I can't believe the progress. Jessica, the physical therapist, told me after she got my leg back to 120˚ that if they had an ad for their facility and I was in the ad, they'd have to put a disclaimer saying that all do not progress as well as I have. I looked at her skeptically & thanked her for the build up. No build up she told me. I'm doing very well and am ahead of schedule. Then she said she didn't want me to get tendinitis from patting myself on the back so much. Funny woman!
Cile, a woman I swim with also had surgery, but on her foot and I asked a mutual friend how Cile was doing. Maggie replied, "She is like you. Ahead of schedule and complaining that she hasn't done better." I really think that doing the water exercises before surgery helped a lot with the healing.
And now I'm ready for Chuck to get his hip replaced. Surgery is set for 7:30 AM on the 16th. He is SO looking forward to feeling better.
Colleen is coming up to help so that will be good. Now I'm going to get those last minute quilt projects finished before the show June 3, 4 & 5.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Swimming!!
Well, water walking. I got a call from PT that my therapist went home with a stomach bug and therapy was canceled for today. So I decided to try the pool. It has been 7 weeks and felt good.
First I was greeted like royalty and then cautioned to not over do. Believe me, I didn't. The knee felt funny, but the exercise felt good. I did what the therapist had me do last week, but in the water and it took the pressure off the other knee.
I went for a walk last week and as I was nearing home I felt my knee was bothering me. I laughed when I realized it was not the repaired knee, but the other one. I will get it evaluated, but not going to have surgery right away. I want to enjoy the nice weather. I had a cortisone shot in my left knee about 2 weeks before surgery and it lasted about 8 weeks. I really used that knee a lot & now it's saying "enough!"
I was so glad when Dr. Niles told me I could drive. Chuck had me drive home and I have no problem.
Chuck goes in for his much needed hip replacement on May 16. Poor Chuck is very uncomfortable, but it isn't stopping him. He just is doing some moaning. I know when Chuck complains of pain it is REALLY bad. And he will be having Lynelle and Tracy for his therapists, too. Our neighbor Jeff brought down the lounge chair for Chuck and he is somewhat more comfortable. No, I was not going to give up mine. It is the perfect height and is so nice to be able to have the leg comfortably up after working the leg.
The washer is calling me to dry the clothes, so I'll take care of that and then perhaps a nap ... forget the perhaps.
First I was greeted like royalty and then cautioned to not over do. Believe me, I didn't. The knee felt funny, but the exercise felt good. I did what the therapist had me do last week, but in the water and it took the pressure off the other knee.
I went for a walk last week and as I was nearing home I felt my knee was bothering me. I laughed when I realized it was not the repaired knee, but the other one. I will get it evaluated, but not going to have surgery right away. I want to enjoy the nice weather. I had a cortisone shot in my left knee about 2 weeks before surgery and it lasted about 8 weeks. I really used that knee a lot & now it's saying "enough!"
I was so glad when Dr. Niles told me I could drive. Chuck had me drive home and I have no problem.
Chuck goes in for his much needed hip replacement on May 16. Poor Chuck is very uncomfortable, but it isn't stopping him. He just is doing some moaning. I know when Chuck complains of pain it is REALLY bad. And he will be having Lynelle and Tracy for his therapists, too. Our neighbor Jeff brought down the lounge chair for Chuck and he is somewhat more comfortable. No, I was not going to give up mine. It is the perfect height and is so nice to be able to have the leg comfortably up after working the leg.
The washer is calling me to dry the clothes, so I'll take care of that and then perhaps a nap ... forget the perhaps.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wow!
Today was another day of PT and I didn't feel I'd progressed, but I have! I bent my leg back 100˚! That's from 96˚ 2 days ago! And it's getting easier each day. I have 2˚ more to go to get my leg completely straight. Walking is more comfortable each day and I have not taken pain pills ... except before Lynelle comes. And then ice after PT. Now if the weather would co-operate and stop the snow & rain, I'd get out to walk more.
Standing is still a problem. Chuck got me a fresh pineapple which I cleaned and cut up ... and then I was ready to sit. Before that I was antsy about 1 minute after standing.
Tues. I get my 6 week check up and he'd better tell me I can drive! I'm ready!
Standing is still a problem. Chuck got me a fresh pineapple which I cleaned and cut up ... and then I was ready to sit. Before that I was antsy about 1 minute after standing.
Tues. I get my 6 week check up and he'd better tell me I can drive! I'm ready!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Progress
I'm sitting and icing my knee after PT, but only because Lynelle said to; not because I'm hurting. Yes, she pushed me, but I'm finding it easier. I only have about 2 degrees more for straight, but can't see how that will happen until all the swelling goes away. "They" tell me that may take 3 months. And bending is consistently improving.
Last night I walked up the stairs using alternating legs! It wasn't easy, but it worked!
Last week after downloading some software ... security updates, etc. my computer started acting strange. I tried "fixing" it, because I always seem to think it's something I have done, I finally called the Apple store. We made an appointment at the Genius Bar and they fixed it. We were there from 2 until 7, which was a long time up and about for me, but the good news was that I did it! I even walked the mall somewhat, exercised, listened while the Geniuses told me what they were going to try next ... Greek to me ... went to dinner, Chuck bought a pair of slip on shoes for his impending hip surgery and enjoyed a Starbucks Chai. Wish I had remembered to bring my Kindle ... next time.
A week from today I see Dr. Niles & am hoping he'll say I can drive. I still can't stand for long, but even that is getting better.
Last night I walked up the stairs using alternating legs! It wasn't easy, but it worked!
Last week after downloading some software ... security updates, etc. my computer started acting strange. I tried "fixing" it, because I always seem to think it's something I have done, I finally called the Apple store. We made an appointment at the Genius Bar and they fixed it. We were there from 2 until 7, which was a long time up and about for me, but the good news was that I did it! I even walked the mall somewhat, exercised, listened while the Geniuses told me what they were going to try next ... Greek to me ... went to dinner, Chuck bought a pair of slip on shoes for his impending hip surgery and enjoyed a Starbucks Chai. Wish I had remembered to bring my Kindle ... next time.
A week from today I see Dr. Niles & am hoping he'll say I can drive. I still can't stand for long, but even that is getting better.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Reality Check
OK. It's been 4 weeks since the new knee and I thought I'd be much more independent by now. I expressed my frustration to Lynelle (PT) and she patiently explained that even though this is now a routine procedure, it is still major surgery and that I am progressing very well. Lynelle also said the next progress will not be in big leaps and bounds, but that I am walking very well and gaining more stamina each time she visits. She is pleased so I guess I should be, too. Now if I remember correctly, I recall being told the first few weeks are the toughest, not that I'd be all healed. Oh, how we read into what is said and not the reality. I'm now adjusted so will be content with my progress.
Yesterday I walked outside quite a bit ... oh, it was such nice weather & felt so good! I saw Matt Truesdale on my walk and he asked how I was doing. I told him that I would be having the Physical Terrorist this afternoon. No sympathy from him! He grinned and said that means she's doing her job.
I'm going to try and machine sew on the binding to Judy's quilt as I don't have a therapist visit today. Yes, I'll do my exercises even without the PT visit, too, but I haven't been in the sewing room for 4+ weeks. I'm having real withdrawal!
Tomorrow I'm going to try choir and Thurs. is quilt club. I'll go for show & tell, lunch and the speaker. Then Fri. is the Pops concert. The last August Wilson play is on Sunday afternoon @ GEVA. I'll see how I do at the Pops concert before I decide about the play. I hear it's a long one. But I don't want to miss it. See? That's my problem. I don't want to miss anything.
Just got a notice that Sue Nickels, our quilt club speaker, will not be able to come as she is attending a family crisis. So Pat Berardi has agreed to do a trunk show. I like Pat's work!
Off to do something physical ... walking, stretching & bending. Have to get in good shape to take as good care of Chuck as he has been doing for me!
Yesterday I walked outside quite a bit ... oh, it was such nice weather & felt so good! I saw Matt Truesdale on my walk and he asked how I was doing. I told him that I would be having the Physical Terrorist this afternoon. No sympathy from him! He grinned and said that means she's doing her job.
I'm going to try and machine sew on the binding to Judy's quilt as I don't have a therapist visit today. Yes, I'll do my exercises even without the PT visit, too, but I haven't been in the sewing room for 4+ weeks. I'm having real withdrawal!
Tomorrow I'm going to try choir and Thurs. is quilt club. I'll go for show & tell, lunch and the speaker. Then Fri. is the Pops concert. The last August Wilson play is on Sunday afternoon @ GEVA. I'll see how I do at the Pops concert before I decide about the play. I hear it's a long one. But I don't want to miss it. See? That's my problem. I don't want to miss anything.
Just got a notice that Sue Nickels, our quilt club speaker, will not be able to come as she is attending a family crisis. So Pat Berardi has agreed to do a trunk show. I like Pat's work!
Off to do something physical ... walking, stretching & bending. Have to get in good shape to take as good care of Chuck as he has been doing for me!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Yippee!
Yesterday we met with some friends at Bill Gray's & there wasn't enough room for all of us to sit together so the "boys" got a booth & the "girls" had a table. I've been watching Chuck grimace each time he gets up from a chair & trying to encourage him not to wait for me to heal completely before he starts the process of getting his hip replaced. The "boys" convinced him so he called Dr. Niles and has his first appointment April 14. Yippee!
I had a different therapist yesterday and have to work harder on getting my leg straight. The bending is S L O W L Y progressing, but straightening seems to be at a stand still. Lynelle measured 5° and Tracy measured 10° so I'm stretching every hour or so and rubbing and massaging.
I went outside today and tomorrow is supposed to be warmer ... 60°s. Perhaps we can think of putting away our winter clothes soon.
Off to bend & stretch some more.
I had a different therapist yesterday and have to work harder on getting my leg straight. The bending is S L O W L Y progressing, but straightening seems to be at a stand still. Lynelle measured 5° and Tracy measured 10° so I'm stretching every hour or so and rubbing and massaging.
I went outside today and tomorrow is supposed to be warmer ... 60°s. Perhaps we can think of putting away our winter clothes soon.
Off to bend & stretch some more.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
PT?
I'll bet you thought PT stood for Physical Therapy. Officially that's correct, but now I know why I've heard it referred to as Pain and Torture or Physical Terrorist. Lynelle looks like such a sweet, gentle young woman. She has a way of getting my new knee to do things that I didn't think it could do yet. Those muscles & tendons are being WORKED! And it's working! My knee is bending and straightening better with each exercise session ... with or without Lynelle's supervision. Ice, pain pills and rest make it all worth it.
And we have been blessed with friends that have shared meals with us. It's like going to a different eatery with a delicious variety of shared food & company. I'd better not get too used to this. Chuck really appreciates not having to think about what to fix or standing to fix dinner as his hip is ready for Dr. Niles to repair.
The "snow" word was mentioned again in the weather forecast. Lynelle said we could go outside as soon as the weather gets warmer. I'm SO looking forward to warmer weather and being out in it. I hope I remember being cold when the weather gets too warm. Not much we can do about the weather. And we are looking forward to grilling weather.
Time to do another round of exercises. Those PT people know what they are doing, so I'll follow their instructions.
And we have been blessed with friends that have shared meals with us. It's like going to a different eatery with a delicious variety of shared food & company. I'd better not get too used to this. Chuck really appreciates not having to think about what to fix or standing to fix dinner as his hip is ready for Dr. Niles to repair.
The "snow" word was mentioned again in the weather forecast. Lynelle said we could go outside as soon as the weather gets warmer. I'm SO looking forward to warmer weather and being out in it. I hope I remember being cold when the weather gets too warm. Not much we can do about the weather. And we are looking forward to grilling weather.
Time to do another round of exercises. Those PT people know what they are doing, so I'll follow their instructions.
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