Eight months ago right now, I was in surgery. I'm writing this to add to my own record of my personal journey and as an encouragement to others following behind on the BTKR path . One year ago, I was in pain standing for any length of time. I couldn't walk very far and my life was "smaller" because of limited mobility and fear that my right knee could give on me at any moment. It would pop out when I least expected it - making people around me nervous! I was looking forward to the surgery but was unsettled and nervous about it as well. I didn't know a single person who had had both knees done in the same surgery and that's where BoneSmart came in. I was encouraged, counseled, talked out of my nerves and had my hand virtually held throughout the process. I've made several friends - even though we live thousands of miles apart - I consider them part of my life. I counted down to my surgical date. The last year has flown by.
My journey is well recorded on this thread. However, I thought I would cover my life in the last month. My DH and I have returned from a 3 week, 3,000 mile road trip. We camped along the way in our Volkswagon camper van (our only vehicle). The passenger seat is 3 feet off the ground and one of the challenges I had in rehab was to be able to just climb into that passenger seat. It was very difficult. A friend built me a special step stool that eventually made that possible. We took the stool along on our holiday - it was a good coffee table when we were sitting outside at our campsites - that's all. DH and I spent hours exploring the plains and grasslands of our country, walking trails and hills with our cameras. It was a fabulous trip and one that I wouldn't even attempted in the last several years. I'm still healing - I know that. Bad habits have returned since I've come home - stairs one step at a time. But, I know they are habits and I'm working at breaking them again.
I'm back in aquafit 3 times a week. We processed 90 lbs. of blueberries a week ago for the freezer - I eat a lot of blueberries ;-) I stood for the 3 hours it took us to do them without a problem. A year ago 10 minutes was my limit. In a couple of weeks we go to Pacific Rim National Park, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We've been going there for over 25 years. The beach is 10 km. long and I used to walk it a couple of times each visit. I have barely been able to walk far from the parking lot in the last few years but this year - who knows how far I'll be able to walk. This beach is the reason I finally gave in and had my surgery and the carrot I've had dangling in front of my nose throughout my journey!
I've had an amazing recovery so far - I know I'm lucky and others have had more challenges. I don't know how other's journeys will progress but I can say, without a shadow of doubt, mine was worth it.
United States
Time seems slow now - but you will be on the other side soon - only 3 more sleeps and we'll be talking about recovery!!! Why don't you set up your recovery thread on Wednesday night, ready for your first post when you are up to it after surgery.
