24 hours after my right knee was replaced I am home. Incredible. And you know what did it? My 4 months of "Rocky" behavior - 90 minutes of knee exercises in the pool every day. I passed every physical test with flying colors (the test you had to pass to be able to go to a rehab center and then home).
There was one funny moment. When the PT came to my room she was concerned when she saw my walker. You have probably seen both types of walkers out there - one is aluminum, has no seat and wraps around the front of the user. The other style has a seat but, because of the seat, you walk further back. She wanted me to have the first type, I brought the second. After voicing her concerns I answered with, "You don't understand. I have been using this walker for 4 months. I can win Olympic events in it. I can do twirlys (she was not impressed), stop on a dime, do quick corners, push it with the seat piled up with my stuff or my grandsons, run it down stairs when necessary (not with me using it for support, mind you) - I KNOW this walker." And then I proved it. I walked up and down the hall next to her, balanced, using the brakes properly, standing correctly, applying little pressure to the arms of the walker so my legs did the work. I was quite perfect, I think,
She smiled and agreed. I can use it.
Then we walked, did stairs, completed the 3 exercises she wants me to do each day (so easy after the 2 hours per day I now spend on them on my bed and in the pool). I can't get back in the pool for 6 weeks but that's okay.
The other reason I could come home (and not go to a rehab center as many people do) is that everything here is done for me. I don't have to fix meals, do the type of cleaning that is hard (washing floors etc), my Physical Therapist will come right to my room for treatments, etc. Phew. Thank goodness.
So I am sitting on my bed in my wee apartment typing this. My knee is covered with a pad connected to an ice machine to keep the swelling down (the hospital gave it to me). I have figured out how to have enough ice to keep it filled given that I have a tiny freezer. I am in business.
I can't quite believe that I am walking as well as I did before the surgery and can now progress further. Apparently during the surgery the doctor bent my knee all the way back so that my heel touched the back of my thighs (kind of makes me queasy thinking about how VERY much that would have hurt if I had been awake) and with continued exercise I will be able to do that myself. A new goal.
So, it's over, my new life commences, I now know I CAN make my trip to the East.
Life is good.
There was one funny moment. When the PT came to my room she was concerned when she saw my walker. You have probably seen both types of walkers out there - one is aluminum, has no seat and wraps around the front of the user. The other style has a seat but, because of the seat, you walk further back. She wanted me to have the first type, I brought the second. After voicing her concerns I answered with, "You don't understand. I have been using this walker for 4 months. I can win Olympic events in it. I can do twirlys (she was not impressed), stop on a dime, do quick corners, push it with the seat piled up with my stuff or my grandsons, run it down stairs when necessary (not with me using it for support, mind you) - I KNOW this walker." And then I proved it. I walked up and down the hall next to her, balanced, using the brakes properly, standing correctly, applying little pressure to the arms of the walker so my legs did the work. I was quite perfect, I think,
She smiled and agreed. I can use it.
Then we walked, did stairs, completed the 3 exercises she wants me to do each day (so easy after the 2 hours per day I now spend on them on my bed and in the pool). I can't get back in the pool for 6 weeks but that's okay.
The other reason I could come home (and not go to a rehab center as many people do) is that everything here is done for me. I don't have to fix meals, do the type of cleaning that is hard (washing floors etc), my Physical Therapist will come right to my room for treatments, etc. Phew. Thank goodness.
So I am sitting on my bed in my wee apartment typing this. My knee is covered with a pad connected to an ice machine to keep the swelling down (the hospital gave it to me). I have figured out how to have enough ice to keep it filled given that I have a tiny freezer. I am in business.
I can't quite believe that I am walking as well as I did before the surgery and can now progress further. Apparently during the surgery the doctor bent my knee all the way back so that my heel touched the back of my thighs (kind of makes me queasy thinking about how VERY much that would have hurt if I had been awake) and with continued exercise I will be able to do that myself. A new goal.
So, it's over, my new life commences, I now know I CAN make my trip to the East.
Life is good.
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