boy, a lot of ankle threads here lately!

ok, so i finally went to the podiatrist my new rheumy recommended. he
took an xray of my left foot and ankle and made a lot of sounds of awe
and disbelief as he studied them. not really a surprise to me. i knew
it was a mess. many of the joints are completely fused; others are
working hard on getting there. and the problem is, they've all fused in
a bad position, which is why i walk on the outside of my foot. surgery
would require realigning everything in a better position and fusing it
in that position. we are not going there at this time. instead, he gave
me a cortisone shot (OW) and wanted to give me another, but i wussed
out (mad at myself now, cause i can feel that that first one is making
a difference already) and is sending me to the brace lady. i've been
avoiding a brace. probably should have gotten one long ago. actually, i
probably should have had the surgery long ago to avoid the mess i'm in
now. so, i guess i will soon be wearing a brace and a funny shoe. sigh.
at least i'm alive and happy. that's my mantra.

thanks for listening,

diane