Fuzzy Mummy Feet

Yes, there is hope for my heel... for a healed heel.   That's how I feel after seeing the podiatrist.

Did the massive mummy taping help?  I think so.  No, it was not a miracle cure.  My heel and ankle still hurt no matter what activity I was doing.  The fact that the tape on my left (and bad) foot felt way too tight didn't help.  I think I felt more pain from my skin pulling against adhesive than I do in my heel.  Seriously.  There were times when the skin on the bottom of my feet felt like it was on fire. 

So, why the hope?  Doctor Bland left me feeling that I could do something to fix my plantar fasciitis.  He spoke of stretching, night splints, and the possibility of orthotics.  He did not tell me to toss my running shoes and get a bike.  He did not tell me to give swimming a try.  He did not mention surgery... or giving up on running.

I was so encouraged by this!  I've been wearing my night splint... even though it's very uncomfortable.  I've been stretching and using The Stick to loosen up my calf muscle.  I endured the taped feet as long as I could.  And it has all helped.  Am I pain-free?  No.  Do I feel more mobility in that foot?  Yes.

I have hope.

Ahhhh... Sweet, Fuzzy Freedom!
I took my mummy feet off this afternoon.  I was supposed to keep the tape on for three days but I just could not do it.   My skin hurt too much.  It felt like I had shoes on that were two sizes too small.  The tape also got dirty very quickly.  Combine sticky foot tape with a long-haired cat and carpet, and what do you get?   Little kittens.  On your feet.  Furry kitten feet.  It's enough to make me wonder if I should shave my cat.  I had no idea how much she sheds!

What Next?
I have an appointment with Dr. Drained-of-all-Personality on Monday to evaluate whether or not I felt the tape helped.  I'm still unsure as to what to say.  I am so tired of spending money of "fixes" that don't work.  The last thing I want to do is spend a couple hundred bucks for a pair of orthotics that do not work.  As of right now, I'm leaning toward trying the orthotics.  We'll see how I feel about them by Monday.

Answers
To answer a few questions some of you asked on my last post...

• Regarding the Barefoot / Vibram Five Fingers running, Dr. Blah was not impressed.  I did not expect  him to be.  He said that barefoot running was good... back when people only lived to the age of 35 (which was the most humorous thing the man said the whole time).  He makes a small point but I'm not sold either way.
• Sorry... no picture of my mummified feet.  I didn't want to horrify all of you out in Bloggy Land.  But if you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I don't let the lack of a photograph stop me from making a visual point.  

Behold, my latest masterpiece:

More Running to Come
I am already planning to run tomorrow. And I plan to join my running group on Saturday. I can't wait!!

Gratitude
As always, thank you Running Blogger Friends, for the encouraging words and well-wishes!!  I appreciate you all so much!