Feet less like leather

The phototherapy seems to be working! The thickness of skin on my soles has been reduced, and most parts feel like actual skin instead of leather.
I bought new shoes but they are not a perfect fit, after all. I'm trying to break them in without hurting my feet. It's a battle.

shining a light on the feet

So, I have now had 4 days of phototherapy, which consists of having UV light shone on my feet (the soles of course) for seconds at a time. We are now up to 23 seconds. For this, I have to get to Bruyère Hospital, park, go home... if traffic is light and parking is easy, it can be done in about 45 minutes, round trip. At least there's no waiting in the clinic; it's very fast.
I think it might be helping. They are in a good phase mostly.

The picture is from October 18, 2010.

Salt water and sunshine did my feet a lot of good. Even though I did more walking than usual while in the DR, the feet were very good. I managed to scrape my heel on a limestone rock when we went swimming in a cavern, though, so there is still something sore. And while there I had a big blister on my left big toe, and a smaller one on the end of my middle toe (also left), but they resolved themselves. I was careful to use my creams and socks, dorky as I felt some of the time. Towards the end, though, I was going barefoot in my sandals some of the time, and not suffering.

Doctor Chestnut's Reaction

Yesterday I went to Dr. C about other stuff, and she was curious to see my feet (practically more curious than the dematologist). So we had a look. She said, "I never thought I'd describe feet like that as looking good." But they are pretty fine, for me, for now. Only a few open bits, and no inflammation.

The wonders of Doak Oil

I seem to have overcome the problems I had last week. More soaking in Doak Oil. More applications of Dovabet and coal tar compound, but trying to avoid the worst bits. I think it's the Doak Oil that makes the most difference. Nasty flakes between my toes!

backsliding

Have I been doing the wrong thing? Too much? Not enough?
Lots of little red spots and some fine blisters, especially under and between my toes. And some calluses next to thin, blistery parts.... aaaagh!

July 4 at the lake. My feet are improving, as long as I wear socks and use lots of vaseline and not too much of the stronger stuff.
The secondary effects of having bad feet, which include bad knees and extra weight gain and general indolence, are starting to subside.
Right now, though, Neil is working hard at raking leaves and I--though feeling guilty--do not wish to join him. I got a big blister on my hand afer an hour's raking yesterday and my feet were starting to react, too.
Swimming is great: I get off my feet and my backside; my legs, knees and arms get some exercise wthout too much strain; and the water is good for my skin. Win, win, win. And even the hike up and down the hill is not as bad as it could have been.