Five Week Update:
This week has been filled with ups and downs - moments where I feel like I'm doing better and others where I question if I've made any progress week. But, I know that every week that I write an update, is a week closer towards making it to the end of the recovery road. I'm hoping that by posting these ups and downs, maybe it will help others following behind me to see my recovery, and know that they too will be ok.
PT Update: This has been a difficult week. My therapist has pushed me more - and at times I've had to talk with her about whether I am doing too much or not. I leave therapy feeling more stiff and tired - but not with any sharp or hard to manage pain. But given that this stiff, achy feeling is also "pain", I know that I might be doing too much. The focus is on both range or motion and strength, and I just really feel like I need to focus more on the ROM aspect. At least that's what I think - as I'm really not happy with my ROM at this point. My left leg flex is 102 (with a bit of help from the therapist) and 100 on my own. This is a 5 degree improvement from last week. The right left measured 96 - which I had to work very hard to get. I was at 95 last week - and got there easily. SO, my right leg was was clearly not a happy camper yesterday - I'm thinking it might have a bit more swelling this week there though. At one point, I was at 68 on this side, so I have to remind myself of the progress. I know not to compare my recovery to anyone else's, but I have to admit it's hard to read about people getting their bend into the 100's so easily when I've had to work and fight for every degree. I've gone from 75 to 102 in 4 weeks - so I know I'm ok and going in the right direction, but it gets so frustrating at times to not be able to bend my legs. Especially when I'm stiff and really feeling like I "have" to bend them. I can pedal all the way around still (backwards) and it really does feel good to do so, and work out the stiffness and kinks. I bought some portable pedals ($29) and I've started to use them a few times a day. They are smaller to I'm not bending quite as much but it still feels good to use them. I continue to go to PT 3x per week. I have exercises to do at home as well, but honestly, I often skip some of them if I am sore, knowing my body needs a break. I also plan to talk to the therapist again on Wed to discuss how I'm feeling.
Sleep: I continue to get so very achy and sore during the night. I do sleep well for about 4-5 hours, and tend to wake up around 4 am. Like
@Crow22 , I also have to get up and go to the bathroom to stretch as I'm in pain. Sometimes it's my knees that are stiff, but often its my calves or quads that are in spasms, needing to be stretched. The issue is that when I'm asleep, I'm in the same position for just two long (legs straight too long, or bent too long, etc.). I take pain meds before I fall asleep and another dose around 4 am. I do go back to sleep easily once I get back in bed, and will sleep well for another 3-5 hours, depending what time I need to wake up.
Pain Meds: I'm still taking Hydrocodone and Tramadol. I'm taking less Hydrocodone now - only 2-3 per day - mostly in the afternoon/evening and overnight when I'm sore. I tried taking them in the morning too, even if I felt I didn't need them, to see if that impacted how I felt in the afternoon - and I had no change. So, I tend to take just Tramadol in the morning, which covers me well enough. I don't plan to cutting out/down meds anytime soon, as I know I still need them. I have started stretching more, using my bike pedals and trying to move more, to help the stiffness/achy feeling. I noticed I am icing much less than before, so am also trying to increase that as well in order to help with the tight/achy feeling as well. The pain meds definitely continue to help - if I miss a dose I begin to hurt. So, I keep up with them as needed. I just wish the pain meds would help that tight/achy/stiff feeling.
Mobility: I am not doing very much around the house - but am able to make myself quick meals (i.e breakfast or lunch type foods) and I have gone with my husband a few times to pick a few items up from the store. I would like to increase my walking a bit, and take a walk up to the corner or around the neighborhood as I feel like I need to be more active. I have worked hard to take it easy, but not feel like my body needs to move. Hopefully that will help me feel a bit better - if not, I will cut back. My friend will drive me to PT tomorrow as my husband is not able to. We plan to go out to lunch after, which will be nice since I haven't been out to eat for a few weeks. I'm still using my cane, although I do walk without it at times at home. My gait changes when I walk without it - my PT notices that I shove my butt out when I don't have it - I guess in an effort to steady myself. My body is definitely telling me I still need to use it - even if it's only as a securit blanket.
My emotions have been up and down this week - mostly around my ROM and frustrations with not being able to bend my legs when I feel like I need to. It still hurts to bend - and I wonder when that will go away. I am tired of hurting, of feeling achy and stiff. I'm not having horrible pain, I'm progressing, I'm doing well.....I'm just tired of it all. But, I also know I've come far, and I will continue to improve - this is definitely a test of my patience.
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