Reporting back, OS visit Tuesday at 9 weeks out.
I can honestly say, time has flown! Why was I so impatient early on? It all happens in good time, and looking back, it happened quickly and easily, though I wouldn't have agreed with that comment 8 weeks ago. LOL. I wanted to be off that walker, weight bearing, champing at the bit to move it, back to Body Pump. Well, surgeon had other ideas, and guess who won? I am an obedient patient. I was in good hands and had to trust them.
I lost the cane for good about 2 weeks ago. My husband and I began walking our neighborhood , a mile, then two, then three. With the cane initially, then short periods just carrying it, walking very carefully with eyes on the road as it's all hills and I dreaded stepping on one of the many loose rocks on the downhill slope and going flying. We walked pretty slowly, my husband being an angel and not saying boo about my speed. Then I walked just carrying it, (a crutch so to speak) and am completely without it now, plus our pace has picked up considerably. We are back to 5 miles every day, but slow still as it takes about 1 hr 20 min to get it done. It might be faster if the heat weren't so gawd awful, and we didn't meet so many neighbors along the way.
Surgeon is happy with my progress. Toward the end of the visit he said (what I thought, anyway) that he was now going to "test my metal" as I got off the examining table and walked to the chair. He demonstrated putting heel of operated leg on the knee of good leg, keeping my knee outside my shoulder, and letting that knee drop down to the side, to "open up the capsule". Hold position to stretch the ligaments. He said he wanted me to be able to put leg in that position, then fiddle around with the top of my foot. I've been doing it for two days now, while watching TV or playing on the internet, (really lady-like LOL) and lo and behold, this morning I was able to do that, put on my sock, then running shoe and tie it. WooHoo...first time in 9 weeks! Then this PM I clipped those toenails. My husband must feel like a free man again and boy did that little bit of added independence make me happy! I realize now he meant "I'm going to test your mettle" not medal. I'll have to remember to tell him that next time.
I am back at the gym, but not yet Body Pump--maybe next week. I did not take advantage of the water therapy script as I had a dermatology appt a few days later, then needed to keep biopsy and stitches dry. Now stitches are out but I have Mohs surgery in two weeks. Squamous cell on my hand, very early and no big deal, but there is little point now with the aqua therapy.
Still have 90° restrictions and I've only got one more OS visit before we leave for St Pete for 6 months. I'm really going to have to address that with him, as those restrictions will keep me from kayaking and I dearly love it. There is no way to get out of it without breaking that restriction.
Oh yes! I've been released to sleep on my stomach but guess what? I don't even want to now. Unbelievably, as much as I hated sleeping on my back, couldn't go to sleep at first, and when I did, waking up at 2 or 3 AM and having to get up to relieve back tension, it's now my preferred position. I never in the wide world dreamed that would happen!
LLD seems to be fading too...in fact I forgot to ask him about it, so it's pretty insignificant, and some days I feel it no longer exists.
Overall this hasn't been a half bad experience! Hope you all are having equally smooth recoveries! For those that are just starting out, this time really does fly by, you'll see in retrospect, tho you might not feel that way now--I never would have said that initially. I'm better than I have been in years, walking around with no pain, looking forward now to hikes in Zion or Arches Nat'l Parks. Or the Grand Canyon..to the bottom on foot. Got my life back and am one very happy camper!
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PT said today as we walked, "you are still leaning on that cane", so I held it over my head and walked a few steps. He might as well have done a double dog dare you! Feh. 
