The news from Dr. Daly was terrific. We got some excellent news.

My toe has almost completely healed, and in a few days, I can return to everyday choices, showers, and focus on my new brace. She wants to see me next week, and our visits will be much less frequent. I will keep seeing her for the sake of my feet, but not every week.

We could not have been happier; this brings us days from the end of a long and challenging effort to build fresh left food so I can walk easily again. She asked us to keep the bandage on the toe and wear surgical boots for two more days to be sure.

It was a minimal price to pay. We’ve worked hard for this, and it paid off. I can’t thank Maria enough or Dr. Daly. We didn’t get to celebrate for too long.

Almost the minute we left her surgical center, I got sick.

We stopped for groceries and came home, but I was sinking fast. I got into bed and stayed there until 9 p.m., when I was able to move around and eat again. We’ve been tracking some mysterious bouts of sudden illness and gastrointestinal issues for some time, so I’ve been keeping track of what I eat and what medicines I am taking with my primary care physician.

Our work paid off.

I’m pretty sure we found the culprit last night. Maria was belly dancing, and I made a smoothy for dinner, almost wholly consisting of a fruit I already suspected. In various ways, I’m confident we have figured it out. This allergic response put me right on my butt.

I’ve had some issues with food allergies, especially when food is mixed with some of my medicines. We’ll verify this with more tests, but I am pretty sure.

I’m feeling weak right now but much better. No food tonight.

It was a good day on both fronts. My foot is healed, and I think I’ve found the cause of these other issues.

All of this has strengthened some weak traits of mine – distraction, attention span, and a lack of determination to make myself healthier. I see this isn’t simple or easy, and it requires a level of concentration and perseverance that has not always been easy for me. I’ve got to do the work, the research, the testing, the focus.

I will have to adjust my diet and get used to walking again. I look forward to doing both.

I’m sick of writing about my health. We are getting where we wanted to go, and time to focus again on the life I love. Health care is not the only part of me, or even the most important. I have a lot of things to do.

I’m getting sick of me.

I did manage to get up and out and water my flowers. Maria was not pleased to discover this.

She did a lot of work today; I was happy to see that. She checked on me every half hour or so. That worked fine.

Thanks to Emma for sending this photo of Robin at the beach. Robin, my granddaughter who is six, has a ritual summer; she fights to control the beach with a stick. So far, the ocean is holding its own, but Robin is not deterred. I wouldn’t rule her out.