Caution: Whining Ahead in Packrat

I just came from seeing the podiatrist, who 1) asked why I came back to work, 2) asked how many steps I take from my car to my office, 3) said my foot can’t touch the ground because bacteria is everywhere, even in the air, 4) said I shouldn’t be walking yet, and 5) said that I should be in a wheelchair! My surgeon said I could walk on my foot and drive. He released me to return to work without limitations but all I hear from anybody else are limitations. It’s frustrating, but I put my surgeon’s opinion first, not just because I like what he says better but because he’s treated me from the start and he wouldn’t want me to mess up what he worked so hard to save. Today’s doctor - whom I actually like despite his doom and gloom - said Dr. C had been very dedicated to do the work he did, and he was impressed.

Dr. C’ also told me my foot would eventually start to look normal (I’ll spare you what’s not yet normal); Dr. W,, today’s doctor, said it never would - but I already see the improvements.
Dr. W makes it sound as if I’m still in danger of losing it when Dr. C said my healing was remarkable, and I myself can see how it’s healed and how well it’s done. I’m also very diligent now in checking my vitals, going to the doctor(s), following their instructions. I put my foot up at the office and at home. I’m wearing the ugly socks. I’m not overdoing my workdays or doing more than I can. I’m dragging my foot around in the heavy boot (Dr. W also said I need to wear shoes of the same weight). I’m taking the medicine and vitamins as prescribed. My wound is changed and dressed regularly. I don’t get my foot wet nor does it touch the ground. What the hell do they want from me?!

But I ran into a cousin in the parking lot who said our doctors here make him depressed, too, that they don’t have the expertise the specialists do and tend to overmedicate and see the negative side of things. Dr. W did say he thought my wound’s healing looked great, especially after he found out everything that had had to be done.

I feel that one doctor is ready to let me fly and the other wants to clip my wings.