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rootofnewtA few weeks ago, I replaced the wiper blade inserts on our wipers. If possible, they worked *worse* than before I changed them. Mind you, I think the previous inserts were the car's originals. The wipers certainly are. Well, earlier this week, I went to Advance Auto to buy better inserts. I misspoke, however, and Jimbo helped me find the blades themselves. He only had one in that day, so I went back the next evening and he led us through the labrynthine back rooms to his crates of stuff just off the truck. He dug out another blade for me.
So today, I replaced the *blades* themselves. Wow. The difference is drastic. I might be able to *see* out the windshield when it rains (it's been raining for two weeks now).
I don't know if I should keep the original blades that came with the car. I doubt it's important, since I'll likely keep this car until it dies. It's a 95 Buick Regal and it's still running well. I need to clean it out and get it washed, but the rain won't stop. I had to stand out there in the drizzle today, simply because I couldn't face that windshield for a two-three hour drive up to DC tonight.
In other news, the ortho podiatrist I saw told me I have screwed up feet. He was very brisk and abrasive, but in a no-nonsense way. Unfortunately, I was having a bad brain fog day and he was less than impressed at my inability to remember who referred me to him. I gave him the damn consult sheet, the name was on there. At one point, he said, "Well, you don't know *anything*." I just dryly responded, "I do have a degree in Russian, but we seemed to have skipped the anatomy of the foot sections in that program." Okay, I only spoke the first part of that... I should've said the rest. And when he commented on my inability to think at another portion, I did actually speak up and say, "I did write fibro and cfids on my chart. You seem to be familiar with them--they both have a rather significant amount of cognitive dysfunction as a primary symptom." He looked surprised.
Anyhow, I have bunions, which I *thought* I did, but the previous two orthopoedists and podiatrist said I did not. Apparently the one stretch I've been doing for the past year has eliminated my equinus contracture (stiff foot, shortened achille's tendon). He doesn't know whether I have neuromas, but my feet aren't level and they're very skewed. I also have evidence of a break or two (in my big toe!!), but those can't really be helped at all. I have a couple bones that not everyone has, but those shouldn't be a problem. And he commented on some kind of bone anomaly in my arch that was really weird and he seemed bemused by it. I have a feeling he's going to have to go look through the books for that one, because he said, "I have no clue what's going on here."
He was really upset about my latex allergy, because all of his quick treatments involve adhesives, gum rosin, elastic, etc. His nurse called about some metatarsal bands. These are supposed to be latex-free, but they smell suspiciously rubber-like and my feet have been itchy. No hives, so maybe it's not latex, but it could still be problematic in the long run.
So I'm wearing these metatarsal bands, which will bind my foot to keep it from twisting and spreading and skewing about. And they have a little lump beneath where I can place it at the point my foot drops and the nerve pain is greatest. It mostly seems to be working as a counter-irritant, though if I wear it just right, the worst of the nerve pain is abated. However, it makes my toes ache and sometimes the elastic hits a nerve on the edge of my toes.
I know that he's one of the best foot guys in town. *sigh* His nurses are cool, though. And they're going to try to convince my insurance to cover orthoses.
And while I love rain, I'm actually missing sunshine. And I need to wash the car. And my sinuses are plotting revenge.
So today, I replaced the *blades* themselves. Wow. The difference is drastic. I might be able to *see* out the windshield when it rains (it's been raining for two weeks now).
I don't know if I should keep the original blades that came with the car. I doubt it's important, since I'll likely keep this car until it dies. It's a 95 Buick Regal and it's still running well. I need to clean it out and get it washed, but the rain won't stop. I had to stand out there in the drizzle today, simply because I couldn't face that windshield for a two-three hour drive up to DC tonight.
In other news, the ortho podiatrist I saw told me I have screwed up feet. He was very brisk and abrasive, but in a no-nonsense way. Unfortunately, I was having a bad brain fog day and he was less than impressed at my inability to remember who referred me to him. I gave him the damn consult sheet, the name was on there. At one point, he said, "Well, you don't know *anything*." I just dryly responded, "I do have a degree in Russian, but we seemed to have skipped the anatomy of the foot sections in that program." Okay, I only spoke the first part of that... I should've said the rest. And when he commented on my inability to think at another portion, I did actually speak up and say, "I did write fibro and cfids on my chart. You seem to be familiar with them--they both have a rather significant amount of cognitive dysfunction as a primary symptom." He looked surprised.
Anyhow, I have bunions, which I *thought* I did, but the previous two orthopoedists and podiatrist said I did not. Apparently the one stretch I've been doing for the past year has eliminated my equinus contracture (stiff foot, shortened achille's tendon). He doesn't know whether I have neuromas, but my feet aren't level and they're very skewed. I also have evidence of a break or two (in my big toe!!), but those can't really be helped at all. I have a couple bones that not everyone has, but those shouldn't be a problem. And he commented on some kind of bone anomaly in my arch that was really weird and he seemed bemused by it. I have a feeling he's going to have to go look through the books for that one, because he said, "I have no clue what's going on here."
He was really upset about my latex allergy, because all of his quick treatments involve adhesives, gum rosin, elastic, etc. His nurse called about some metatarsal bands. These are supposed to be latex-free, but they smell suspiciously rubber-like and my feet have been itchy. No hives, so maybe it's not latex, but it could still be problematic in the long run.
So I'm wearing these metatarsal bands, which will bind my foot to keep it from twisting and spreading and skewing about. And they have a little lump beneath where I can place it at the point my foot drops and the nerve pain is greatest. It mostly seems to be working as a counter-irritant, though if I wear it just right, the worst of the nerve pain is abated. However, it makes my toes ache and sometimes the elastic hits a nerve on the edge of my toes.
I know that he's one of the best foot guys in town. *sigh* His nurses are cool, though. And they're going to try to convince my insurance to cover orthoses.
And while I love rain, I'm actually missing sunshine. And I need to wash the car. And my sinuses are plotting revenge.
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no subject
Date: 2003-05-23 02:08 pm (UTC)does this get you more footrubs from that nice husband-boy of yours?
no subject
Date: 2003-05-23 02:41 pm (UTC)I have a big medical supply catalog at home. I'll look and see if they have any metatarsal bands that are latex-free and see what I come up with.
no subject
Date: 2003-05-23 07:32 pm (UTC)Good luck with the metatarsal bands and the rest of the treatment.