Positive first steps

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Weezy

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Hi everyone! I'm curious...what was your first (or second, or third, etc.) "baby step" during your recovery process that seemed like a real milestone and left you smiling?

We all work so hard on the PT/recovery part, so I thought it would be fun to share our different milestones.

For example: today I'm 12 days out and went out to dinner with hubby, and then went to Costco. Granted, I scootered around Costco, but I did walk from the car into the store and then back out (with crutches).

It felt so good to get outside the house and discover that I could get in and out of the car quite easily and had the energy to do more than one thing! Having clear skies, cold weather and watching a fabulous sunset over Puget Sound as we ate our fish and chips didn't hurt either.

Weezy
 
Hi Weezy! So glad you're sounding so chipper so soon after your recent surgery,
I remember (my RTHR)laughing when about 5 days after coming home after 2 weeks (3 days hosp,11 rehab), I forgot to give our Tina Turner concert tix away! My hubby thought it would be :fun; for me to get out of the house,,, well, he wouldn't take no for an answer,,,,,we arrived late and all the handicapped spots were all taken, Well, we may have parked in France,,,,,As soon as I got out of the car, cane in hand, I amazed even myself by walking to the venue.....without pain! If 7O year old Tina Turner could rock out like she did (the best concert ever!) Then I could at least WALK, That night was a definite milestone for me,! Every day,gets better & better,,,,thank G-d!
 
Hi Weezy! For me it was all the "little" things that I hadn't been able to do for SO long! Things like walking from my car to the shop where I work and not biting the inside of my cheek to keep walking despite the pain. The first day I did it and realised I had done it "normally" and with NO pain, I burst into tears I was SO happy!
The girls that I work with thought I must have hurt myself - and I don't think they REALLY understood the significance of what had just happened! :)

Peta
 
Hi Weezy,
I am a hippy now recovering from knee scope as well as back surgery.
After my hip replacement I remember when I could finally take my best friend (my dog buddy) for a walk and bend to pick up his poo!!!!
I am now in the same boat(wanting to do it)

Judy
 
Of course you all know I could really really make some comments about the poo pick up!!!! But I won't.

First big step for me...Driving...Even though my wife had taken my keys and my spare key to prevent me from driving, I had a third key, got in the truck and drove around the block....Freedom.

Second,
Walking on uneven ground and not having the shooting pain inside the knee.

Third,
At about four months my son decided to punch me and run. Without thinking, I took off after him...It surprised us both. He had never seen me run.
 
1. 3rd day after surgery to stand without joint pain.
2. at two weeks being able to walk without pian.
3. at 4 weeks I went to the mall with my wife for the first time in years willingly.
4. at 6 weeks I gave my 6 year old son a piggy back ride on my shoulders.
5. at 7 weeks I returned to work.

Every day there is something new that I now can do without pain.

Max
 
Doing a complete rotation on my exercise bike....... like I won the lottery yeee haaaa

love and hugs Pat xx
 
Jo....in other words.......we have our lives back! The pain came on so gradually that Most of us probably just thought it was normal and that we had to accept it,
Another outstanding milestone for me was when little grandson ran into my arms the frst time he saw me when I ame home....and I bent down anticipating pain,,,,and there WASN'T any! LIFE IS WONDERFUL AGAIN !!!!
 
Goodmorning,
I think that when I have the other knee done, I will then notice a big difference.
But meeting all of you has been my biggest Joy so far.
^i^
 
Here are a few of my positive first steps:

Walking w/o my walker and then cane. I remember one time of found myself carrying the walker around without even realizing I was walking without it.
I knew it was time for me to lose that.

Driving by myself for the first time.

Able to get full rotation on the exercise bike for the first time at physical therapy.

Sleeping thorough the night.
 
For me milestones came gradually:
1. Surgery - BTKR 6/18 I was in the hospital for 3 days and rehab for 6.
2. 12 days post-op went back to work, even though most on the forum thought I was rushing things by working with an assistant (providing child care between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM daily for 9 children between the ages of 11 months and 9 years of age).
3. Attended a Blues Festival for 3 days in Rockland, Maine three weeks post-op .
4. Started working alone with the children in Child Care 2 months post-op.
5.
Moved upstairs to sleep in a bed at night from being headquartered in the downstairs living room 3 months post-op.
6. Stopped taking prescription medication 4 months post-op.
7. Went downhill snow skiing 7.5 month post-op.

I feel like #7 was my biggest milestone so far. My next major milestone is to exercise more daily and lose the 55 pounds I have put on in the last 20 years. I sure hope it won't take me 20 years to take it off! How? Stationary bike daily, Total Gym daily, and walking 3 days/week as well as eating healthy.
Hopefully, I will have lost a bunch by this Memorial Day.........
Best,
Crystal


 
What a great thread to start Weezy.

After my hip replacement my strongest memory of a milestone was the first time I stood up.... and it didn't hurt. I had spent a year having to hyper extend my left side, stretching my arm in the air everytime I stood to allow the ball of my hip to rotate, often ending up in tears from the pain, so when I stood straight up from the bed, no pain I felt an instant feeling of having my life back. From then on there were many milestones, walking unaided, sleeping in my own bed, sleeping on my side or stomach, going out and not being embarrassed or afraid to sit or stand, playing with the grandkids, doing up my own shoes, sex (first time after was scary).

With my knee the first milestone, was again standing and my knee was so strong underneath me, since then being able to sleep for a few hours straight, not needing walking aids, driving, using the exercise bike, swimming and all of the above.

Again a very positive thread Weezy. Thanks.

Chris:)
 
Another huge milestone for me (and all those very independent people will understand this). When I could do things for myself, even just getting a cup of tea, or putting a load of washing on. I have always been a carer, raising my own kids alone (widowed many years ago) and then caring for 20 other children (not all at once) it was hard for me to rely on others so to be able to do for myself (and others) again was wonderful. I guess even being able to ask for help was a positive milestone in my life too.

Chris :)
 
Weezy--Thanks for starting this thread! And thanks to all of you who contributed your experiences. You are such a blessing to those of us who are "in the waiting room". When I start to get nervous, I always find a thread to reassure me. Blessings to all!
 
I remember another milestone was getting my coffee from the kitchen to my recliner!! My sandwich I put in a plastic bag early on, but the drink, especially the morning coffee was a great milestone.

Judy
 
OK!!! I got one I went forward last night on my bike!!! I cryed but I went forward 5 times before I had to stop. WOW forward today motor cross tomorrow!!! LOL
^i^
 
well done!!! You rock, lady!
 
Hooray Calling that's great.

Chris :)
 
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