A bit of a personal journal and something I want to share with you guys. I'm learning to walk again and I'll tell you why.

Since I was 17, I've had a reoccurring case of Cellulitis in my right leg. It went from once every 6 months to twice per month. It caused me many problems, physically, mentally, socially and financially (I was unable to hold a job due to sickness ).

I used to love boots, I still do... I never has a high heels kinda gal but adored buying boots with my payslip. Ankle boots, mid calf, knee highs, thigh highs, wellies, fetish boots, the lot. I love boots. I even loved them so much I put myself on a healthy eating diet to reduce the size of my calves so I could fit in "normal" people boots. Those who are overweight or have large calves will know the feeling... see some stunning boots, but your calves are too big. No sale.

Before my birthday, I treat myself to this stunning pair of boots by Faith... kitten heel, straps and buckles all up the side and I had finally lost enough weight to fit into them. One week later I'm taken into hospital with severe Cellulitis. I was hospitalised for a week and it was over my birthday. Not so much of a big issue until the swelling in my foot wouldn't go down. My big toe was big, the top of my foot got big and my ankle and calf wouldn't go down. I was told I had permanent swelling in my leg and there was no way of reducing it.

The swelling prevented me from wearing any sorts of boots, high heels and even trainers. I was restricted to wearing ballerina style pumps.

Fast forward to last year. I kept pushing my doctor to see if there was anything that could be done with my leg/foot. I then changed doctors and they said yes there is something they can be done... it wont return back to normal but you should see some reduction. Losing even 1cm on the top of my foot would allow me to wear trainers! This was huge news! I was then referred to a specialised clinic, where they told me I had Lymphedema in my leg... after measurements it was estimated there was a 20% difference between my legs on average!

Since then, I've been wearing compression bandages on my foot and leg and on a daily basis I rub into my foot and legs this high moisture cream to soften the skin to allow it to be reduced.

I went clothes shopping with Paul 6 months ago and I cried in the shop when a pair of high heels fit me... yeah the top of my foot is still swollen, but yanno the shoe got on my foot and I can walk in them... standard high heels though (about 2 inches). I thought "wow, I'll be able to wear nice shoes for my wedding!".

Fast forward to today, at my last appointment the clinic said I've lost almost 2 pints of fluid in my leg - which is about a 1% reduction... they expect I may get a total of a 5-8% reduction over time. I'm sat here right now in my thigh highs... because they finally go over my bad foot.

The downside is that because I've been so used to ballerina pumps (no heel), I'm having to learn how to walk in high heels again! So please excuse me while I go do my house work in my thigh highs while I learn how to walk in 4 inch heels again!

It's a Saturday, we all need positive and happy news from people... share your positive news!

Edit: Also it seems people are very excited for my news... just to be clear, I can actually walk, I'm just talking about being able to walk in heels again. I dunno if people are being enthusiastic for me or not reading the whole journal and just seeing the title