I was at the library today looking for books to read during my recovery time. I’ve already picked up some random craft kits and DVDs, but I enjoy reading and rarely get the chance to read anything that’s not a textbook. So this is the perfect opportunity! I got one book that I started reading the first couple pages of, and couldn’t put it down! My friends and boyfriend are saying, “What are you doing girl, you should be active while you still can!” but it’s great. The book is called The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. It’s fantastic. I literally read the whole thing in days, it’s that good.

One week to go! And boy am I working a lot this week…

The type of surgery I’m having is called an Austin Bunionectomy, where basically they shave off the bone of the bunion, cut the tendons and the bone in my first metatarsal, realign the bone, and hold it in place with a long pin. There are not too many good websites that I can find describing it, but a lovely (not graphic) youtube video here: Austin Bunionectomy Demonstration.

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So I talked to my boss today and told him about my surgery. I work at a small grocery store, have been there for two years. I don’t work often as I just finished second year of nursing, but he was planning on putting me at nearly full time this summer because two people are leaving and the rest want to go on vacation. He was not exactly happy about my surgery, but said it was okay. They are giving me an 8 or 9 week medical leave, unpaid of course. So I’ll be broke, but at least I didn’t lose my job permanently.

Two weeks til the surgery! I’m getting out and enjoying the beautiful weather while I still can.

Okay, so here’s what’s going on. I am a 23 year old nursing student from Vancouver, Canada, and I have bunions. Bad bunions. And after years of pain and suffering, and lots of money spent on custom orthotics, shoe inserts, splints, cushions, etc., the time has come to get them fixed with surgery. Well… just one of them for now.

For those who don’t know, a bunion, or “hallux valgus”, is “an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint). The big toe may turn in toward the second toe (angulation), and the tissues surrounding the joint may be swollen and tender. Today the term usually is used to refer to the pathological bump on the side of the great toe joint. The bump is the swollen bursal sac and/or an osseous (bony) deformity that has grown on the mesophalangeal joint (where the first metatarsal bone and hallux meet). ” That definition was taken from this Wikipedia article, which also explains more about formation, treatment, and why people have surgery done on them, which can be summed up in one word: pain!

In three weeks I am having surgery on my left bunion, and then after that, I get to spend the next 8+ weeks on my couch unable to walk. I’m going to be doped up on some awesome painkillers, while simultaneously learning several new hobbies such as knitting and making cute stuffed animals, as well as watching tons of movies and playing lots of games on my new Wii (but at the same time, will be temporarily saying goodbye to Wii Fit!).

But what could make all of this even more fun? Blogging about it, of course! So I welcome you to the Bunion Chronicles.

This is how my feet look now! Ouchies!