So, here's what's been going on with me.

The first week of August the big toe on my right foot was a little sore.  It felt like I had stubbed it or something.  Like an idiot I figured it would go away.
That weekend me, my husband and daughter went on a short camping trip in a national park just a couple of towns over from where I live.  Toe was still a bit sore but I didn't want to spoil everyone's weekend.
Saturday morning toe was swollen and hurting more.  Tried elevating my feet and soaking the foot in cold water.
Sunday morning my toe was swollen to twice it's size and the pain was horrendous.  I had my daughter drive me into town to urgent care.
Urgent care doctor couldn't decide if it was gout or an infection.  He sent me home with antibiotics and pain killers and told me to follow up with my doctor by the end of the week.
Next day the pain was unbearable.  Went to a specialist/podiatrist and the minute she saw me she said "you're going to the hospital."

Turns out I had a raging infection.  A normal white blood cell count is around 10, when they admitted me, mine was 20.  If I had not gone to that specialist when I did it's likely I would've died.

Sadly, the toe was in such bad shape that they had to amputate.  They kept me on a constant flow of IV antibiotics.
I was in the hospital for a week and had two surgeries on my foot.  Because of the level of infection it had to be treated very aggressively.  They let me go home but put a picc line in my arm and I still had to be on IV antibiotics 3 times a day until September 22.  A home nurse came and taught my husband how to give me the treatments.
Of course I also had to stay off my foot as much as possible so with that and the drugs I have been out of work all this time too.

Now, the good news.  We got the infection cleared up and my foot has healed very well.  Finished the drug treatments last week and I am walking and practicing driving.  My mobility is good.  Much better than I expected it to be so soon.  I plan to go back to work this coming Monday.  Hubby has been my rock.  He has taken such great care of me, physically and mentally.  So grateful for him.

Now, losing a toe is not a great thing and I think I learned not to ignore pain no matter how small it seems.  However it could've been so much worse.  I could've lost a foot, a leg, my life.  I am grateful for friends and family that supported me and kept my spirits up.  I am grateful for good health insurance and a job that gave me the time I needed to recover.  Mostly, I'm just damn happy to be here.    

Side Notes:

It seems silly to say I lost a toe.  I didn't lose it.  I know exactly where it went.

Yes, before you ask, I can still sometimes feel the toe and it does sometimes hurt.  A friend says that means my foot is haunted by a PolTOEgeist.  LOL

Once you get over the worst of it, recovery is long and boring.

Totally first world problem but I was heartbroken to have to miss my DragonCon this year!!!!!!

If anyone is curious enough to want to see my new foot, I have pictures.  It actually doesn't look that bad now that it is healed.