I've always hated shoes and when I was advised to wear shoes by medical professionals after I found out I was type 2 diabetic I wasn't thrilled, proud, happy or excited to go SHOE shopping. I didn't have issues with "sores" or cuts not healing so I blew it (the advice) off at the time.
Now the years of neglecting my type 2 diabetes gave both feet neuropathy but my left foot also had part of it die which is not very pleasant and as a result it feels like I'm wearing wrinkled socks all the time, both feet feel heavy when laying down along with the "pins and needles" and the left foot has searing pain after walking a short distance. I've been rehabbing/treating the PVD and neuropathy by the official, AMA doctor recommended method which is walking. It just so happens I have a dog that needs to be walked every day so that works out. At any rate I started wearing shoes.
After looking at several different types of gaudy, plastic, video game looking shoes for something I could walk the furthest in, comfortably as possible without looking like I'm on my way to second grade, I settled on two different, plain looking brands.
At first I was barely able to make a mile without a lot of pain. I tried some more expensive recommended shoes and started slowly, painfully building up my distance. Every shoe I tried I still would have to set down for a few minutes at the 2 mile mark before continuing on, having to stop about every third of a mile to let quick waves of searing pain in my left foot pass.
My right foot wasn't as painful but it's not comfortable in any of the shoes I tried either, the shoes actually exacerbate the discomfort.
I was making steady progress when I got the covid which only stressed my liver and triggered the atrial fibrillation for a few days luckily for me. The afib produces blood clots and that's what caused the blockage in my leg the first two times I had to be roto-rootered. This time though, I had the advantage of having stopped abusing alcohol and was already taking Eliquis for the clotting issue.
Never the less it was a set back as the pain in my feet got worse, I could barely make a mile again, I tried new shoes but they sucked.
So out of desperation I wore my "around the house" flip flops for a walk. It was a little strange getting back into the rhythm of walking in flip flops, the lack of ankle support and the nakedness from having forced myself to get used to shoes in the first place after practically a lifetime of exclusively 'flops.
And I'll be DAMNED if the agonizing pain wasn't reduced to the point of being able to walk 4 miles WITHOUT having to stop for anything other than the puppy's bowels. All this bullshit about shoes and it's back to flip flops. Lucky again I've always had strong ankles.
I have been told by authority type figures that 'flops aren't considered proper attire
and have been denied entrance into various establishments including a bar that my girlfriend/eventual wife worked at in central Florida.
That's a sure sign that something, someone and/or somewhere sucks. This is yet another reason I live in the Florida Keys where flip flops pass for proper attire.
I have worn 'flops with wool socks in -40* snow and ice in the upper midwest, lugged band equipment down frozen steps in Williston, North Dakota, up frozen steps in Deadwood South Dakota, served jury duty in 'flops, got married in 'flops (even though my mother bought me a pair of Beatle boots. I tried wearing them but when the acid kicked in the boots with a side zipper were inhibiting my vibe), go to work in 'flops and with any luck I'll be cremated BAREFOOT just like I play my music!
Peace and Love and FREEDOM!
Comments