Hi Puffin! I just caught up on your thread and can completely understand your frustrations! I had the muscle tear setback and it was so so depressing indeed! I can relate to the "hit the wall" feeling, although my sweating isnt quite as severe. I was always easy to get hot, so Im quite used to that feeling, always dressing for hotter weather than everyone else. Now with my menopause kicking in, it is alittle worse. Air conditioning is my friend and I only recently shut it off once the weather proved to freeze up the unit. I went shopiing this past weekend with freind and was walking around the clothing store about an hour, trying on some items that required more maneuvering (bathing suits and pants). I was getting ready to go on line when they told us the credit system wasnt working. We had to walk down the end of the shopping center to use an ATM. Honestly, I hit the wall...I had to run (or should I say hobble) the the car to take a break. I was in some pain, but just felt like I couldnt stnad for another second! My friend ended up driving to the ATM for me and driving back the 100 or so yards back to the store. Only saved me a few steps, but it helped. I found it quite odd that I hit this wall. I took a break then stopped at at a store for doggie treats on the way home. I barely made it into the house...I felt totally and utterly wiped out and spent the rest of the evening icing. YET, this weel I have gone in to spend a few hours 2 days to familiarize myself with the new job I am starting on MOnday and I felt fine coming home. I often wonder if I will be able to make the 8 hr stretch, 5 days, but then push it out of my mind. Ill take some disposable ice bags with me and ice during my lunch break and elevate.
Dont feel so bad about not driving...I just started short trips last weeks. I think I will be cabbing it to work for the first month to avoid walking from the parking lot and conserve my energy for actual working. I work in a college as well, as a Lab tech, so I will be walking and standing for at least 50% of the day. worries worries...SIGH Showering independently made me nervous as well. Hubby helped me up until 4 weeks ago, but he was skeptical leaving me when I said it was OK. I made my showers quick. If I needed to wash my hair as well, he would come in to just watch me and help me in and out. Showering felt like a JOB, but its getting easier! I guess Im kind of behind some others I read posts about...going back to work at 6 or 8 weeks just sounds impossible. I know feeling "behind" is frustrating, but it does and will get better for you. I know how hard it is to remain patient for this long :( Your aqua exercises sounds much harder than mine. If you can do all that, it wonderful! I do only slow walking, no jogging at all. Leg lifts in al directions, gentle squats, toe and heel raises, knee bends and just began some gentle lunge stretches to help with my achilles tightness on left side. I continue to have less than perfect extensionbut my OS and PT are not worried at all that it will come. My flexion is about 110-120 depending on the day and the knee, and it is slowly improving as well. I dont push it...its all fucntional, and feel less anxious about it appearing NOW. My muscle tear was probably due to, in part, working too hard, so I am determined to take my time to get completely better.
I do worry about endurance, but I think going back to work will help that along. I will use my enrgy for working, and come home and rest as much as possible. Luckily, hubby helps me quite a bit, so if I cant cook, he will. Same with laundry and cleaning. I just gotta get through my first few weeks of work and that will be a HUGE accomplishment for me.
Hope you are feeling better and the swelling has gone down a bit!
Luisa
United States
we will be with you until the end, as you will be with us.
that you are feeling much better as the days go by. In the mean time...I am sending you 2 cabana boys,
, feed you grapes, & fix you a fruity 
&
I seem to be going backwards. Do let us know how you are doing 
this recovery sure does take a long time.
