Sand
I'm starting to think it's inevitable: sand WILL get under that bandage. If you look closely at this picture you'll see traces of Kua Bay's white sand, and this photo was taken after a hose down, a shower, and a probably-unnecessary dousing with hydrogen peroxide. I peeled off the multiple layers of waterproof bandages, relieved that under it all was this other mysterious stuff: Skin Shield, an invisible, flexible, waterproof "bandage" that I had painted on and let dry. I'm feeling reasonably protected from flesh-eating bacteria, but I have to say that the locals think that we haoles are ridiculously paranoid. Locals swim with little cuts and abrasions ALL the time, applying no bandages, liquid or otherwise. Nevertheless... If it protects my foot and allows me to have more fun at the beach, why not? (As a postscript: I later found the Bandaid brand waterproof bandage to be far superior to the other type I had brought with me!)
Rock & Roll
My foot took on some challenges today--- an afternoon in the surf at Kua Bay, and then an evening at Laverne's dancing to a great classic-rock band. So, for you dancers out there contemplating this surgery, let it be said here that this patient attempted, relatively successfully, to bust a move on the two-week anniversary of the surgery! I'm pretty pleased that I managed four or five dances--- not full energy, and ever-protective of my foot. Range of motion is a limitation, and pain centered under the ball of my foot. My worst fear was being stepped on. Fortunately, no one did, and fortunately, my husband continues to tolerate my foot across his lap, and I even get a little massage, too.
My experience day 14...Finally, the day I have been waiting for. After wearing the same dressing, walking on my heel, and having to put on the post op shoe to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night for 2 weeks, the dressing was removed. My foot is black, blue and yellow, but not too swollen. I have steri strips, and I got to wash it up. I can walk pretty well, but it hurts to move the big toe up and down. It had never hurt to move downward prior to surgery, so I am somewhat concerned about that. The doctor said to walk long strides with the foot pointed forward, wearing shoes that allow the toe to bend. Walking is easier than I expected.
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