Getting off on my Left Foot in 2009

So what is this all about you ask? Isn't the saying 'getting off on your right foot'? Nope, not this year for me! This year I'm getting off on my left foot.

Here's my story. I've been an avid athlete ever since I was a kid. I played all the sports: basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf, racquetball, hiking, skiing....you name, it I played it. I'm just one of those types that likes exercising and working out....that's fun to me. Yes, FUN!

But if you saw me today you'd say.......sure, whatever you say Anna Banana! Because I sure don't look like an athlete right now. But I will be back to looking the part by the end of 2009!! Here's where the left foot comes into play.

For years now (about 15) I hiked 4 to 5 times a week, early in the mornings, on the mountain by my house. It was both my daily meditation as well as a great workout. In my mind it's the perfect way to start my day or enjoy time with my family and friends on the weekend.

About 2 years ago I started noticing a little bump on the top of my foot. I didn't pay much attention to it for about a year. Then it started really bugging me which made it harder to enjoy hiking. I tried all kinds of stuff, including going to a couple of podiatrists. The first doc scared the heck out of me!! He told me I needed extensive surgery which would require me being off my feet totally for 3 months. Sure, you bet I said....not going to happen since I had just opened my new real estate office. The other doc said a bunch of cremes and exercises would solve the problem. Which doc should I believe had the right answer for me? Seemed like a no brainer at the time. I took the second docs advice and tried the cremes, exercises and orthopedics for several months and stayed off my feet as much as possible. It actually relieved the symptoms but it soon became apparent that I couldn't wear hiking boots, tennis shoes or any shoes with a top! Bummer? You bet that was to me, the avid hiker.

Then, to add insult to my situation another doc discovered, quite by accident, that I had a thyroid condition called hashimoto's. You can imagine my joy!! I figured the weight I was putting on was due to my lack of exercise (and part of it was) but some of it was due to the almost zero thyroid output. It was kind of a double whammy to me. I was the last person on earth who thought they'd have a thyroid issue. As it turned out my aunt told me my Mom had the same problem. If she had known the issue could be genetic I'm sure she would have let me in on the game plan!

I'm the type of person who attempts to make the best of every situation, no matter what. But this was getting to be a bit much! Here I was at least 40 lbs heavier and I couldn't hike, work out or walk without the stupid little bump hurting me with every step on my left foot. Honestly, I did go to 'acceptance' for a few months. I told myself....if you're going to be fat and not able to work out you may as well enjoy life and be your normal happy self. So that's what I did. I made a choice to have fun, dress well, eat well and simply be happy. It worked for awhile...

And then Thanksgiving 2008 arrived! I had so much to be grateful for, and I also had this nagging thought in the back of my mind that is wasn't 'enough'. I had to try once again to find a solution for the foot problem and the thyroid problem. I developed a fierce determination that by the end of 2008 I would find the right doctors to help me solve my issues. Everybody said, no way......you'll never get into that doctor etc etc. I kept saying that I was going to solve these problems and be on my way in early 2009 to total and complete health. I was very clear in my mind what I was going to create!!

Today is Jan 25, 2009 (my husbands birthday). While he is out enjoying a movie, I'm at home, on the sofa, recuperating from surgery I had just last Thursday. I did find a great doctor, Dr. David Bates http://www.putyourfeetfirst.com/ He was sure he could remove the bump on the top my left foot with a fairly simple procedure and I'd be up hiking within 3 months! I am amazed that I feel as well as I do and that has been with no pain medications (I hate taking medications!!) I'll be up and walking this next week with a big boot, back in sandals within 3 or 4 weeks and back in hiking boots by May. Ask me if that excites the heck of me!!!!!

As far as the thyroid issues goes, I'm hopefully now on the right combination of medications (yes I did need to accept taking them even with my extreme dislike of not doing things naturally). I am very clear that I will solve this problem as well. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get by normal life back..........and enjoy the journey along the way.


So you see, I really am off on my left foot in 2009! I look forward to sharing my journey from time to time and sharing my progress with getting back on the hill and having normal thyroid health once again. I know this blog is about real estate AND it's also about the phoenix real estate gal, Anna Banana, and her driving sense of making things happen in 2009!


Come on.....share your dreams and goals with me. I'd love to get to know you and what you're working on. Together we can create lots of good stuff!! Let's make 2009 THE best year ever!

See you at top of the mountain in Phoenix, Arizona!

P.S. For those people who notice the boot picture is for a right foot it's time to get off on your left foot for a change!! haha