There was a time in my life when my big toes had one job: look cute in sandals. They both performed admirably.
Apparently, I inherited my mother’s inward curving big toenails. She passed along many wonderful things: resilience, practicality, a sturdy constitution, a love of cooking. And also, it seems, ambitious nail curvature.
Some kids inherit fine china. I inherited a C-shaped toe strategy. This week, my podiatrist trimmed just a bit too enthusiastically and nicked the side. One tiny spot of blood. Nothing dramatic. But when you are a Type 2 gal, even a tiny toe injury becomes a committee meeting.
I tried not panic.
I tried to just assess.
I tried to just assess.
An acquaintance with Type 2 got a cut on his foot that refused to heel. So I am a very Nervous Nelly. (After six months of doctor appointments and various antibiotics, he had to have his foot amputated).
Max suggested I clean and pat dry and apply petroleum jelly. Twice a day. Let nature do its thing first. If anything changes, I'll be contacting the podiatrist.
You know ~ there is a humility that comes with aging body maintenance. Reading glasses on every surface. Hearing aids I adore. Slip-on shoes that prioritize stability over seduction. A podiatrist on speed dial. These are not signs of decline; they are evidence of attention.
At 30, I bought heels.
At 74, I buy sturdy slip on shoes.
At 74, I buy sturdy slip on shoes.
So here I am, petroleum jelly at the ready, grateful for modern podiatry (most of the time), wide-toed shoes, and a body that, with a little supervision, still carries me exactly where I want to go. Youth is about enhancement. Aging is about maintenance.
I need to remind him that I prefer nails trimmed straight across.
I had my first ingrown toenail operated on several years ago. I sweat a pedicurist gave it to me. Now I go to a pedicurist who works out of the doctor's office who only see takes people who have ingrown toenails. I go ever five weeks. She tells me that wear shoes that don't give you a lot of room in the toes contributes to them ingrowing. It is hell getting old, isn't it. But I don't like the alternative, as they say.
ReplyDeleteSurgery??? Yikes. I do wear boxy toe Kiziks and wore Dansko for many years prior. (Well, flip flops with arch support in Maui) When I look online, the Podiatrist Assn says straight across and not too short. This podiatrist doesn't do straight across. I'll discuss when I go back in May (every 6 weeks)
DeleteP.S. I'm surprised you get your nails cut straight across. My big toes get trimmed very deep on the sides.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to talk to him about which way is best for my tootsies. He has done a fabulous job for over a year so I'm not sure what happened on Friday.
Delete