Hallux valgus

Or, in more common parlance, a bunion. 

All is well! I’ve been seeing an orthopaedic specialist about sorting out my bunion and was expecting to be called for surgery after Easter. The surgeon said back in January that he was fully booked until then so we had confidently planned to go to Bologna next week for my annual springtime break to go someplace I’ve never been to before.

Twelve days ago I received a letter saying I was booked in for today - the day after the Parliamentary debate I was leading. I nearly called to re-arrange but after a lot of thought, I decided to go ahead.

I was planning to take the next couple weeks off as leave anyway, so my team shouldn’t miss me too much. Having it done now means that hopefully I will be all healed so I can go home to Canada in the summer. If I had delayed, it might have impacted Canadian plans. I haven’t been home for seven years and my supply of maple syrup needs topping up. 

The blip is the ‘before’ photo. My surgeon clearly has a sense of humour. The extra is what I woke up to find. I’ll have the bandaging on for at least four weeks or so. 

The day went smoothly and everyone was really nice. The only British person I met was one of the physiotherapists. To quote the musical, Hamilton: “Immigrants; we get the job done!”

I am grateful to the NHS.
I am grateful for Tim. 
I am grateful to unions for creating paid sick leave. 

I’m feeling pretty grateful all ‘round! Let’s hope the drugs don’t wear off!