Actually, I'm not sure he was in the office when Cindy called. I don't have great hearing, let Cindy do much of the phone work. Young female MD office workers are difficult for me to understand. (edit: Not that I have any reason to speak with them otherwise. ;))All too often I fail to understand the through the nose enunciation, fast cadence and upspeak of today's young women. So, could very well be my fault. When Cindy told me no appointment until late July, I got into "screw it, I'll take care of it myself" mode.

What I should have done was go to the local hospital ER, paid the $100 co-pay, and at least have gotten somebody to look at it. My own stubbornness cost me...and surely almost cost me more!

The day I left the Albany hospital, had a visit from a PT guy there...he had me walk the hall, observed how I deal with my floppy left foot, made some suggestions, advised I look for a good PT near my home. I really like the lady who helped Cindy after her latest MS bad episode...plan on seeing if my PA can set me up with her.

I also have a follow up appointment with this podiatrist, so will learn more then.

I'm glad that all turned out OK.

Piling on with another PSA: I have a friend that almost died a couple years ago from a sore toe (his "ring toe" on his right foot). He said it was sore for a couple of days, he came down with a significant fever, became semi-unresponsive, and his wife took him to the hospital. It took a couple days but the docs finally figured out that the bone in his toe had become infected and necrotic. They removed the toe bone (left the floppy toe) and he was laid up with a wound vac for a couple of months. He did not remember injuring the foot and there was no external sign indicating injury.

Be careful with your feet!

I wear slippers constantly -live in those LL Bean mocs. Almost never go barefoot. And stuff like this reinforces that decision…

Wear light colored socks. You never see blood on black socks, notice right away on white/light colored ones

Buy shoes in the afternoon, feet swell. Buy leather shoes, leather stretches.

Buy one of those magnifying mirrors women use to put on makeup, look at your feet every single time you take off your shoes

Treat your feet like you would an infant child. Not a clever infant either,one that would stick its hand in a fire

All great advice...You'd approve of my drawer full of white crew socks. I buy 'em all the same brand and style. Probably about 15 pair. The oral antibiotic prescribed for me is called doxycycline mono 100 Mg. Twice a day. Dunno what was in the 3 different IV antibiotics they gave me, but they were "aggressive" according to my RN daughter who had access to the info. Must be working, the wound seems to be healing nicely now.

Tobra, I promise...no more outside excursions without white socks.