It is true, that our misery occurs, not because of what happens to us, but the way in which we react to it. Wiser persons than me have said this in very many different ways, but this is how I say it to you.
I shared with you months ago that I was seeking treatment for plantar fasciitis**, an inflammation of the fascia on the bottom of the foot. Over the last few months I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about the manifestations of plantar fasciitis, as well as the treatment. I’ve learned a bunch of other things as well, among them…patience.
I have only just twigged that, for me, this time around, is a much longer process of healing than my first encounter of it some 15 years ago…if, in fact, it will heal at all. It is nothing ‘serious’, as when I had cancer, except that it is. It has threatened the quality of my life significantly. Since October my movements have been very, very curtailed. Even though I had faithfully followed the stretches, the shoe and orthotic support recommendations etc, progress has been slow and frustrating.
Until…
I renewed an old acquaintance with a man called ‘Dances with Wolves’, felt a kinship in pain from the death of a tree (Avatar), wept at the horrors of Japanese treatment of soldiers in WW II (The Railway Man), delighted in the wisdom of a Maremma guarding penguins (Oddball), learned about historic figures like Queen Victoria (Victoria and Abdul) and Winston Churchill (Darkest Hour), and felt the anguish of a person who suffers greatly from a wrongdoing they cannot change (Japanese Story). I’ve wept with William Thackeray’s (Hugh Grant) friends for at least the 10th time (Notting Hill), and been completely charmed by a bear named Paddington. I have seen that the chasm of differences that sometimes exist between humans can be traversed more easily than the tinier things that separate us.
Through the porthole of reading I have been allowed inside the suffering and resilience of people who have survived the worst day of their lives (Any Ordinary Day – Leigh Sales). I have gone on a journey with the child of alcoholic and abusive parents, and seen him triumph (Boy Swallows Universe – Trent Dalton). For some ‘light’ relief I learned a new way to meditate that had an immediate and profound effect (The Tapping Solution – Nick Ortner). And then I plunged back into the gritty, horrific reality of someone doing something I could never do (The Trauma Cleaner – Sarah Krasnostein).
I also became a ‘twitcher’ and joined the week-long annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count with Birdlife Australia. I’ve always been a bird lover, but taking more time to sit and watch has made me keener. ‘The Genius of Birds’ by Jennifer Ackerman has given me a deeper appreciation for their habits, humour, intelligence and social structures.
I’ve taken fewer photos in recent months, having not previously realised how dependant on mobility I had been for inspiration. I began to look more carefully at the light, and the detail in my own surroundings. Experimenting taught me a couple of new editing processes as well.
Our daughter sent us a jigsaw puzzle that has occupied a few hours, so far…. it is a hard one! The photo is by Australian Wildlife Photographer Georgina Steytler who is based in Western Australia. (@georgina_steytler on Instagram). Her photos are stunning and she also works toward conservation. A portion of the cost of the puzzle goes to Georgina and other artists whose work you can select to be made into puzzles as well, @jigsaw_gallery on Instagram.
The summer weather has not been kind to us. We have broken record after record from heat duration and intensity. If ever there was a summer to have to ‘sit things out’ this one would have been an easy choice for me! Since cooking has been very unpleasant, both for the time on my feet, and the heat, I’ve created quite a few meals in the way of salads. I’ve been grateful for some resources in my freezer, and also sourced some new recipes online. The new barbecue/grill that my husband bought before Christmas, and his willingness to use it, has been a godsend!
So. What have I learned?
- To love and respect my body more.
- To spend more time reading.
- New Depths of Compassion.
- New depths of Patience
- To live in the present more. I was anxious. I’m less so now, focus in the present.
- I was reminded that Things/People are often not what they seem.
- To try and keep an open heart about every situation. We never know what a journey will teach us.
I close with this favourite quotation, because it seems so appropriate, and because once in a while there is a celebrated artist/person whose passing deeply stirs me. With sincere appreciation to you dear reader, and for the wisdom and words of the great poet, Mary Oliver who died last week…
Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.
**The plantar fasciitis has had a complexity to it called ‘nerve entrapment’. As well as the standard PF treatment of stretches, foot massage, strapping, sturdy shoes, orthotic inserts, I have had a nerve block and saline injections to the foot and area around the nerve. That had only minimal impact so I am currently having a series of ‘shock treatments’ to the bottom of the foot to try and ‘encourage’ the tissue to heal itself. Cortisone injections are not a panacea for this condition, but may provide temporary relief, tho are very limited in their use. The journey is ongoing. I am grateful for it all.
Francesca said:
So sorry that that nasty thing has returned but also very grateful to you in the way you talk about it and the quotation at the end of your post which says it all. Despite your inner strength and acceptance, I wish you recovery via a miracle, a cure, a guru or just time very soon.
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Ardys said:
Your warm and sincere wishes came through quietly and firmly, Francesca. Thank you.
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maralahroseasch said:
Please share any info you have garnered on PF. Thank you.
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Ardys said:
I know you have had PF for a long time and I sincerely sympathise, Maralah. From what I can understand a lot of it lies with the individual, so what helps me, may not necessarily help you. Something I learned recently, however, is that it takes 90 days for the fascia tissue to regenerate. It is a slow process. I had never heard of the electric shock therapy before last week, and that seems to have already made a difference. Also the sciatic nerve stretch seems to have helped as well. But after talking to several people who have said the cortisone injections made no difference to them, I have opted for the slow and steady pace of these other therapies. Strapping has been the single thing that has made the most difference as I move through the various treatments. I strap the foot myself now and am getting better at it. Possibly the most important thing of all, though, is to make the mind/body connection. These things do not happen to our physical selves in isolation, there is always an emotional component that it also helps to connect with. This is where the meditation has helped enormously. I have stilled my anxiety and frustration and am working on a number of other issues like ‘being afraid to move forward’. I expect you know more than I do about PF, but these are some of the things I’ve learned. Sending love and best wishes to you.
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Eha said:
*So what have I learned*? I had a humongous matter to share until I saw that and smilingly knew you ‘had it all’ !! Oh Lordie, I have had PF for more than a decade in addition to peripheral neuritis lower body and irreparable C and L spondylitis nought miles of exercise I seem to have exchanged for work and social media sitting down in my library . . . cancer to boot . . . . either one chooses to live and love and laugh and be happy or one allows the pain and immobility take hold . . . long ago I knew which to pick: best of British 🙂 !!
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Ardys said:
Thank you Eha. I doubt I have ‘it all’ but I’m sure I have made some important connections. You are right about the choices. I choose life.
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Littlesundog said:
I’ve been watching a docu-series, https://therealskinnyonfat.com, and one of the episodes featured a doctor who cured his own PF with the Ketogenics diet, though I do not remember the particulars. It might be worth listening to.
So much of what you wrote in this post hit home for me. I have been enduring a real rough patch lately, and I feel quite overwhelmed. The most sensitive aspects of who I am have been belly punched. How I reacted at the start wasn’t so good. Thanks to a friend who knows me (and who I had not seen in years) showed up one day and pretty much lined out the items you bulleted in your writing. But, “Things/People are often not what they seem” changed the way I looked at what was happening.
I have no idea what PF must be like, but I see Forrest suffer with it at times. I hope that you find relief and a cure – anything is possible! Mostly, I know there are many things to learn, and that truly, everything is a gift. ❤ xoxo
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Ardys said:
The docu-series sounds interesting. I’m wondering what about a ketogenic diet would help cure PF–lowers body inflammation maybe? To be honest, the PF wasn’t the main problem, it is the ‘nerve entrapment’ that it developed into that has been so painful and hard to cure. Technically it is all part of PF, but it feels quite different to the basic, general PF condition. Forrest has my sympathies! Apparently 1 in 5 people will need help with foot issues, often PF, during their life time, so it is pretty common. But just because it is common, doesn’t mean it isn’t painful and unpleasant. Thanks for reading and commenting Lori, always good to hear from you. x
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Littlesundog said:
One of the doctors interviewed in that series believes that a combination of Paleo, Keto and Vegetarian in a “seasonal” lifestyle (as vegetarian in spring and summer months) is the way to go. I’m looking into this. I have neuropathy in my right foot, and I am not willing to take medications. I want to heal naturally. And you have wondered correctly – it IS about inflammation in our bodies.
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daleleelife101.blog said:
Unsurprisingly what you write resonates with me. (Also, the G.O. had a bout of PF a few years back. The 90 days you mention for the tissue to regenerate is about what it took for his recovery, I hadn’t known that.)
For similar to you but yet not the same reasons the G.O. and I are becoming accustomed to the practices of simply being, and being simply. Utilising the ordinary and what we have to hand. These summer holidays have been a natural progression in the process becoming better at it. We’re enjoying what we can do for ourselves at home, not going far unless necessary or recreational… a greater focus on local natural environment both in our own backyard and locally. We have both been readingThe G.O. is working through the stack of books that appealed to him at markets during the year. I have been downloading free e-books to explore new, lesser known and classic authors, so for at least a few hours a day it’s a library-like quiet house. I enjoy leaving succinct reviews on Goodreads. When I’m back at Tafe, I’m looking forward to exploring their library… I had a peek when I enrolled, is small and accessible with an eclectic catalogue, plus will finally join the local library to catch up on current reading, several books you mentioned are on my list. We’ve been using Spotify to explore old favourites and new to us music. We’ve delved into Netflix -my sister recommended AlphaGo, and someone else Stink- and Bigpond movies for entertainment… I’ve noted a couple of your mentions which I haven’t seen. And of course podcasts, blogging and e-newsletters. Our monthly Telstra data deal is good value indeed! Living in and appreciating the present is grounding and gratifying. Picking and choosing what we want from the outside world rather than feeling inundated and overwhelmed is satisfying. There are many things we can’t change but making the best of life is very empowering.
Take care ♡
P.S. Finally we have had slightly cooler temps and some showers. Somewhat humid, but what a difference liveable weather makes. Our garden, just hanging in has yet another reprieve.
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Ardys said:
I can see that even if my foot does heal, I will be modifying my life from what it was, to include more of the slower style of living. Yes, cooler weather would help the attitude, but as for the physical, it would only make me more energetic and want to go for walks!! Our garden is barely hanging on too. Will have to replace several things that have died once the cooler weather comes in May. This morning was 26C here, coolest morning we’ve had in over a week. Day before yesterday started out at 31C. Thank you so much for being part of this lovely little community. xx
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anne54 said:
I admire your ability to meditate on these things that face you and find the ways to adjust. It’s like a rock on a stream. The rock is not going anywhere, so the water has to find another channel around it. And maybe it is very different to the rock/stream analogy because it sounds like you have had to embrace the rock of the PF, and incorporate it into your life. Maybe it’s both!
Leigh Sales and Trent Dalton are both on my To Read list. Wasn’t the ‘The trauma cleaner’ an eye opener into how someone can overcome so many huge boulders in their stream and move around them?
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Ardys said:
Yes, The Trauma Cleaner was like reading fiction at times, though I’m assured it is all true, and having seen how some people live, I don’t doubt it. I became friends years ago with a psychologist who had been reduced to more or less squatting in a disused house nearby. She had lost her job and was 50+ and could not get another one and couldn’t afford rents here in Alice. She moved away and has found happiness in WA and is a working psychologist again. Humans can overcome so much. I like the analogy of the rock in the stream…remembering that sometimes the stream carves holes and grooves through rocks too! I think it is both! Thank you Anne! x
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Barbara Mathews said:
Just got a chance to read this. I admire you. The piece is making me think and reassess a few things in my life…I’ve been rather restless lately.
The damn political situation and the continuing partial government shutdown, of course, aren’t helping!!
Lots of hugs.
Sent from my iPad
>
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Ardys said:
In addition to all the things I’ve started doing or modified, I’ve also stopped watching as much news. If you are prone to anxiety or depression, as I seem to be at this stage of life, the news is a real downer. All of us will find that our light begins to waver and fade a bit as time goes on. It is inevitable. Exploring new ways to adapt (as you have done in the last year or so) keeps us engaged and hopeful. None of us is ever ready for these changes, but since we don’t have a choice, we just have to see what else is out there. Many hugs back to you. xxxx
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Anita said:
So sorry you’ve had a renewed bout of PF, and I totally admire your attitude and actions in dealing with it. Hope the treatments and your changes result in healing and relief. The things you’ve outlined look easy but are hard 🙂 (I still find it difficult to cope with the stress and anxiety a lot of times) so I’m really glad that they’re working for you.
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Ardys said:
Thank you Anita, so nice to hear from you. I read something recently that anxiety has become more prevalent in our society in the last couple of decades. I realised this weekend watching the news, and other media that most of what I was seeing was worrying and negative, so it is no wonder many of us are anxious. I do find the tapping meditation very helpful. Best to you.
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Anita said:
Unfortunate that the choices we have are to be uninformed or unhealthy. 🙂 I’ll have to look into the meditation one. Hope you have a great week ahead!
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