I went to the doctors today thinking that I was going to have the outer portion of my left big toe nail removed.
Boy, I was wrong.
As soon as I sat down in the chair, I started to cry.
(My feet look orange from the iodine.)
The doctor told me that sections of BOTH of my big toenails had to be removed. Even though only one was in pain, he said it wouldn’t be too long before the same thing would happen to the other.
I asked the doctor how my toenails got ingrown, and he said “its in your genes” and that “all that running” didn’t help it. I hope this gene doesn’t pass down to our little Nerdettes. 
I sat in the chair for 30 minutes to let the local anesthesia do its thing, and to let the blood flow out of my feet. The doctor looked at me like I was CRAZY when I told him I ran 18.0 miles this morning with my toe looking like that.
The actual surgery part wasn’t bad at all! I couldn’t feel a thing, and the doctor was distracting me with anecdotes and giving Jason some tips on how to take care of me. I covered my eyes the entire time, and Jason squeezed my hand.
The whole thing took like 5 minutes, and then he wrapped my toes up. They are HUGE and bright orange. I told him they were pumpkin toes, and he drew a pumpkin on the bandage.
Looks like Frankenstein to me! Oh, well.
I have to stay off my feet for 48 hours. In 3 days, I am allowed to wear closed toed shoes, but until then, sandals only.
The WORST part is… no running for 2 full weeks. I am allowed to stationary bike with sandals on, swim, or do other non weight-bearing activities not requiring shoes. I’m a little worried since I’m mid-way through marathon training, but there are still 8 weeks to go!
Any ideas?
The anesthesia started wearing off in the car, and it is PAINFUL!!! Not going to lie, I sobbed the whole way home. I’m not sure which hurts me the most: the actual physical pain, or knowing that I will not be able to run for two full weeks. Not even a jog.
I’m now on the couch with my feet propped up. It’s a great time to catch up the many shoes I missed out on this past week!
I can’t wait until Jason returns with my pain meds…
Have you ever had surgery?
A couple years ago I had to have my wisdom teeth removed. It was the day before New Year’s Eve, and I couldn’t celebrate. BLAH.
<3 MegaNerd
Filed under: Dealing with Injury
Oh, wisdom teeth sucked for me too, I had mine out around 4th of July when I was 15. But I had to have emergency gallbladder surgery when I was 20 which was way worse. I hope you feel better soon, glad Jason is taking care of you! Hope the 2 weeks fly by.
Awwww! You poor thing! I hope the pain meds help!!! I’m sure Jason will take good care of you. Did he give you any ideas on how to prevent this? I know people are prone to it, but perhaps filing the sides down regularly or something…? …Anything?
The two weeks will go by very fast. it will be hard, but think of it as a challenge to find other activities that you can do instead of running. Can you spin– does that count as a stationary bike? I know it’s a little more intense, but look into that. And try swimming laps. Swimming is actually one of the best total body workouts out there.
FEEL BETTER!!!!!!
I didn’t really ask how to prevent it, since I will never have this problem again.
I’m not sure if there is a way, but I know that cutting straight across the nail, and not a curved shape helps.
I could spin except I would have to wear sandals.
I had surgery on my nose last year around Thanksgiving. I had blocked sinuses and a diviated septum, I would get sinus infections all the time. The surgery itself wasn’t bad, but the weeklong recovery was bad!! I had a constant bloody nose, couldn’t bend over, had to sleep upright and couldn’t work or work out for over a week. It sucked!
Get better and take those meds!!
get well soon!
I hope you stocked up your DVR.
Thank you!!
Haha, I did stock the DVR up!
I have multiple episode of Desperate housewives, the biggest loser, and gossip girl to watch!
Do some pool running. Look it up…there’s tons of info out there. I was dealing with IT band issues earlier this year and had to settle for pool running. It’s not totally the same as running, but it does give you a good workout while still going through the motions. I think I’ve even read about people who have done the majority of marathon training through pool running and were able to successfully complete it.
Luckily you’ll be back on your feet in a couple weeks, so it shouldn’t be a problem…but it’s definitely something to consider for the time being!
Thanks!! Pool running is definitely something I should look into.
Also, I love the little pumpkin toe drawing.
Toe surgery sounds painful. 2 weeks forced non-running? Sounds like good practice for pregnancy to me
I’m on day 3 of a week long bed rest (not even allowed to go for a walk!) so I feel your pain. Just wait until the stir crazy sets in 
Hope your toes feel better soon!
In the last three months, I’ve had arthroscopic knee surgery and a tumor removed from my elbow. For someone who worked out every, sometimes even twice a day, and used exercise to relieve stress, I’ll admit it was ROUGH not being allowed to work out in any way. Hang in there–absolutely makes you love exercise (in any capacity) when you go back to it!
Feel better Megan!! I had oral surgery in 11th grade where I had 7 teeth removed! Two impacted molars, two on the two, a baby tooth, and two wisdom teeth buds! UGH! I looked like a chipmunk, and they put me under in the hospital! I feel your pain girlie! Relax and look at the bright side…lots of TV!
Water jog!!!! It’s an injured runner’s best friend…most gym pools will have weight belts that you can use. It’s the first place my college and high school cross country and track teams go to when they are injured.
Oh my goodness sorry you’re in so much pain! But just think how fabulous it will feel when you can get back to running – they say absence makes the heart grow fonder right? Think about how amazing you’ll feel when you can get back out there! Til then rest up, catch up on your DVR and take it easy!
I hope you feel better!!
And I second the pool running suggestion!! It is a wonderful way to maintain your fitness, especially if you mix it up with intervals, high knees, or other sort of variety!
Can you swim? We’ve been doin that for Pentathlon, and BOY, what a work out!
I’m sorry! being injured absolutely sucks. Use this as an excuse to eat more pumpkin?
LOL. Love it.
I don’t really know how to swim, I supposed its never too late to learn!!
Aw, poor thing. I’m sorry it hurts :/ At least it’s for the greater good. Same thing goes to your not being able to run.. After this you can run all you want, no more toe problems.
I have had surgery, twice. Tonsils when I was 4 and I had a cyst removed when I was… 13, I think? It was in my eye lid. It wasn’t dangerous or whatever but who the hell wants a cyst on their eye lid? I was awake the whole time and went home on the same day. It was a bit uncomfortable and I think it did hurt a bit after but I was just happy to get rid of that thing!
I hope you feel better soon!
aww thats a bummer you don’t get to run for 2 weeks! i am sure you are not thrilled about that news!
jenna
Ahhhhh!! You’re body will surely use those 2 weeks to recover and make you a stronger runner! I had surgery on my lower eye lid. It was in my genes that my eye lashes were scratching my cornea. At the last minute, the doctor told me instead of knocking me out he was going to have me awake. I started crying so he knocked me out. Thank GOODNESS!!!
On the bright side–your feet are so cute
Aww that is so cute that he drew a pumpkin on there for you!
What a nice doctor.
I had to have a toenail removed once because when I was out at a bar I got massively stepped on by some drunk girl and then my toenail got all angry and infected. It’s grown back now
I wonder if they make fake acrylic toe nails??
I hope that the pain goes away soon! Thank goodness for pain meds. I definitely think that the two weeks will go by quickly and having some time to catch up on TV isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Also, Nerdettes…. too cute!
You will be TOTALLY fine- all you need to do is keep your legs alive and your fitness up. Everyone has made great suggestions above
Sorry that it was painful! Just take advantage of this time to do a lot of cross training! These two weeks will fly by and you’ll be back to long runs before you know. I hope you feel better! Hugs!
I had tumors removed from my left breast when I was 17. It was rather traumatic for me. I know that you’ll be up and running again in no timr
I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. I was told that cutting your nails too short can actually cause ingrown toenails. I like the above idea about pool running. If it was good enough for Deena Kastor, it can work for you too! Good luck and feel better soon.
Your surgery reminds me of this hilarious article I just read in the NYT!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22FITNESS.html?_r=1&ref=health
marathon, psssh. Once you recover you’ll be all set for ULTRARUNNING!
Can you do yoga? Bikram has really helped me through all of my running injuries. For cardio, I’ve always stuck to swimming… Good luck! I think your Frankenstein toe is cute!
My brother had to have that on his two toes too. But he doesn’t run!
Stay as active as you can! Two weeks will not affect the training too much!
Feel better!
what about jogging in flip flops
??
sorry about the surgery, get better sooooon!
ps if jogging in flip flops is an option i recently have taken up spinning/cyclying/stationary bike WHATEVER you prefer to call it and i LOVE it. Cross training for your marathon!
And yoga. i don’t do yoga but i have heard nothing but good things about yoga & it helping with strength.
Well, I think the whole thing with jogging is the pressure applied to the toe can cause it to get inflammed.
Ack, you poor thing!!
Remember that this, too, will pass. Keep your chin up. You’ll get through it!
Aw, I literally just had surgery on my foot too, last week, so I feel ya. It stinks but you’ll be up and at ‘em again soon! Don’t fret!
( http://www.joelygolightly.wordpress.com )
No and I’m too freaked out to! I am prone to ingrowns. I’ve found that since I bought my running shoes a size bigger I don’t get as often. I get them on my fingers a lot which is painful too. Feel better soon and I’m sure you can stay fit to run it’s not too long off.
Congrats on the 18 miles by the way so jealous!
Aww, I’m so sorry that you ended up having this happen to BOTH of your toes!
We can find other things to do other than running together since my foot is still keeping me out of running. I must admit that it’s been nearly three weeks for me and it really has gone much faster than I thought it would, although the beautiful weather we are having is making it really tough to not think about running.
So glad that it went well and I am so bummed to hear that you are now feeling it.
The only surgery I’ve had was my wisdom teeth back in June, but I had the worst wisdom teeth surgery known to man. I now have to go back in a few weeks for another major mouth surgery to correct the HUGE screw ups that the first doctor conducted. It’s a freaking mess and totally sucks but, I will get over it.
And how sweet of Jason to take such good care of you. Rest and enjoy this 2 weeks to let your body take a nice break. I am sure it will only make you stronger!
Take care hun. Love you always!
aww i hope you feel better soon girlie :[
Glad the surgery is over and went well. Hopefully your pain meds will help and you’ll be back on your feet (literally) in no time. Until then, follow doctor’s orders to insure the quickest recovery possible.
I had to have a very similar surgery done on both my toes when I played college soccer. It was awful because I had the surgery during preseason…after I had trained so hard to pass all my fitness tests. I was lucky to have trainers help me maintain my fitness level with super intense stationary bike programs and swimming (with my feet bagged..awkward) into jets. I was able to maintain most of my fitness level. I suggest stationary bike programs and swimming (if you don’t mind bagging your feet). Most importantly, stay positive!! (and ice a lot for the pain!)
I hope you’re back on your feet in no time!
Two weeks would feel like forever for you. I’m sorry you have to go through all this but then again it’s better it happened now than when it’s almost your Disney run. I hope you feel better soon.
I am thinking if I need to have my wisdom tooth removed at this very point in time. It’s a little painful but I forget all the pain when I am running. But when I was 19, I had a fibroadenoma removed from my my right breast. Good thing it was benign and I didn’t feel a thing too while the operation was ongoing. The whole sobbing thing happened when I got home.
Get well soon. Have a fast recovery…
oh Megan, that is so rough! Staying off your feet and not being able to run is going to be tough but don’t worry, you will get through it. Just give your body (well, your feet) what it needs and everything will be okay – I know it! You will bounce back stronger than ever, have faith!
love you, feel better!!! love the pumpkin bandages!
swimming
spinning
both fantastic activities to keep up your intense indurance while you recover. its totally possible to run a race as long as you keep your endurance up – I would probably do more swimming during this time period due to the nature of your injury. swimming is intense and good for you rlungs – I think it would be a nice change for you
plus it burns the same cals as running and is a total body workout 
when I was swimming twice a week this summer I felt that my upper body looked most toned
This sucks! I hope you feel better soon and heal quickly!
I had foot surgery once. I was a swimmer and got warts from a nasty pool deck. There were so many they had to be surgically removed b/c nothing else worked. It was disgusting. I was on my feet the next day, I didn’t listen to the doctor. Oops!
You’ll be fine though, you’re healthy and will recover soon, I just know it!
No running for 2 weeks? Oh no! I’m sure it’ll be a challenge, but you’ll be back at it before you know it. Hope the pain goes away soon!
I’ve had toe issues thanks to running for the past several months. Mine were with the second toes, however. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
Feel Better!!! I had surgery on a plantars wart on my foot once – with a 6week recovery period
I had a “fancy” shoe I had to wear, and when I went back to waitressing two weeks early I rocked the shoe. Holy moley the tips I received! 
http://eatventures.wordpress.com
Gosh, seriously? I had a plantars wart that got removed like 6 times and kept coming back. They tried freezing it, shaving it, NOTHING worked until finally the podiatrist gave me formaldehyde and it just dissolved itself.
six weeks recovery is crazy!! I’m sorry
I know how you feel about being upset about not exercising. I tore my ACL in my knee and couldn’t really workout for 6 months besides physical therapy. I started going crazy! Then 2 years later I tore my ACL in my other knee (both due to sports) and I had to go through the same process. Now when I feel like skipping the gym .., I always think back and remember how bad I wanted to work out when I couldnt. Its the best motivation ever. haha .. Hope your toe heals fast! THe pumpkin drawing is so cute!
Can you get your toe wet? When I was told I couldn’t run for a while during my marathon training I ran in the pool. You just wear a waist flotation belt and run in the deep end. It’s actually a great workout and just like running except there is no impact. I found it to be a great way to keep up my running endurance.
I’m so sorry!! Rest up and take care of yourself. I know how awful it is for a runner to not be able to run, but, you’ve put so much into your training and you’re doing so well, two weeks won’t de-rail everything. I had to take two weeks off a few months ago, and it did suck and I was very upset about the whole thing, it didn’t hinder my running once I started back up. Sorry about the toes!!
AH! That sucks, but I’m glad everything went well! You will be thankful later, my sis had to have both hers done, because they both ended up infected.
So, it’s preventative, because the other one would have done the same thing.
You are going to be fine, just x train, x train, x train! You’re gonna kick that marathon in the butt!
aww hope you feel better!! surgery is not fun but, at least when recovery is over, you’ll be ALL better!!
Hang in there Megan!
A girl at my gym was injured during training for a marathon and she spent a ton of time on the stationary bike. She would ride really fast and work up a good sweat. After a couple of weeks, she went back to running and on race day she won the marathon and qualified for the Olympic trials.
Taking two weeks off won’t kill your training. Make sure you get some cross training in and find ways to get your heart rate up. You are going to do awesome at the marathon!
Feel better soon!
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I have had surgery before and I know what you mean when you need those pain meds!
They prescribed me meds that DIDN’T WORK but the anesthesia didn’t wear off until 2am so from 2am until my follow up appointment at 10am I was in excruciating pain.
I feel ya here, girl!