I went off to PT this morning, and did my workout. My appointment was at 10:45, and I was walking out of there at about 10 after 12. It's a workout to be sure, but it is easily accomplished. I wonder what that means? I still am hopeful to be done with all of this by the end of next week.
I am continually cautioned about swelling, which is not an issue. I wore my blue jeans today, and the concern was that the knee would swell and I wouldn't be able to remove them. The knee does not swell, however. It hasn't since I began PT. Still they caution about it over and over again. I think that I am mindful. If I had swelling or pain, I surely would not press on. I've had a bad knee for a lot of years, and I sure do not want to damage this one. They were shocked that I spent yesterday working on the garden. "How many hours?" I was asked. When I said all afternoon, they once again began to stress the importance of not pushing that knee.
I am anxious to discuss this with the surgeon. I have so many questions. Is it really pushing that joint if you have no signs of overuse? That appointment is not until the 27th, however. The PT laughed when I said, "Well...warn him I am coming!"
So. I'm beginning to see that I may be a bit of a 'unicorn' as far as bouncing back from this surgery. My results are not normal. I am "off the bell chart", so probably best to avoid measuring yourself against my progress.
I am enjoying the people I meet there. They've all got such stories. Today, I met a military widow. Her husband died 7 years ago. She was there for balance issues and we blabbed while we were working out.
Another man was going to San Antonio. His son is at Lackland Air Force base. I mentioned that I'd been stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, and I loved San Antonio. You can never tell about people. I was shocked when he said, "Well, right now, it's pretty sad there." I assumed storms, since we've had quite a few bad ones, but he said, "No. Last week 400 hundred illegal aliens were rounded up by ICE," and the way he said 'illegal' made it clear he what he thought of this round up.
It's getting crazy, masked men grabbing people off the streets, when they show up for appointments, when they go to their children's schools.
So...that was an unexpected conversation, but a welcome one.
I went grocery shopping by myself. Ran into an old friend (well...not literally). It just felt so blessedly ordinary.
Driving home in a thunder storm today, I was surprised to see a little boy playing on one of those inflatable slides. It was pouring rain and he was having the time of his life all by himself. That's something you don't often see...kids playing in the rain.
Elon Musk is speaking out against tRUMP's big beautiful bill.
Trump is threatening to cut Musk's government contracts.
Bannon wants Musk's immigration status looked into.
Margery Taylor Greene attacks the bill after she voted for it. After she admits she didn't read it.
I have been sitting here following the back and forth between Elmo and Dump. They are fairly pathetic. It's amazing how quickly this broke out. Meanwhile Chancellor Merz has got to be shaking his head, wondering how these two came to power in the US. How the mighty have fallen. Congratulations on another successful PT day.
ReplyDeleteYeah. It is. I hear a truce has been brokered, but it was quite entertaining. I mean for MTG to speak out, was jaw dropping. Admitting she never read the bill just had me rolling. You know she's not the only one.
DeleteI can't help wondering.... are the MAGAts really eating each other or is this some show for us and they have their own nefarious reasons? We know they can't be trusted. I have plenty of popcorn though.
ReplyDeleteI cheer every single voice that speaks up, and I cheer every crack that appears in the 'regime'. My fondest wish is to see this thing crumble and die but to be honest, I don't see it happening in my lifetime.
DeleteI think you're doing so well you've got your PT all unnerved! Likewise here, my regular doctor was astonished to see how functional I was one month after surgery. At my age they warn you to expect about three months recovery. Also that swelling that never happened! Here too. We're both 1 fit and 2 lucky! Also always active lives, I think that matters.
ReplyDeleteI was never given a time line, but now that I am in outpatient therapy, I'm meeting other people and have come to realize that my circumstances are unusual. I have limped for a long time. I don't even have a limp now. My friend in the grocery store could not believe her eyes. Her neighbor is having an awful time regaining her mobility.
DeleteYou have super recuperative powers.
ReplyDeleteBut will your country ever recover from this shitshow?
I believe we will...if we can dispose of the turds.
DeleteCount yourself lucky on the knee and that you've worked so hard to rehabilitate.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, Red, I count myself lucky every single day!!!
DeleteI think this 47 Musk shitshow is a distraction, you know "look over here", wouldn't surprise me if there is something coming that we're all going to hate. Good on ya for your progress on recovering!!
ReplyDeleteHis big beautiful bill is what he wants right now. The longer it takes to push it through, the more opportunity people will have to actually read it. As one state representative said, a great many of the codicils tucked into the 1100 page document have nothing to do with the economy and the budget. Those items have to be dealt with separately, not just hidden away in a bigger bill to be sneaked in.
DeleteWouldn't you just love to be a fly on the wall on the return flights of all the foreign dignitaries after they have met with donnie dump? Do flies blush?
ReplyDeleteHe's so easily manipulated. Dangle something shiny in front of him and he'll do whatever it takes to get it.
DeleteI agree that everyone heals differently from surgeries. Nobody should measure their recovery against someone else. I will admit I am slow healer. It is very frustrating. But I am so happy for you that you are doing so well! I think you can judge what you can and can't do and use your own common sense. I think the therapists are used to patients with zero common sense, lol.
ReplyDeleteI think the back and forth today just proves the immaturity of both of them. And to think these are our role models and leaders. Sickening.
Miss Merry, if you’re one of the readers with an upcoming surgery… I’ve noticed that I heal faster when my Vitamin D levels are normal; maybe it’s all in my mind, but it couldn’t hurt to get tested? It does take a few months of supplementation to bring up a very low level.
DeleteI’ve also wondered if Debby’s magical healing is at least partly attributable to the fact that she’s been dieting and not eating sugar, which causes inflammation, since well before the surgery.
You know, Anonymous, that's interesting and something that I hadn't considered at all.
DeleteMary, I'd recommend reading up on helping your body heal faster after surgery. I did some reading after Anonymous' comment. I'd been eating a high protein breakfast to help with the high glucose levels for several months. High protein intake is one of the things recommended for helping your body heal after surgery.
DeleteYep, you are one of the rare ones who heals quickly. And your doc is a dandy too. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThe PT said that he knew that the surgeon was going to be happy to see me.
DeleteYou know your own body and your limitations, and your intelligence will continue to guide you.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to meet like-minded people - that way you know you're not going mad.
I think that, in the end, that's what it comes down to: knowing yourself. I know that I'm practical. I also know that I'm not a risk taker. If I can do it, I will do it. If I can't, I won't.
DeleteSadly it is very entertaining American politics at the moment and the world will watch eagerly with popcorn in hand. But life goes on and you are healing rapidly, you have a strong will and a roving eye for a story.
ReplyDeleteWe have to do what we can. Unfortunately, I cannot change Washington. I will speak up though, and I will make sure that I am doing what needs done to insure that we can meet the challenges of the days ahead.
DeleteIt is good that you are healing so well. Don't take anything for granted though...we want to see you dancing around in your newly completed house!
ReplyDeleteI take nothing for granted! I really am mindful of it. Some day, I will do that happy dance!
DeleteAs someone who has had two knee replacements, let me tell you what I learned the hard way: While you can't damage the replaced joint, what you can damage is the incision itself, all those many layers of skin and tissue. THAT takes 6-8 weeks to heal, and it is why you are being cautioned to take it slowly. When you've had a good surgeon, as you and I obviously did, the danger is that you feel too good too quickly and run the risk of causing even more trauma to all that tissue. It doesn't mean don't do things, it just means ... don't push it, and don't try to return to your old routine even if you feel like you can. Your body does need to heal on the inside as well as the outside. Giving yourself time to do that will get you back to true 150º flexion, which is what you want, and you'll also heal more quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe likelihood of that happening is estimated at between 1 and 11%. The first sign of incisional failure would be drainage, which is not an issue. Functional measurements for a knee range begin at 120° which I met a couple weeks back. 150° is a measurement, but I would argue that it is "true" flexion which would have your lower leg flexed and pressing against the back of your thigh. Impressive, but certainly not necessary to leading a normal life. Normal is a range, not a number, and that range is 120° to 150°.
DeleteWhy does ANY world leader agree to go sit in that Las Vegas themed room with the hulking idiot who doesn't even know how to sit in a chair? I wouldn't even begin to try and give you advice about your recovery. It's your knee and you know it better than anyone.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it myself.
DeleteI think the musk/trump show is a purposeful distraction from ICE etc. A circus to make us look that way instead of at the true pre-genocidal horrors.
ReplyDeleteCeci
I honestly don't think they are that strategic.
DeleteGlad your recovery is going so well and hope it continues that way. You have always been so active and I think that helped.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty amazing, that's for sure.
DeleteGo by how you feel, but they will not show muck sympathy if you overdo it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've heard interesting tales from the other patients I've met. I know I'm on a downhill curve, but there are others far worse.
I imagine that they won't feel one bit sorry for me. We'll see, won't we. When an athlete pushes himself to his limits, we see that as courageous and admirable. When a gray haired short person pushes her own limits, it is not considered heroic at all. I guess I can't help being me.
DeleteIt always makes me glad to see you here. Thanks for being you.
Check out this video. There are still sane people in the world, thank god.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unSSHfIs3U0
Glad you're a unicorn:)
Actually, Pixie, this is important enough that I am going to post it in tomorrow's post. Thank you for it.
DeleteI think the medical professionals are right to warn you to be cautious.I suppose it is possible that there won't be a warning that you are overdoing things until something goes wrong. You've done so well, so please don't spoil it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Andreeeeeeeeeewww. (channeling 'the boys'.)
DeleteYour last sentence says it all...sadly.
ReplyDeleteWell done on knee progress..you know how not to overdo things xx