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What to Expect With a Fractured Foot

June 11, 2015 by jessica 10 Comments

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Even as a child, I was risk averse. I stayed indoors. I played with Barbies, read books, and worked on art projects. I didn’t participate in sports. Hell, I didn’t even learn to ride a bike until I was 10 years old because I was too afraid of getting hurt. Basically, the chances of me breaking a bone were slim to none. I never imagined that I’d fracture my foot as an adult from walking on it. Sure, it had fallen asleep and I came down directly on my toes, but still. I was walking.

The official diagnosis is a fracture at the base of my fifth metatarsal. I made the mistake early on of telling people it was the “base of my little toe bone.” Few people realize how far back that bone really goes. I likely have five more weeks in the Aircast ahead of me. Three weeks will be non-weight bearing and the following two weeks will be partial weight-bearing. After that, it’s shoes with stability for the rest of the summer. (Ugh.) I am very lucky to be able to take the boot off when I’m relaxing or bathing.

I had no idea what to expect as I started my road to recovery, other than assuming it was going to suck. Which it does. It’s been an eye-opening, tear-inducing week already and I wanted to share my experiences and observations so far. So many of you shared similar war stories in this post and you have no idea how much it means to me to know that others made it through with both feet intact. For the rest of you, here’s what you’re in for if you ever have the misfortune of fracturing your foot:

  • Your purchases will make you feel like you’ve aged 40 years in a matter of days. I was told that I would have to take baths until I was allowed to put weight on my foot. I’m sorry, but no. I sent Dave out to buy a shower stool for me that very day. The Walgreens version he found had an octogenarian woman on the box. Excellent. Other necessities include: crutch cushions, a backpack (crossbody tote bags threw off my balance too much), compression socks, foot powder (the Aircast isn’t the most breathable), and plenty of Tylenol.
  • There’s so much bruising and not just on your foot. Before I bought my crutch cushions, the rubber top of the crutches rubbed against my sides so much that I had bruising along my bra band on both sides. I also have bruising on my knees and legs from stabilizing myself on furniture.
  •  You’ll drink less water at night. Nothing–nothing–is worse than getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
  • You don’t actually have to learn how to use stairs with crutches. Since I can’t put weight on my foot, I have to hop up and down the stairs with my crutch while hanging on to the railing for dear life. The only stairs I have to contend with are those that go up to our apartment. I’ve just been sitting down and scooting up and down on my rump like a toddler.
  • You will appreciate sneakers more than you ever thought possible. KicksUSA sent over these Puma sneakers before my injury. They’ve been a lifesaver as I learn to maneuver on crutches. It’s amazing how slick ballet flats can be!
  • You’re going to cry. A lot. Losing your independence is hard to deal with as an adult. You’re not able to do simple tasks like bringing a glass of water to the living room by yourself. Getting ready for the day is now a production. It’s stressful. Personally, I went through a few days of feeling useless and a bit depressed. It’s getting better as my confidence on crutches grows, but it sometimes becomes overwhelming. I usually have a mini meltdown in the evening after I’ve spent an entire day struggling.
  • If you break your left foot, you’re going to feel like a rockstar when you drive. It’s pretty much the only time you’ll feel independent.
  • You need to rely on people. It goes beyond having someone to help with things like bathing and grocery shopping. You’ll need to ask your coworkers for help. You’ll need to ask strangers to hold doors for you. Don’t be shy about asking, either, no one is a big enough jerk to actually say no. Just be sure to say “thank you” sincerely and often. Bribes help. I asked a coworker to make a Starbucks run for me yesterday (my weekly Wednesday treat) and offered to pay for his beverage. Honestly, most people want to help. They just don’t know what to do.
  • You might take #TreatYoself to a whole new level. No? Just me? I ordered a new rug, a coffee table, and a pair of Karen Walker sunglasses in the course of a week…
  • You’re going to become irrationally angry with people who tell you “it could be worse.” Well, of course it could be worse, but it’s still pretty crappy. Nothing about it is easy and it’s hard to look at the bright side all the time. And you know what? It’s okay to be angry about your injury. It’s a huge hassle. I realize that some people just don’t know what to say. If you’re one of those people, stick with “I’m so sorry. Let me know how I can help.” (To be clear, I try to look at the bright side for most situations. I’ve only started getting annoyed with “it could be worse” after hearing it on repeat for a week.)
  • Place chairs wherever you usually stand to perform tasks. I have one in front of the bathroom mirror and one in the kitchen. I can rest my knee on them while I get ready for the day or help Dave cook, which allows me to ditch the crutches for a bit. It’s a small way to feel in control.
  • NEVER use #FracturedFoot on an Instagram. The number of foot fetishists that come out of the woodwork is staggering and many of them have too many probing questions.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: fractured foot, kicksusa, what to expect with a fractured foot

May Highlights

June 9, 2015 by jessica 3 Comments

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I haven’t done a monthly recap post in awhile and I miss it. It’s such a nice reminder of the mini moments that made the month more fun–especially when I’m in need of a dose of optimism! This broken foot is starting to wear on my spirits. May is actually my favorite month. The weather hints at warmer temperatures, sundresses are a reality, and it’s an excuse to travel somewhere to celebrate my birthday. Here are just a few of the things that made me happiest last month:

  • Blossoming trees.
  • A gold ceramic tortoise box. I love this thing and it was only $15 at Target. I use it to hide my inhaler on the coffee table.
  • An indulgent brunch in Cincinnati at Krueger’s Tavern. The cocktails were incredible.
  • Trying out Rocksbox for the first time. I’m not usually a fan of subscription boxes, but this jewelry rental service is pretty fun. It’s a nice way to try new styles or designers without the investment. You can try your first box for free with code bedknobsandbaublesxoxo.
  • Pausing for a selfie with Dave. There’s a series of 20 photos, all much more ridiculous than this one. (I’m thinking of getting this one framed. I had a great experience with Instantly Framed last year.)
  • Print mixing out of necessity. I try not to overpack when we go on vacation, so I was left with my Tory Burch tote for daytime to wear with this dress. I was hesitant at first, but I like how it turned out. I used my white Rebecca Minkoff “Mini Affair” bag at night.
  • Plenty of beer stops in Cincinnati. I know many of you aren’t beer drinkers, so I try not to babble about it too much here or Instagram. If you’re interested in what I’m drinking, you can find me on Untappd with username jmhamm.
  • Grocery store flowers tucked into canning jars. I’m an event manager and we had a farm-themed event in May. I bought dozens of assorted blooms and created seven centerpieces for $55. Who needs a florist when you can DIY to save money?
  • Wearing a few of my favorite pieces: a Gerard Yosca necklace, a spring dress purchased last year, and my goes-with-everything tote.

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// follow along on Instagram //

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: monthly recap

Weekend Guide

June 6, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

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IDENTIFY
If there’s one thing women are good at, its keeping menstrual products hidden. Here are some insights into why we’re ashamed to be seen with a tampon.

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FOLLOW
Wally has received quite a bit of Internet attention lately and for good reason: he’s pretty much the cutest thing on Instagram. I’ve never wanted a pet rabbit as much as I do now. I just don’t think Bacon would play nice.

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SAVE
Tory Burch’s resort collection is so good. It has many of the same artisanal elements as her most recent work, but with a bit more southwest textures and design elements.

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LEARN
One of my majors was in English and I was always a bit surprised by our culture’s decision to sexualize the child in Nabokov’s Lolita. This essay explores the influence of Hollywood on our perception of the iconic novel.

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BUY
Bath & Body Works is bringing back six classic fragrances from the 1990s for a limited time. Now’s your opportunity to smell like Juniper Breeze again. (I was more of a Freesia girl, myself.)

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FIGHT
Sudara provides jobs for women in India to keep them out of slavery and sex trafficking. Pajama pants come in at $44, a small price to pay to be part of such a noble cause.

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// additional image via //

Filed Under: Beauty, Lifestyle, Style Tagged With: the weekend guide

Summer Bucket List

May 19, 2015 by jessica 9 Comments

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Summer always seems to fly by and come September, I’m left wondering how I managed to squander the nicest months of the year. No more! Here’s our 2015 list of summer must-dos:

  1. Visit two new cities. (Cincinnati is already on the books for this weekend.)
  2. Play hooky for an entire midweek day to lounge at the pool…
  3. …and leave work a few hours early at least once a month in favor of pool time.
  4. Spend a day at the waterpark.
  5. Go to to a drive-in theater.
  6. Bike to a brewery or bar. (This one is going to take some practice. I haven’t been on a bike more than once in the last two years! I’d actually like to get in the habit of going on weekly bike rides with Dave after work.)
  7. Enjoy an evening at the Memorial Union Terrace.
  8. Watch the fireworks.
  9. Try five new-to-us restaurants and/or bars.
  10. Plan (and hopefully book) another trip to Europe. (This isn’t summer-specific, but I’d like to reserve something since the exchange rate is so low.)
  11. Head to a beer fest.
  12. Play mini golf.
  13. Spend a weekend in Milwaukee.
  14. Go to a baseball game.
  15. Plant an herb garden on our balcony (or, at the very least, something green).
  16. Eat cotton candy.
  17. Buy fresh produce at the farmers’ market at least once a month.
  18. Ride on a Ferris wheel.
  19. Visit my parents in northern Wisconsin.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Travel Tagged With: bucket list

Lately

January 21, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

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  • Squealed over cute bottles of rum our friends brought back from Puerto Rico
  • Purchased a new purse (and gave Bacon the box, of course)
  • Enjoyed evening drinks in downtown Madison
  • Edited our Brussels photos and plan to post them soon
  • Freshened up the house with a bouquet of tulips
  • Paired geometric flowers with black and white stripes
  • Taken an impromptu road trip to Decorah
  • Wore a couple of Christmas gifts on repeat: a stunning necklace from Gerard Yosca and a wallet from my parents in the prettiest shade of blue

Follow along @bedknobsandbaubles.

 

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: instagram, life lately

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Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

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I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog of travel photos before we book our next trip. First up, photos of the gothic York Minster. I’m not religious in the slightest but I can’t resist stunning architecture and the opportunity to climb hundreds of cathedral stairs for a city view. This one only had a single rest stop about halfway up the flight of 275 steps for a closeup view of the flying buttresses — and a waiver you had to sign before your ascent to promise you’re healthy enough to make it.
Can you hear meow? 😸 Lily is putting the phone Can you hear meow? 😸 Lily is putting the phone nook to good use.
Christmassy mornings. Christmassy mornings.
Thanksgiving Bake: Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake f Thanksgiving Bake: Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake from Dessert Person by @csaffitz

#dessertperson #thanksgiving #eastfork #eastforkdoesmydishes #eastforkpottery #dansk #food52 #dessert
Visiting York earlier this month put us in the Hal Visiting York earlier this month put us in the Halloween spirit. While it claims to be the most haunted place in Europe and is dubbed the city of a thousand ghosts, we only encountered the wire-mesh sculptures of Ghosts in the Gardens (@the_york_bid) and the family of souvenir ghosts I brought home from @yorkghostmerchants. 

#ghostsinthegardens #york #hauntedyork #yorkmuseumgardens #yorkghostmerchants
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