The Infamous Walker Limps Home
Estimated reading time: 16 minutes, 57 seconds
Let Me Watch You Walk
As Dr. Limido stepped into the examination room, I couldn’t help but smile. It’s a pleasure to meet you finally,” I said, feeling a rush of anticipation after four long days confined to slow, small walks. The thought of getting a proper assessment from a podiatrist was like a glimmer of hope for my foot health. The anticipation was intense, and I was ready to take the next step toward recovery, feeling hopeful about the journey ahead. The anticipation and hope for recovery felt like a breath of fresh air amid my health challenges.
She chuckled, admitting that she usually doesn’t get such a warm welcome. I took the opportunity to share a little about my situation: the constant pain, my love for long walks, and how she was the first name that caught my eye on Dr. Subramanian’s list of recommendations, not to mention she accepted my insurance. It felt great to take a step toward recovery, finally!
Dr. Limido’s diagnosis brought a wave of relief. “It looks like you have plantar fasciitis,” she said, noticing the concern on my face. She quickly added, “It is treatable, especially since you have a high arch.” Her words felt like a soothing balm to my worried mind, providing comfort and ease. As she mentioned the arch, my mind drifted to images of high-arch railroad bridges. She brought me back to reality by saying she needed to take some X-rays and observe my walking. Her diagnosis was a relief, but the idea of a treatment plan was still daunting.
As someone used to viewing dental images, I found it interesting to see X-rays of my feet and toes. Dr. Limido explained the images and emphasized that, aside from plantar fasciitis, my feet were in good condition. She pointed out a small bone spur but clarified that it wasn’t the cause of my problem. I wanted to ask a question, but I hesitated. Would that have exempted me from military service?
She asked for my shoe size and said she would be back shortly with a pair of full-length orthotics from PowerStep. Picking up my shoes, Dr. Limido explained that I needed to remove my current insoles and replace them with new ones. I nodded in agreement, and before I could count to three, she had taken out the old insoles and put in the new ones. She then showed me a few exercises I should do daily. Then she instructed me to “Walk down the hall while I prepare the prescription for the physical therapist.”
My feet glided down the hallway as I felt pain-free for the first time in a week. If there had been a door at the end of the hall, I would have walked around the block while Dr. Limido finished the paperwork. When she caught up with me on my fourth or fifth lap, she said, “If you want to keep those, they are $60.” I smiled and agreed to purchase them, as it was the first time in a week I felt confident I could walk again.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
