I Caught My First Wave for BoneSmart!

[Surfsister]

I said I was going to wait until August. I lied. I couldn't take it anymore.

And so, today I went out and caught four waves with my new knee. (Sorry, Judy, that you weren't there to see it!) The first wave, as promised, was for everyone on BoneSmart! My husband was there to snap a photo.

My knee feels good. Mind you, it doesn't feel great yet. There is stiffness and some pain, but it's not as bad as it was prior to surgery.

Do you think my physical therapist will get mad? (Yes, I'm still in physical therapy!) Oh well. She'll just have to get over it.

 

[Texas]

Hey Surf how cool. Woo Hoo !!You look really cool on the wave...Did it feel any different then before,........Very nice, glad you took that picture you promise...I hope/know you will ride many more !!!!!:thmb: I think your the first one to do that on here so soon with a picture.....BE CAREFU...

 

[loggon]

Surf be careful but you do look like you where having fun.

 

[Judles]

WAY TO GO, SURF!!! You didn't really lie! Just go out there 2 days EARLY!!!! Now don't go CRAZY out there, Though I know you WILL!!!! So happy for you!!!!

 

[Surfsister]

I was careful. The waves were small. I only rode four of them and then left. Normally, I stay out in the water for hours and hours. Today, I was out for about an hour. Remember, when you're not up and riding, you're sitting.

The knee feels good, yes. I'm going to try and surf once a week to start. I know I'm still healing and I don't want to overdo it.

But this was just what I needed!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Wooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo
Ahhhhhhhh Surfsister!!!!!!!!!! Who cares what your therapist thought, at the moment
you were soaring!!!!! This is who you are!!! You will make you own knee better just by doing what you love!!!!!

 

[Judles]

Easy, Surf! You really don't want to ride the waves on crutches....or a walker!! LOL!!! What an image!!!

 

[Josephine]

Ah - fantastic! You go for it girl! You look so good and you must have felt great.

 

[Motherofmany]

:wahey::wahey::wahey: You go girl!!!!!

 

[skigirl]

Hey Mary---maybe I can overcome my lifelong fear of SHARKS and hit the ocean someday. give me a bear or mountain lion any day of the week---I am terrified of fish!!! when anything touches me in the ocean, I walk on water back to the beach. then, I have red hair, so I hate the beach!!! yuck all that sand rubbing on my skin==and the sun--Yuck it gives me a headache to be in it!!!

Now, the mountains--it is cooler at altitude--and i can walk around in my lightweight and stretchy long sleeves and long pants. No more sun worries since sun proof clothing has become so light. I have been picking huckleberries--lots of roaming around in the mountains.

When I have to climb over a tree or something on the path, I notice that my left leg has to lift sideways! otherwise, things are good. I have fallen a few times--but, so far have always twisted right. Only problem was when I fell ontop of my huckleberries!! Oh well, those are for jam anyway.

The dog is loving our rambles too and I feel so good to be in the air, outside, on the mountains. I think that being away has made me so much more aware of my peace and happiness when I am outside in the mountains. Rose, this is where God really lives---the beauty is overwealming and I am so happy to be able to walk around again with a knee that works. Life is good.

Last week I made a quilt for a new baby and i wrote, Harlie, welcome to life on the label. I should write that on my backpack too, because it does seem like life is welcoming me back after too long of an absence.

 

[Surfsister]

When I found out my knee had reached the point that a replacement was necessary, I thought I'd never surf or do anything athletic again. I really did. It's been a struggle to get back on a surfboard. I've worked hard to maintain my fitness. I've worked hard to deal with the pain. I've worked harder to stay out of my own head. I was never sure that this day would come but I was determined to do everything in my power to get my life back. I can't say I didn't have a role model. I exchanged a couple of emails with another surfer who'd had his knee replaced. He wasn't a font of knowledge by any means. Still, the fact that he'd been able to get back on a board kept me going. I'm nothing if not stubborn. I figured if this guy could get back on a board, me with my stubborn self could do so too.

I can't get enough of the ocean. No traffic. No phones. No one asking me what's for dinner. When I'm in the ocean, it's my time. I'm not the wife. I'm not the mom. I'm me. Now I'm me with a bionic knee. And I can slowly but surely get on with my life. Twenty years from now, I'll let them do whatever it is they do when the knee is worn out. I'm sure mine will be. And I won't have any regrets about the athletic life that turned me bionic.

 

[aussie]

Very uplifting post, thanks Surfsister and congrats.

 

[Josephine]

Sister, that quite made me choke up! I love your attitude! You're a real star.

 

[richfriz]

Well done. :thmb:

You should be very proud of yourself :D

 

[kangaroo]

The whole purpose of this surgery is to relieve pain and to give back life. I'm with you on this.....if it means I have to have a revision when I'm 65 I can live with that! But if for the next 20 years I have to make excuses and sit on the sideline of life then thats a problem. I remember when I was 20ish I wrote in my diary that I wanted to live life completely, authentically, .....stupid hip syndrome was stopping that from happening.....but now....I, like you surfsister, am back!...Get out in that surf and do that which makes you whole....
Rachel

 

[sykeRN]

Yeah surfsister--you have been an INSPIRATION to me in the last weeks. I have been so saddened by my slowdown in my active lifestyle in the last 3 years especially. I LOVE LOVE LOVE exercise--I'm a health and fitness groupie. I have maintained an exercise schedule-mostly each day-to help my arthritis and to just do what I love. I did fitness and wellness for 9 years in the 80's (I owned a medically certified wellness business for speciaty exercise groups)--then returned back to nursing again--but that's another story.

As I've watched your posts and countless others I have gained strength in my decision for LTKR. I NEED to do long walks and hikes again plus even contend with being able to climb steps-or walk with out a limp. Thank you-I hope I can follow the lead of all the BONESMART folks! Nancy

 

[Surfsister]

Even though I have three degrees (and I'm talking education, not flexion or extension), I believe I was meant to go outside and play. That's what makes me happiest. That's all I've ever wanted to do with my time since I was a child. The new knee allows me to keep doing my thing.

I'm happy to report I had no knee-related ill effects from my first day back on a surfboard. My back was a bit sore. That's to be expected.

Again, there is still some pain and stiffness. It's not like I've made a miraculous, quick recovery that doctors will need to study. Generally, I feel quite good though. I appreciate all of your kind words, everyone. I never thought of myself as an inspiration! I think we all inspire each other on this board!

Don't allow your knee to hold you back. There will be pain at first. Just face it down and go about your life. Eventually, the pain lessens (or perhaps your brain sends your body different signals about the pain) and you start looking down the road at other things. That's what's happening with me.

 

[Judles]

I'd say you've arrived at your destination, Surf! It doesn't get better than that, Girl!!!! Stay happy!!!

 

[Texas]

I am happy for you Surf. I know you dont want to be an inspiration...But that does give others hope when they see a pic of someone that just had a replacement on a surf board....Thats amazing and thanks for that....I am really trying to get the nerve to ride my reg bike outside but Ill be honest I'm nervous about falling. Ill get there....Take is easy though,,....But good going !!!!!!!!...

 

[Judles]

Good Morning, Kim! You better stay put for awhile! Activities can always be added later! You're in healing mode!!!