Finally caught up!

http://2handsphysicaltherapy.com Well, it has been 9 weeks since my surgery and I finally feel slightly caught up. Days on crutches can really slow you down. My exercise rountine had totally changed and I was always conscious of how many times I had to get in and out of the car and how few stops I could make with the kids and work. I limited my time on the ice to avoid falling. I really had to slow down and now, I finally can speed up again. I can walk without crutches or brace, I can go up and down stairs normally, and I can actually ride my bike. Thankfully, the past few weeks have passed by fast and I keep getting better. Sometimes I actually forget that my knee is injured. My biggest problem is no twisting and I just need to be careful. I met my goal of walking(fairly normally) to hit the sandy florida beaches soon. So, I have the most personalized experience for ACL rehabiliation. Now, I can attest to post op knee pain, shoulder pain and C-section pain. I feel so much more rounded in my patient care, and completely understand the concept of post op pain. Now, I do know it gets better and you can live your life again after you put in your "healing time".

Bone pain is a 10/10

So, I do not like to take pain meds they make me sick, but I can tell you that with 4 drillings into my bones, I am learning to appreciate the pain meds. Feeling "loopy" is good. I have walked all of 200 feet in the past 4 days, the couch has new shape to it and my back hurts, too. Okay, so what I know is that they replaced my ACL and took out some cartilage, other than that, whatever the doctor told me, I forgot. I think myn c sections and shoulder surgeries were so much easier. NOW, if I can keep the pain controled and get out of the house, my days are looking better. I have lost all the tone in my quad and its only been 17 days. I have lots of work to do soon.

Pain is no fun!

Well, I now know sometimes it is smart to take the pain meds as ordered. Rough first night after surgery. I usually get really nausedated from pain meds, so I tried to avoid them and that was a big mistake. Today, packed in ice and elevated with pain meds on board is much better. My leg feels dead and very swollen, like my knee cap is going to pop off. I have moved off the couch about 4 times in the past 24 hours. I love my couch today. Next, bon bons and Oprah reruns.

My First Ever Knee Injury

Well, this New Year's Eve, I had my first ever knee injury skiing. I just fell backwards, gently while standing still and tore my ACL. So, ski season is done and now, my newest adventure will be rehabilitation of my knee after surgery this Thursday. I have been working hard to have full mobility going into surgery, knowing full well, it will be swollen again and limited by Friday. So, I plan to blog on my rehab and how bad of a patient I might be. This will be an interesting experience. Just getting around on crutches in the snow is so much fun. Do you realize even with handicap parking that the walk into the Kroc center is a huge task? I felt like I needed a wheelchair last week.

Now, helping kids put on ski boots and walking narrow paths down hills with snow is just another challenge I have conquered. This week I start over again after surgery, but at least my knee will have something holding it together.

Rehab rules for me. ICE, ICE, ICE, and more ICE. Elevate and rest for a few days!! My husband reminded me that patience is a virtue again yesterday.