This is REALLY going to happen!

8/24/13
So as I mentioned, I will be starting from the beginning & work my way up to the present day. (I'm 5 days into the surgery) I first must say that I have never done anything like this before so I hope it all makes sense. If anybody ever reads this & is curious or has comments on anything, I'm sure there will be a way to contact me. I'd love to hear from other folks & comment/answer any questions. I always imagined starting up a "toe fan club" for all my toe sistas (& brothas) out there! ;)  If nothing else, I hope it helps someone who is thinking about it. This process of writing about it has been therapeutic for me because I have never spoken of it nor did I ever have the desire to bring attention to it. 

Most of what I have found out there has been on the fixator surgery. (looks way too painful for me) Which is another reason why I wanted to put my experience out there, because I did the one stage procedure.
After that initial consult in June (they had taken x-rays of my feet), my husband & I went home, discussed it & I couldn't have been more excited. I had no doubt in my mind this was definitely going to happen but first, I wanted to contact my insurance. I didn't want this to appear as a "cosmetic" surgery because for me, it was life or death. I have to admit, I was VERY self-conscience about it & because it prevented me from wearing cute flops or open toe shoes, I felt less feminine. We cleared it with the insurance & contacted the office medical assistant, Hector, for the go ahead & request the first date he had open, & the sooner the better. (again, I couldn't get this done quick enough) My pre-op consultation was July 24,13 (had to be at least 30 days before surgery). Dr. Lee went over all the information again to make sure this is what I wanted to do, pro's con's, etc. Once again, gave me the info & instructions I needed to know for pre, during & post-op. He explained a piece of bone in my ankle would be removed to put in place of the metatarsal that didn't grow. No more do they use cadaver bones because they found patients weren't healing or had complications in the healing process. In place of the piece they remove in the heal, he'll put some form of cement that the bone will naturally regenerate & heal around it. (pretty cool right!)

It felt like 30 days was going to take FOREVER. How the heck was I going to make it to 8/20/13 without going crazy!? However, life never seems to disappoint & plenty happened in those 30 days...
I got laid off from work (so sad & had mixed emotions about that) BUT I had the opportunity to travel with my husband to a few of his business trips before my "big day". They say things happen for a reason, right! I also had the chance to celebrate my grand daughter's 1st birthday, my daughter & husband's birthdays, have all my kids & grand kids at my house for a whole week, I had a chance to enjoy the cool Prescott, AZ weather one long week end & the beautiful Laguna beach (had the best coffee & almond croissant EVER!) & Venice beach, CA (saw the guys from that show The Freak Show on the Venice Boardwalk) weather the next. I also got to see my son's first scrimmage football game (GO TIGERS!!) & enjoy one last bath :) Yea, I'm happy with the last few weeks before surg & feel blessed. :)