9 (almost 10) weeks!
This was a brutal week at work. We have quarterly business reviews where management flies in from Asia and Europe for a few days worth of very long meetings. Lucky me, I get to be the ring leader for this circus
I spent Monday prepping all of the materials and loading all of the presentations into my computers. That entailed lots of up and down activity all day.
I decided to stay overnight at the hotel prior to the first day of meetings. I almost changed my mind because I was concerned about the comfort factor. Being the Pillow Queen, I was worried that I wouldn't have them to help me get comfortable at night. I ended up checking in around 9 pm and I was plenty tired after having worked all day and attending my PT session. I brought gallon freezer bags so that I could ice the knee. Of course, my room happened to be at the opposite end of the floor as the ice machine. I walked all the way there to discover the ice machine was out of order
, so I went down a floor and did the long walk again (too bad elevators weren't at both ends of the hallway!) and was relieved to find that I've machine working. I got back to my room and climbed into bed and then
, I laid awake, tossing and turning until 2:00 a.m. I was up at 6:00 a.m. and the 11 hour day began. By the end of it, I was beyond exhausted. Hello ODIC, I'm staying for a while!
I did 7 hours on Wednesday and told my PT to go easy on me. He just did massaging, thank God! My daughter had her last choral concert that evening, so we went straight from PT to that and I ended another 11 hour day still in the ODIC! Yesterday, I stuck it out in the office for 7 hours and did absolutely nothing last night. I am working from home today and will see my son graduate with his 2-year degree this evening. So proud of him! Hopefully, I can find a decent seat and won't have to go up into the bleachers
There's no way I could do that!
Overall, my knee has held up remarkably well through all of the activities this week. At the end of the day, it was definitely swollen, but only moderately so. Whenever it swells, I get pain around the kneecap. The one area that used to hurt pre-up is the area that still collects fluid. It's no where near how it used to feel pre-op and is always gone by the morning. I really should try to take a mid-week break instead of going a full 4 days straight, but this week, it just wasn't possible. I am elevating the leg under my desk and I ice at lunchtime and when I get home. On Tuesday, I didn't ice at all until the evening and I set with my leg bent all day with no elevation. That was a true test and it definitely got stiff, but not nearly as bad as I thought it would.
I am trying to wean myself away from the cane. I like to use it because my limp is non-existent with it and my pace is faster. I don't use it at home at all. It was definitely good to have this week for when I got tired and for when I have to be in a crowded place. I am starting to wonder if my legs have a difference in length. A trip to the chiropractor would confirm that, but I am not sure I want to go through that yet. I am afraid of having anyone bend my legs while I lay on the table due to the limits of flexion.
My patience with this recovery has been trying, for sure! I am really longing to go back to walking and hiking for exercise this summer. I know I will get frustrated if I hit limits with that, which I am sure I would at this point. But I have to start somewhere, right?!?! I am probably doing quite a lot of walking already during the day, but since it's broken up throughout the day, it's hard to gauge.
I am still learning to walk that fine line of overdoing it.
To everyone here in the U.S. , have a great three-day holiday weekend!
Did you say you were in Cupertino, CA? I am in SJ!
I still have that weird pain in the back of the knee, unfortunately, but I am glad I've still made more progress despite it. I am able to walk foot over foot going upstairs but am way too scared to try the descent. My PT told me to wait a bit before trying that. Fine with me! I am also making progress on the stationary bike. I started pedaling forward tonight. WOOHOOO! I am really liking the bike and am thinking about investing in one for home. 
Isn't it a pain when you're trying to do the right thing and take care of yourself, but then things go sideways and are even harder? I'm glad the knee held up all week though and you were able to attend everything you wanted. I hope you also enjoy your holiday weekend and the knee bounces back quickly.
United Kingdom
