MUA My LTKR journey continues to RTKR<

[sandi4213]

I'm glad that you have realized that there is more to life than constantly thinking about work. It's important to have that balance. Do rest as much as you can and ease the knees into it.

I am better tonight. We'll, except for the fact that I am on B'S at 3 am. I strained a muscle in my leg a couple of days ago and it set me back some, but my pt yesterday really helped with some massage and stretches, and I can already feel the difference. I think it's going to be okay.

 

[flyaway79]

I always say people want to sleep like a teenager rather than a baby because a baby wakes up every few hours and a teenage can sleep for 12 hours straight!

So, I hope you sleep like a teenager tonight!

 

[Canada35]

Becky you are amazing on so many levels! Your ROM is spectacular and your stamina will come with time. I think sleep may come too when you are back at work from sheer exhaustion in the beginning if nothing else!
The wild flowers are gorgeous and probably the hike and flower picking were worth a short visit to the ODIC!
Good luck with your journey back into the working world!

 

[VW54]

Nodding in agreement with all other congratulatory remarks regarding your great flexion.

How's newest grandchild Harper and her mom doing? Do you get to spend spare time with her still?

 

[Jennszoo]

Getting caught up on your thread, we have one more parallel - im also starting back to work next weds. Just the one day next week. I'm nervous. But I think it'll be ok. I'll be travelling to daycares speech/hearing screenings for preschoolers. I could have 3, I could have 20. I'm hoping for just a few, because it's a lot of up and down. Thankfully no more driving than im used to, taking ben to school. Then I'll be at the computer writing up the reports, but tarts on my own time. The next week, I have 3 days of screenings. Then vacation. Then I'll be taking a caseload of clients in the clinic, 2 days, plus 1-2 screenings per week. So it's definitely a staged return to work. Scary after being out for so long!

 

[kmak81230]

You got in and out of a kayak @Jennszoo - a few (let's hope it's just a few at first) ups and downs will be gravy.

 

[Pheebs52]

Becky, your progress since the MUA has been nothing short of miraculous! I am thrilled with your flexion and of course, want some of that for myself, lol. Just look at you, walking up the mountain 3 weeks post-MUA! If that doesn't speak volumes about your determination, nothing does> Even if you felt your knees stiffened up a bit afterwards, it was worth it for your sanity and to collect those stunning wildflowers. I second whoever said you are a talented floral arranger!

Now, the sleep stuff. I think in your case it's exactly what @Happydale stated. You are worrying about not sleeping and the result is obvious. If you can somehow set up a new evening routine that excludes electronics (painful, I know) but includes things like a hot soak in the jacuzzi, maybe some massage, and just reading in bed, I think you'll find it goes a really long way toward getting in some good zzz's.

You're also worried about returning to work (understandable, who wouldn't be? ) after such a long absence and perhaps even crying while at work. My guess is these worries are unfounded. You know your job, inside and out. Sure, a few things may have changed in your absence, but you're a pro and will pick up on them quickly with a little help from your work colleagues. I think the spontaneous crying is just a manifestation of an overload of worry and lack of sleep. Once you return to work, the worries should diminish when you have a successful day and you'll also be so tired at day's end sleep will just naturally follow.

Did I say "You've got this?" You do, I just know it! Have faith, like we all have in you!

 

[mechellec]

Wow!!! Beautiful flowers and amazing ROM! I'm so happy for you! You are recovering great! I still think you are so blessed to have found a therapist who is so gentle and knowledgeable of what to do after your MUA. I think Monika should come teach the therapists how to do that in Reno! Don't worry about the tears. I cried at a meeting the other day when someone asked me how my MUA was and I said "fine" although I was plagued with lots of swelling. I don't like to talk about it with non knee warriors because they just don't get it. Anyway I felt the tears well up and I just stopped talking. I very rarely cry in front of people. I'm just chalking this up to another thing we have to get through with this recovery. Hope you sleep well tonight!


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum

 

[Pheebs52]

(((Shelley))) that just stinks. You were brave just to go to work with all that swelling, never mind sitting in meetings while eeling like that. Both you and Becky are super Knee Warriors! And, you're right. Others mean well, but they really don't get it. They really can't.

 

[becticu]

I always say people want to sleep like a teenager rather than a baby because a baby wakes up every few hours and a teenage can sleep for 12 hours straight

You are so right, that's my wish from now on! AND, TADA I think I'm getting it figured out. I've slept really well this week. I have the usual aching that wakes us up and the turning on side issues but what a huge difference. However it is a trade off. I've had to make myself stay off BS at night. This week that's been about the only time I had to be on here so I'm so far behind on everyone.

@VW54, Sweet Harper is just that and yes I have been able to spend so much time with her. I honestly think maybe that was the reason for the slow bend. Tara and Harper needed me. I've never had that much time with a new grand baby before!

@Jennszoo we have been like twins much as this time, minus my MUA. Your return doesn't sound too staged. Pace yourself, I know you know that! It is scary after being out for so long. Where are you going on vacation?

 

[becticu]

@Pheebs52, you are always one of the biggest cheerleaders on here! Talk about a pep talk, you know how to give them girl! I have tried a new routine. FB and BS checking before I get in bed. I HAD to make a new purchaseof a Kindle. I've been reading on my iPad but I'm sure that lighting was making it hard to sleep even having it turned low. The backlight in the Kindle paperwhite is more natural. I really think that has made the difference. I read till I get sleepy plus I'm not tempted to pop over on BS on the Kindle.

@mechellec yes, don't we tend to just stuff it, smile and say fine to most people. I get tired of all the focus on my knee. My DH probably wishes I would just smile and say fine to him too!

I did something SO stupid on Wed. Monika worked with me in PT but then had a new client so I worked with one of the assistants.... she wanted me to try some new things. With my personality if someone gives me a challenge I'm going to do it or die trying...need I say more?? I won't say what I did but let's just say NEITHER of my knees were happy. Beatrice is quite swollen and hasn't quit complaining to me since. I go back to PT today simply because I want Monika to work on that knee and tape it. I can't believe as far as I am in this game I let myself believe it was okay to stress my knee like that, enough said??

Last night I went with some friends to a painting party to paint signs. Now there are some amazing artists on this site! I am NOT one of them! This is not that type of thing, but you get together and drink wine and paint and anyone can do it. My knee was so swollen and sore from Wednesday but it was so much fun. I'm posting a pic, and "Give Thanks" is one of my very favorite sayings. I have so much to be thankful for regardless of these trying knee months!

 

[SusieShoes]

Is that one of the signs you painted? If so, you understate your talent. That's a great looking sign! I would put it by my front door.

And I can't even chide you for overdoing it, because you've done too good a job of chiding yourself. But I do know how that sort of thing happens. My PT did it to me enough times. It's human nature to see if we can push our envelope a little. "Let's see what happens," I would say. Alas, it was usually nothing good. And then a month later, it would be "Well, maybe now..." At some point, our knees are up to those things, but we invariably test ourselves a little too soon.

You're doing so well, though! A little rest and recreation and you'll be back on track.

 

[becticu]

@SusieShoes, yes I did paint that, but it's not real talent! There are true artists on this site. They paint on a blank canvas and create art! These sign classes a beginner can do, almost like the old paint by numbers, which is nice!!! Ha, ha I did do a pretty good job of chiding myself didn't I? Thankfully I feel much better today. It made me so nervous about my going back to work next week....

 

[kmak81230]

I agree that the paperwhite Kindle is a little better for pre-sleep reading than a phone or tablet. I've weaned myself from the phone pre-bedtime and have been going back to books or magazines which has been helping me fall asleep better. I did a stupid thing yesterday also - helped lift the topper onto the truck to get ready for a camping excursion this weekend. Spent the rest of the evening in the ODIC. Better today though after lots of icing and elevating. As we start to feel better we forget that we still have some limits. Glad you are getting out to do things with friends - and sleeping better!

 

[liam2015]

good morning. i love your sign ~ it looks like a wreath that i would hang on my door. it's fun going to classes like that ~ i once went to a "dried flower arranging" class and made some nice arrangements. feel free to tell us what you did that you shouldn't have done and maybe we can avoid trying the same thing lol (okay so i'm just a nosy busybody...hehe). glad to hear you've been able to spend so much time with baby harper and your daughter and i'm sure your daughter appreciated it too. enjoy your new kindle and have a wonderful long weekend.

 

[Jennszoo]

Beautiful sign! Don't sell yourself short!

We're just staying at the Marriott Vacation Club resort near Panama City for 5 nights. It's not on a beach, but I won't be doing much, if any, beach walking anyway. (But we should have a view of the bay) So we'll mostly just eat some seafood and chill at the pool. The kids get a week off in Sept and we love to vacation that week bc crowds are super low. I wish we could do wdw, but my knees arent ready.

 

[mechellec]

I love your sign! I don't have a crafty bone in my body so I would buy something like that instead of trying my kindergarten attempt at making it!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[becticu]

I'm sorry @kmak81230 that you joined the club as well but glad it's feeling a little better. I think I want to believe I can do anything....delusional I know Camping sounds like fun, our families thought about it this weekend but with a new baby and new knees we decided no!

@liam2015, those classes are fun and you usually come out with something you like. So...you asked me to confess what I did in PT? Most people would be smart enough to say NO! Emily said let's do some lunges and squats. Both of those things are things I dream of being able to do although I'm not sure why . So I did, or at least I did as much as I could. I knew better. Even lefty who has been wonderful hated me since then. I don't think I will be enticed again . So there you have the whole sordid story...

@Jennszoo you are JUST staying at the Marriott Vacation Club? It sounds wonderful! You are smart to save Disney for when the knees are ready! Sept will be beautiful there. We have rented a beach house there in Oct when the kids are on fall break, all 20 of us. It's beautiful there even in Oct.

@mechellec, the nice thing about those classes is you don't really have to be crafty AND the more wine you drink the less you care.

 

[Pheebs52]

Becky, I'd hang that beautiful sign on my front door or buy it at a Craft Fair! I can paint, but not like that within the arbitrary lines. I need the blank canvas, lol, and don't have a crafty bone in my body! The whole concept, especially the wine, sounds like a lot of fun!

Oh crud, these blasted knees just have certain limitations that they neglect to mention to us until after the fact; pfft! Hopefully the swelling resolved quickly?

I have had a Kindle Paperwhite for years and that's the only device I bring to bed. Why? Because the other ones keep my mind buzzing, but reading on the Kindle puts me into sleepy mode. So glad to hear it's working for you!

 

[Pheebs52]

Jen, I must agree, the Marriott Vacation Club in Panama Beach sounds divine! Color me green with envy!