Tomorrow marks the start of a potentially life changing trip, involving not showering for up to 2 weeks! The trip will be chemically induced though, mileage next to nothing and the showering just being banned until I have some stitches out.
Being diagnosed with a neurotic left foot of the Morton's variety was a bit of a relief, representing light at the end of a tunnel that has gone on for over a year now. The pain has ranged from mild to severely debilitating, waking me in my sleep, being unable to walk properly at all at times (at times being, sometimes for several hours through the day, not a once a week type of thing), and has given me some appreciation for the struggles and frustration less able people may experience.
So tomorrow I will have a small op, the nerve to the insides of two toes being removed, and the calcareous cover the nerve has created to protect itself being 'pinged' out (that's a technical term, used by the very nice doctor). My toes will be numb but with an 80% chance of success I am hopeful that this will be a new lease of life, enabling me to start to engage with my environment more, rather than being stuck on the periphery, watching. I will be able to go hiking with Thomas again, to explore Oslo more, to meet friends for coffee, and be able to attend interviews without being distracted by horrendous pain.The prospect of being pain free is giving me renewed confidence and feelings of positivity generally; amazing the effect something like this has.
I don't know if I'll write up a trip report; the effects may continue for a few months to come as the foot starts to return to normal size and I can once again get normal footwear on, or maybe having to redefine what is the new normal for me. It may involve Crocs! But whatever, I shall be glad and thankful to move on. It feels as if life is starting for me in Norway, all over again.
Being diagnosed with a neurotic left foot of the Morton's variety was a bit of a relief, representing light at the end of a tunnel that has gone on for over a year now. The pain has ranged from mild to severely debilitating, waking me in my sleep, being unable to walk properly at all at times (at times being, sometimes for several hours through the day, not a once a week type of thing), and has given me some appreciation for the struggles and frustration less able people may experience.
So tomorrow I will have a small op, the nerve to the insides of two toes being removed, and the calcareous cover the nerve has created to protect itself being 'pinged' out (that's a technical term, used by the very nice doctor). My toes will be numb but with an 80% chance of success I am hopeful that this will be a new lease of life, enabling me to start to engage with my environment more, rather than being stuck on the periphery, watching. I will be able to go hiking with Thomas again, to explore Oslo more, to meet friends for coffee, and be able to attend interviews without being distracted by horrendous pain.The prospect of being pain free is giving me renewed confidence and feelings of positivity generally; amazing the effect something like this has.
I don't know if I'll write up a trip report; the effects may continue for a few months to come as the foot starts to return to normal size and I can once again get normal footwear on, or maybe having to redefine what is the new normal for me. It may involve Crocs! But whatever, I shall be glad and thankful to move on. It feels as if life is starting for me in Norway, all over again.