Hello!
Please notice all the !!! in the title! Week 6 has been A.Maze.Ing!
First, I had an appt with my surgeon on Monday. He gave me an A+. He was very impressed with my progress. He did a couple of xrays, and read the PT reports... Looked at my incision and how much I can bend my knee, and how well I walk. YES!
Then, today at PT, something really new and exciting happened. My therapist asked me if I felt up to trying steps. HECK YES! The building has a stairway that goes down from the main lobby to a basement level. It is about 10 steps down to a landing, turn, then another 10 steps down. There is a railing on each side, and the width is narrow enough that it is easy to hold on on both sides. First, I went down - one foot per step. Then I turned around and went back up - one foot per step. LIKE A NORMAL PERSON! I didn't have to support myself on the railing as I went down, and I didn't have to pull myself up with the railing either. There was no pain or weakness as I did it! I was so excited when I got to the top I started crying!
Being able to do steps was one of my big goals. I have not been able to comfortably do steps for probably 10 years or more. Luckily, I don't HAVE to do steps at home or at school, but when I did encounter them, I faced them as a huge challenge that would increase my pain. No way could I do steps without a railing - going up was pulling myself on the railing and going down was supporting myself. Even a curb used to be scary!
There ya go - this week's progress! YAY!
Stay tuned! I might have even more progress to report next week! WE'LL SEE, won't we!
Hugs-n-stuff,
:)Amy
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Tillie's 5 Week Anniversary
Hello Everyone!
Yesterday was my 5 week anniversary. You may remember that last week's progress was a reduction in swelling. This week's progress involves my nighttime sleeping patterns. Last night was the 2nd night in a row that I slept comfortably in the bed all night and didn't have to get up and sleep in the chair for part of the night. Before that, I would be ok until about 3 am, then I would have trouble finding a comfortable position with Tillie being a little achy. So I would get up and sleep in my recliner for 2-3 hours and then get back in bed for the rest of the night.
Also, I can sleep on either side. Sleeping on my left side with a pillow under Tillie is the best. Sleeping on my right is a little more challenging, and I can usually only stay in that position for 30 min or so at the most, but the fact that I can do both of those is huge! I've also actually rolled over onto my stomach a couple of times, and that is doable for maybe 15-20 min. Compared with how things were with Bessie, this is HUGE!
I am also now to the point where I actually forget I had surgery for a short time. Right now, I'm looking at probably about 8 more PT sessions in the office. I am making huge progress there. The other day I hit 103 degrees, and I am "almost" able to pedal the bike all the way around (backwards is easier than forwards). I'm hoping to make it to that accomplishment this week. (I will probably cry!) I am also going to ask my PT if we can start working with the stairway in the building. They have me step up on a 6" box in the workout room, and I still can't quite do that without holding on.
So, that's where we are! Thanks for keeping up with my progress! I appreciate your support!
Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
Yesterday was my 5 week anniversary. You may remember that last week's progress was a reduction in swelling. This week's progress involves my nighttime sleeping patterns. Last night was the 2nd night in a row that I slept comfortably in the bed all night and didn't have to get up and sleep in the chair for part of the night. Before that, I would be ok until about 3 am, then I would have trouble finding a comfortable position with Tillie being a little achy. So I would get up and sleep in my recliner for 2-3 hours and then get back in bed for the rest of the night.
Also, I can sleep on either side. Sleeping on my left side with a pillow under Tillie is the best. Sleeping on my right is a little more challenging, and I can usually only stay in that position for 30 min or so at the most, but the fact that I can do both of those is huge! I've also actually rolled over onto my stomach a couple of times, and that is doable for maybe 15-20 min. Compared with how things were with Bessie, this is HUGE!
I am also now to the point where I actually forget I had surgery for a short time. Right now, I'm looking at probably about 8 more PT sessions in the office. I am making huge progress there. The other day I hit 103 degrees, and I am "almost" able to pedal the bike all the way around (backwards is easier than forwards). I'm hoping to make it to that accomplishment this week. (I will probably cry!) I am also going to ask my PT if we can start working with the stairway in the building. They have me step up on a 6" box in the workout room, and I still can't quite do that without holding on.
So, that's where we are! Thanks for keeping up with my progress! I appreciate your support!
Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Tillie's 4 Week Anniversary!
Tuesday, July 10 was 4 weeks. Today, July 12 is 1 month. WOW! It is amazing to me how fast my recovery progress is going. Today, I noticed a significant improvement in swelling. My swelling is down so much that my legs "almost" look like they are the same size. I say "almost" because I still have a chunky section just to the inside of my incision (but I think that is mostly fat), but overall, the swelling has gone down considerably.
One thing that is remarkable about this change is the high level of activity I've done in the last 2 days. Yesterday, I had the most vigorous PT session I've ever had. Then, I came home and baked a pie and did dishes, then I stood in my kitchen and talked to visitors for a LONG while, then I went out for lunch, then I walked at Inniswood park - probably 2000 steps at least, I would guess. Today, Hubs and I walked 3600 steps at 2 parks before noon. I was ready for some ice when I got home, but my swelling is still down even with all that activity! That's AMAZING!
I am still on a routine of PT at the office on M/W/F and at home every other day. I see my doc again on July 23. I think he will be impressed! My life feels very normal right now. I haven't used my cane at all for probably a week. I move around my house very comfortably. I shower, make the bed, cook and do dishes, clean, do laundry, do a few minor things in the yard - all with no problem. I am not yet to the point where I forget I had surgery because my leg still feels different, but it seldom actually hurts. I have been putting scar gel on my incision for several days now because all the scabs are gone. I think that is helping too. On the advice of my PT, I also massage my incision when I put the gel on.
I have photos for anyone who asks. Thanks again for your support of Tillie's adventures!
:)Amy
One thing that is remarkable about this change is the high level of activity I've done in the last 2 days. Yesterday, I had the most vigorous PT session I've ever had. Then, I came home and baked a pie and did dishes, then I stood in my kitchen and talked to visitors for a LONG while, then I went out for lunch, then I walked at Inniswood park - probably 2000 steps at least, I would guess. Today, Hubs and I walked 3600 steps at 2 parks before noon. I was ready for some ice when I got home, but my swelling is still down even with all that activity! That's AMAZING!
I am still on a routine of PT at the office on M/W/F and at home every other day. I see my doc again on July 23. I think he will be impressed! My life feels very normal right now. I haven't used my cane at all for probably a week. I move around my house very comfortably. I shower, make the bed, cook and do dishes, clean, do laundry, do a few minor things in the yard - all with no problem. I am not yet to the point where I forget I had surgery because my leg still feels different, but it seldom actually hurts. I have been putting scar gel on my incision for several days now because all the scabs are gone. I think that is helping too. On the advice of my PT, I also massage my incision when I put the gel on.
I have photos for anyone who asks. Thanks again for your support of Tillie's adventures!
:)Amy
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Tillie's 3 Week Anniversary
Hello Friends!
It is hard to believe that 3 weeks ago today, I was in the hospital, having had surgery in the morning. Today, I am moving well on my own without a cane (unless I'm outside), and I even drove myself to the PT office! During today's workout, I was measured at a 98-degree bend. This is THRILLING!
Today, the PT also measured Bessie again, and she was at 108. Our goal is to get Tillie to match up with Bessie at least! One huge advantage of going to the PT office is the equipment they have. I have been using the bike to SQUEEEEZE Tillie. She can't go all the way around on the bike, yet, but I push her as hard as I can going one way, then I reverse the pedal and push her as hard as I can going the other way. I do that for 6 min. I really feel like this is one of the most valuable exercises they are having me do.
They also have me lie on my back on a sliding table with a high bar at the end, and I push myself back on a slide. I use both feet and 1 foot. That one is helpful also, but I want them to tighten the tension a little more on that one. Right now, it feels a little too easy. I also sit on a stool with a weight-pull around my ankle, and I pull back on it. Additionally, I am stepping up on a box - forward and sideways, and I am walking across the room sideways and back (strengthening my hips?).
For the most part, I feel like I am back to living my own life, just with the addition of exercise routines 2-3 times a day. There are many times I almost forget about my knee. I can walk around the house to do what I need to do - laundry, cooking, dishes, cleaning, etc... I even walk outside to change the hummingbird water. I am also sleeping well at night, except my leg feels stiff when I get up after it doesn't move for a few hours.
I am trying to avoid taking narcotics if I can. I have taken 1 dose before some of my PT sessions if I have a ride, but when I drive myself, I only take Ibuprofen.
That's it for my knee update at week 3. I continue to be amazed at how well and how quickly things are progressing. I never imagined it could be this good!
Thanks for reading! I'll talk to you again soonly!
:)Amy
It is hard to believe that 3 weeks ago today, I was in the hospital, having had surgery in the morning. Today, I am moving well on my own without a cane (unless I'm outside), and I even drove myself to the PT office! During today's workout, I was measured at a 98-degree bend. This is THRILLING!
Today, the PT also measured Bessie again, and she was at 108. Our goal is to get Tillie to match up with Bessie at least! One huge advantage of going to the PT office is the equipment they have. I have been using the bike to SQUEEEEZE Tillie. She can't go all the way around on the bike, yet, but I push her as hard as I can going one way, then I reverse the pedal and push her as hard as I can going the other way. I do that for 6 min. I really feel like this is one of the most valuable exercises they are having me do.
They also have me lie on my back on a sliding table with a high bar at the end, and I push myself back on a slide. I use both feet and 1 foot. That one is helpful also, but I want them to tighten the tension a little more on that one. Right now, it feels a little too easy. I also sit on a stool with a weight-pull around my ankle, and I pull back on it. Additionally, I am stepping up on a box - forward and sideways, and I am walking across the room sideways and back (strengthening my hips?).
For the most part, I feel like I am back to living my own life, just with the addition of exercise routines 2-3 times a day. There are many times I almost forget about my knee. I can walk around the house to do what I need to do - laundry, cooking, dishes, cleaning, etc... I even walk outside to change the hummingbird water. I am also sleeping well at night, except my leg feels stiff when I get up after it doesn't move for a few hours.
I am trying to avoid taking narcotics if I can. I have taken 1 dose before some of my PT sessions if I have a ride, but when I drive myself, I only take Ibuprofen.
That's it for my knee update at week 3. I continue to be amazed at how well and how quickly things are progressing. I never imagined it could be this good!
Thanks for reading! I'll talk to you again soonly!
:)Amy
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