[MelodyL]

We just came back from a long day in NYC. The ortho guy and the shoe guy were with us.

Alan had exactly one drop of blood on the bandage.

Alan, of course said: "why can't you just shave down the bone"?

Then we heard "I can't just do that, I would have to do an Osteotomy". I just looked that up, but he also explained it to us.

It seems that even if they shave down the bone, because of the way Alan's foot is formed, besides shaving down the bone, the doctor would have to realign a part of his foot so when he walked, there would be no pressure on the foot.

But this is all A BIG MAYBE, DOWN THE ROAD!!!

For now, they told Alan he needs a Crow Boot. I've tried to find this online just to see what it looks like.

They took a cast of his foot. It's a custom made boot thing.

It is also QUITE EXPENSIVE.

Insurance only covers part of it.

Oh, the shoe guy, also re-did Alan's insert orthotic in his new custom molded shoes, but Alan can't wear these shoes until this ulcer is completely healed.

So if we don't do the Crow Boot thing, Alan has to stay off his feet completely, and if he must walk, he has to wear his boot.

I believe this is where Alan is heading. The Crow thing is really too prohibitive for us.

Also, the doctor was talking about "putting him in a cast". I forgot to ask him about this.

Years ago, I saw someone wearing a foot cast. It was a walking cast. Is this what he's talking about??

So I just wanted to update you.

As far as how the ulcer LOOKS, it looks great. But it has to HEAL, and that will take A LONG TIME.

So this is where he's at at the moment.