When I got home I wanted to lie down for a while because I knew my daughter and her fiance' were coming over soon. They showed up early (very unusual for her) so my rest was cut short. They also brought Paris with them. I probably over did it playing with Paris and just not resting enough. I greatly enjoyed their visit and I am so thankful for all of them.
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| This is Paris. I call her Peanut. |
Later on that evening, I experienced the "razors in the bladder" pain. That is the first time I have ever felt that sharp stabbing pain in my bladder. Needless to say I had trouble sleeping that night as well. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. with bladder and back pain. I tried a muscle relaxer first. Then I tried Ibuprofen to ease the pain. By 7:00 a.m. I gave in and took a pain killer. Sigh...not exactly how I wanted to start my week. My week improved by Thursday. I was ready to go on my planned shopping spree.
Pre-Shopping 101
Before I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) I loved to go shopping. Now I do most of my shopping online. It's not as much fun for me, but necessary for now. I have been thinking that I need a good pair of casual shoes to wear to work that are not tennis shoes. I asked my physical therapist what she recommended. I hoped that after my physical therapy appointment I would feel good enough to go look at shoes.
She had recommended The Walking Store. Since I was not familiar with this store I looked it up online and I began what I call "Pre-Shopping." I use this technique quit often now before I go shopping. I go to a store's website and find what I like, write down the brand, style and price of what I like. That way when I go to the store I can ask a sales associate (if I am fortunate enough to find one) to lead me in the right direction. If not, at least I know what brand name to look for and how much it should cost.
Unfortunately this store was in the mall. "Mall" is a four letter word to me now. I try to avoid malls like the plague. There is usually so much walking involved just getting to the store that it is just not worth it to me. I searched this store on the mall directory and found much to my delight that this store is near a mall entrance. So far, I already like this store. The shoes, however; are not cheap! I usually prefer to buy cheap shoes. I knew it would be an investment more than anything. So I went ahead and made plans to go.
Before I left the office to make the hour and a half trip to therapy, I was told that we had a 90% chance of snow where I live. Did I hear that right? Snow in my town??!! It hardly ever happens around here. When the word is even mentioned there is a mad rush to the grocery stores for milk and bread. I tried not to get to excited, but it was hard. After all a 90% chance sounded like a guarantee to me.
All the way to therapy, it rained. I'm not a big fan of getting out in the rain,much less rain and dropping temperatures. I wondered if the weather was going to interfere with my plans. When I left therapy, the rain had stopped. It must be a sign, I thought. I was meant to buy some shoes today!
I entered the crowded mall parking lot. I was so happy that there was a handicapped parking space available close to the entrance that I needed to enter. Now that I have IC, every step I take has to be worth it. There is a lot of effort involved in shopping. I have to plan ahead more now, but I still enjoy it most of the time.
I walked in the store and there was no one else in there. I had the full attention of the salesperson. This is exactly what I wanted. Sometimes when I shop, I just want to browse and not be bothered. This was different, I was on a mission. A mission to find a comfortable pair of shoes.
I'm Not a Shoes Horse
I am not one of these people that loves shoes and has a fascination with them. I am more of a clothes fanatic. This was more about making peace with my feet and trying to keep them happy. After all, I have not been too kind to my feet over the years. When I was younger, I wore high heels most of the time. My feet are paying the price for that now. When I go shoe shopping, I see all these cute shoes that I like. But most of the time they are the ones that are not good for my feet. Hence my lack of enthusiasm for shoe shopping. I told the salesperson "I don't like shoes, I only like to take them off'"
Back to the mission at hand. I told him exactly what I wanted. A dressy to casual, black, low heeled slide on shoe. The first pair he suggested were the ones I had picked out in my "Pre-shop," but they did not feel good on my feet. I have very high arches and buying shoes is usually frustrating for me. He then suggested an insert to help support my feet. I tried on several pairs. He then brought out a pair that I would never pick out on my own by their looks or the way they were made. I tried them on and told him "I am diggin this pair." I tried them on with the insert and some socks that he let me borrow and my feet were happy!
I told him that is was a a lot higher price than I normally pay for shoes. He said "you need good shoes, good tires on your car and a good mattress to sleep on." Well, I am all set now, I have all three and I am very thankful for all of them. He also said good shoes are for the health of your body.
Happy Feet, Happy Life
I had never thought about shoes as being good for your health. I researched the idea and I am convinced that good shoes are a good start to a healthy body. I will provide a link to a related article, if you want to read more about this idea. http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/azhealthtopics/a/shoesachefeet.htm
I wore my new shoes to work on Friday. They will take some gettin' used to, but my feet did not hurt the next day like they normally do. Maybe I am on to something, maybe good shoes are important step (pun intended) to our general health. Maybe shoes are good for the soul (I know, punny). So far, I enjoy wearing them and I think I have finally made peace with my feet!
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
Oh, by the way, we didn't have any snow in my town that night...imagine that! But I will continue to hope that we will have some snow this year!!
In conclusion, I want to say enjoy your family, be good to your feet and never give up on your dreams of snow or whatever it may be that makes you happy.
For more information on Interstitial Cystitis:
http://www.ichelp.org/
You can email me:
bbbennett65@gmail.com
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