surgery - both feet at same time

[Guest guest]

Betty in Canada,

I had surgery on both feet at the same time when I was 11. It was during summer

break, so I didn't miss school. It was about 6 weeks in casts, then some

physical therapy after that. Looking back on it, there's no way I would have

gone back to have a 2nd foot done, after only one foot was done. Being 11 and

sitting out for six weeks in the summer was bad enough, but I only had to do it

once. Sure made up for that summer bummer the next year!

Because of the nature of my problems - left foot rolling outward, right foot

rolling inward, the orthopedist felt that correcting both at the same time was

the right thing to do and wouldn't unbalance me or require me to have AFOs, etc.

Since I lived in a 2 story house, my father's ground floor study became my

" bedroom " during that time, so I could have more accessibility and also so my

family could help me get around, etc. In spite of having a double surgery so

early in life, I only had to go through anesthesia once. And I do have some good

memories of it, really, friends were in and out to visit, a grandmother from the

East came to visit for the first time, and I received lots of new dolls:) I

just missed not being able to use the pool or go to the beach that year.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

You certainly have a way of putting a good slant on things for us. Thank

you for that.

P.