So after many years of steroid injections and considering the options, I had my foot operation this week. I will never quite know what caused the problem, it could have been a work related injury or rheumatoid arthritis. However as the steroid injections became less effective, I chose to have the operation as hopefully it will improve the pain and give me more movement in my foot. At present, my big toe is pretty redundant as it cannot move and I have been a walking advert for Converse pumps in the past few years as pumps, trainers and fit flops have been the only footwear I can fit into. I am sure people must think I’m trying to be on trend in my smart work clothes topped off with a pair of pumps when the reality is that I can’t wear anything else. I am so excited to go shoe shopping for actual shoes. I do have my eyes on some patent Doc Martens and maybe a little heel for Christmas sparkle.

This week has again reminded me of what a treasure our nhs is. To be honest I didn’t think I could love or respect it even more prior to this week but again I’ve been blown away by the care and professionalism of its staff. I have an amazing consultant, who is the most efficient person I know, he is always to time and is clear, succinct and understanding. When I explained my worries about needing time off work, he allowed me to organise the operation within my two week holiday to minimise disruption. I had the operation at a cottage hospital rather than one of the big county hospitals and much preferred this as there was a homely feel and such personalised care. The Covid protocols were strong and very much in evidence, I did feel safe. As the operation was under local anaesthetic and the morning surgery planned so effectively, I was admitted at 7.45am and discharged by 11.15, it was all so smooth and relaxed. I have two appointments in the coming weeks to check and redress the wound.

Following the surgery, I had strict instructions for recovery. I had known of these in advance and had prepared a bedroom in our dining room and organised lots, although I didn’t really think I would need it all. However, I may have been a little blasé on how I felt I would recover, I saw the instruction for 48 hour bed rest and reckoned I would be fine to be just sitting on the sofa with my foot elevated. I very quickly realised that bed rest definitely meant bed rest, the pain was strong and I could not put any weight on my foot. When I went to the bathroom which is next to the dining room, I was on sticks, hopping on my good leg and wincing with the pain. I’m also conscious of taking painkillers but again quickly understood they were prescribed for good reason and have been taking them as instructed. Tuesday night was bad for the pain, as the anaesthetic wore off and the medication didn’t quite hit the spot, however it has been much more manageable since. Mr S has been a superstar and allowed me to solely focus on getting better, he has done everything and is ready to help in anyway he can. Unfortunately by Saturday he had caught our son’s cold (not Covid we’ve done lots of tests) so this is a very lazy weekend with lots of screen time.

With the enforced rest, I have watched lots of films and read books and magazines this week. To date, its been 6 films, 1 six part series, Modern Love and 2 1/2 books. There’s been a strong New York theme in the series and films, only strengthening my desire to visit the city. Its number 1 on my bucket list and I may have idly passed my time looking up the cost of a city break. One firm action from watching Brittany Runs A Marathon was to sign up to a local half marathon next March. I have also entered the London marathon ballot, but I’ve done that many times without success. However, a half is real and doable, and I hope will show the success of my operation. As well as Brittany Runs A Marathon, other favourite films have been Another day in the Neighbourhood and The Muppets Haunted Mansion. The series Modern Love is something I listened to originally on the radio, then as a podcast and now am watching as a tv series. Its based on the New York Times column Modern Love and each episode is an individual love story. It is not conventional love stories but essays of relationships between others. The most moving in the current series was of a resident and a door man and was not romantic love but a deep, protective relationship. The actors in the series are all really well known and there’s even a cameo from Ed Sheeran. There is a lovely sequence in the final episode where all the characters feature and brings the series together. I’m looking forward to series 2 next week as my rest continues.

This week I have felt very blessed to have such kind and thoughtful family and friends, I have received flowers, cakes and cards and lots of get well messages. Mr S and the children have been wonderful but as half term approaches I think the coming week may be more challenging (and noisier) as we’re all home together and I cannot take on my normal role. Its only one week and I’m sure that there will be many treats in the coming months to compensate for the different half term.