Day 05: Mainly relaxed today and snuggled my pups.
For PT, I did some heel slides, quad set knee presses, knee extension. Not pushing it but I am seeing some ability in regaining my control to lift or move my legs/knees on my own.
Figured out that my walker was set too high. Once my hubby lowered it a notch, it made a huge difference in my walking while using it. It bothers me a bit that the PT rep yesterday didn’t check to see if my walker was at the correct height. He had me walk around my kitchen for a bit and you’d think this would be something he would need to check.
I am still taking the oxycodone every four hours. Pain for the most part is around a four and is achy. Stiffness makes it worse. Keeping moving in some regard is the key. Tonight I have some deeper pain in my lower leg and some shooting up my left thigh to my hip. This pain is more of a 5 or 6. Occasionally a few sharp or burning pain in my knee. This sharp pain is brief but more like an 8. I liken the other leg pain to the terrible leg cramps/pains I got at night when I was growing up. Back on the stool softeners, but had already counted on this being an ongoing issue for me.
I am able to dress myself just fine, including shoes and socks. Able to stand to brush my teeth at the bathroom mirror, etc. It’s a relief that five days out I am to be this independent.
Incisions and skin around them both look good. Swelling is still in both knees, calves and ankles. Some swelling in my feet. I am icing every hour for about 30 minutes. Also elevating every hour for part of the hour.
Mobility wise, I hope to try a couple of stairs or to even possibly make it up and down all 14 steps. Our full bath is on the second floor and I would love another shower.
Sleep comes in waves of three to four hours at a time at night. During the day my body will just give up. If I am laying down, my eyes sometimes will just not stay open. I can tell my body is just still working so hard to heal.
wish me luck on the stairs tomorrow. I am nervous.