Making Progress

Slowly but surely I think I'm actually getting better.

This morning I had my second physical therapy appointment. They seemed really pleased at the progress I've made with the crutches and the strength in my quad... they said if I keep practicing we could talk about moving to one crutch on Monday. I sure hope they give me the green light!! For now I'm still on two crutches, but getting around pretty well - I'm just slow.

My PT Place

They had me do the exercises I've been doing at home, added two new ones (one I raise my leg up and down - very hard...the other I use a strap to stretch the back of my leg). And then... I got to go on the exercise bike!!! Now I can't actually pedal for real - my knee won't bend enough. But they had me do "arcs" where I would push the pedal with my good foot in one direction as far as I could tolerate it, and then back in the other direction... sort of like making a half circle with the pedals back and forth. I did that for 10 minutes! Although it was boring, I could tell my knee was bending more at the end of the 10 minutes than when I started. Progress!!! After that they had me back up on the table - they put some electric pads around my knee and zapped me for 15 minutes while they also iced my knee. Supposedly the electricity helps with the inflammation. It was really weird, but if they say it'll help, I say turn it up!!

Now I'm at work - which I drove myself to! It was my first time driving since the surgery. Driving isn't so bad but getting in/out of the car is challenging, and then the "walk" is tough because I don't have a handicapped sticker so I can't exactly park in the most convenient place. They should really give you a handicapped sticker as you leave surgery...

Today isn't my first day back at work. I came in for 2 hours on Tuesday, and have been to one rehearsal and two concerts since then. My entire leg is much happier when I'm not at work. It's hard to elevate/ice it while I'm here, but I do still try...

Icing at work

I must also send a massive huge shout out THANK YOU to all of my friends. You've texted/emailed/called/cooked for me/washed my clothes/encouraged me/listened to me whine... I'm positive I have the world's best friends. Ever. And of course a massive thank you to Andy. I can tell he's getting tired of it all, but he still helps me put on my shoes and will do anything I ask.

I wish that's all I had to report for my week, but yesterday Andy and I made a trip out near Niagara Falls for his grandmother's funeral. Very sad. I didn't know her that well at all, but she attended several Brown family functions and was always very pleasant to be around. Turns out she led quite the busy life and helped many many people along the way. Please take the time to read her obituary - you will see how remarkable she truly was!