Date: 2016-02-01
From: Florida

To: Florida
Miles today: 0.0

About 10 days after I got home I was at my doctor's office for a complete physical and to have my left foot looked at. Blood tests revealed that, overall, hiking the AT and living in the woods for months at a time (despite my terrible diet, especially in town) had a very positive impact on my health. I lost a great deal of weight. Overall, I lost between 40 and 50 pounds. I lost more than the weight of the Blue Beast. (Now the trick is to keep it off.) Unfortunately, Xrays of my left foot (the 3rd time the foot has been Xrayed since March 2015) did not reveal the cause of the ongoing pain and swelling, and I was refered to a podiatrist.My husband and I had a wonderful time snowmobiling in Yellowstone over the holidays.   However, the first day on the sled I felt very anxious.   I have snowmobiled several years and logged a few thousand miles, so it took me a while to figure out the problem. Eventually I realized that I was no longer used to moving so quickly through the woods on something making so much noise. I was used to walking slowly and enjoying the quiet sounds of nature. I was feeling overwhelmed. Once back in Florida, during January, I took 2 great Florida Master Naturalist courses (interpretation and conservation) with great instructors to finish off my full certicate. Now, in addition to being a Master Naturalist, I am also a Land Steward and an Advanced Master Naturalist. I also had dental appointments, dermatologist appointments, further blood tests, a follow up with my primary physician, podiatrist appointments, an MRI of my left foot, and I got both a flu shot and a pnuemonia shot. I felt like an old car that needed a LOT of repair work before hitting the road again.My Subaru Forester, Maggie, also needed a lot of work - new bearings, brakes, timing belt, starter, and exhaust. The mechanic recommended buying a new car instead, but I just cannot bare to give up Maggie. She is a great road trip adventure buddy.My goal was to be back on the AT by Monday, February 1st. But I had to push the return date out by a week to have the MRI and return to the podiatrist to review the results. Based upon the symptoms and her exam, the podiatrist initially thought I had a partially torn tendon, which would require surgical repair. (During her exam she poked a spot that made me jump off the table.) While the surgery could wait until after I finish the AT, I was concerned that I could completely tear the tendon while hiking. The MRI revealed a long list of issues with my left foot and ankle, most of which I already knew, including bone spurs, plantarfacitis, and arthritic changes. The MRI (thankfully) showed no evidence of a tendon tear. But it did (unfortunately) confirm what i had suspected all along. I have at least 3 stress fractures. I was told to expect ongoing pain, swelling, and discoloration until I finish the AT if I continue hiking. The fractures will not heal until my ankle is totally immobilized and the inflammation is reduced. Most likely, once I finish the AT, I will be in a boot to immobilize my foot and ankle for several months. Yippee! I cannot wait!The only thing the podiatrist had to offer now was a cortisone injection to try to reduce some of the swelling and inflammation. The injection was extremely painful, and my foot remained painful for the next few days. She also suggested I continue using the Arnica, and ice my foot at night. (I reminded her that ice is not readily available out on the trail.)Not a great way to prepare to return to the AT. But at least I now know why I had ongoing foot pain and swelling from June on. The doctor confirmed that hiking over the PA rocks was consistent with the type of injuries I sustained. I have my gear ready, and I am anxious to return and finish the AT. As long as I finish by 3/19/16 I will be considered a thru hiker by the ATC.The AT is calling. I AM going back to finish. I still dream of being on the trail almost every night.