Yes, I'm so Happy! 2012

[Anthony Darby]

We gave Heidi a large shin bone so it would last through our Christmas dinner!

[arillady]

Had an ultrasound of my foot yesterday - yeah found the 7cm palm spike in it. It has been in there for at least a month. Now to work out when and how and who will take it out.

[Maggi Young]

Good grief , Pat - that is really scary - though I suppose it is good news that the problem is determined.....

Best of luck with a complete, and speedy solution!

[Anthony Darby]

7cm gosh that's nearly three inches!

[Maggi Young]

7cm gosh that's nearly three inches!

In Pat's case  it must surely be nearly half a foot..........

[Lesley Cox]

It'a amazing you were able to walk Pat and you must have had terrible pain. So pleased it's identified and I do hope it will be removed (carefully) very soon and you have a full and speedy recovery. However did it get there?

[arillady]

Ha ha Maggi - yes I know I am short!!!
I was looking for a helicopter (as you do) out the back yard and the chooks had scratched a part of a palm front ( the part with sharp spikes that attaches to the trunk) that this untidy gardener had not cleared away ages ago. Walking in thongs (flip flops or whatever they are known in your part of the world).
Yes it was pretty bad when it went in and it was damn sore for ages. It ached at night mostly. I did go onto antibiotics after seeing the doctor a couple of days later. It is not too far under the surface - starts mid foot and ends between heel and ankle bone - inside of foot.
The witch doctor had already given me a local and cut into it to find the spike - without luck and he was saying that it must have come out. Sure! This photo which I took in Harrow on our post conference Heritage Rose tour seems apt - the second from the left.

[Lesley Cox]

I do like the tombstones Pat but I'm sure that one is NOT apt. Indeed you seem truly stoic. I would have been screaming to A and E within seconds of the accident!

[Anthony Darby]

I'm still trying to work out why a 7 cm spike from a palm frond stuck in ones foot while wearing a thong, sorry, thongs, (jandals, flipflops) ends up in the "I'm so happy" thread?

[ranunculus]

I'm still trying to work out why a 7 cm spike from a palm frond stuck in ones foot while wearing a thong, sorry, thongs, (jandals, flipflops) ends up in the "I'm so happy" thread?

It could have been an 8cm spike!!!!

[Anthony Darby]

Didn't think of that.

[arillady]

After the doctor dug around at the point of entry and did not find anything he was querying whether there was even a spike in it - that is why it is a happy thread as I was sure it was still there. Yes it could have been worse too.
Just heard that I go to have it out Wednesday morning at a hospital by an orthopaedic surgeon. 8am - so I will have to leave home at 6.30am or before and fast for 8 hours as well. I hadn't realised that the deep end was 16mm below skin level and not 4 mm as I had thought.
It is my accellorator foot so I am now concerned how painful it might be afterwards to move

[Anthony Darby]

All the best Pat. Fasting for 8 hours shouldn't be a problem, unless you tend to snack in the middle of the night?

[Lesley Cox]

I can't believe how this ghastly thing was missed by the docs in the first place. Surely a basic Xray should have shown it? So glad at least it's now accepted as there, and something is to be done to get rid of it. I do wish you the best possible outcome Pat and not too much pain and anguish in the process. If this is what it takes to give you a happy new year, then I guess it's worth it. Take good care of yourself afterwards my friend.

[arillady]

Thanks Lesley and Anthony. I do like my morning cup of coffee or two though!
I always try to look for the positive in any negative - like the cute young kangaroos in the paddock with their mothers - forgetting that they get bigger appetites as they grow and they do like the garden - plus bigger feet.