Went to see the foot doctor today and ended up spending the entire day at the Brisbane Private Hospital. I am so completely over spending days inside hospitals, but I decided, after waiting for months to get in and see the specialist it would be worth it just to finally, finally get a prognosis.
My initial appointment was at 9.30am. The doc looked at all the x rays, bone scans and then finally, the last MRI that diagnosed the Bursitis. Then he tells me that actually, he doesn't think it is bursitis at all. Instead, he thinks a bit of the bone in my foot has died because it shows up as a horrible grey colour, not white like fluid. This would also explain why nothing showed on the bone scan, since there is no increased blood flow to make it a 'hotspot'.
Cue much panic and him not giving me a straight answer on what would happen if it was dead.
So, I get sent straight off for another $450 MRI scan to confirm it.
With much baited breath and gnashing of teeth (and contemplating a lifetime of pain in my foot or surgery or far worse no more running) I finally get back in to see the specialist at 4pm.
He reviewed the new MRI and turns out it is bursitis after. Phew. Chronic Sesamoiditis, to be precise. To fix it, I've got to get an orthotic made for the foot and wear it for six to eight months. It will probably take that long until the inflammation goes down and the bursa thins out again. I can try running on it when it starts to feel better but I have to stop immediately if it hurts. So this means no long runs for a long time and counting forwards eight months, looks like I might not make it to the GCM next year either. Waa.
Looking at the bigger picture, I know this is actually good news (no surgery or cortisone!) and I'm very happy the bone wasn't dead. I guess part of me had been waiting for this appointment for so long that I had half imagined there'd be some magic bullet cure. Or that it wouldn't take so long to fix. Or that I'd known how to fix it months ago. At the moment I just feel cranky because I walked alot yesterday to stir it up for the specialist and consequently my foot now hurts like hell again and I'm truly, truly sick of it.
But there we are. Thinks could be worse. Once I have a couple of orthotics made, I can start trying to run again. That at least, is something.
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9 comments:
Glad you've got a definite diagnosis. Sorry that it is still a major setback. You are really going to have to get an alternative non-impact aerobic exercise like spinning or cycling or swimming or something to keep you fit & feeling not that far out of the game.
I'm glad you finally have something to work on Hannah. Good luck and keep us posted now you have something to report!
I know that you are no doubt extremely disappointed & sad due to the duration of your recovery but at least you have a diagnosis now. Keep smiling & posting :-)
*HUGS*
Wow, this has been such a long time coming. I'm glad you can see the positive side of it.
I'm sure you will grow to love your custom made orthotics. I did :-) And I wear shoes to work that I can stick them, I found that really helps with my problems.
progress is progress.
good to have an answer and make plans for recovery.
it will seem so nice to have a trot!
agree with stephen.
That's good news Hannah.
I echo what Steve says about alternative aerobic exercise (water running even). That'll make the comeback much quicker, and who knows, GCM '08 may be possible.
My heart goes out to you but keep your chin up. Think long term. Maintain your running goals, be patient, cross train. Learn from the experience.
In ten years time, when you reflect back on your running achievements, all this won't seem so significant.
Good to know what it is at least but those few hours in between most have been v stressful!
I'm sure you'll find some form of cross training that you can do. I find it hard to do anything else if I can't run but I'm getting better at that.
Take care and see you soon.
I had Bursitis in the elbow recently and the pain was intense. I couldn't imagine walking on it!
Here starts the recovery Hannah. You've got lots of fans cheering you on.
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