Style Interrupted

Guest Edited by Eric Gaskins

My dear friend, Eric Gaskins, is back to guest edit. You may remember his first post for What looks Good, “Style vs Fashion”. Today Eric is bravely coming forward to speak first hand on a taboo subject and the silent killer of style: bunions. If like me, your style nemesis (right foot, guilty) holds too much power when it comes to shoe options, I urge you to read on. To my younger readers; not bad to have this info in your back pocket, as distasteful as it may seem to you now. These bastards are equal opportunity interlopers. As I say to my clients, the shoes are the foundation of the outfit; so this is no joke.

The Battle of the Bunion

My name is Eric and I’m a Shoeaholic. I knew I hit rock bottom when my bunion(s) made it impossible to reach for a pair without suffering an agony I could no longer ignore. I thought bunions were only a scourge for women. I know now that men are equally susceptible. In recent years, mine have dictated my style choices; the important issue of what shoes to wear…..Or, more practically, what shoes CAN I wear? I bought gel bunion protectors, even doubled up on them, making the situation only worse.

One incident I’ll never forget: We went to a Bob Dylan concert in a standing only venue. I’m wearing my treasured Bottega Veneta wing-tips. 20 minutes in, I start to get shooting pains that can mean only one thing: that bunion is SCREAMING. With everyone drinking and the floor covered in puddles of who knows what, I had to make that impossible choice: TAKE THEM OFF AND STAND ANKLE DEEP IN THAT MUCK OR DIE. There wasn’t any other option.

In the shower about 8 months ago, I was looking down at my feet and noticed the left one with the larger bunion was not standing flat on the floor but falling in, compromising my balance. So beyond the recurring pain, my body’s alignment was getting affected. I started to think perhaps the sciatica in my left leg was possibly connected to this.

A decision had to be made: get ‘something’ done about it or graduate to Orthopedic shoes. Knowing that this curse was not going to correct itself and would certainly get worse, I had a come to Jesus moment. Short of cutting my foot off at the ankle, I decided to see an Orthopedic Surgeon, not a Podiatrist, for a professional opinion. I say surgeon and not a Podiatrist because this is an orthopedic issue, not about shaving off corns and calluses. 

He took one look and told me what I prayed he wouldn’t : This baby needs to go! and then sent me down the hall for X-rays. After his thorough explanation of what a Bunionectomy entails, I was faced with a hard choice: pretend it was someone else’s X-ray or Deal and Heal ! 

I had the surgery a week ago and am in the process of recovering. I’m not going to lie. It’s not for the faint of heart. Having your mobility curtailed for a stretch is challenging, especially if you’re active. My pain threshold is like -5 and I came through the deep woods of the first 4 days in 1 piece. Realistically, you need to expect to spend the first week in bed. I slept for the first 3 or 4 days, then graduated to the sofa, always keeping my foot elevated. I’ve been forced to slow down, ask for assistance and let my body take the lead, all things I find hard to do. 

My first post-op visit this past Tuesday was good. My healing is on track and each day I feel less discomfort, sleep more comfortably (foot raised on a special pillow to alleviate swelling) and am better able to get around with my crutches. 

It will be a few weeks before I’m able to really get around. By Christmas things should be getting back on track. I can already see that the hated bunion is gone. The x-ray showed that he took 2/3 of that knob off. I could see my old foot again! Knowing I’ll be able to wear shoes without agony, already makes me feel that this was the right decision. I wish I’d done it sooner. This time of year felt best; not much activity happening now, unlike spring, summer and early fall.

 

It takes some soul searching, but I opted for a healthy foot. I can indulge my shoe passion and get my act back on track! I’m even thinking about taking care of the other on my right foot sometime next year! 

Dr. Stuart D. Katchis, M.D. Section Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Lenox Hill hospital, told me he gets 90% female patients and about 10% male. When I got home that afternoon, a man I see in the elevator asked what  ‘happened’? When I told him, he immediately asked if he could stop by soon to hear my experience as he is a fellow sufferer. A couple of days later, a woman in my building asked “what happened” and it turns out she is also plagued. As a runner, she’s trying to figure out when and whom to see for an opinion. 

Yesterday, I’m thrilled to announce that I started ‘walking’ with the aid of a shoe, more a Herman Munster sandal, with a hard sole that doesn’t bend. I’m already less and less dependent on the crutches. I walked around with the pressure on my heel and outside of my foot avoiding any pressure on the center and ball of my foot. After only a week, I’m getting my mobility back !!! 

I’ll check in again in a few weeks and share my progress. Meanwhile, I’m considering what shoes to reward myself with when things are back to normal. My new normal!