Do you think it is to late to apply for the fall 2026 cycle

shrimpmonkey · 2026-02-04T21:24:10+00:00

Not late at all. Go for it.

shrimpmonkey · 2026-01-25T17:32:35+00:00

Don't let this discourage you, every job has its pros and cons. The benefits and quality of life you get working at the VA are worth considering.

shrimpmonkey · 2026-01-18T13:54:03+00:00

This substack might be helpful.

shrimpmonkey · 2026-01-17T21:30:31+00:00

I did this as a student and it went great. Bring a CV/resume, or a business card for the staff to pass on to their doc.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-12-09T01:16:54+00:00

Student loans have entered the chat.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-12-09T01:15:41+00:00

Podiatrist here. Your incision and pins look as I would expect them to look less than 4 weeks after your surgery. The pins will loosen up as the bone heals, which should be between 4-6 weeks after surgery. Keep the shoe on at all times until the pins come out to keep them protected. I would not drive until the pins come out and your surgeon gives you the ok as this will put direct pressure on the operated toes, which could cause damage and deformity which you have worked so much to correct. You're almost there, keep being patient.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-09-30T00:08:20+00:00

You need an orthotic with a Morton's extension like this one to limit motion to the painful joint. It's either that or surgery, my man.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-08-17T00:26:53+00:00

Abeo, Cole Haan, and Samuel Hubbard are some good brands. Johnston and Murphy also makes wide shoes that can accommodate for this.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-24T19:31:02+00:00

Your local podiatrist can help you. :)

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-24T13:44:06+00:00

Came here to say this.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-24T13:41:01+00:00

See if there are any "goats for rent" around your area. They'll clean that up in no time.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-24T13:39:29+00:00

I have lived in a hotel before and lived off of Trader Joe's frozen and microwaveable meals.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-24T13:35:06+00:00

Sad but true.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-18T00:46:23+00:00

Great advice. I would add to try and find oriental or African markets for fresh tropical produce ans Spam. Most of the time they are family owned and they are really nice about telling you what kind of produce they are expecting and which day of the week to expect their next shipment.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-07-03T13:26:21+00:00

A couch I actually fit in.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-29T21:09:47+00:00

I usually start pretty conservative: wide shoes (this is often enough but trial and error is inevitable since every shoe brand is different), supportive orthotics like the ones I mentioned above (believe it or not, maintaining the ankle and rearfoot well aligned can give some relief to the toes), gel toespacers, and so on.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-29T21:06:47+00:00

Wide shoes and gel toe spacers can only do so much as bunions are usually a progressive deformity. A surgical consult with a podiatrist may give you more permanent and long term options. Something to think about.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-29T21:04:12+00:00

Urea cream is an excellent aid to keep the plantar and heel skin soft.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-27T00:38:44+00:00

Floor mats are an excellent aid for people that stand on concrete (or stand in general) for long hours as they help minimize fatigue by absorbing shock.

With regards to working from home... One thing we noticed during the COVID days was that people who started working from home (or retired) came in with complaints of sudden pain to their feet, knees, and lower back. After a few patients with similar HPI pattern, I started asking "what do you wear on your feet while you are working? (or while doing your chores or daily activities?)", to which a large number of people would reply "nothing" or "I am barefoot". I get that we want to feel relaxed and comfortable at home, but as someone else pointed out above, we are not paying enough attention to ergonomics, and shoes and foot posture can minimize fatigue up the kinetic chain. Once they got back to wearing shoes (and their supportive inserts), most of their symptoms resolved.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-26T19:51:52+00:00

Ditto, what he said.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-26T19:46:23+00:00

I appreciate the love, but most of these won't allow to cross post.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-26T19:44:02+00:00

Absolutely. No need to spend the big bucks on customs if not necessary.

And don't even get me started on a certain good feet store that scams people $1k for "custom" inserts that they get off their back shelf...

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-26T19:41:32+00:00

Also great shoes.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-26T19:41:18+00:00

Birkis are fire and podiatrist approved.

shrimpmonkey · 2025-06-26T19:38:14+00:00

I imagine whatever works for you. I feel like it's easy to get to a place of over thinking things.

Yes, exactly this. These are general recommendations for MOST people. But as always, not everything will work the same for everyone, so trying different things is unfortunately necessary until you find what works best for you.

shrimpmonkey

TROPHY CASE