Feeling good (but slightly light blue) today... I haven't been in a store (except a few times to the grocery store) since my surgery. So today I asked my husband to take me to TJMaxx, as I needed to pick up a gift for my mother. On the way over I told him that if I couldn't find anything we could jump to the other TJMaxx location and also go into Marshalls. OMG - I couldn't have been walking around the store more than 10 minutes when I had to navigate to the back where they have furniture so I could sit down for a few minutes. After resting I made my way to the front of the store and told my husband we had to leave, and no I didn't want to go to Marshalls.
I was a bit upset as this is the first outing where I have felt this tired immediately. He reminded me that I am working a lot on my balance and walking "normally" and that takes a lot of work on my body, even though it's not the same as something more physical like riding the bike or doing my exercises. It made sense but I was no less deflated that I couldn't have the shopping excursion that I was looking forward to.
At PT today I was telling her that my sciatica is starting to rear its ugly head and we decided that I need to do some core exercises - maybe starting with some crunches at home, then on Friday she will work on others. I actually (used to) have superb core strength because of my dancing, but 10 weeks in a recliner (preceded by months of needing to cut down on my activity because of arthritis pain) has left me very weak in the middle. Doesn't help that I have blobs of stomach fat pulling my back forward! OMG - an hour of exercise isn't enough????? But I have to make this commitment if I am ever going to be "normal."
So, all in all, I'm a little blue right now. I have to read back to all the wonderful progress I've been making though. HOWEVER, I do have a "NSV" to report today: Not only did I get in the shower myself (which I actually accomplished a week or so ago) but I didn't announce it "just in case." The next NSV with regard to showering will be when I dare to do it when no one is home! So, a step forward... I guess.... maybe I'm not DARK blue! lol
Miriam
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Still figuring it out
First of all - thank you Babette and Carla for comments on my last post (and to all of you who have been commenting along the way). I did start this as a diary for myself so I could look back and track the three steps forward amidst the two steps back - but it does me good to know that people are reading this, and that some of you (Babette!) are finding the information useful for your future surgery. By the way - I was without cartilage for YEARS after my meniscus "repair" (which did nothing but leave me WORSE off which is why I am not having it done in the other knee) and went through everything: unloader brace, cortisone injections for the pain, Synvisc injections to add a cushion, several rounds of PT, Chinese massage, Chinese herbs, cursing and praying all in the same breath. I had more than one doctor who told me years ago that I should have done this, but I refused, thinking I was going to find the holy grail to recovery. I went from doctor to doctor - even to one who has pioneered implanted cartilage (but I wasn't a candidate because I had none that an implant could grab onto and grow). Not that I shouldn't have waited so long, but I know now the inevitable. Hopefully I can avoid surgery on the other knee, but when the doctor says it's time I'm not going to fight it.
So what am I still figuring out? Medication for one. As I said in my earlier post I am going to stick with my one Vicadin and Tylenol in the mornings for a while. Since I take it early enough I'm not concerned about having to drive to work (oh to answer another question I got: Yes, I do have an office job so I'm not on my feet - the only reason I didn't return THIS week was because I have an hour's commute - if I'm lucky - each way, and I wanted to be more confident in my driving before tackling it). What I am trying to figure out is the change over to OTC pain medication. Right now I am taking Piroxicam, a super-duper ibuprofen that you can take only once a day. However, since I am trying to come off the Vicadin and Percocet at night, I want to switch over to Advil PM, which I can't take because I take the Piroxicam in the morning. I have another week's supply of the Piroxicam but I think I am going to switch to regular Advil tomorrow throughout the day with the Advil PM at night, and see how it goes. If it doesn't help my sleep I'll see what Aleve will do during the day, going back to one Vicadin or Percocet at night. Okay - so why am I playing pharmacist you ask? Because the doctor's instructions were: Just experiment and see what works. I know the limits on all the medications (both prescribed and OTC) and I know what can and cannot be combined. So I'm just playing around until I find what works. By the time I figure it out, though, I won't need anything anymore anyway! But meanwhile it's a distraction and I feel like I am in control of my own pain management, which is nice.
What else am I figuring out? The home therapy program. I gathered all my exercises (every time I go to PT I get adjustments or new exercises so I have them all written down on several different papers) and got a nice big index card. On one side I put my "Sitting and Standing" exercises and on the other side I put all my "Bed" (lying down) exercises. So today I broke the PT into two sessions, each beginning with 10 minute on the bike. I thought I would like that better - but I didn't. Instead of having it all over at once (which takes a full hour), all afternoon I dreaded having to do the second set. So I decided I am just going to bite the bullet and do the full hour all at once. At least it's not 2 or 3 x 1hr like it had been. I'm going to have to discipline myself to get up early enough to do the exercises before work. I sure am not going to feel like doing them when I get home!
Today's "NSV" : We went to the grocery store and I didn't even have my cane in the car! I forgot to bring it! AND when I was walking I slowed down so I could pay attention to every single step so that they were even, without a limp or sway. Except for the speed, someone looking at me would not have known that I was learning to walk all over again. (Well, I don't think so!)
So another good step forward!
Miriam
So what am I still figuring out? Medication for one. As I said in my earlier post I am going to stick with my one Vicadin and Tylenol in the mornings for a while. Since I take it early enough I'm not concerned about having to drive to work (oh to answer another question I got: Yes, I do have an office job so I'm not on my feet - the only reason I didn't return THIS week was because I have an hour's commute - if I'm lucky - each way, and I wanted to be more confident in my driving before tackling it). What I am trying to figure out is the change over to OTC pain medication. Right now I am taking Piroxicam, a super-duper ibuprofen that you can take only once a day. However, since I am trying to come off the Vicadin and Percocet at night, I want to switch over to Advil PM, which I can't take because I take the Piroxicam in the morning. I have another week's supply of the Piroxicam but I think I am going to switch to regular Advil tomorrow throughout the day with the Advil PM at night, and see how it goes. If it doesn't help my sleep I'll see what Aleve will do during the day, going back to one Vicadin or Percocet at night. Okay - so why am I playing pharmacist you ask? Because the doctor's instructions were: Just experiment and see what works. I know the limits on all the medications (both prescribed and OTC) and I know what can and cannot be combined. So I'm just playing around until I find what works. By the time I figure it out, though, I won't need anything anymore anyway! But meanwhile it's a distraction and I feel like I am in control of my own pain management, which is nice.
What else am I figuring out? The home therapy program. I gathered all my exercises (every time I go to PT I get adjustments or new exercises so I have them all written down on several different papers) and got a nice big index card. On one side I put my "Sitting and Standing" exercises and on the other side I put all my "Bed" (lying down) exercises. So today I broke the PT into two sessions, each beginning with 10 minute on the bike. I thought I would like that better - but I didn't. Instead of having it all over at once (which takes a full hour), all afternoon I dreaded having to do the second set. So I decided I am just going to bite the bullet and do the full hour all at once. At least it's not 2 or 3 x 1hr like it had been. I'm going to have to discipline myself to get up early enough to do the exercises before work. I sure am not going to feel like doing them when I get home!
Today's "NSV" : We went to the grocery store and I didn't even have my cane in the car! I forgot to bring it! AND when I was walking I slowed down so I could pay attention to every single step so that they were even, without a limp or sway. Except for the speed, someone looking at me would not have known that I was learning to walk all over again. (Well, I don't think so!)
So another good step forward!
Miriam
Monday, July 25, 2011
Some good progress
I sent my computer for two days of beauty so didn't have it to make my posts. Two days of beauty you ask? A full cleaning and check-up at Staples - instead of a couple of hours it was a couple of days. But it's back and I'm happy.
I had my physical therapy this morning after a really crappy weekend. I just wasn't feeling well, and my knee and incision were bothering me. The therapist said that when there are changes in weather (like it has been) that I shouldn't be surprised that the incision hurt. She said going from hot to cold to hot, dry to wet to dry, will cause pulling on the incision - and not just what I see on the top - all the internal incisions and scars as well. It was a valuable piece of information that I will remember next time it goes from 103 degrees to 78!
When I went to PT on Friday she was concerned about my leg extension (I am so hyper-vigilant about range of motion, that I forget how important it is to straighten the leg as well). I was more attentive to the exercises for that (every bit as painful as the ones where you have to bend the knee) and this morning she was just amazed. I am now 1 degree from where the extension should be. I am also over the degree of bend that they got in the hospital during the manipulation. So all in all - regardless of how it feels - my knee is doing well and responding to all the exercise and therapy. I'm working really hard now on strength so that I can go up and down stairs, and balance, so that I can walk nice and evenly with no limp.
I told my husband on the way home that maybe the end is in sight for outpatient PT. For sure I will go all through August, and dwindle from there to maybe once a week, but maybe I will be done even before that. My exercises at home take a full hour, and as long as I am faithful to those, I am sure the progress will continue at lightening speed. The therapist said also that as I move more during the day that my home PT can be done once a day, although the stretching should be done at least twice. That's good to know. Right now I don't mind the full hour twice a day, but I am planning to go back to work next week, and would hate to have to find the time (and energy) for two hours of exercise.
I am still juggling my medication. Yesterday I didn't take any Vicadin and struggled through my morning PT, and felt awful all day. I also didn't take any at night but slept well. So I think maybe I should continue with one Vicadin and one Tylenol in the morning, then switch over to Advil for the rest of the day IF I need it. So it's a major cut-down, but not a total cutting out. I also give myself permission to take it as needed and not to be a martyr. As the therapist said, there are still many days ahead that won't be the best, and I have to go with the flow.
OH! And I didn't have my computer to report this: I went on my first solo drive Saturday morning. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miriam
I had my physical therapy this morning after a really crappy weekend. I just wasn't feeling well, and my knee and incision were bothering me. The therapist said that when there are changes in weather (like it has been) that I shouldn't be surprised that the incision hurt. She said going from hot to cold to hot, dry to wet to dry, will cause pulling on the incision - and not just what I see on the top - all the internal incisions and scars as well. It was a valuable piece of information that I will remember next time it goes from 103 degrees to 78!
When I went to PT on Friday she was concerned about my leg extension (I am so hyper-vigilant about range of motion, that I forget how important it is to straighten the leg as well). I was more attentive to the exercises for that (every bit as painful as the ones where you have to bend the knee) and this morning she was just amazed. I am now 1 degree from where the extension should be. I am also over the degree of bend that they got in the hospital during the manipulation. So all in all - regardless of how it feels - my knee is doing well and responding to all the exercise and therapy. I'm working really hard now on strength so that I can go up and down stairs, and balance, so that I can walk nice and evenly with no limp.
I told my husband on the way home that maybe the end is in sight for outpatient PT. For sure I will go all through August, and dwindle from there to maybe once a week, but maybe I will be done even before that. My exercises at home take a full hour, and as long as I am faithful to those, I am sure the progress will continue at lightening speed. The therapist said also that as I move more during the day that my home PT can be done once a day, although the stretching should be done at least twice. That's good to know. Right now I don't mind the full hour twice a day, but I am planning to go back to work next week, and would hate to have to find the time (and energy) for two hours of exercise.
I am still juggling my medication. Yesterday I didn't take any Vicadin and struggled through my morning PT, and felt awful all day. I also didn't take any at night but slept well. So I think maybe I should continue with one Vicadin and one Tylenol in the morning, then switch over to Advil for the rest of the day IF I need it. So it's a major cut-down, but not a total cutting out. I also give myself permission to take it as needed and not to be a martyr. As the therapist said, there are still many days ahead that won't be the best, and I have to go with the flow.
OH! And I didn't have my computer to report this: I went on my first solo drive Saturday morning. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miriam
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A tough night
Boy - I had my worst night since coming home from the hospital. (Well, maybe it wasn't the worst - but it was pretty bad!) I was up and in pain constantly during the night. I took meds at 10PM, 2AM, 6AM and 10AM. I haven't done that - not EVEN when I came home from the hospital (but haven't taken anything all day so I am still within my 24-hour limits). What I think caused it were the flutter kicks that I added in my pool therapy on Monday and did with a little too much gusto yesterday in my own pool.
I was glad to see my physical therapist this morning to have her evaluate the situation. She said the "danger" with pool exercises is that they feel SO GOOD while you are in the pool that you tend to keep going even when you've reached the number of reps prescribed by the therapist. She said I don't have to discontinue the flutters, just scale back - maybe twice for 10 seconds instead of four times for 15 seconds. Today when I was in the pool I didn't do any. When the "flare up" subsides I'll do her 2x10 recommendation. This will be my permanent therapist through August (she hadn't seen me since intake) and she was very impressed with my progress.
It seems that I've put away the cane - almost for good. I have it handy but have been using it less and less. I will just reiterate what I said the other day: If you are having this surgery do NOT do it in the winter if you have an ice and snow climate! I have to walk with a great deal of awareness in order not to limp, sway, or not walk normally in other ways. My therapist started me today with some balance exercises so that should make a big difference in the walking too.
I got the definitive answer on home PT. Twice ONLY. Either two land or one land and one pool. She said that in the evening if I am feeling restless I can use the bike and do some stretches but the heavy-duty things (like the range-of-motion exercises) or strength-building exercises (like the stairs) to not do more than two sets in a day. She added two exercises to my program, and now I'm feeling that it's really rounded out and this should keep me for a couple of weeks at least.
"NSV" - step over step going up AND down the steps going in and out of the PT building. The steps are very shallow though (only about 3-4 inches high) - I can't do it at home but it felt nice to do it SOMEWHERE! And only with the railing - no cane or crutch on the other side!
Have a great evening!
Miriam
p.s. One of my blog-friends linked her blog to mine today and I want to reciprocate but I don't see the function here on my site so I want to put it here - it's a great site, and I've learned a lot on it:
http://washdryandfold.blogspot.com
I was glad to see my physical therapist this morning to have her evaluate the situation. She said the "danger" with pool exercises is that they feel SO GOOD while you are in the pool that you tend to keep going even when you've reached the number of reps prescribed by the therapist. She said I don't have to discontinue the flutters, just scale back - maybe twice for 10 seconds instead of four times for 15 seconds. Today when I was in the pool I didn't do any. When the "flare up" subsides I'll do her 2x10 recommendation. This will be my permanent therapist through August (she hadn't seen me since intake) and she was very impressed with my progress.
It seems that I've put away the cane - almost for good. I have it handy but have been using it less and less. I will just reiterate what I said the other day: If you are having this surgery do NOT do it in the winter if you have an ice and snow climate! I have to walk with a great deal of awareness in order not to limp, sway, or not walk normally in other ways. My therapist started me today with some balance exercises so that should make a big difference in the walking too.
I got the definitive answer on home PT. Twice ONLY. Either two land or one land and one pool. She said that in the evening if I am feeling restless I can use the bike and do some stretches but the heavy-duty things (like the range-of-motion exercises) or strength-building exercises (like the stairs) to not do more than two sets in a day. She added two exercises to my program, and now I'm feeling that it's really rounded out and this should keep me for a couple of weeks at least.
"NSV" - step over step going up AND down the steps going in and out of the PT building. The steps are very shallow though (only about 3-4 inches high) - I can't do it at home but it felt nice to do it SOMEWHERE! And only with the railing - no cane or crutch on the other side!
Have a great evening!
Miriam
p.s. One of my blog-friends linked her blog to mine today and I want to reciprocate but I don't see the function here on my site so I want to put it here - it's a great site, and I've learned a lot on it:
http://washdryandfold.blogspot.com
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
How do you know it's time? - 8th week anniversary!
Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to stay home. I would have no problem with retirement or working from home. HOWEVER... when I am saying to myself that I wish I had my car (it's committed elsewhere until August 1st) and I am SO ready to go to my office (despite the 100 degree weather and the fact that I have a beautiful pool) then even *I* know it's time to move on.
I said to someone today that I felt like taking off my leg and banging it against a tree. Oh my - where did that come from? I think I'm just feeling restless and tired of not feeling "normal." Almost as soon as I finish exercising my knee is tight again... I've been reading (a lot) that the swelling and stiffness can go on for upwards of a year - which I knew... but that doesn't make me any less tired of it all. I also know that I still don't regret doing this - not even for one moment. I love that the pain from the arthritis is no longer there, and that I'm not dragging my right leg anymore, or holding on to things even to stand. So it's a little tight... I'm a little restless. I'm sure I'll get over it and be dreaming back to the days when I was sitting home ALL day long doing NOTHING.
To my friends who are worried that I am doing too much. DON"T WORRY. That is not the case. I am NOT pushing myself beyond reasonable limits with my exercises. And all my excursions out of the house, collectively, are equivalent to the walking I should be doing every day. It just sounds like a lot because it's so miraculous that after such a surgery I am up and about so much. Remember - not only was it major surgery (in terms of length and intricacy) but they took my BONES out for goodness sakes. Granted... they were replaced... but still... and that's what I have to remember whenever I doubt my progress.
I'm feeling a little anxious - nothing to do with what is going on with ME, but because I am home I have plenty of time to "dwell." And that's all part of the restlessness. Thank heavens it hasn't dipped into depression, something extremely common several weeks into this recovery. In addition to the depression, which thank heavens I have been spared, it is also common not to sleep well for at least the first three months following surgery. I was happy to read that because then I realized that I was "normal" with that, which was good to know. Instead of BATTLING fatigue and restlessness I will just try to go with the flow... take it at face value - that it's not any different from anything else that other post-surgical TKR patients are going through. It's not me.... it's IT.
Now that I'm out of the acute stages I'm on to the mundane.... which is a good thing!
Miriam
I said to someone today that I felt like taking off my leg and banging it against a tree. Oh my - where did that come from? I think I'm just feeling restless and tired of not feeling "normal." Almost as soon as I finish exercising my knee is tight again... I've been reading (a lot) that the swelling and stiffness can go on for upwards of a year - which I knew... but that doesn't make me any less tired of it all. I also know that I still don't regret doing this - not even for one moment. I love that the pain from the arthritis is no longer there, and that I'm not dragging my right leg anymore, or holding on to things even to stand. So it's a little tight... I'm a little restless. I'm sure I'll get over it and be dreaming back to the days when I was sitting home ALL day long doing NOTHING.
To my friends who are worried that I am doing too much. DON"T WORRY. That is not the case. I am NOT pushing myself beyond reasonable limits with my exercises. And all my excursions out of the house, collectively, are equivalent to the walking I should be doing every day. It just sounds like a lot because it's so miraculous that after such a surgery I am up and about so much. Remember - not only was it major surgery (in terms of length and intricacy) but they took my BONES out for goodness sakes. Granted... they were replaced... but still... and that's what I have to remember whenever I doubt my progress.
I'm feeling a little anxious - nothing to do with what is going on with ME, but because I am home I have plenty of time to "dwell." And that's all part of the restlessness. Thank heavens it hasn't dipped into depression, something extremely common several weeks into this recovery. In addition to the depression, which thank heavens I have been spared, it is also common not to sleep well for at least the first three months following surgery. I was happy to read that because then I realized that I was "normal" with that, which was good to know. Instead of BATTLING fatigue and restlessness I will just try to go with the flow... take it at face value - that it's not any different from anything else that other post-surgical TKR patients are going through. It's not me.... it's IT.
Now that I'm out of the acute stages I'm on to the mundane.... which is a good thing!
Miriam
Monday, July 18, 2011
So many corners... so little time....
Every time I turn a corner there's another corner! Well, at least it's interesting and not one long flat road to nowhere! I usually write my entries in the evening but Saturday and Sunday were SO exhausting (and today is proving to be another exhausting day) that I figured I had better sit down and write early in the day.
Saturday I visited my mother's nursing home to celebrate her 95th birthday! The morning started with my PT, then a long drive (for me, anyway) to the nursing home. 2-3 hours at the party, long drive home, hanging some laundry, PT again. I remember that there was something that I wanted to write about the day (in terms of my recovery) but can't remember now. 'Nuff said that it was a busy day with a lot of time on my feet, lots of time in the car, and hot hot weather. Also - my first full day without the cane! One foot in front of the other, nice and slowly... I got where I had to go... all on my own!
Yesterday I do remember: After my morning PT I spent about 2 hours straightening up the house - not that it was two hours' worth of work... remember how slowly I move! Then out grocery shopping. Just as I closed my eyes to try to recoup some strength my company started arriving. Spent the afternoon out at the pool, swimming, entertaining, putting out appetizers then setting the table for dinner. Thank heavens my husband is a great chef so I didn't have to cook anything - and everyone did offer to help me with the incidentals - but when you have people over it's still a lot of work even if someone else takes over the bulk of it. OMG I was so exhausted by the time that last dish went in the dishwasher (second full load) - no pain though :) :) and that is a HUGE improvement over the arthritis. Before the surgery with a day like that - I would have to get into bed before people even left, and I was lucky if I recovered from the pain by the next day. This TKR really is a miracle.
This morning I had killer pool therapy. I finally begged to cut it 5 minutes short! I had a HUGE victory: when I went into the pool the first time I said my ultimate goal (pool-wise) was going to be able to get out of the pool using the stairs that are carved into the wall of the pool in the deep end. The olympic pool that I will be using for swimming and water walking ONLY has those stairs. I mentioned that to the therapist I had today (the third one I've worked with) and she said - let's do that right now. OMG - I got out of the pool. It took a huge amount of upper body strength but I did it. We practiced it over and over again, and I think I can do it! The first few times I use the "real" pool, though I will ask the life guard to come over and be with me. Not so much to help, but if I grunt and struggle and even fall back into the water he/she won't be startled that I'm flubbing around so much trying to get out of the pool.
I already did my land therapy today (not too much whining - it's getting better) and now the pool therapy. So, except for maybe a few times with the bike throughout the day I might be done for the day. Although... I'm getting quite excited about my exercises for going up and down the stairs. I can actually make it up step-over-step and I want to keep practicing that. The down needs a lot of work, but I'm encouraged with the up success.
All in all a good day. OH! And I didn't bring my cane with me to go in and out of physical therapy today. I'm getting more confident. I'm SO glad I am doing this recovery in the summer. It would be so brutal and disheartening to have to deal with this when there is snow and ice. Advice to anyone getting the surgery: Don't do it in the winter if you live in a climate with snow and ice!
Have a great day!
Miriam
Saturday I visited my mother's nursing home to celebrate her 95th birthday! The morning started with my PT, then a long drive (for me, anyway) to the nursing home. 2-3 hours at the party, long drive home, hanging some laundry, PT again. I remember that there was something that I wanted to write about the day (in terms of my recovery) but can't remember now. 'Nuff said that it was a busy day with a lot of time on my feet, lots of time in the car, and hot hot weather. Also - my first full day without the cane! One foot in front of the other, nice and slowly... I got where I had to go... all on my own!
Yesterday I do remember: After my morning PT I spent about 2 hours straightening up the house - not that it was two hours' worth of work... remember how slowly I move! Then out grocery shopping. Just as I closed my eyes to try to recoup some strength my company started arriving. Spent the afternoon out at the pool, swimming, entertaining, putting out appetizers then setting the table for dinner. Thank heavens my husband is a great chef so I didn't have to cook anything - and everyone did offer to help me with the incidentals - but when you have people over it's still a lot of work even if someone else takes over the bulk of it. OMG I was so exhausted by the time that last dish went in the dishwasher (second full load) - no pain though :) :) and that is a HUGE improvement over the arthritis. Before the surgery with a day like that - I would have to get into bed before people even left, and I was lucky if I recovered from the pain by the next day. This TKR really is a miracle.
This morning I had killer pool therapy. I finally begged to cut it 5 minutes short! I had a HUGE victory: when I went into the pool the first time I said my ultimate goal (pool-wise) was going to be able to get out of the pool using the stairs that are carved into the wall of the pool in the deep end. The olympic pool that I will be using for swimming and water walking ONLY has those stairs. I mentioned that to the therapist I had today (the third one I've worked with) and she said - let's do that right now. OMG - I got out of the pool. It took a huge amount of upper body strength but I did it. We practiced it over and over again, and I think I can do it! The first few times I use the "real" pool, though I will ask the life guard to come over and be with me. Not so much to help, but if I grunt and struggle and even fall back into the water he/she won't be startled that I'm flubbing around so much trying to get out of the pool.
I already did my land therapy today (not too much whining - it's getting better) and now the pool therapy. So, except for maybe a few times with the bike throughout the day I might be done for the day. Although... I'm getting quite excited about my exercises for going up and down the stairs. I can actually make it up step-over-step and I want to keep practicing that. The down needs a lot of work, but I'm encouraged with the up success.
All in all a good day. OH! And I didn't bring my cane with me to go in and out of physical therapy today. I'm getting more confident. I'm SO glad I am doing this recovery in the summer. It would be so brutal and disheartening to have to deal with this when there is snow and ice. Advice to anyone getting the surgery: Don't do it in the winter if you live in a climate with snow and ice!
Have a great day!
Miriam
Friday, July 15, 2011
God works in mysterious ways....
So I am all set (and excited) to see the therapist I worked with - the very gentle therapist with the healing hands who put me so at ease when I first started physical therapy. She keeps her own book (she is the director) and when I signed in, it turns out she had put someone else in my slot who was already there talking with her. There was one therapist who had JUST had a cancellation (which hardly ever happens there) and who should it be, but the therapist who kicked butt in the pool and also "yelled" at me one day for not wearing sneakers when she saw me working with another therapist. And when I saw her this week in the pool (she was not my therapist) she got on me about using the crutch and said I should be without it already. When I found out it was her I was so upset and almost walked out. But since my next land therapy isn't until next Wednesday I sat and fumed and stayed for the appointment. As soon as I saw her I said - "Don't yell at me for not wearing sneakers," and I was glad I had my cane and not my crutch.
The first thing she did was take away the cane and said "Walk without it. The only thing standing in your way is fear." She then explained WHY I should wear sneakers (instead of sandals) which made perfect sense. Then she explained WHY I should get off the cane/crutch. Then she explained WHY I shouldn't sit in the shower (which she knew I did on Wednesday because I asked for the handicapped bathroom). We also talked a lot about breaking through fear and how that is keeping me from really pushing to where I can be. She said she watches me in the pool and knows that I'm strong and motivated and quite capable of pushing myself. She spoke to me a lot about not being afraid of hurting myself and that pain is not the end of the world and that I should trust what my doctor said - unless I fall out a window chances are very slight I will hurt my knee. She also said I am too much in my head and I have to start getting things into my body.
I asked her for a home therapy program because I am getting so confused with all the exercises I have to pick and choose from. She took the program I had been sent home with the hospital and said it is time to put that away and those exercises are no longer necessary and that I have to challenge myself and start building muscles to move into real life (walking, stairs, etc.). She gave me an excellent (but hard) home program that I have to do only once, maybe twice a day. (Of course, with the understanding that I no longer be a couch potato and that I also use the pool.) There were a few exercise that I did not already know and she showed me the correct way to do them - the hardest being the two new quad exercises. She showed all the incorrect ways that will produce pain (and I did them incorrectly along with her so I would get the connection in my own body) and then the correct ways which were - although difficult - surprisingly pain-free.
THEN we went to the gym where she had me work on a stretch on the recumbent bike, moving the seat closer than what was comfortable for an easy rotation. As a matter of fact the point was to move the seat so close that I couldn't do a rotation. I got to the top of the arc and said to her - what do I do if my leg goes over and around. And she said "Let it. If you hear a pop don't worry - it's scar tissue breaking. It's good for you." And all of a sudden the flood gates opened and I started crying. She asked what was wrong and I told her I was afraid. "Afraid of what?" I answered, "The pain. The damage." She assured me (reminding me again of what the doctor said) that I won't do any damage. And I asked - "What if I scream?" She said, "So scream." Then she told me a story about a client of hers who, like me, needed a manipulation because her range of motion was only about 80 degrees. She refused to have it and no matter how she tried on her own she couldn't increase the range by more than a few degrees. About two weeks later she had a fall. She heard a loud pop, and never felt better - she had broken her own scar tissue in the fall! -- Certainly moving my legs on a bike is not more dangerous than falling! We laughed, the tears dried, I went all the way around, and I didn't even scream.
Once the appointment was over I went to the schedule desk and moved most of my August appointments over to her schedule! Now I can't wait to see her again. It was kismet that the original therapist didn't have me in her book, and that this other therapist's client cancelled, and that I didn't walk out.
Conquer the fear. That is this weekend's mantra!
Miriam
The first thing she did was take away the cane and said "Walk without it. The only thing standing in your way is fear." She then explained WHY I should wear sneakers (instead of sandals) which made perfect sense. Then she explained WHY I should get off the cane/crutch. Then she explained WHY I shouldn't sit in the shower (which she knew I did on Wednesday because I asked for the handicapped bathroom). We also talked a lot about breaking through fear and how that is keeping me from really pushing to where I can be. She said she watches me in the pool and knows that I'm strong and motivated and quite capable of pushing myself. She spoke to me a lot about not being afraid of hurting myself and that pain is not the end of the world and that I should trust what my doctor said - unless I fall out a window chances are very slight I will hurt my knee. She also said I am too much in my head and I have to start getting things into my body.
I asked her for a home therapy program because I am getting so confused with all the exercises I have to pick and choose from. She took the program I had been sent home with the hospital and said it is time to put that away and those exercises are no longer necessary and that I have to challenge myself and start building muscles to move into real life (walking, stairs, etc.). She gave me an excellent (but hard) home program that I have to do only once, maybe twice a day. (Of course, with the understanding that I no longer be a couch potato and that I also use the pool.) There were a few exercise that I did not already know and she showed me the correct way to do them - the hardest being the two new quad exercises. She showed all the incorrect ways that will produce pain (and I did them incorrectly along with her so I would get the connection in my own body) and then the correct ways which were - although difficult - surprisingly pain-free.
THEN we went to the gym where she had me work on a stretch on the recumbent bike, moving the seat closer than what was comfortable for an easy rotation. As a matter of fact the point was to move the seat so close that I couldn't do a rotation. I got to the top of the arc and said to her - what do I do if my leg goes over and around. And she said "Let it. If you hear a pop don't worry - it's scar tissue breaking. It's good for you." And all of a sudden the flood gates opened and I started crying. She asked what was wrong and I told her I was afraid. "Afraid of what?" I answered, "The pain. The damage." She assured me (reminding me again of what the doctor said) that I won't do any damage. And I asked - "What if I scream?" She said, "So scream." Then she told me a story about a client of hers who, like me, needed a manipulation because her range of motion was only about 80 degrees. She refused to have it and no matter how she tried on her own she couldn't increase the range by more than a few degrees. About two weeks later she had a fall. She heard a loud pop, and never felt better - she had broken her own scar tissue in the fall! -- Certainly moving my legs on a bike is not more dangerous than falling! We laughed, the tears dried, I went all the way around, and I didn't even scream.
Once the appointment was over I went to the schedule desk and moved most of my August appointments over to her schedule! Now I can't wait to see her again. It was kismet that the original therapist didn't have me in her book, and that this other therapist's client cancelled, and that I didn't walk out.
Conquer the fear. That is this weekend's mantra!
Miriam
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Take a Dip
No ... not a swim dip. Not a sour cream dip. Not a Dairy Queen dip. Sigh... a motivation dip. For the same reason it's not a good idea to lose weight only for a special occasion, it's not a good idea to do PT just to grab the gold ring at a doctor's appointment. After my superlative high yesterday I was so down and unmotivated today. Really made me think of when I was in my first 5K race and told myself that the next day I would just rest. Then maybe another day... till I was no longer in racing shape. Or when I lost enough weight to fit into my wedding gown and then promptly gained about 30 pounds my first year of marriage.
Knowing that I could go backwards within a few days I did all my exercises. It didn't help that it was chilly today and I couldn't use the pool, but I did extra land exercises. I also tried out some of my belly dance moves. I'm starting to get very anxious about starting my classes again in September. My more advanced students said they would help with the beginner class (where I have to do the most dancing because it's the most demonstration) so that helped my anxiety a little bit. For the more advanced students, they are very good about letting me "direct traffic" after just a short demo of what I need them to do. They have been with me all through my arthritic years so they are used to my not being the most active teacher on the block.
So anyway I did just a few of a few moves and figured out what was safe and what is not yet safe. I think I am going to put that on hold until maybe mid-way through my August PT. Then I will have the therapist work with me through the drills I need to do for class. I'll have to accept wherever I am come September...
A Blue Cross/Blue Shield rep called me this afternoon (a service provided by BC/BS for post-surgical clients) and said I sound remarkably cheerful and upbeat. I told her that this was elective surgery and it would make no sense to be angry and upset about my situation. I chose this and I knew what I was in for. I am in pain more than I would like to be - and it's not necessarily limited to my knee - it includes my hip, shin, ankle and butt. My knee is swollen and hot. I'm tired of being cooped up. (Even though I have permission to drive, we are talking with just starting with short trips around the block - not on a main road yet - I'm not confident about the speed of my leg to go from brake to accelerator, or the strength needed for a quick braking motion. I gather most people just hop into the car and go, but I'm a little more cautious.) But through it all I'm not down or depressed... but have to admit I'm a little dipped.
I think that if I wasn't concerned about going back to work in two weeks and didn't have to worry about my classes in September I might be on a more even keel. But I can't hide from life just because I've had a knee replacement. And the other side of the coin is that maybe I am better off because I do have goals - they keep me grounded. I need to keep up with PT - even just for the "simple" things like learning to walk without a limp or going up and down stairs. I am going to talk to my therapist tomorrow about a home PT plan. As I said I have so many exercises now to pick and choose from I want to make sure I don't pick all desserts!
.....just as long as I don't double dip Ill be fine!
Miriam
Knowing that I could go backwards within a few days I did all my exercises. It didn't help that it was chilly today and I couldn't use the pool, but I did extra land exercises. I also tried out some of my belly dance moves. I'm starting to get very anxious about starting my classes again in September. My more advanced students said they would help with the beginner class (where I have to do the most dancing because it's the most demonstration) so that helped my anxiety a little bit. For the more advanced students, they are very good about letting me "direct traffic" after just a short demo of what I need them to do. They have been with me all through my arthritic years so they are used to my not being the most active teacher on the block.
So anyway I did just a few of a few moves and figured out what was safe and what is not yet safe. I think I am going to put that on hold until maybe mid-way through my August PT. Then I will have the therapist work with me through the drills I need to do for class. I'll have to accept wherever I am come September...
A Blue Cross/Blue Shield rep called me this afternoon (a service provided by BC/BS for post-surgical clients) and said I sound remarkably cheerful and upbeat. I told her that this was elective surgery and it would make no sense to be angry and upset about my situation. I chose this and I knew what I was in for. I am in pain more than I would like to be - and it's not necessarily limited to my knee - it includes my hip, shin, ankle and butt. My knee is swollen and hot. I'm tired of being cooped up. (Even though I have permission to drive, we are talking with just starting with short trips around the block - not on a main road yet - I'm not confident about the speed of my leg to go from brake to accelerator, or the strength needed for a quick braking motion. I gather most people just hop into the car and go, but I'm a little more cautious.) But through it all I'm not down or depressed... but have to admit I'm a little dipped.
I think that if I wasn't concerned about going back to work in two weeks and didn't have to worry about my classes in September I might be on a more even keel. But I can't hide from life just because I've had a knee replacement. And the other side of the coin is that maybe I am better off because I do have goals - they keep me grounded. I need to keep up with PT - even just for the "simple" things like learning to walk without a limp or going up and down stairs. I am going to talk to my therapist tomorrow about a home PT plan. As I said I have so many exercises now to pick and choose from I want to make sure I don't pick all desserts!
.....just as long as I don't double dip Ill be fine!
Miriam
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw the surgeon this afternoon. I was so anxious - afraid he would send me to the hospital for another manipulation. He asked me to bend my knee and just looking at it he said it was over 100 degrees, and sure enough, when it was measured it was 105. WHEW - what a relief! I passed!
Here are the questions and answers from today:
1) May I drive? YES
2) Can I switch to Aleve or Advil? YES - max 4 Aleve, max 8 Advil - whatever works best
3) What about the awful pain I get in my medial compartment? NOT TO WORRY. Because the leg was straightened there will be all sorts of pulling and tugging - but nothing to worry about.
4) I'm feeling very raw spots under the skin. Is it a sign I am hurting myself? NO- You won't do any damage to this knee unless you fall out a second story window.
5) What about pain in my shin and foot that might be related to my sciatica? BE CAREFUL WITH THAT. If you feel that it is in any way related to sciatica, don't do the exercise.
6) Can I do a full kick when I swim? YES
7) What about the immediate stiffening and swelling that I experience after any activity (even just standing still)? NOT TO WORRY. Swelling and stiffening can last up to a year. It's not an indication of anything to worry about - it's normal. As is the fact that my knee is hot to the touch - that can last a long time too.
8) Do I still need my cane and/or crutch? YES. Must walk with aide for a full 8 weeks following surgery. After that, I can go without, as long as I am comfortable (starting around the house).
9) Anything else I need to know? SEE YOU IN SIX MONTHS.
I practically skipped out of his office I was so happy.
I did have a miserable night last night - but I was expecting it because I had added so many new exercises to my routine. But now that I have talked to the doctor I know that I'm not hurting myself (other than I might not be able to bounce out of bed the next morning...). If I choose to push myself (like full-kick swimming or new exercises) I have to pay the piper but it's not a fall from a second-story window! HOWEVER - that being said there are plenty of things I cannot do - not even years after surgery. Fortunately they are not things that I would do anyway - like run and jog, or use heavy weights on leg machines, etc.
Today's "NSV"? I toured a nursing home (for my mother) after the doctor's appointment. And, even though I was dying to use a wheel chair (which was offered several times) I walked with just my cane, even though I was on my feet almost an hour. It would have been so easy to just have someone push me in the chair but I felt so good after my doctor's appointment, I decided that would be my "push" for the day.
Miriam
Here are the questions and answers from today:
1) May I drive? YES
2) Can I switch to Aleve or Advil? YES - max 4 Aleve, max 8 Advil - whatever works best
3) What about the awful pain I get in my medial compartment? NOT TO WORRY. Because the leg was straightened there will be all sorts of pulling and tugging - but nothing to worry about.
4) I'm feeling very raw spots under the skin. Is it a sign I am hurting myself? NO- You won't do any damage to this knee unless you fall out a second story window.
5) What about pain in my shin and foot that might be related to my sciatica? BE CAREFUL WITH THAT. If you feel that it is in any way related to sciatica, don't do the exercise.
6) Can I do a full kick when I swim? YES
7) What about the immediate stiffening and swelling that I experience after any activity (even just standing still)? NOT TO WORRY. Swelling and stiffening can last up to a year. It's not an indication of anything to worry about - it's normal. As is the fact that my knee is hot to the touch - that can last a long time too.
8) Do I still need my cane and/or crutch? YES. Must walk with aide for a full 8 weeks following surgery. After that, I can go without, as long as I am comfortable (starting around the house).
9) Anything else I need to know? SEE YOU IN SIX MONTHS.
I practically skipped out of his office I was so happy.
I did have a miserable night last night - but I was expecting it because I had added so many new exercises to my routine. But now that I have talked to the doctor I know that I'm not hurting myself (other than I might not be able to bounce out of bed the next morning...). If I choose to push myself (like full-kick swimming or new exercises) I have to pay the piper but it's not a fall from a second-story window! HOWEVER - that being said there are plenty of things I cannot do - not even years after surgery. Fortunately they are not things that I would do anyway - like run and jog, or use heavy weights on leg machines, etc.
Today's "NSV"? I toured a nursing home (for my mother) after the doctor's appointment. And, even though I was dying to use a wheel chair (which was offered several times) I walked with just my cane, even though I was on my feet almost an hour. It would have been so easy to just have someone push me in the chair but I felt so good after my doctor's appointment, I decided that would be my "push" for the day.
Miriam
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Making Choices
Today I planned out my lunch - 2 veggie burgers on a full roll. But then I wanted a sweet corn and a salad with oil. It took a lot of discussion verging on argument with myself, but I put away one of the burgers and 1/2 of the roll, which left plenty of room for the salad and corn. Just as well - I was stuffed from what I ate - no way I needed the second burger.
I found today with PT it's also about choices. I received my brasilian futebol (a small rubber ball used in Brazilian soccer) - a wonderful PT tool I learned about in my knee replacement bible. It's going to take a while to become comfortable with the workout (and to learn it without having to refer to the book and pictures) - but I did that instead of my "bed" exercises. Anyone who has been through TKR home PT knows what I'm talking about - we are given a set of exercises to do at home: one set standing, one set sitting, and one set laying down.
I am finding that as I am adding more and more exercises I have the discretion to pick and choose - as long as all the muscles are covered, I've done enough range-of-motion exercises, and I've spent enough time on them.
I am finding it as hard to make choices about my PT exercises as it is about making choices about what to eat. But, with practice I am sure it will all come more naturally.
I found today with PT it's also about choices. I received my brasilian futebol (a small rubber ball used in Brazilian soccer) - a wonderful PT tool I learned about in my knee replacement bible. It's going to take a while to become comfortable with the workout (and to learn it without having to refer to the book and pictures) - but I did that instead of my "bed" exercises. Anyone who has been through TKR home PT knows what I'm talking about - we are given a set of exercises to do at home: one set standing, one set sitting, and one set laying down.
I am finding that as I am adding more and more exercises I have the discretion to pick and choose - as long as all the muscles are covered, I've done enough range-of-motion exercises, and I've spent enough time on them.
I am finding it as hard to make choices about my PT exercises as it is about making choices about what to eat. But, with practice I am sure it will all come more naturally.
The exercises I have recently started are moving beyond the scope of the knee (although I have to do them because of the knee) - such as building glutes and quads. Boy I was sore as heck today. (Did I write that yesterday, too?) I am ALMOST motivated to add a few other things like crunches and light weights for upper body. The whole path to recovery is shaking my laziness out of mothballs. I can't allow myself to slack off. Even when my knee is totally recovered it is absolutely a "use it or lose it" situation - the phrase I heard and I like is "Motion is lotion." If I don't keep moving (not the intensive things I do now, but SOME movement) I will lose what I've gained. It would be the same if I didn't have a knee replacement - if you don't move your body pays the price. Our bodies are meant to move. This whole knee recovery is making me realize and respect that more than ever.
I didn't nap yesterday! As a result the late afternoon and early evening were much better than usual. I found that by around 7 I needed my crutch instead of my cane - my body was aching and tired, but I didn't have that sick feeling that I've been having upon waking from a nap. I will just have to move my bedtime up. I needed to record a 10PM show that I had been looking forward to for weeks. This is good, though, because hopefully my body will work it's way toward a more normal sleep cycle which is important for when I go back to work.
"NSV" for today? I got in and out of the shower myself without the use of my cane or my crutch. I do have grab bars in the shower, but until now that hasn't been enough. Today was a victory indeed!
Miriam
Monday, July 11, 2011
Ring! Ring!
Okay - a brand new "NSV" to add to my list of little, but important victories: The phone rang and I didn't have the cordless nearby. I actually got up from the recliner and made it to the kitchen phone before it stopped ringing! Darn - I couldn't even do that before my surgery! The arthritic stiffness would stop me dead in my tracks the minute I tried to stand after I'd been sitting even more than a few minutes!
Had PT this morning with a different person. (Starting next week I will be with the same two people through the end of August... right now they are dealing with summer vacations so it's catch as catch can.) It's interesting to see how each person has their own way of approaching the same protocol. I've been happy with everyone that has worked on me so no complaints - just interesting.
When I was going into the facility, without thinking, I took the first stair step-over-step (I learned that is the expression when you do stairs "normally" instead of one step at a time). They have very shallow steps so it didn't hurt - I was just startled when I did it. It was quite natural and I didn't intend to do it, but it got me to thinking that I would like that to be my next BIG challenge. Who wouldda thunk that just doing stairs "step-over-step" would be what I want to do more than anything else! The therapist let me do some exercises to build up to that - mostly working on strengthening the quads and glutes. Keep in mind that I haven't taken steps "normally" in about 4 years (at least!) so those muscles have really gotten lazy and I have a lot of work to do.
So today was day two with my Weight Watchers on-line. I have to say that being "official" really made me make better decisions all through the day. Even though I am only accountable to myself (rather than weighing in at a meeting) it seems to have clicked. Now that I am swimming and "biking" I'm really pumped to add a weight control program to my day. It's quite exciting, actually.
I didn't overdo it in the pool today, though, because of all the quad and glute exercises I did at PT... I don't want to be crawling to bed tonight.
Have a great evening everyone!
Miriam
Had PT this morning with a different person. (Starting next week I will be with the same two people through the end of August... right now they are dealing with summer vacations so it's catch as catch can.) It's interesting to see how each person has their own way of approaching the same protocol. I've been happy with everyone that has worked on me so no complaints - just interesting.
When I was going into the facility, without thinking, I took the first stair step-over-step (I learned that is the expression when you do stairs "normally" instead of one step at a time). They have very shallow steps so it didn't hurt - I was just startled when I did it. It was quite natural and I didn't intend to do it, but it got me to thinking that I would like that to be my next BIG challenge. Who wouldda thunk that just doing stairs "step-over-step" would be what I want to do more than anything else! The therapist let me do some exercises to build up to that - mostly working on strengthening the quads and glutes. Keep in mind that I haven't taken steps "normally" in about 4 years (at least!) so those muscles have really gotten lazy and I have a lot of work to do.
So today was day two with my Weight Watchers on-line. I have to say that being "official" really made me make better decisions all through the day. Even though I am only accountable to myself (rather than weighing in at a meeting) it seems to have clicked. Now that I am swimming and "biking" I'm really pumped to add a weight control program to my day. It's quite exciting, actually.
I didn't overdo it in the pool today, though, because of all the quad and glute exercises I did at PT... I don't want to be crawling to bed tonight.
Have a great evening everyone!
Miriam
Sunday, July 10, 2011
WHEEEE..... what a ride!
7AM - Feeling so great I'm almost wishing that I could go to work tomorrow morning. I did the bike twice and all my morning PT, had a great breakfast, then out shopping, then a great lunch, then a fun time in the pool with my afternoon PT.
NAP
7PM - Feeling SO awful, iced, elevated, drugged, seeing no end in sight.... Sigh.....
No - I didn't do "too" much - really I didn't. This just seems to be how my day goes. I'm fine up until that nap... and believe me - I've tried to avoid the nap but I will fall asleep right in the chair with the laptop open, if I don't allow myself to lay down. It seems as though fatigue and still that swelling and tightness is the worst of it for me. However, the fatigue is getting later and later in the day... maybe in a few months it won't set in until bedtime! The swelling and tightness starts right in the middle of my second PT of the day (even if I'm in the pool I feel the tightening) and I don't want to not do PT. And my excursions out of the house are just more interesting than the mandatory walking every day. So that's why I'm saying I'm not doing too much. It's just the nature of the beast.
I'm just looking for a longer and larger window of feeling good for the day, and when I can last all the way till dinner I'll know I've crossed a threshold. Or at least if I wake up from a nap not feeling like the proverbial "death warmed over." Those naps don't seem to refresh me. I'm less tired, but they also seem to sap me of all the lightness I've felt all day. I think part of it is that my knee really swells and tightens during a nap and so when I get up it's just worse even than the morning. If (ha ha - WHEN) I nap tomorrow I'm going to pack my knee with ice and see if it makes a difference when I get up. I'll let you know!
Meanwhile some news to report: I joined Weight Watchers on-line today. I was a faithful in-person member, but when my knee started getting much worse during the winter I curtailed all my activities and never left the house unless it was to go to work or to teach my classes. That included letting my membership go. I read something this morning that scared the heck out of me: "Loosening (of the cement) is due in part to weight. A second knee replacement to fix this will be far less successful than the first replacement and the the complications will be far worse." OMG - I do NOT want to go through this again. I have ignored everything else: pre-diabetes, a cardiac "incident", frightfully high triglycerides, and even my initial knee problems which lead to this replacement. But the replacement is all too real for me, and knowing that it might not be successful because of my weight was enough to drive me to diet - once and for all. I guess it really IS a new knee - new me!
Have a good week ahead!
Miriam
p.s. If you want to read a great article from AARP on knee replacement please go to the comment on yesterday's post; there will be a link there for you to go to.
NAP
7PM - Feeling SO awful, iced, elevated, drugged, seeing no end in sight.... Sigh.....
No - I didn't do "too" much - really I didn't. This just seems to be how my day goes. I'm fine up until that nap... and believe me - I've tried to avoid the nap but I will fall asleep right in the chair with the laptop open, if I don't allow myself to lay down. It seems as though fatigue and still that swelling and tightness is the worst of it for me. However, the fatigue is getting later and later in the day... maybe in a few months it won't set in until bedtime! The swelling and tightness starts right in the middle of my second PT of the day (even if I'm in the pool I feel the tightening) and I don't want to not do PT. And my excursions out of the house are just more interesting than the mandatory walking every day. So that's why I'm saying I'm not doing too much. It's just the nature of the beast.
I'm just looking for a longer and larger window of feeling good for the day, and when I can last all the way till dinner I'll know I've crossed a threshold. Or at least if I wake up from a nap not feeling like the proverbial "death warmed over." Those naps don't seem to refresh me. I'm less tired, but they also seem to sap me of all the lightness I've felt all day. I think part of it is that my knee really swells and tightens during a nap and so when I get up it's just worse even than the morning. If (ha ha - WHEN) I nap tomorrow I'm going to pack my knee with ice and see if it makes a difference when I get up. I'll let you know!
Meanwhile some news to report: I joined Weight Watchers on-line today. I was a faithful in-person member, but when my knee started getting much worse during the winter I curtailed all my activities and never left the house unless it was to go to work or to teach my classes. That included letting my membership go. I read something this morning that scared the heck out of me: "Loosening (of the cement) is due in part to weight. A second knee replacement to fix this will be far less successful than the first replacement and the the complications will be far worse." OMG - I do NOT want to go through this again. I have ignored everything else: pre-diabetes, a cardiac "incident", frightfully high triglycerides, and even my initial knee problems which lead to this replacement. But the replacement is all too real for me, and knowing that it might not be successful because of my weight was enough to drive me to diet - once and for all. I guess it really IS a new knee - new me!
Have a good week ahead!
Miriam
p.s. If you want to read a great article from AARP on knee replacement please go to the comment on yesterday's post; there will be a link there for you to go to.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Almost Sorta Normal Saturday - kinda
The day started out nicely. As expected, even though it was tough last night, it was decent this morning. I was able to do my morning PT, including a couple of new exercises, none the worse for wear. I did the bike twice at 6 minutes each time, and that really was a thrill. Made me start to think about actually being able to do this as exercise and not PT at some time in the future!
Then after a nice healthy lunch - totally prepared by yours truly - I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. My husband went ahead to Whole Foods, and I came out before he got back. I have to tell you though, I was nauseous as heck and there was no where to sit, so I found a shady spot with the cart and just leaned on the cart and did some deep breathing. I think it was mostly the heat and partly the exertion. I said ALMOST sorta normal!
We got back and I went straight into the pool. I did some REAL swimming! In the deep end, no less. It felt so good to move, but I held back because I'm still not sure I should be doing this. I am looking forward to getting my pool therapy program so I am sure I am making the most of pool time. I do several things in the pool that I am sure fall under PT, but I would be more comfortable following a prescribed program so I know I am making the most of my time (in addition to the swimming!). I am seeing the doctor on Wednesday - I don't know whether the swimming question is something he will answer or whether he will defer to the therapist.
I do have a list for him, though - including asking when it will be time to take ibuprofen. To tell you the truth, I took it today anyway (without permission). I got up from a nap after the pool and I thought my leg would fall off - I had cement leg along with pain in moving the knee. I did ice and elevate, but I couldn't help myself - I took three Advils in hopes that that too would help with the swelling. I also have a lot of pain in the medial compartment that I need him to check out, as well as pain along the very center front of my shin and on top of my foot at the ankle (but that is only with certain range-of-motion exercises). I wonder if it has to do with the fact that he didn't just do the knee replacement but also straightened my bow leg. I would have thought if I was going to have added troubles because of the straightening he would have told me, although maybe he didn't say anything because he doesn't want me to LOOK for trouble. The physical therapist thought that maybe the straightening is contributing to some of the discomfort I have with certain exercises. Anyway... I took the Advil and I'm feeling a little bit better. I probably won't take it again until I see the doctor on Wednesday, but I really was in need of something different. I did read today, though, that the swelling can take place off and on for a good part of the year... I'm not happy about it, but at least I'm not in a panic anymore that something is wrong specifically with ME.
Okay so maybe it wasn't an almost sorta normal Saturday, kinda... but it was a good one. I can see myself feeling and getting better. I feel more forward motion than backward motion. Well... I feel the forward motion in any case....
I don't have plans for tomorrow... which is a good thing! I have been out every single day this week, and maybe I will treat myself to a day moving from jammies to bathing suit back to jammies....
Have a good one!
Miriam
Then after a nice healthy lunch - totally prepared by yours truly - I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. My husband went ahead to Whole Foods, and I came out before he got back. I have to tell you though, I was nauseous as heck and there was no where to sit, so I found a shady spot with the cart and just leaned on the cart and did some deep breathing. I think it was mostly the heat and partly the exertion. I said ALMOST sorta normal!
We got back and I went straight into the pool. I did some REAL swimming! In the deep end, no less. It felt so good to move, but I held back because I'm still not sure I should be doing this. I am looking forward to getting my pool therapy program so I am sure I am making the most of pool time. I do several things in the pool that I am sure fall under PT, but I would be more comfortable following a prescribed program so I know I am making the most of my time (in addition to the swimming!). I am seeing the doctor on Wednesday - I don't know whether the swimming question is something he will answer or whether he will defer to the therapist.
I do have a list for him, though - including asking when it will be time to take ibuprofen. To tell you the truth, I took it today anyway (without permission). I got up from a nap after the pool and I thought my leg would fall off - I had cement leg along with pain in moving the knee. I did ice and elevate, but I couldn't help myself - I took three Advils in hopes that that too would help with the swelling. I also have a lot of pain in the medial compartment that I need him to check out, as well as pain along the very center front of my shin and on top of my foot at the ankle (but that is only with certain range-of-motion exercises). I wonder if it has to do with the fact that he didn't just do the knee replacement but also straightened my bow leg. I would have thought if I was going to have added troubles because of the straightening he would have told me, although maybe he didn't say anything because he doesn't want me to LOOK for trouble. The physical therapist thought that maybe the straightening is contributing to some of the discomfort I have with certain exercises. Anyway... I took the Advil and I'm feeling a little bit better. I probably won't take it again until I see the doctor on Wednesday, but I really was in need of something different. I did read today, though, that the swelling can take place off and on for a good part of the year... I'm not happy about it, but at least I'm not in a panic anymore that something is wrong specifically with ME.
Okay so maybe it wasn't an almost sorta normal Saturday, kinda... but it was a good one. I can see myself feeling and getting better. I feel more forward motion than backward motion. Well... I feel the forward motion in any case....
I don't have plans for tomorrow... which is a good thing! I have been out every single day this week, and maybe I will treat myself to a day moving from jammies to bathing suit back to jammies....
Have a good one!
Miriam
Friday, July 8, 2011
How Does Your Garden Grow?
First of all, before even starting, I would like to know how a day goes from so good to so bad. Here I sit, iced and elevated, and without a smiley face on the pain chart, even having taking Vicodin and Tylenol a couple of hours ago. See - that's why I need this blog. I need to document the ups and downs and downs and downs and ups. "People" have said that even with an artificial joint, one can be susceptible to damp weather. I know with my real knee there were days I had to use the cane because my knee buckled and the pain was so bad - when the barometer dropped and it was a day such as today. I was hoping that phenomenon would be gone with the knee replacement, but I have to prepare myself that perhaps it is NOT a thing of the past.
The only reason I am chalking my current situation to the rain is that I had a perfectly good morning, in spite of the early thunderstorms and even went on an adventure. But the amount of activity I did today in no way is reasonably reflected in my current status. This too shall pass, I know, but it's very annoying.
So - to the title of my blog, and my adventure of the day. I have a wonderful friend who is also my personal gardener. I know beauty when I see it, but in no way am I able to produce it. Last year something brought me to her house and I was amazed to see the most beautiful "wild" gardens I have ever seen. They weren't wild but because everything was native and perfect for the location, it seems as though angels, and not a human, designed it. On the spot I asked her if she would come work on my house. I have several monstrous yards (back, side, front, "way back") and in 20 years of living here I couldn't even manage to grow a lawn, let alone have some semblance of a garden in any of the areas. I had been throwing in perennials and annuals year after year, but with no plan of action.
Kathy came last year and started on a metamorphosis that I only wish I had started 20 years ago, not 2. There is still SO far to go, given the land that I have, but every time I drive up to my home I have a smile on my face. I always give her a budget and let her pick the plants (or sometimes I will bring home a dozen or so and let her figure out what to do with them). But today, I was ready for an adventure.
And, herein lies my victory for the day. First of all, I couldn't have gone out any earlier with her because she has a small car and there was no way I would have been able to bend my knee enough to fit into her sardine can (lovely as that sardine can is!) but I knew I was ready to go for it. I comfortably got myself in the front seat and off we went to one of my favorite nurseries. Part two of the adventure. It's a very large nursery with many different areas. All on rocky gravel which I maneuvered quite skillfully. Then between each section are huge grates to catch the run off from their watering - also requiring maneuvering so that the crutch wouldn't get stuck! Then once you make it from one end to the other picking out what you want, you have to repeat the entire route because something you picked up at the end might go perfectly with something you saw at the beginning - but you wouldn't have known that until the plant was in your cart.
Hmm... now that I am writing it all down maybe that DOES explain my current predicament! When we got home I left Kathy to plant the containers and put a few things in the ground and I went straight to sleep. It's still (and probably will be for a while) a situation where any activity beyond walking around in the house will fatigue me. I think what happened, though, is that when I went to sleep I didn't "assume the position." This means on my side, with a pillow between my knees, leaning "just so" on my my side so as to not put any undue stress on my legs (upper or lower), etc. I just conked out. My leg was probably under me in such a position that it stressed the knee. It CAN"T be the walking in the nursery or the PT I did in the morning.... Maybe it isn't even the rain.
But, that's one of the bumps along the road that I have to make sure I don't panic about. It is what it is. Hopefully ice and elevation will help, and in another couple of hours I'll take something for the pain. And, my husband is cooking a fantastic dinner - so that, for SURE will take my mind off things! :)
Enjoy your evening!
Miriam
The only reason I am chalking my current situation to the rain is that I had a perfectly good morning, in spite of the early thunderstorms and even went on an adventure. But the amount of activity I did today in no way is reasonably reflected in my current status. This too shall pass, I know, but it's very annoying.
So - to the title of my blog, and my adventure of the day. I have a wonderful friend who is also my personal gardener. I know beauty when I see it, but in no way am I able to produce it. Last year something brought me to her house and I was amazed to see the most beautiful "wild" gardens I have ever seen. They weren't wild but because everything was native and perfect for the location, it seems as though angels, and not a human, designed it. On the spot I asked her if she would come work on my house. I have several monstrous yards (back, side, front, "way back") and in 20 years of living here I couldn't even manage to grow a lawn, let alone have some semblance of a garden in any of the areas. I had been throwing in perennials and annuals year after year, but with no plan of action.
Kathy came last year and started on a metamorphosis that I only wish I had started 20 years ago, not 2. There is still SO far to go, given the land that I have, but every time I drive up to my home I have a smile on my face. I always give her a budget and let her pick the plants (or sometimes I will bring home a dozen or so and let her figure out what to do with them). But today, I was ready for an adventure.
And, herein lies my victory for the day. First of all, I couldn't have gone out any earlier with her because she has a small car and there was no way I would have been able to bend my knee enough to fit into her sardine can (lovely as that sardine can is!) but I knew I was ready to go for it. I comfortably got myself in the front seat and off we went to one of my favorite nurseries. Part two of the adventure. It's a very large nursery with many different areas. All on rocky gravel which I maneuvered quite skillfully. Then between each section are huge grates to catch the run off from their watering - also requiring maneuvering so that the crutch wouldn't get stuck! Then once you make it from one end to the other picking out what you want, you have to repeat the entire route because something you picked up at the end might go perfectly with something you saw at the beginning - but you wouldn't have known that until the plant was in your cart.
Hmm... now that I am writing it all down maybe that DOES explain my current predicament! When we got home I left Kathy to plant the containers and put a few things in the ground and I went straight to sleep. It's still (and probably will be for a while) a situation where any activity beyond walking around in the house will fatigue me. I think what happened, though, is that when I went to sleep I didn't "assume the position." This means on my side, with a pillow between my knees, leaning "just so" on my my side so as to not put any undue stress on my legs (upper or lower), etc. I just conked out. My leg was probably under me in such a position that it stressed the knee. It CAN"T be the walking in the nursery or the PT I did in the morning.... Maybe it isn't even the rain.
But, that's one of the bumps along the road that I have to make sure I don't panic about. It is what it is. Hopefully ice and elevation will help, and in another couple of hours I'll take something for the pain. And, my husband is cooking a fantastic dinner - so that, for SURE will take my mind off things! :)
Enjoy your evening!
Miriam
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Walkie! Walkie!
Since yesterday's post was "Splashy Splashy" I thought it was fitting to have today's be "Walkie Walkie." OMG did I hit the most fantastic victory today. After my PT I walked ALONE to the manicurist for a mani-pedi. In terms of distance, if you are familiar with the term "New York City block" that was about the distance. Maybe a few tenths of a mile (1/4 mile?). In advance I had my husband drop off my Aircast Cryocuff (an icing system using iced water that feeds into a wrap) so as soon as I got there I iced and enjoyed! My knee buckled once, but I was ready for it, and walking SO slowly that I wasn't in any danger of falling. In the same little mall is a post office and a deli, so I actually almost cried with joy as I picked up a book of stamps and a cold bottle of Pepsi (Diet, of course). Because I was nice and loose I was able to fully bend my knee into the water, and I thoroughly enjoyed her foot and leg massage. I was originally going to just go for a polish change, but this woman gives a killer massage, and I was so in need of it. Never mind feeling grand because my nails and tootsies are done a nice hot pink!
Another move along the progress continuum is that I learned how to handle the laundry myself. Big mistake maybe - since this was the first time my husband ever learned to use the washing machine (which is okay - because I don't mow the lawn!) He doesn't give me any indication that taking care of me is wearing thin, but maybe it's wearing thin on ME - I just want to start getting a little more independent. Anyway - I figured out that if I carry a small load of laundry to the top of the stairs I can toss it down to the basement. It all almost makes it to the bottom of the stairs, but as I'm coming down I can extremely carefully nudge whatever is left on the stairs further down. Then once I am downstairs doing the laundry is no big deal. Of course, I haven't figured out how to go up with it! lol - that will come later.
As always I am learning wonderful and valuable lessons at PT. While I was in the waiting room there was a guy with one crutch so right away I looked for the tell-tale scar - turns out he had his surgery the day before me at the same hospital. Same practice of doctors even. Anyway we were side by side during PT and I'm just laying there with my 25 minutes of massaging, and he's already at the bars doing steps and walking. I mentioned it to my therapist and she said that the hardest thing for people to come to terms with is that everyone progresses at VERY different rates. Although there is a protocol as to HOW to progress, the speed of that progression is very dependent upon the individual person. Plus, I have to remember that I had the manipulation, which, although it catapulted me forward within my own recovery, it really set me back a few weeks in comparison to everyone else. She assured me that I would be doing steps before I know it. Another lesson in trust and patience.
I am also walking a little more without the aid of my crutch. If I am in the house I venture with nothing - WAY against doctor's and therapist's orders (but who listens?) but even outside I'm doing better. I walked that entire distance today with one crutch, not two, and maybe by next time I will confident enough to do it with a cane.
Anyway - I was so excited about my activities today I couldn't wait until tonight to write everything down.
So instead of wishing you a good night I shall wish you a good day!
Miriam
Another move along the progress continuum is that I learned how to handle the laundry myself. Big mistake maybe - since this was the first time my husband ever learned to use the washing machine (which is okay - because I don't mow the lawn!) He doesn't give me any indication that taking care of me is wearing thin, but maybe it's wearing thin on ME - I just want to start getting a little more independent. Anyway - I figured out that if I carry a small load of laundry to the top of the stairs I can toss it down to the basement. It all almost makes it to the bottom of the stairs, but as I'm coming down I can extremely carefully nudge whatever is left on the stairs further down. Then once I am downstairs doing the laundry is no big deal. Of course, I haven't figured out how to go up with it! lol - that will come later.
As always I am learning wonderful and valuable lessons at PT. While I was in the waiting room there was a guy with one crutch so right away I looked for the tell-tale scar - turns out he had his surgery the day before me at the same hospital. Same practice of doctors even. Anyway we were side by side during PT and I'm just laying there with my 25 minutes of massaging, and he's already at the bars doing steps and walking. I mentioned it to my therapist and she said that the hardest thing for people to come to terms with is that everyone progresses at VERY different rates. Although there is a protocol as to HOW to progress, the speed of that progression is very dependent upon the individual person. Plus, I have to remember that I had the manipulation, which, although it catapulted me forward within my own recovery, it really set me back a few weeks in comparison to everyone else. She assured me that I would be doing steps before I know it. Another lesson in trust and patience.
I am also walking a little more without the aid of my crutch. If I am in the house I venture with nothing - WAY against doctor's and therapist's orders (but who listens?) but even outside I'm doing better. I walked that entire distance today with one crutch, not two, and maybe by next time I will confident enough to do it with a cane.
Anyway - I was so excited about my activities today I couldn't wait until tonight to write everything down.
So instead of wishing you a good night I shall wish you a good day!
Miriam
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Splashy! Splashy!
I had my pool therapy session this morning. It took me as long to dress and recover as it did to have the session! The therapist didn't think to tell me there was a handicapped bathroom/shower, so I showered standing up (doesn't sound like a big deal you say???) and was just exhausted and had to sit for a while before even getting dressed. Lesson to anyone taking pool therapy: Be sure to ask if there is a handicapped shower if the ones available in the locker room do not have shower benches!
Oh it was SO nice. I was in the warmer pool (around 94 degrees) and did all sorts of walking exercises, as well as just hanging there to let the joints open up. I don't know that I remember too much to do in my own pool, but I am scheduled for two more sessions so I'm sure I'll learn a program to use at home. I won't get exactly the same benefit because my pool is so cold, but as soon as I am back at work I will use the rehab pool at my facility which is just as warm and nice as where I went today.
One of the reasons I won't remember a lot of what I did today is because I was talking with the therapist the whole time I was doing the exercises. What I learned is that I have to trust the process. There is certain protocol for a total knee replacement and another one for if there has been a manipulation. I'm all "but when am I going to do this or that? What if? Why not? When?" Add to this all the reading I'm doing, all the advice I'm getting, and all the anecdotes I am getting from friends who have been through this. I have to let this ALL go and just trust the therapists that they know what they are doing. Granted... SOMEONE has to graduate in the bottom of the class and not everyone is excellent, but I picked an excellent place, and so far I have been so happy with the care I am getting. I just want it NOW. Actually I just want it all YESTERDAY. Trust... that is my new mantra with recovery and therapy.
My brother and his wife came today with lunch. We had the most delightful afternoon, and I was asleep within 5 minutes of their departure. As a matter of fact they might still have been saying good bye to my husband in the driveway and I was already asleep. That's another thing I am getting used to - just the overwhelming fatigue. (Of course it didn't help that it was 92 degrees today!) I'm not going to worry now about how it will be when I go back to work. First of all, I will be so much further along in my recovery, and second, I will hopefully only be working part-time to start. Did I say "trust" is my new mantra? Add "patience" to that.
My victory today was that even though I had my pool therapy, and I was hot and I was tired, I made myself do a session of home therapy as well. I have been using my recumbent bike. Sometimes I can do it, sometimes I can't. Sometimes I can barely keep going the three minutes - and at that it is quite labored. Today I did SIX minutes like a biking pro!
Making this short - hot and tired seem to be the buzz words for the day... but I'm happy! :)
Stay cool!
Miriam
Oh it was SO nice. I was in the warmer pool (around 94 degrees) and did all sorts of walking exercises, as well as just hanging there to let the joints open up. I don't know that I remember too much to do in my own pool, but I am scheduled for two more sessions so I'm sure I'll learn a program to use at home. I won't get exactly the same benefit because my pool is so cold, but as soon as I am back at work I will use the rehab pool at my facility which is just as warm and nice as where I went today.
One of the reasons I won't remember a lot of what I did today is because I was talking with the therapist the whole time I was doing the exercises. What I learned is that I have to trust the process. There is certain protocol for a total knee replacement and another one for if there has been a manipulation. I'm all "but when am I going to do this or that? What if? Why not? When?" Add to this all the reading I'm doing, all the advice I'm getting, and all the anecdotes I am getting from friends who have been through this. I have to let this ALL go and just trust the therapists that they know what they are doing. Granted... SOMEONE has to graduate in the bottom of the class and not everyone is excellent, but I picked an excellent place, and so far I have been so happy with the care I am getting. I just want it NOW. Actually I just want it all YESTERDAY. Trust... that is my new mantra with recovery and therapy.
My brother and his wife came today with lunch. We had the most delightful afternoon, and I was asleep within 5 minutes of their departure. As a matter of fact they might still have been saying good bye to my husband in the driveway and I was already asleep. That's another thing I am getting used to - just the overwhelming fatigue. (Of course it didn't help that it was 92 degrees today!) I'm not going to worry now about how it will be when I go back to work. First of all, I will be so much further along in my recovery, and second, I will hopefully only be working part-time to start. Did I say "trust" is my new mantra? Add "patience" to that.
My victory today was that even though I had my pool therapy, and I was hot and I was tired, I made myself do a session of home therapy as well. I have been using my recumbent bike. Sometimes I can do it, sometimes I can't. Sometimes I can barely keep going the three minutes - and at that it is quite labored. Today I did SIX minutes like a biking pro!
Making this short - hot and tired seem to be the buzz words for the day... but I'm happy! :)
Stay cool!
Miriam
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
I had a very interesting day today. It started with out-patient physical therapy first thing in the morning. It's still very gentle - a lot of massage to keep that scar tissue soft, and break up what is still there. I talked a lot with the therapist about some problems I am having. I went into this procedure with sciatica. It was at bay thanks to chiropractic visits (but no thanks to a spinal epidural that I had at a pain clinic for it). The sciatica wasn't full blown when I went into surgery, but I am finding now that some of the exercises I am doing aggravate it. Most notably, the lunges on the stairs causes pain in my hip and my foot (the endpoints of the sciatica). Other things as well will cause this pain. So my question was - do I work through it or stop? If it were knee pain the advice might be to stick with it but since it is causing the sciatica to flare up I definitely have to STOP. IMMEDIATELY. So now I'm cutting out some of the "prescription" exercises.
Then I showed her some exercises in my knee rehab book using a "brazilian futebol" - and she thought that was a great idea. I went immediately to Sports Authority in hopes they would have the ball, but they didn't, so I ordered it on line. So I will add those to my home therapy. I also signed up for a pool therapy session tomorrow. Although I am loving using my pool I thought it best to learn an ordered program so I don't hurt myself.
I spoke to my daughter's best friend who is a physical therapist. She said that it is very easy to overdo exercises in the pool because things are much easier to do so you tend to push yourself more than your body is ready for. I already know this. I was doing all sorts of range-of-motion exercises today - showing off to my husband how I could practically kneel in the water. OMG - am I paying for it now... but I did have fun. I think right now in my recovery this is the hardest thing for me. If something feels okay at the time do I go for it or do I hold back? It is probably a continual learning process - i.e., something you never really figure out, but have to reassess every time you face it. That's why I really need a program instead of being left to my own devices. Anyway, my daughter's girlfriend said that at this point it would be best to mix land therapy with pool therapy. Even though I have my own pool it is not heated, and I would best benefit from the warmer water of the rehab pool.
She also said it is a learning process to learn to listen to your body. It's not enough to recognize when something is causing pain and it's time to stop, you also have to tune into fatigue. Not laziness, but fatigue. When your body is saying - "no more, it's time to rest" LISTEN and OBEY. So in that spirit, I am done for the day! I didn't do ANY of my prescribed exercises today but boy did I move. I don't know that I would allow myself more than one day of not doing prescribed exercises no matter how much I move. Although - between using the pool (hopefully every day) and working with the futebol maybe I can slowly move away from the prescription. My daughter's friend said that once I am at this point it is just important to MOVE many times during the day.
Right now I can't see myself ever going back to work.... but that's the point of this blog. By the time I reach next week and read back to this week I'll say to myself - boy I guess I have been improving. I don't really see it so much day to day yet. However, my "NSV" for today was that I easily prepared my own breakfast, lunch and dinner - and they were all healthy! I don't know what impresses me more - that I did all the preparation myself or that it was all healthy choices. :) Which brings me to my next challenge - I don't have a ton of weight to lose, but I sure could stand to take at least 30 pounds off my frame. I read that the less weight on your frame, the longer your cemented knee will last. This has become SO real for me. I do NOT want another replacement - on this knee or the other one!
Well I'm off for the evening. Here's to comfortable one!
Miriam
Then I showed her some exercises in my knee rehab book using a "brazilian futebol" - and she thought that was a great idea. I went immediately to Sports Authority in hopes they would have the ball, but they didn't, so I ordered it on line. So I will add those to my home therapy. I also signed up for a pool therapy session tomorrow. Although I am loving using my pool I thought it best to learn an ordered program so I don't hurt myself.
I spoke to my daughter's best friend who is a physical therapist. She said that it is very easy to overdo exercises in the pool because things are much easier to do so you tend to push yourself more than your body is ready for. I already know this. I was doing all sorts of range-of-motion exercises today - showing off to my husband how I could practically kneel in the water. OMG - am I paying for it now... but I did have fun. I think right now in my recovery this is the hardest thing for me. If something feels okay at the time do I go for it or do I hold back? It is probably a continual learning process - i.e., something you never really figure out, but have to reassess every time you face it. That's why I really need a program instead of being left to my own devices. Anyway, my daughter's girlfriend said that at this point it would be best to mix land therapy with pool therapy. Even though I have my own pool it is not heated, and I would best benefit from the warmer water of the rehab pool.
She also said it is a learning process to learn to listen to your body. It's not enough to recognize when something is causing pain and it's time to stop, you also have to tune into fatigue. Not laziness, but fatigue. When your body is saying - "no more, it's time to rest" LISTEN and OBEY. So in that spirit, I am done for the day! I didn't do ANY of my prescribed exercises today but boy did I move. I don't know that I would allow myself more than one day of not doing prescribed exercises no matter how much I move. Although - between using the pool (hopefully every day) and working with the futebol maybe I can slowly move away from the prescription. My daughter's friend said that once I am at this point it is just important to MOVE many times during the day.
Right now I can't see myself ever going back to work.... but that's the point of this blog. By the time I reach next week and read back to this week I'll say to myself - boy I guess I have been improving. I don't really see it so much day to day yet. However, my "NSV" for today was that I easily prepared my own breakfast, lunch and dinner - and they were all healthy! I don't know what impresses me more - that I did all the preparation myself or that it was all healthy choices. :) Which brings me to my next challenge - I don't have a ton of weight to lose, but I sure could stand to take at least 30 pounds off my frame. I read that the less weight on your frame, the longer your cemented knee will last. This has become SO real for me. I do NOT want another replacement - on this knee or the other one!
Well I'm off for the evening. Here's to comfortable one!
Miriam
Monday, July 4, 2011
Independence Day!
First of all, happy Fourth of July, and thank you to all the service men and women who make it possible to continue to celebrate such a day.
What was my act of independence today? I went into the pool! I have been wanting to do this for about a week now. I was originally scheduled for pool therapy, but when I had the manipulation last Monday it all changed to land therapy. I was so disappointed (even though I really would only have to wait through July to hit the pool) and just DREAMED of getting into the pool. I imagined how nice it would be for my leg to float up, and how nice it would be to bicycle through the deep end just hanging from a noodle. You have to understand - we have a nice big inground pool - HOWEVER, not only is it unheated and icy cold because it sits in the middle of a yard of pine trees with virtually no sun, but we had holes in the pool cover this year so when we took it off LOADS of gunk fell in. That, would be bad enough in itself, but our pool cover is the spring resort home to a pair of ducks who have been coming every year for more than 10 years. THEN when we finally got the cover off, and loaded the pool with 8 gallons of super-duper shock, the ducks still didn't leave. So let's just say, although the pool is not a swamp (thanks to the diligent vacuuming, cleaning, shocking, and algecide treatment over the past three weeks), it is not sparkling clean either. HOWEVER, I couldn't help myself.
All I was going to do was put a toe in the water. But instead, I just marched down the stairs - with my crutches, my sandals on, and all my clothes on. I just kept going like I was headed toward a baptism. Before I knew it I was in the water - crutches, sandals, and clothes and all! And oh my, how glorious it was! I did my standing exercises, and could feel myself gaining in the range of motion as the buoyancy of the water lifted my leg and knee effortlessly. As I ventured toward the deep end with my noodle I realized that my sandals were dead weights on my feet so I shredded those. I bicycled and ventured to kick (which turned out to be too much for me - I could bring my good leg above the surface but didn't have the strength in my TKR leg). I didn't have company in the pool (my husband was watching the baseball game on the deck, and my son was inside on the computer) but I was safe with them nearby. I won't be going in unless that is the case, but as long as the sun is out I am going to try to make this a daily activity.
Another independence day celebration: I got in and out of the shower by myself. I have to remind myself that the good leg goes in first and comes out first. But between my crutch and the grab bar and the shower chair I was good to go. Something as simple as taking a shower... such a production! Another nice thing about my shower today is that it didn't take me an hour to recover. Up to now, I've been going soaking wet right under the covers, sometimes napping, before I can finish drying off and dressing.
A lesson I learned today was that I cannot go outside with my cane. I must use my crutch(es). This is for a few reasons. First of all, I absolutely am not ready to handle an incline. Just the little bit of slope in my driveway twice caused my knee to buckle. If my husband weren't right at my elbow I would have fallen both times. The cane just does not offer enough support for that. The other reason a crutch is a good idea when going out is that with a cane you are virtually invisible. With a crutch, people get out of your way, don't mind walking slowly behind you, offer to help if they can, etc. Although I can use a cane in the house - and I have also been using my Nordic walking sticks - I will stick to crutch(es) outside the house for now.
The MOST valuable lesson I learned today is to take my pain medication first thing in the morning, no matter how I'm feeling. This morning I got up feeling relatively well. I said to myself - let me try today to do without any medication. I was fine... until I started my PT at 9AM. I was so uncomfortable I had to stop several times to rest (and whimper) and did not finish the last of my exercises until almost 11. (By then I had taken my Vicadin and Tylenol, but it was too late.) I guess the reason I breeze through my morning exercises at 9AM is because I've taken my meds between 7 and 8. The whole rest of the day was playing catch up. Good to know.
I'm bracing myself for a tough night. The last time I had a good day and did a lot, I suffered something awful at night, during the night, and in the morning. (I do believe that might have been one of the mornings I fell apart.) My physical therapist said that is going to happen. So today I started off on the wrong foot by not taking my medication in the morning, then spent time in the pool REALLY using that knee, then went to the grocery store. However, now knowing that one has to pay the piper in recovery, and that it's not that the knee is cemented in wrong or that I've torn or twisted something, I think I can be less anxious when I surely face discomfort later or during the night. I think this is one of the valuable lessons to learn 5-6 weeks out of recovery. Up to then it really wouldn't have been an issue because you're not doing much (except maybe overdoing it a bit during home PT). But, as time goes on, and your days are more comfortable and you do more as a result, you have to realize that discomfort is sure to follow. I actually didn't do TOO much today - there is nothing I wouldn't have done, but it was a more normal day, and that, in itself, is too much.
I am glad that I have PT at 9:40AM tomorrow. I really need to talk to my therapist about this cement leg business. Mostly it's around my knee. I am trusting it is not an immediate formation of scar tissue, and is just swelling - but ENOUGH ALREADY. (Unfortunately it's not nearly "enough already" - I've read stories of people having this swelling for a year or more.) I have also read that doctors do not like their patients to use anti-inflammatories because it interferes with the healing of the bone. It's a question I have to ask my surgeon when I next see him. I'm thinking an Advil or an Aleve might help a bit. But... perhaps not... We'll see. What puzzles me is that I will do a massage and loosen things up and use the bike with no effort. Then, not 10 minutes later I cannot bend my knee without this elastic tightness again.
It's such a long process to get used to what is normal and not normal. Unfortunately I think there is a whole range of normal, and that's what I'm trying to learn as I go along.
So anyway, all in all - a good day.
Miriam
What was my act of independence today? I went into the pool! I have been wanting to do this for about a week now. I was originally scheduled for pool therapy, but when I had the manipulation last Monday it all changed to land therapy. I was so disappointed (even though I really would only have to wait through July to hit the pool) and just DREAMED of getting into the pool. I imagined how nice it would be for my leg to float up, and how nice it would be to bicycle through the deep end just hanging from a noodle. You have to understand - we have a nice big inground pool - HOWEVER, not only is it unheated and icy cold because it sits in the middle of a yard of pine trees with virtually no sun, but we had holes in the pool cover this year so when we took it off LOADS of gunk fell in. That, would be bad enough in itself, but our pool cover is the spring resort home to a pair of ducks who have been coming every year for more than 10 years. THEN when we finally got the cover off, and loaded the pool with 8 gallons of super-duper shock, the ducks still didn't leave. So let's just say, although the pool is not a swamp (thanks to the diligent vacuuming, cleaning, shocking, and algecide treatment over the past three weeks), it is not sparkling clean either. HOWEVER, I couldn't help myself.
All I was going to do was put a toe in the water. But instead, I just marched down the stairs - with my crutches, my sandals on, and all my clothes on. I just kept going like I was headed toward a baptism. Before I knew it I was in the water - crutches, sandals, and clothes and all! And oh my, how glorious it was! I did my standing exercises, and could feel myself gaining in the range of motion as the buoyancy of the water lifted my leg and knee effortlessly. As I ventured toward the deep end with my noodle I realized that my sandals were dead weights on my feet so I shredded those. I bicycled and ventured to kick (which turned out to be too much for me - I could bring my good leg above the surface but didn't have the strength in my TKR leg). I didn't have company in the pool (my husband was watching the baseball game on the deck, and my son was inside on the computer) but I was safe with them nearby. I won't be going in unless that is the case, but as long as the sun is out I am going to try to make this a daily activity.
Another independence day celebration: I got in and out of the shower by myself. I have to remind myself that the good leg goes in first and comes out first. But between my crutch and the grab bar and the shower chair I was good to go. Something as simple as taking a shower... such a production! Another nice thing about my shower today is that it didn't take me an hour to recover. Up to now, I've been going soaking wet right under the covers, sometimes napping, before I can finish drying off and dressing.
A lesson I learned today was that I cannot go outside with my cane. I must use my crutch(es). This is for a few reasons. First of all, I absolutely am not ready to handle an incline. Just the little bit of slope in my driveway twice caused my knee to buckle. If my husband weren't right at my elbow I would have fallen both times. The cane just does not offer enough support for that. The other reason a crutch is a good idea when going out is that with a cane you are virtually invisible. With a crutch, people get out of your way, don't mind walking slowly behind you, offer to help if they can, etc. Although I can use a cane in the house - and I have also been using my Nordic walking sticks - I will stick to crutch(es) outside the house for now.
The MOST valuable lesson I learned today is to take my pain medication first thing in the morning, no matter how I'm feeling. This morning I got up feeling relatively well. I said to myself - let me try today to do without any medication. I was fine... until I started my PT at 9AM. I was so uncomfortable I had to stop several times to rest (and whimper) and did not finish the last of my exercises until almost 11. (By then I had taken my Vicadin and Tylenol, but it was too late.) I guess the reason I breeze through my morning exercises at 9AM is because I've taken my meds between 7 and 8. The whole rest of the day was playing catch up. Good to know.
I'm bracing myself for a tough night. The last time I had a good day and did a lot, I suffered something awful at night, during the night, and in the morning. (I do believe that might have been one of the mornings I fell apart.) My physical therapist said that is going to happen. So today I started off on the wrong foot by not taking my medication in the morning, then spent time in the pool REALLY using that knee, then went to the grocery store. However, now knowing that one has to pay the piper in recovery, and that it's not that the knee is cemented in wrong or that I've torn or twisted something, I think I can be less anxious when I surely face discomfort later or during the night. I think this is one of the valuable lessons to learn 5-6 weeks out of recovery. Up to then it really wouldn't have been an issue because you're not doing much (except maybe overdoing it a bit during home PT). But, as time goes on, and your days are more comfortable and you do more as a result, you have to realize that discomfort is sure to follow. I actually didn't do TOO much today - there is nothing I wouldn't have done, but it was a more normal day, and that, in itself, is too much.
I am glad that I have PT at 9:40AM tomorrow. I really need to talk to my therapist about this cement leg business. Mostly it's around my knee. I am trusting it is not an immediate formation of scar tissue, and is just swelling - but ENOUGH ALREADY. (Unfortunately it's not nearly "enough already" - I've read stories of people having this swelling for a year or more.) I have also read that doctors do not like their patients to use anti-inflammatories because it interferes with the healing of the bone. It's a question I have to ask my surgeon when I next see him. I'm thinking an Advil or an Aleve might help a bit. But... perhaps not... We'll see. What puzzles me is that I will do a massage and loosen things up and use the bike with no effort. Then, not 10 minutes later I cannot bend my knee without this elastic tightness again.
It's such a long process to get used to what is normal and not normal. Unfortunately I think there is a whole range of normal, and that's what I'm trying to learn as I go along.
So anyway, all in all - a good day.
Miriam
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Beyond the First Five Weeks
I had a total knee replacement (TKR) on May 24, 2011 (a Tuesday morning at 7:30AM) at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston. I had read loads of information on the internet, had bought a TKR bible (Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation by Daniel J. Brugioni and Jeff Falkel), attended the knee class at the hospital, watched videos of the surgery and various rehab exercises, joined message boards and blogs, and even already contacted the rehab center I would be going to after my surgery. I did the pre-op exercises, bought my raised toilet seat, unearthed my mother’s old walker, bought new bed linens and fixed up my bedroom, put in extension cords, cleared the table next to my bed, cooked meals in advance, and bought several pairs of pull-on shorts and T-shirts. I was prepared. This was going to be a cinch. I knew what to expect and I was armed and ready. As far as the first five weeks went, it was every bit as awful as I had read it would be. The pain and swelling did not disappoint.
I looked every single day for one thing that was better than the day before. In dieting we call it a “NSV” – a “non-scale victory.” I was happy when I could lift my foot a little bit off the floor to get my underwear on instead of having to shuffle my foot into it. I was happy when I could get my leg up onto the bed without using the opposite foot to lift it. I was happy when I made it to the toilet in time to pee instead of having a puddle on the floor. And, oh my goodness – when I finally could get up off the sofa it was a day to celebrate because it meant that if I got up in the middle of the night I could try to get some extra sleep on the sofa instead of sitting on the recliner until I dozed off again.
I did my home PT program faithfully – three times a day, no matter how I felt, how tired or emotionally exhausted I was. I strove for the holy grail – the 90 degree bend. After whimpering and whining I broke through from a 90 on a Friday to a 103 on a Monday. Then, on Tuesday I went to see the doctor for my follow-up visit. No “atta girl,” no” great job,” no “see you in six months.” Instead it was, “let me see you bend your knee. Only 83 degrees? I’ll schedule you for a manipulation on Monday morning at 7AM.”
Apparently it doesn’t matter what you reach after an hour of PT – it matters what you do cold out of the box.
I went home, so upset and disappointed in myself. I took it as a personal failure. Somehow I didn’t work hard enough. I didn’t work often enough. I must have slacked off. After much reading and conversing with people (one of whom was my home-care therapist, and another one who is a friend and is also a therapist) I was assured that this was no reflection on me. If my body produces scar tissue, then no amount of PT at home was going to break through (even though I had that small breakthrough the weekend prior). I started to look forward to the manipulation (friends who had it for other reasons assured me I would feel SO much better). I was sorry I had to wait all the way to Monday!
This was the first introduction to the fact that beyond the first 5- 6 weeks, which went by the book, everyone who has a TKR parts company and goes on their own path of healing. Some are driving and back to work within 6 weeks, some, like me, will need more time. Some will be hopping around in three months, some (I hope not me!) will take up to a year before they feel normal. So, this is why I decided to write this blog. There is so much information on the first six weeks, but so little on where a person with a TKR goes from there. As I said, every single journey will be an individual experience, but maybe I will be experiencing something that would help someone else see their own situation.
I want to start this blog with my first day of outpatient therapy, two days after my manipulation:
We spent the time in a quiet darkened room, and she massaged my incision, and gently rocked my leg back and forth, and showed me several rocking exercises to get my right leg to “listen” to my left leg about what to do. It was extremely gentle and almost “surreal” but it was lovely and absolutely did the trick. Without doing ANYTHING I got my knee to 105 degrees. (It was 113 under general anesthesia.)
Both she, and the intake counselor the day before, thought that I am emotionally blocking progress by FIGHTING so hard and being so ANGRY about lack of progress, etc. etc. They said the more I fight to be a little soldier with my PT exercises, the further back, actually I am going to go with this. All this emotion is blocking the flow of fluid and energy in my leg and that’s why I feel like I have a cement leg. (It’s actually that more than pain that is stopping me from full movement.) I have to tell you, it might sound like hocus-pocus, but how I felt when I walked out of there was the best I had felt AND I was bending my knee AND in that visit I was able to give up the crutch and just use the cane for balance. She also said I have to make friends with my new knee and start to accept it in my body and forgive it for the pain and discomfort.
I also told her that I am having trouble with pain in my medial meniscus compartment (where I had the bone-on-bone) and she said that is very common – that the body holds on to the memory of the previous pain, but actually, with the new joint, there is no reason for it (other than the memory, although your ligaments and tendons do get used to moving a certain way under stress and they might not be used to the new knee yet so are complaining!). I shared with her that I’ve started listening to my Positive Changes hypnosis tape about releasing pain and the the specific thing that it is about is that pain is just a memory and that you have to put it outside your body and let it go. Interesting because it’s the same thing SHE said.
She said to just trust my instincts (in terms of how much to push, what to do, when to do it) and she feels that if I am doing something every hour it’s enough. And if I feel like doing my instruction sheet three times a day that’s okay too. I told her that I would be worried that I wouldn’t do anything if left to my own devices. She said that’s not possible – I will WANT to get up and move. And besides I’m not giving myself permission to do nothing. I am telling myself I have to do something every hour, even if that something is to do my massage and scar management.
Five weeks of killing myself has just gotten me frustrated, depressed, angry and blocked. Actually, I was fine up until I found out I needed the manipulation – that’s when it all fell apart for me. I knew what to expect with the recovery… I just didn’t expect it to be worse than what I was told to expect! Anyway – with 90 degree weather and no AC in the house I’m liking her gentle approach! Our pool is ice cold but I will see if I can dangle my feet in it at least… that will be nice – I think it will be too cold to swim in – I don’t want to send my leg and its nerves into shock – that won’t be good. As soon as I go back to work, though, I am signing up for the recreation center there and getting in THEIR nice warm pool.
I’ve been doing my PT all week. I’ve even added more range of motion exercises and balancing and walking exercises, but I’m approaching it in a kinder, more forgiving way. I am extremely uncomfortable by the end of the day, but I don’t think I am doing TOO much. It’s not pain (and I feel great the next day) so I know that I’m pushing myself just enough. The trick is to find a balance between doing enough to make progress, but backing off I don’t kill the next day because I’m in pain and need to stay in bed. I’ve cried off and on – not because of the pain, but because of the emotion of it all. One morning this week I did fall apart because I didn’t make it to the toilet in time, and I really thought that was behind me. Then this evening, for no reason, I just sat sobbing – but just a little bit. I think I am just caught off-guard by all the emotion this is bring up. Part of it is fatigue and exhaustion, part of it is disappointment at the recovery process, part of it is just enough of being stuck already…. but I did read somewhere – that instead of looking at this and saying – “I’m six weeks into recovery why is this taking so long?” I need to look at it this way: “I’m six weeks into a 52 week recovery. Boy, I’m really moving along.”
My hope is that this blog will help other people face their recovery. We may not have the same issues, but it’s important to see that if you aren’t driving, back to work, and running around by six weeks, you are not alone. I also want to keep a diary so I can look back myself and see my progress. I need to keep track of the four steps forward and three steps back nature of the recovery. Otherwise I feel that I am taking four steps forward and six steps back. That’s not the case, and having a diary of the journey will make me realize that.
My steps forward this week: I have gained a nice range of motion (I don’t measure myself at home, of course, but I certainly can tell how far back under the chair my TKR leg is moving!). Also, BIG: I moved the recumbant bike up from the very last notch, and I am still able to get around. I did three minutes twice today AND went for a walk!
Welcome to my journey. Please share yours with me!
Miriam
I looked every single day for one thing that was better than the day before. In dieting we call it a “NSV” – a “non-scale victory.” I was happy when I could lift my foot a little bit off the floor to get my underwear on instead of having to shuffle my foot into it. I was happy when I could get my leg up onto the bed without using the opposite foot to lift it. I was happy when I made it to the toilet in time to pee instead of having a puddle on the floor. And, oh my goodness – when I finally could get up off the sofa it was a day to celebrate because it meant that if I got up in the middle of the night I could try to get some extra sleep on the sofa instead of sitting on the recliner until I dozed off again.
I did my home PT program faithfully – three times a day, no matter how I felt, how tired or emotionally exhausted I was. I strove for the holy grail – the 90 degree bend. After whimpering and whining I broke through from a 90 on a Friday to a 103 on a Monday. Then, on Tuesday I went to see the doctor for my follow-up visit. No “atta girl,” no” great job,” no “see you in six months.” Instead it was, “let me see you bend your knee. Only 83 degrees? I’ll schedule you for a manipulation on Monday morning at 7AM.”
Apparently it doesn’t matter what you reach after an hour of PT – it matters what you do cold out of the box.
I went home, so upset and disappointed in myself. I took it as a personal failure. Somehow I didn’t work hard enough. I didn’t work often enough. I must have slacked off. After much reading and conversing with people (one of whom was my home-care therapist, and another one who is a friend and is also a therapist) I was assured that this was no reflection on me. If my body produces scar tissue, then no amount of PT at home was going to break through (even though I had that small breakthrough the weekend prior). I started to look forward to the manipulation (friends who had it for other reasons assured me I would feel SO much better). I was sorry I had to wait all the way to Monday!
This was the first introduction to the fact that beyond the first 5- 6 weeks, which went by the book, everyone who has a TKR parts company and goes on their own path of healing. Some are driving and back to work within 6 weeks, some, like me, will need more time. Some will be hopping around in three months, some (I hope not me!) will take up to a year before they feel normal. So, this is why I decided to write this blog. There is so much information on the first six weeks, but so little on where a person with a TKR goes from there. As I said, every single journey will be an individual experience, but maybe I will be experiencing something that would help someone else see their own situation.
I want to start this blog with my first day of outpatient therapy, two days after my manipulation:
We spent the time in a quiet darkened room, and she massaged my incision, and gently rocked my leg back and forth, and showed me several rocking exercises to get my right leg to “listen” to my left leg about what to do. It was extremely gentle and almost “surreal” but it was lovely and absolutely did the trick. Without doing ANYTHING I got my knee to 105 degrees. (It was 113 under general anesthesia.)
Both she, and the intake counselor the day before, thought that I am emotionally blocking progress by FIGHTING so hard and being so ANGRY about lack of progress, etc. etc. They said the more I fight to be a little soldier with my PT exercises, the further back, actually I am going to go with this. All this emotion is blocking the flow of fluid and energy in my leg and that’s why I feel like I have a cement leg. (It’s actually that more than pain that is stopping me from full movement.) I have to tell you, it might sound like hocus-pocus, but how I felt when I walked out of there was the best I had felt AND I was bending my knee AND in that visit I was able to give up the crutch and just use the cane for balance. She also said I have to make friends with my new knee and start to accept it in my body and forgive it for the pain and discomfort.
I also told her that I am having trouble with pain in my medial meniscus compartment (where I had the bone-on-bone) and she said that is very common – that the body holds on to the memory of the previous pain, but actually, with the new joint, there is no reason for it (other than the memory, although your ligaments and tendons do get used to moving a certain way under stress and they might not be used to the new knee yet so are complaining!). I shared with her that I’ve started listening to my Positive Changes hypnosis tape about releasing pain and the the specific thing that it is about is that pain is just a memory and that you have to put it outside your body and let it go. Interesting because it’s the same thing SHE said.
She said to just trust my instincts (in terms of how much to push, what to do, when to do it) and she feels that if I am doing something every hour it’s enough. And if I feel like doing my instruction sheet three times a day that’s okay too. I told her that I would be worried that I wouldn’t do anything if left to my own devices. She said that’s not possible – I will WANT to get up and move. And besides I’m not giving myself permission to do nothing. I am telling myself I have to do something every hour, even if that something is to do my massage and scar management.
Five weeks of killing myself has just gotten me frustrated, depressed, angry and blocked. Actually, I was fine up until I found out I needed the manipulation – that’s when it all fell apart for me. I knew what to expect with the recovery… I just didn’t expect it to be worse than what I was told to expect! Anyway – with 90 degree weather and no AC in the house I’m liking her gentle approach! Our pool is ice cold but I will see if I can dangle my feet in it at least… that will be nice – I think it will be too cold to swim in – I don’t want to send my leg and its nerves into shock – that won’t be good. As soon as I go back to work, though, I am signing up for the recreation center there and getting in THEIR nice warm pool.
I’ve been doing my PT all week. I’ve even added more range of motion exercises and balancing and walking exercises, but I’m approaching it in a kinder, more forgiving way. I am extremely uncomfortable by the end of the day, but I don’t think I am doing TOO much. It’s not pain (and I feel great the next day) so I know that I’m pushing myself just enough. The trick is to find a balance between doing enough to make progress, but backing off I don’t kill the next day because I’m in pain and need to stay in bed. I’ve cried off and on – not because of the pain, but because of the emotion of it all. One morning this week I did fall apart because I didn’t make it to the toilet in time, and I really thought that was behind me. Then this evening, for no reason, I just sat sobbing – but just a little bit. I think I am just caught off-guard by all the emotion this is bring up. Part of it is fatigue and exhaustion, part of it is disappointment at the recovery process, part of it is just enough of being stuck already…. but I did read somewhere – that instead of looking at this and saying – “I’m six weeks into recovery why is this taking so long?” I need to look at it this way: “I’m six weeks into a 52 week recovery. Boy, I’m really moving along.”
My hope is that this blog will help other people face their recovery. We may not have the same issues, but it’s important to see that if you aren’t driving, back to work, and running around by six weeks, you are not alone. I also want to keep a diary so I can look back myself and see my progress. I need to keep track of the four steps forward and three steps back nature of the recovery. Otherwise I feel that I am taking four steps forward and six steps back. That’s not the case, and having a diary of the journey will make me realize that.
My steps forward this week: I have gained a nice range of motion (I don’t measure myself at home, of course, but I certainly can tell how far back under the chair my TKR leg is moving!). Also, BIG: I moved the recumbant bike up from the very last notch, and I am still able to get around. I did three minutes twice today AND went for a walk!
Welcome to my journey. Please share yours with me!
Miriam
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