Only 8 more days and we'll be arriving in Mérida around 9 PM and then a brief ride in a taxi will find us at home on Calle 47-A. Alan hasn't been down since May and I was last there in hot July. We are anxious to see how the house has fared during this intense rainy season. Is the tropical foliage green and lush? Have weeds overtaken the rock covered garden areas? Hopefully, the gardener, who comes about every two weeks, has done much of the work. What about inside? Have there been any leaks and has the paint begun peeling? The previous owners had said that yearly touch-up painting is necessary. That means we still have until February.Has the issue with CFE (the electric company) been resolved? A more thorough explanation will be forthcoming, but let's just say that a bill was mailed to our address, in the previous owner's name, for the period from September, 2010 through June, 2011 in the amount of 35,000 pesos (at today's rate 2,582 USD). We bought the home in February, 2011, but did not change the account to our name because they were staying until the middle of April and there was no meter. They were being billed a flat monthly rate (or so they thought), so we left the account in their name until around May 1. A new meter was finally installed either in June or early July. It seems that CFE decided to estimate their monthly usage ( most likely based on the fact that there are seven mini-split units in the house) and back-bill for all those months. We were instructed to pay the bill within 10 days, or what? I'm assuming it means that they will stop electric service. I placed a call to the previous owner and he is filing a complaint with CFE. His final statement indicated that the account was paid in full. I instructed our property manager to pay the May-June amount, which is our responsibility, and we will wait to see what happens. Oh yes, the reason they had no meter was because the original meter was faulty and they would lose electricity for 4-5 hours every day. It took CFE over 10 months to replace the meter. I was going to save this story for another time, when the issue has been resolved, but this is as much as I know right now. I'm keeping fingers crossed that we have electricity when we arrive on 1 November.
About the feet. For the past year I have endured a fairly severe plantar fasciitis. Essentially this means that the plantar tendon is inflamed and causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot. Standing on hard floors for long periods (as I often do at work) results in my feet feeling as though I have badly bruised them by jumping on hard rocks. I hobble to my car in the parking garage wondering if I will ever be able to walk again without pain. Sitting for long periods and sleeping also result in pain on arising, which dissipates after an hour or so. When I was in Mérida in July, I was not able to do much walking. Just going from the house over to the Paseo Montejo or to Plaza Grande was very uncomfortable.
Long story short, I finally saw a podiatrist who started me on stretching exercises, arch supports, icing the feet nightly and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. I saw him today and told him I would be in Mexico for 10 days, so we decided that an injection of steroids into each heel would be in order (it didn't hurt as much as I anticipated). Here's hoping I will be able to walk as much as I like for our entire stay.
I had a severe case of plantar f several years ago. After learning the stretching exercises and doing them EVERY morning before I get out of bed I have not had another.... I also always wear shoes with good arch supports! Here's to a good recovery for you so you can enjoy Merida to the fullest!PQ
ReplyDeleteI was hobbling last trip because of what I assumed were callouses. Turns out they were plantar warts! I've been going to the foot doc every two or three weeks all summer, and a big motivation to do it was knowing how much walking Merida required. And after all, a walkable city is what I wanted. So I darn well better be walking around!
ReplyDeleteHere's another vote for stretching. It made a huge difference and now I can walk forever. I hope you have power when you get back, and if you need anything be sure to call me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes everyone. I'm hoping the injections will give me a quick jump-start on the inflammation. The doc says 50-75% improvement very fast, so that is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteAs for the CFE bill, I'm sure Ruben will make sure we have electricity, even if he has to put aside his usual pleasant manner and go strong-arm the utility people!
Another PF sufferer here. I'm better now, do some stretches but not as often as I should and I now wear flip flops with better support. Frankly, that's almost all it took, I'm still limping a bit when I first stand up but after that I'm fine.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with CFE, it's hard to win when fighting with a monopoly especially a govt owned one.
Enjoy you're time in Merida....The weather now is soooo much better than July.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonna. Feet already feel much better in less than 24 hours after the injections. I'm going to get serious about the stretching. Yes, we will see with CFE. Certainly the previous owners will be responsible for their portion, which is most of the cost.
ReplyDeleteSara and Ty- thank you! We are looking forward to the improved weather. Sitting here waiting to get a warm shower with the heat turned up to 68 degrees F. It is chilly in Virginia.
I struggled with P.F. For about six months, and after my MD. Tried all the meds and shots, he reffered me to an accupuncturist. Being totally sceptical, I went anyway, and wow! Within 4 weeks the pain was TOTALLY gone, and has not been back in about seven years. (the other plus, was not hearing my partner grouse about all the bruises I was causing by wearing that awful "boot" in bed at night!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Robert. I did not even think of acupuncture , but will definitely consider it if my current regimen doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteThose injections really did the trick for my PF. Also, getting custom orthotic insoles and wearing them religiously. Doctor says: walk barefoot on warm sand. Isn't that the best prescription ever? Good luck. Maybe you'll just have to spend more time with your feet up beside a pool.
ReplyDeleteThe injections have made a huge difference already. I like the warm sand idea!
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