For as long as she can remember, Bailey Krull of Waverly has lived with bunions. The painful bump didn’t just cause swelling and soreness, it kept her from wearing the stylish shoes she loved. “My grandma and mom both had bunions, and I saw them struggle my whole life. I knew I didn’t want to live that way, so I wanted to intervene early,” she explained.
Nearly 17 years ago, Bailey had surgery on her right foot. Over time, her left foot became just as painful. “I was sick of the constant pain. Honestly, it affected most things I did. Even lying down hurt. I love fashion and shoes, but I couldn’t wear many of the shoes I wanted because they either didn’t fit or were too painful.”
When it came time for her second surgery, the choice was clear. “I work at Waverly Health Center (WHC), so I know it’s a great place to be. Dr. Kathie Whitt told me she operates at WHC and another facility, but I chose WHC because I know the surgery team is top notch. I knew I’d get the best, most personalized care here.”
From her first pre-op phone call to recovery, Bailey felt supported. “The nurse walked me through what to expect and answered all of my questions. On the day of surgery, everyone was so knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable. They even kept my husband informed the whole time, which meant a lot.”
Even as a nurse herself, Bailey admits she was nervous. “I knew a lot of the people caring for me, but it’s still nerve-wracking! What helped was how obvious it was that everyone knew exactly what they were doing. They treated me like I mattered as a person, not just a number.”
Recovery wasn’t easy, but Bailey felt well prepared. “You must be non-weight bearing for several weeks, which is harder than you’d think. Even getting to the bathroom felt like a workout! Dr. Whitt’s team gave me detailed instructions ahead of time, like clearing pathways in my house and getting a shower chair. Those were things I wouldn’t have thought of, but they made all the difference.”
Now post-op, Bailey says the difference is life changing. “I feel great. The pain is virtually gone. It is such a huge relief.” She’s back in tennis shoes full-time, hiking mountains and exploring the world one step at a time.
