This Little Piggy...Is Getting The Chop. #TBofB's Mel gets ready for surgery..

Today (Tuesday – you know my rule about days changing), I went to see my Orthopaedic surgeon again. This time, along with parents, my lovely EB nurse was by my side, too; the surgery being discussed wasn’t just new to me and my family, it also was new to the surgeon and the EB team. Oh yes, my feet were stamping on new ground.

Miraculously for an hospital appointment, I was called in a bit early! Well, my mum was; the room was titchy, I was right by the door and the SpR wanted to go through my medications, which my mum knows far better than I do *shamed face*. I and my dad were soon escorted into the room next door, where my tootsies were to be inspected. As we sat there, Dad asked if I was okay and, out of nowhere, tears burst forth. What if the consultant had changed his mind, Dad? I hate them. I truly hate my feet, and I need something, anything. Luckily, in these situations, Dad Hugs are the best treatment, especially when accompanied by a kiss on the head, and comforting words muttered into your hair while tears rain onto his jumper.

We underdressed my feet, and the SpR soon came rushing in, eager to have a look at these freaky feet, only before seen on the most bizarre x-ray ever taken. I don’t think he’d ever seen EB before, or heard of it before I first went to the clinic a few weeks ago, so he had a good look from every angle, “hmmmming” away in between asking me questions. I was glad he took such an interest – EB usually scares young doctors more than the debt they’re in!

Next in was the consultant, a lovely man who had given me some hope that my feet could be made more tolerable. He was almost excited to see my feet without their dressings, claiming he’d been waiting ages to do so (fibber – it was three weeks!). Again, much intense peering at my piggies, asking exactly where my pain is and exactly what it feels like.

No one has apparently ever seen toes do what mine have done. I’ll let you see the x-ray at the end… It shows why so many questions needed, and still need, answering!

I absolutely despise having my feet touched, as no part of them feels normal, either hurting like all hell or making me cringe, heave or jolt away. So I was amazed I didn’t panic when I saw the gloves going on, or pull away as he reached out. I realised, in the back of my mind, as I was letting him feel my most icky foot areas, that my feet had crossed the line from being so painful I wouldn’t have them touched, to being so agonising I would do anything to get help.

He had a gentle press, pull, poke and prod, carefully twisting my feet to the angle they should sit at (a scarily long way from where they do). Thankfully, he remembered exactly where my most terribly pain bit is and pulled his own hand away before he touched it. I couldn’t help but smile at my mum and EB nurse, who were both tensed and ready to pounce should he cross the line in their minds.

He confirmed that I am walking on my bones right under the skin; most people have pads of fat in the pressure areas on their feet. I have none at all, which explains a lot of the pain. Another new one for the surgeon!

Out came his iPhone for some snaps, as we exchanged questions, and a decision was made. He would take bones from the toes on my right foot, and see if that eased some of the pressure and pain. Once it was healed, and if it was successful, he would do the same on the left (which is more complex and so not a good starting point). If it didn’t help…well…then we might have to consider amputation. As it is, I’m the only one who will consider it. My parents verge on putting their hands over their ears and running away, shouting “lalalalalala! I can’t hear you!”. Purely because they are so scared for me. So I won’t consider it aloud anymore, for their sakes.

He said they would get back to me with a date for the surgery, at which point SpR went out of the room, to reply to a bleep, I thought. A few moments later, he was back: “You’re booked in for 1st December, if that’s okay?”. What NHS waiting lists?!

I listened and watched happily as the consultant took a surgical best practice outline for EB patients from my EB nurse, genuinely grateful for the help. Phone numbers, names and emails were swapped to co-ordinate everything and everyone needed to make the surgery as atraumatic as possible for me. Gratitude swelled inside me, making me feel rather emotional.

Now plans are underway for phase one of Fixing my F*cking Feet!

Come December, it’s all I’ll be blogging about!

Mel xx

Look at my toes – that’s why the ball of my foot is under such pressure, and thus SO painful. The surgeons have only ever see toes curl over before – which the very ends have done. But the 90 degree angle is a medical mystery. Someone call Scooby Doo and Quincy, MD!