Puzzle Mania

Jigsaw Puzzles!  Are you familiar? I can remember doing some in my youth, but recently Hubs and I have taken them up again - BIG TIME!  In the last year and a half, we have amassed a collection that is stunning!  I am going to post photos here of some or most of them.  I think you'll see some patterns.  I apologize now for the ones that are sideways or upside down.  I swear they all came from files that were turned the right direction!  If I delete and try to find them again, it will just make my head spin!  Sorry!

Yes, there really is a piece missing from the colored pencils.  

..... and yes, this is ME, photographing the feeding of a giraffe at the Columbus Zoo! 

Did seeing all of these put you in a mood????  Our fave puzzle company is White Mountain Puzzles, and they have a great website with lots of options.  Most of ours have been 1000 pieces, but some are 550 and some are 1500.  (I think there was one 2000 Piecer.)  Clearly, we like the ones that have little sections to work on.  The ones with lots of blue sky or lots of trees.... those are too challenging for us!

Let me know what puzzles you like!

Thanks for visiting!

:)Amy

Has it really been almost a year?

Hello Friends,

It is hard for me to believe it has been so long since I posted about Tillie!  On June 12, I will be going back to my Ortho Doc for my 1 year check up! 

As I mentioned in one of my last entries, I was still looking forward to being able to pedal the stationary bike, and eventually, I did get there!  I would have to do some research into the actual date, but it was either the last week of July or the first week of August.  I had to do 5 minutes of pushing back and forth on the pedal before it finally just went around!  When it did, of course, I cried, because that's what I do!  Even after I did it once, that didn't mean I would be able to do it easily every time I got on the bike.  I still usually had to work on it for 3-4-5 min before it would go around.  Even after my Office PT ended and I started going to the rec center, I still had to do the back and forth pushing for awhile before it would go around.  I haven't even tried now since last fall, so I have no idea what it would do at this point. 

I started back to school in mid-August, and things went well.  I was able to do what I needed to do, but I started having more pain at night.  I would wake up in the night and my leg would just ache.  I tried to avoid taking pain meds and relied on Ibuprofen, which helped, but I still had this night aching thing to deal with.  I went back to PT and my therapist gave me some exercises to do at home.  I did them, and it helped a little, but the turning point came over Thanksgiving break.  All of a sudden, I was able to sleep through the night without pain waking me up.  It was like someone flipped a switch.  Based on things my Doc had told me, I presume it was a change in the level of internal swelling. 

As the weather got better in the spring, I started walking at the local parks more, and that has been easy.  The fact that I now have NO knee pain after having had it for about 14 years, is just miraculous!  I am very glad I did both knee surgeries.  My biggest advice to any of my readers who end up doing this is YOU HAVE TO EXERCISE.  A LOT!  Several times a day for months!  If you do that, your recovery will be amazing.  If you don't do it, your knees will stiffen up, and you won't have gained anything. 

As of now, I have better range of motion in my left than in my right, but it's not a lot different.  I think my right is as good as it's going to get.  It was worse going in, so it really isn't a surprise that it's not making it to the progress of my left.  That's ok - I'll take it!

Thanks for visiting!  If you have specific questions for me about my knees or anything I've written about, please let me know!

Happy Reading!

:)Amy

Tillie's 6 Week Anniversary !!!!!

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

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

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

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

Tillie's Progress compared to Bessie's

Hello!

I am now on Day 16 since Tillie's surgery.  I had some time this morning, so I went back through Bessie's Blog Entries to do some comparisons.  I already knew there are huge differences in the speed of my current recovery compared to 5 years ago, but until I actually made a specific list, I didn't realize how many things are different.  Here is a partial list of the big stuff:

• Bessie couldn't lift herself off the bed until day 21!  Tillie could do that when she arrived home on day 2 !  

• Bessie took 17 days to get to a 90 degree bend.  Tillie hit that on day 10. 

• Bessie was still relying on the walker on Day 14.  Tillie has been off the walker in the bedroom since Day 5 or 6 and in the house since about Day 7.  I only used the walker for the next 7 days to roll the leg pump contraption around.  

• Bessie had to wait until Day 17 before the PT told her she could walk outside!  WHAT?  Tillie was walking outside - with a CANE - on Day 11.  Bessie didn't make it outside with a cane until Day 25!  WHAT?  That is just CRAZY!

• On Day 8, Tillie rode in a car with a friend to the Doc's office, walked into the waiting area using a cane, to get a Rx renewal. On Day 20, Tillie rode with a friend to a meeting at South where she walked into the school with a cane - cafeteria and auditorium. 

The big question is: Why is Tillie's recovery happening so much faster than Bessie's?  Well, I think there are some good reasons:

1. 5 years ago, when Bessie was operated on, she was in really really bad shape, and so was Tillie.  She had been in almost constant pain for years and had actually "gone out" more than once.  I had not been able to take walks or do much healthy exercise (except water aerobics) for years.  
2. After Bessie's surgery, I was able to do much more healthy walking.  It has been a regular thing for the last couple of years to walk at the local parks.  I even took walks at school (10 min = 1000 steps!) 
3. Once Bessie was in good shape, she was able to take some of the load off of Tillie, so Tillie got a lot better herself.  She wasn't in constant pain going into surgery.  In fact, it was just the pain she's had for the last year that led me to decide to have this surgery.  
4. I spent 2 years losing weight on Weight Watchers, and at the time of Tillie's Big Day, I was down about 50 pounds from Bessie's Big Day.  
5. I was more prepared for this surgery because I had been exercising both girls by pushing down my knees on the bed at night - exercising my quads.  
6. I came out of this surgery already having 1 good leg.  Before, neither leg was good, so it was an uphill battle with neither of them helping the other.  

So, there you have it - a little comparison for your reading pleasure!

Thanks for sticking with me!  I know it isn't nearly exciting as last time!  Oh well, you'll just have to find other ways to be excited!

Talk to you soonly!

:)Amy

A Diversion - Book Report

Hello!

2018's first Summer Read has been completed:  The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve. 

I have always been a huge Shreve fan.  I've read all of her books and so far have only been disappointed by one (Stella Bain - let's not go there).  While this week's read was not the best book on the Shreve shelf, it was enjoyable. 

The basic story is about Grace.  Grace is a young mother of 2 who lives in a small town on the coast of Maine in the late '40s.  As the coastline gets ravaged by a huge wildfire, Grace saves her children while their house burns to the ground.  Meanwhile, her husband is off with other men in the town trying to stop the fire.  Most of the book is about their life after the fire. 

Parts of the plot are sort of predictable, but there is some suspense and some romance (minimal, unfortunately).  While I wouldn't label this book as "gripping", I looked forward to reading it and had no trouble finishing it. 

One thing that is somewhat unique about this book is that it is written in present tense from Grace's perspective.  I am so used to reading fiction in past tense, that this took some getting used to, but once I got used to it, it was fine.  I can see this book making a very good movie as well. 

There you go!  Happy Reading!

:)Amy

Tillie Takes A Walk

Good Morning!

Welcome to Sunday, June 24, 2018.  Yesterday's big advance was that Bessie and Tillie went for a walk together.... outside... on the sidewalk!  I walked the width of 4 houses/yards back and forth, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  I plan to do more of that today!  Who knows - maybe I'll go crazy and do the whole block!  I did use my cane, for insurance.  I'm not even using that in the house.

As was the case with Bessie, when Tillie gets achy, the best remedy is to get up and walk.  She hurts less when I am walking and moving around than when I am just sitting.  Really though she isn't hurting all that much.  She does get hurty after exercises, but other than that, it is just more of an awareness.  I can tell something is different, but it doesn't actually "hurt" most of the time.  The incision itches sometimes, and the bandage that is over it sort of pulls on my skin, so that adds another "awareness" factor.  I am continuing to reduce my use of hard-core meds, and rely more on Ibuprofen.

That's about all I have to share right now.  My progress is super fast and fabulous - I am thrilled by how well everything has gone so far!  I am finished now with the Comfort Keeper helpers - they were GREAT - but I can pretty much do everything I want and need to do by myself now. 

Thanks for letting me share with you!  I'll talk to you again soon!

:)Amy

Tillie's Progress Continues to Amaze!

Hello again!

I am writing this on Friday, June 22 - Day 10.  PT Kevin was here today, and with his help, Tillie hit 90 degrees of bend!  I was so excited I almost cried!  In reading back over Bessie's Blog, I see that she didn't hit 90 until Day 17.  It doesn't surprise me that I am a week ahead of where I was before.  I'm thrilled that when I go to my doc's on Monday to have my staples removed, I will get to show him my progress! 

I have now also cut my meds at least in half if not more.  That's huge too.  I sort of felt like I was over-medicated, so I just started cutting.  Instead of 2 pills at once, I started taking 1, and I also lengthened the time between them especially on the hard stuff.  I also try to plan taking them around my therapy sessions. 

One thing Kevin is doing that I think is most helpful is he actually squeezes Tillie, and his having control over that is much more successful than my pulling on her.  I don't stop squeezing because of pain, I just stop when she won't go any farther.  He sits on the edge of the bed, and I put my foot on his shoulder with my knee bent, and he pushes.  He moves very slowly and holds for probably at least 10 sec before he backs off.  He pushes until I start wincing, but that is what is getting me to 90 degrees.  I wouldn't be there on my own. 

The swelling above my knee seems worse.  Part of it is that I have fat legs, but the swelling seems to be accentuated right above the crease in my knee and toward the inside.  Today he told me that to reduce swelling I need to do more toes over nose.  That means me lying on my back with my head low (1 pillow), and my leg up on 3 pillows and angled so that I can wiggle my toes and push my knee down.  I should also have ice packs on my knee and do all this for 20 min.  This is probably the most uncomfortable thing I have to do.  When the 20 min alarm goes off, I am DONE!

Today, Kevin had me step onto and off of a 6" box.  (Last time he brought a 4" box.)  Stepping up on the box is hard, and I wouldn't be able to do it without holding on to the kitchen counter.  He also had me balance on a foam pad today.  That was also challenging, but my balance has never been great anyway.  He is also having me march in place, do heal-to-toe lines walking along the counter, do side raises and then tip-toe and rock back on heel. 

The other thing he is having me do is use a black Theraband. I close it in the bedroom door, and then put it around my knee and pull back on it until I am tight and hold for 10 sec.  He remains impressed with my progress.  I told him this is my full-time job right now - it is my life. I don't understand the people who have surgery and then don't exercise.  What's up with that?  What a waste! 

I have Kevin coming to the house M-W-F next week then I will start going to the office.  I'll let you know how the staple-pulling goes on Monday!

Have a great weekend and thanks for sticking with me!

:)Amy