Daily Walk

[Skeet]

My husband challenged me to get out and get moving more (he noted a relationship between my getting exercise and being in a good mood). So I took Harley (pictured in the picture thread) out for a long walk and to practice his training. I'm working with him to become a therapy dog. We walked well over 4000 steps and I feel so much better. I'm going to see if this helps with the restless leg issue. Now, I'm off to the hot tub, then a nice warm shower and bed by 9 pm (again, the hubby says I need to get to bed earlier and get up earlier). He's a great motivator for me. And he's almost always right, which I hate!

After our walk I could feel my knee starting to get a little tight from the exercise, but I feel so much better. Evidently, exercise and getting out of the house is good for my mood. I was feeling very depressed towards the end of the week and this weekend until now. Coincidently, I was getting very little exercise during that same time... just sayin'

Can you all please help me be accountable to get out and walk with Harley and to be sure to get my 10,000+ steps each day? I would so appreciate it.

God bless you all,
Skeet

 

[Pattipoo]

Sounds like great day, Skeet!! I'm proud of you.

 

[Doug]

Oh Boy, you asked for it now...Pre huntin training begins..

 

[JenniferG]

you go girl! funny how I never cared or thought before about how amny steps I took or ability or inabilty to turn a bike pedal til I couldn't do it. Please God help me (us) never take walking for granted again.

 

[Doug]

And let the cogregation say AMEN!!

 

[Jamie]

I agree, Jen. Before and during this surgery and recovery, there were actually times when I thought I might be crippled (especially when my first doctor told me parts of my bone had died and he couldn't promise that was the end of it). After that I found myself actually jealous sometimes of people who had knees that worked. Thankfully I came to terms with everything and my prognosis was not as gloomy as I had originally thought. I want to NEVER take life and sweet movement for granted again. Even though one day I won't think "knee" every waking (and sometimes sleeping) moment of the day, I want to stopnow and then and recall what a marvel it is to walk and how greatful I am for all of you.

 

[Skeet]

Life is precious and we should thank God for every breath and every heartbeat. There is no way of knowing when they will be our last ones and we should live as if today were that last one we have. When that final day comes, I pray none of us has any regrets.
Thanks be to God for all of you, for this forum, for Jo and her wisdom, for the doctors that developed TKRs, for the initial patients who were brave enough to be the firsts, for healthy knees and the ability to walk so far, at a 3-4 mile an hour pace. It felt great! Almost like the old days!

 

[Skeet]

yes, Doug, this is prehunting training. My hubby committed to hiking every weekend with me so I can build my stamina. Wants to start me on the logging roads around Marys' Peak which is the highest point in the Coastal Cascades at a bit over 4000 ft. So, it will challenge the lungs as well as the old knees. And it makes him get out, too! We're going to take all three dogs to keep it interesting. I'm really looking forward to it. I only have 4 weekends and 5 weeks to get myself ready!!

 

[Jamie]

Oh my, Skeet....you DO have a challenge ahead. You have such a great attitude, though, I know you'll make it easily!!! Go for it!!!

 

[Skeet]

I am an over achiever and recovering perfectionist so I am used to challenges - plus I am fiercely competitive so my husband knows if he challenges me, I'll rise to the occasion.

 

[Jamie]

Well, it is good sometimes to have someone to help you push forward. Just take care of yourself too and don't overdo it while you are preparing.

 

[Nursepair]

Good work Skeet, I always feel better mentally after walking. Exhausted physically mind. Is it recommended somewhere about doing 10,000 steps a day? That is a lot.

You said your knee feels stiff after walking, doesn't it always feel stiff? Mine does all the time, like a tight metal band around the inside of my entire knee.

I was out in the backyard today, I raked some leaves, where the snow was melted, and picked up a lot of twigs from the trees. I was only out for 40 mins, I went in and went to bed with my knee elevated and fell asleep for one and a half hours, I was knackered!!
Great to be out in the sunshine though.

 

[Pattipoo]

My elastic band feeling is diminishing weekly. I LOVE it!!! It's been a great day.

It won't be long until we'll not even think of our knees.....just each other and how far we've come TOGETHER!!! (that's the best part)

 

[Skeet]

No, my knee isn't always stiff. The walking felt good for a while and then about halfway I felt my knee tighten a bit. Nothing really bad, just noticed it. I was able to do the whole walk without limping or anything. Gosh if feels great to be getting back to normal.

I do over 10k steps most days, but not so much on the weekends, so I need to get out on those days, too. I'm working to lose another 30 pounds (lost 30 this past year) and walking is my favorite exercise.

 

[Pattipoo]

Somebody with an ABC or NBC "contact" needs to let them know about the TKR gant...they will FLY all of us to their studio to film us and we'll get to HUG in PERSON!!!

Pucker up!!

 

[Nursepair]

Yeah, the together is the best part, I think I would have lost it by now if I hadn't had all you great guys to go through this with. Thanks all!!!!!!!

 

[beachcomber]

I too am grateful to have re-gained the ability to walk. I used to watch my neighbors walking their dogs and cry because I couldn't do such a simple thing without pain. I was confident my KR would go well, but the back surgery held a low chance of success(less than 30%). It hasn't been a total recovery, but I have regained some of the use of my other foot/ankle and no longer have to wear a brace to keep my foot from dragging. It is a joy to walk through my neighborhood, on the beach, and even to run errands and get out into the world. I hope never to take such a simple thing for granted again.

 

[Skeet]

Patti, I've noticed the improvement in the tightness as well. Don't have it for a good part of the day, only comes with the exercise and a lot of non-stop walking. I was at a good clip (3 MPH) so that exascerbated the tightness. WOW - I used a 5 syllable word and I took a pain med an hour ago!!

 

[Doug]

Skeet, dad gum girl..I read "exascerbated" and had to take another pill.

 

[Nursepair]

We could call the movie what? Perhaps Knees of Evil?