Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Foot surgery - how can I be a mum if I can't walk?

1 reply

babybouncer · 11/04/2011 13:16

At the moment I have a 22 month old son and as soon as he turns two, I'm planning to start trying for a second child. Since before he was born, I've had problems with my feet and my right foot is particularly painful - my big toe joint aches all the time and when it's really bad the pain moves to the other toe joints and feels like I'm walking on a marble.

Last May, I went to see a specialist, who gave me special insoles and said that eventually I would need surgery, but he didn't want to operate given that I was a mum to a young child. I went back this morning, because about a month ago, it became even more painful (it's taken a month to get the appointment), although it currently doesn't hurt at all. This morning he said I need surgery and I should let him know when I would like it.

I'm a little bit in shock as he said it'll be about 6 weeks off work, and I probably won't be confident on my feet for about 3 months. And it's currently a 5 month waiting list - so that would be September, when I was hoping to be a couple of months pregnant.

Also, as a teacher, there are certain times of the academic year when I'd feel terrible about deserting the kids I teach (mainly a Level).

I'm sorry this probably isn't sounding very coherent, but I feel like all my plans are just thrown up in the air. I don't want to delay getting pregnant (it's already been delayed by other events) as I don't want my kids to be more than 3 years apart (especially school years) - and if it takes me 3 months to be properly back to normal that'll mean 3 months before I can really start trying to conceive.

But if I delay the op, then I'll have two kids to think about - I'll have to delay it through pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it'll be ages. And how do you cope with a baby when you can't move? Is a toddler any easier?

Any thoughts would be appreciated - I'm slightly freaking out

OP posts:
etyksm · 11/04/2011 14:04

hugs

Sorry nothing practical to offer, just a few questions that may or may not give you more options.

Is the 5 month waiting list for a specific hospital? Can you go somewhere else which has a shorter list?
www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk/patients/choosing-your

Do you have the option of going private? Does your OH have private medical through his work? (I'm guessing if you are a teacher you don't through yours)

Not surprised you are freaking out, I'm guessing as the appointment was this morning you haven't had a chance to discuss with OH yet either so you're freaking on your own, which is never good, and possibly trying to put a brave face at work, which is even harder.

Sorry to not have anything practical to offer, hopefully someone with practical will be along soon!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page