthotics, put them in, she then put these shoes on Alan and told him to “walk around the store”.

Well, as you can see ‘ALAN WALKED HOME WEARING THESE SHOES”. In his words. "I LOVE THESE SHOES". Oh my god, they are so comfortable. He let me take them off to take these pictures.

Here they are: And these are Size 10 1/2 5E






Oh, I thought I'd take some pics of these orthotics.


and here’s the bottom of the orthotic.



So Alan now has 3 new pairs of shoes (oy veh, credit cards lol).
the $90 pair is 10 1/2 5E and the two Payless shoes are Size 13 W.

WHY SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE SHOE SIZES????

Melody

P.S. remember, spongy things between the toes. They spread the toes apart so no compressing. In Alan's feet, these things work.

Sorry you had to spend so much but I'm sure you have heard that alternating shoes is the best way to make them last longer. With 3 pair, it may be 10 years before Alan has to buy another pair of shoes!!!

Those Propets look interesting. I wonder if they are made in Europe. I had a wonderful pair of shoes (size 40 since they were European sized) that lasted me forever that had a similar look to what you have shown. I may check and see if there is a store here in Houston who sells that brand. (I would really like to try them on first if I have the option rather than online and support a local retailer if possible.) Thanks!

p.s. bet those Propets last a lot longer than the ones from PAYLESS but who knows!

p.p.s. I'm editing to add that I think a nice part of the Propets is sandal type top. I've heard it here before and it is my experience that when my feet get hot, the pain is much worse. Sandals are a good thing, even in winter (maybe with some thin socks.)

Hi Texas Geek:

How are you doing today??

Just saw your edit about sandals.

Alan has never worn sandals in his entire life. These really are so comfortable.

I now have a big bag full of useless shoes that Alan will not let me throw away. Why guys have to keep shoes (I thought us gals were bad), but pulleeeeze!!!!

He says "don't get rid of those, I might need them someday"

I am putting them away. If he doesn't look at these shoes in 3 months, I'll be ditching them. He cannot wear any of his old shoes with his newer orthotics and the purpose is to keep the ulcer from coming back.

We actually might be able to go for a walk outside tonight. Won't that be something new??? Been married 27 years and his feet are now a walkin!!!!!

I hope this ulcer stays gone.

But I'm prepared. You never know. It was there for 18 months.

Keeping everything crossed.

Oh, I have a question if anyone knows the answer to.

Alan has a tailor bunion. He might need surgery. I have no idea. We will talk this over with the new guy in two weeks.

Now he had the other tailor bunion done 4 years ago. He had to be off his foot for 6 weeks, (only to go to bathroom and to bed).

I had to wait on him hand and foot.

If he has the other bunion done, will he be able to utilize the new boot and walk around?? God, that would be so great.

Anybody know what they do now with tailor bunions? Or is it the same story?? Off of the feet for 6 weeks.

Melody

It's just like with clothing. I'm sure you've gone shopping thinking you know what size top or jeans you wear and then several different stores have several different sizes that fit. It's because of who makes the clothing. It seems there simply is no standard for US womens sizes. Most likely the same thing for shoes. Stupid isn't it?

Melody,
You are so right. I made a boo-boo. Blame it on tired dried out eyes. The swimming pool (therapy) fumes of the stuff they put in the water really affect my eyes. So reading is a difficult chore for me right now. I'm glad the orthodics are working for Alan and I love the Prophet shoes.

Billye