Yesterday was PT session #5 and week 3 post op! Next week I see the surgeon and get the stiches removed (photo above). I am still very anxious about that but trying to push it out of my head as there is nothing I can do about it. Flexion was 115 and I didn't realize she was doing the measure ment (she usually waits until the last rep) so I probably could have gotten a little further. Just happy I didn't go backwards.
After several bad days in a row, I feel a bit better today. Recording this here so I can come back and read it next time I am feeling discouraged as I know that will come and might remind me this too shall pass.
1) I think it helped to tell a few friends how I was feeling (and of course tell the Bone Smarties
).
2) I was pretty straight with my PT the past two visits. Not putting this here to complain, I think it was a good session and good outcome. I tend to push myself too hard and need to be told to cut back but I also need to understand what is happening in my body and what is good pushing vs bad pushing. Yesterday, she put me on the bike to warm up and I asked her to move the seat further out (less bend). I just couldn't get around even after rocking back and forth or trying backwards. She did move it to where I had been last session and I still couldn't get my leg around
. After more rocking, I tried again successfully but it HURT. I accidentally dropped the f-bomb and then quickly apologized. I know I had tears in my eyes, not so much pain as just the shear exhaustion and frustration of feeling I was going backwards. Anyway, nice thing was she was very sympathetic, we had another good talk about discomfort vs pain including what pain was, about doing too much, ADL PT (I had to clean up a dog mess instead of ice before appointment...up and off floor...she of course said all of that counts as exercise and PT) and she told me to think of outpatient PT as gym day. Pre-surgery me didn't do all my gym exercises at home.
3. Last pick me up was going out! My husband had a few friends in town on their way to their golfing weekend. We met a few of them for a drink (yes, I indulged but didn't take any meds). It was refreshing to get out and I was able to prop my leg up so was pretty comfortable for an hour.
@benne68 YES!! You must have been reading my mind. I am one to NEVER wish time away but this has been a struggle.
@mendogal - I love that quote!! He sounds like a smart guy
@Layla - Thank you for the additional ideas. I pre-stocked my nest with protein bars and also with little tupperware containers that each held about 1/3 cup of mixed, unsalted, roasted nuts (thank you Costco!). I actually use those to keep dog training treats strategically placed around the house and they turned out to be perfect! A friend gave me some of the individual Peanut Butter packets and those have been very handy as well.
Anyway...wanted to pass along the tiny container snack staging in case it helps someone else.