Back from Prague update

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backbay38

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Here I am back in NJ after my 2 months teaching and doing business seminars in Prague. I haven't posted for a long time or read much I fear; I was just overwhelmed with work -- and life. that last being a good thing.
2 weekends ago my husband and I joined friends and went for a strenuous, day-long hike in the unusual mountains northeast of Prague. The area is called Cesky Raj (Czech heaven) and features lots of odd rocks and tall sandstone pillars formed millions of years ago when the ocean receded and the continents pulled apart. The climbing can be challenging -- lots of technical climbers (not me!) and lots of stone steps carved out -- sometimes hundreds up or down. A castle at the top of course - it's Europe. anyhow my knee was stellar! I did everything I used to do and more. and nothing hurt the next day.
I am living proof that Jamie's theory of daily living works. As, I read early on, it apparently has for her. I had some trouble in the first weeks with all the cobblestones and getting on and off the very high-step trams etc. But by the end of the first month my whole leg was so much stronger and surer. Everyday I walked hills up and down from our apartment, carried groceries up too, did trams and Metro stairs, purposely walked up and down every escalator I was on (and knew I had improved when I could walk DOWN those big steps without thinking about it), did cobblestones and Belgian block sidewalks that are hell on your feet. In short -- the day-to-day of living in a city. I went to the gym a few times a week but wasn't too good about killing myself there. I did, however, discover that the rowing machine is great for flexibility. I used it for 5 or 10 minutes a few times a week and made sure to pull myself up as close as my knees would allow. I'm doing it here at home now also. You can see the difference from when you start -- and finish.
So now I'm back in the suburbs where you have to drive everywhere and manufacture reasons to walk and look for hills to climb and where except for park trails -- there isn't the kind of uneven streets you find in an old European city. I am worried about keeping my knee as fit as it is now.
I was about 5 and a half months out when I left for Prague -- the perfect point to start "Jamie's therapy". And anyone on this forum who lives in a city already knows what I found out.
Even with all my work and the Prague summer, my quads on the replaced knee leg are still somewhat weaker than on the good leg. It took about a year to rebuild them when I had my ACL repair 25 years ago so i figure the same will be true this time. Again -- Jamie's year is about right -- adjusting for individual recoveries.
My one regret -- I never found the Czech woman I met in the gym last summer who had had her knee replaced 8 months before we met -- and told me she was back skiing. She started me thinking seriously about TKR and I wanted so much to thank her. One of the trainers who speaks English thinks she knows the woman so I hope the message will be delivered. But it's not the same as giving her a big hug :)
I hope everyone is doing well from the winter/spring TKR group and I will hoipefully find time now that I'm home to jump in and give encouragement to the newbies here and then. I will certainly try because this forum and the collective knowledge and experience of everyone have been invaluable to me!!!
 
Well Hello Im so glad your back...I remember when you left it has been along time......Sounds like your knee did great and had alot of fun I know you worked but that place sounds amazing. I hope soon you can put some pics up.......Hiking up to a castle like that must have been something else...........Im glad your back and got do what you needed to. I think the work you do is amazing. Thanks for letting us know about your knee. Gives me hope anyway...........I still sit here and pic what it looks like there. I bet its real amazing is the only word I cant think of.........Im glad your are doing well. Thanks for posting because it does get a lil depressing sometimes but when I read yours and other stories it really makes me smile....Thanks again and welcome home......:)
 
Backbay...so GREAT to hear from you!!! What a marvelous story your recovery is. I'm inspired just reading it. You know the "living" you did in Prague was BETTER than any gym program could have been. You are living proof that you can get your life back after knee replacement. God bless you!

Now your challenge will be to find ways to keep the strength and flexibility you've accomplished while living in "cushy" America, where we drive from one end of the mall to the other.... :doh:....duhhhh......

Let us hear from you again when you have time. I'd love to see photos if you have any of your travels and places visited.
 
Backbay,
Welcome back to the US of A!!!! I bet you must have had the most wonderful time.
My husband's Father is from Prague, his Mother was from a farm outside of Prague.
He has 2 male cousins here in the states and they think it would be great for the cousins to go over to the home land and meet all the Family. I tell them to go for it.
But I am so happy you had a great summer.
 
Welcome back home Backbay
It sure sounds like you had a great time,I was pictureing in my mind what Prague looks like, hope you took lots pics. Your new knee sure had a work out,I am only 20 days out from a revision and its working great! Where in N.J.are you at? I am in Middlesex
 
[Bonesmart.org] Back from Prague update
 
Thanks for the welcome back guys --- Peggy -- I'm in Morris County. Calling -- my husband (whose grandparents were from what was then Bohemia) met his cousin on our first trip to then Czechoslovakia -- and the cousin had a shoebox full of photos sent back by my husband's grandfather and all the old baptism papers etc etc. It was very moving and exciting. so your husband and the cousins should indeed "go for it". It's nice to discover roots.
I took a handful of photos with my iPhone and as soon as I have time to email them to myself and then upload them, I will. Promise. I think I've said that before but this time I will absolutely do it. Getting photos off an iPhone is a real pain for various reasons. You can "sync" other things like apps and music. But not photos -- at least not in viewable form. That requires another process. Or emailing them.
 
Hi Backbay,
I spent 10 days in the czech republic in May. We went there to meet my daughter-in-laws family. I fell in love with the country. We spent 4 days in Usti near the german border and 5 days in budvise (sp) with a day in prague in between. I was 6 months out from my rtkr. With my walking stick and painkillers I did fine. Do you speak czech? We were lucky we had my daughter-in-law with us to translate. With the execption of prague we did not find many people who spoke english. I liik forward to going there again sometime.
 
Backbay--
Welcome home! You are a great roll model for all of us to live life to the fullest. Thank you!

Blessings,
Irene
 
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