Did the gym today for the first time, just to say howdy and try out the toys, and I'll have to say it was completely successful! My focus at the gym's going to be the muscles supporting the knee and the hip - lite weights and low reps at first!! No pain, some gain, and I tried to keep in mind that the gym is a certified recruiter for the ODIC. Happily, my wonky knees act as fuses by blowing before my hips.
It's becoming clear that the recovery process is about forgetting. Bopping up and down the stairs in my split-level this morning, I forgot that stairs were ever a challenge. Rolling over on my side last night, I forgot that side-sleeping is supposed to be a problem. From day to day, I make incremental advances in endurance or flexibility in the cause of some errand I'm running, and I forget to note or celebrate them because it all seems so "normal". Eventually, the only record of this process I'll have will be two butt scars, my diary, and this blog.
Which is probably the way it's supposed to be.
I started working on a set of recovery milestones going forward, cuz I'm a total geek and it'll give me an excuse to post throughout the next year, plus it's kinda fun. The rule is that
nothing counts as an accomplishment if it's accompanied by or followed by pain of any kind.
Errand/task based stuff: (level 1: I'll probably check these off in the next week or two)
- use blower outside for 1/2 hour
- yard work for 1+ hours
Basic stuff - easy: (difficulty level 2: the right leg was capable of all this prior to the recent surging)
- putting on socks
- tying shoes
- clip toenails
Basic stuff - advanced: (level 3: I haven't done these for over a decade)
- get up from the floor without handholds or help
- step up on a standard chair seat (18”)
Revenge stuff (level 5: things I failed at years ago because of arthritis)
- ride a bicycle (last tried on a bike tour of Key West in 2000 - I couldn't get my leg over the bike!)
- 5 mile trail at Raven Rock (last tried in 2001 - got 4 miles in before having to hobble back to the car)
Basic exercise stuff: (level 2: just a matter of time...)
- 1 mile neighborhood walk
- 2 mile neighborhood walk
- 20 mile trike ride
Expedition-level exercise stuff: (level 5: this might take a while...!)
- 50 mile trike ride
- 100 mile trike ride
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SHORT VERSION OF POST IN CASE TL:DR -
I can't remember having surgery.
I went to the gym and didn't hurt myself. This time.
I want to do some stuff.
The end.
When spring has sprung...my guess is you will be finer than frog hair!
Or possibly violin dust.
You'll have to celebrate the day with some frozen custard, naturally.
Tonight's flavor is burgundy cherry with an optional side of cold rain.