One Week Later
by cindy
Or
Experience is a Great Teacher and I am a Rock Star Patient
Well, folks, I rather looked forward to sending some medication-induced rambling post-surgical statements but…I’m not on pain meds, except at night, or unless you count tylenol WHICH I DO NOT. And frankly, I’ve been pretty busy preening about my extraordinary recovery from my second knee replacement surgery.
I tossed the walker aside days ago.
I alternate legs when going up stairs.
I forget where I leave my cane, rendering the use of it, well, useless.
I am clearly weeks ahead of where I was one week out of surgery last time.
I study the 26 staples running down my leg without passing out.
I shower (and yes, while this may be TMI for you, it is a point that differs greatly from last year.)
I nap in the afternoon only because by doing so, Dave still thinks I need nursing so he makes dinner. Well, he heats up dinners that friends have brought over.
I could go on and on, but the biggest point I would like to make is I ALREADY BEND MY LEG at 110 degrees. Last year, after much, much pain and effort, I was discharged from physical therapy when the bend got to 120 degrees. I’m not sure what this means in terms of physical therapy, but I’m thinking it won’t take long to be pronounced CURED! HEALED! ROCK STAR! SUPERHERO!
So, how did this happen?
First, I approached this surgery with a much better, more positive, almost gleeful attitude. The success of one knee clearly impacted the mental advantage for the second.
Two, I knew that by babying the leg last time I only made recovery longer and more painful, so the day after surgery, while I knew I was about as loaded with pain blockers as I ever would be, I swung my leg around to the side and dangled it nicely at 90 degrees, off the bed.
Three, there has got to be some intangible in this process and whatever it is, whenever I discover the cause for this amazing recovery, I will be all over someone with sloppy kisses and groping hugs. It’s that simple. THANK YOU WHATEVER YOU ARE!!
For all the emails, posts, card, calls, dinners, desserts, and gasps of amazement, Thank you!
By the way, yes, I am knocking on wood as I type this.
xoxo
Amen!
Cindy, Sending you hugs for your knee replacement recovery. You know that Grandma Lee would be over there with food and stories! Thx for shaing the link to your blog. I am hooke already. Your writing is lyrical. I am remembering hours and hours that I spent at your house, sharing part of my teenage and maybe even twenty-something self. I still have the framed felt house that you helped me make for my folks. It hangs in my house now. Dave looks EXACTLY the same in the pics I saw. You look AWESOME. And your new Peanut is precious as is the Rooster. You crack me up and I am thrilled to be back in touch. Love, Rachel.
Thanks, Rachel. I am finding Facebook a wonderful way to reconnect with those I knew so long ago—like you, you sweet young thing!—and I find my blog an amazing outlet for sharing my life, my family, my thoughts, and, when I finally get around to it, my artwork. I would love to see an image of the felt house you mention. If you can, send a photo via email. There just might be a follow-up story to that…
xoxox
C.
Hi Cindy! Glad your surgery went so well! You are getting to be an expert “patient”. Keep up the good work.
So, Cindy. This raven told me that Rooster and Peanut’s granny is a “tough old bird”. Glad to hear the raven got it right! I’m impressed.
Are you still going to Denise Hart for
rehab on the knee? I enjoy her floor
pilates so much. At this time I just
can’t squeeze in another facility….
Saw Wellspans’ Ortho Hospital last night. It is state of the art. Maybe we
could do lunch sometime or breakfast or a bagel??? Are you doing yoga with the other girls at Lotus Moon??
I miss you…..xxoo