Today marks 9 weeks since injury and yesterday marked 8 weeks since surgery. My FB status following my PT session last Wednesday read, "Wow, what a PT session! My pitiful muscles were shaking. Ditched the boot for good. No crutches allowed in the house. Okay, here we go!" It was my 2nd session of weight-bearing activity and I was not expecting that much progress within a week of initial weight-bearing. But, that's where things stalled out because the rest of our life got in the way. The past week was a whirlwind of packing and moving, and I'm grateful for the small amount that I was able to help out at that point. But, it involved A LOT of time on my feet, which resulted in extreme swelling of my lower leg and foot by the end of the day. I wasn't ready to go cold turkey with my crutches because I was moving around more efficiently with them than without them at that point. I was frustrated because I wasn't really making any noticeable progress, but getting the move done took priority for a few days. So, now it's time to get back on track, especially with the feedback that I got from my PT during my session this morning. He was pretty concerned about my limited range of motion and put the fear in me. The words "If you want to run again, you have to...." were spoken. My pre-injury range of motion has never been great in my ankles (partially due to my "freakishly tight calves"), so I have a lot to overcome. After he spent some time working on range of motion, the joint felt a lot less stiff and helped me walk less lurch-like. I walked out of his office without my crutches for the first time, and I am going to try it as much as possible. He also cleared me to try standing and walking without my shoes, which means that I can take a normal shower (at least I hope I can) for the first time in months! I also get to try driving within the next week. My poor clutch...
I'm so eager to get back in the gym (that will come before the running). One thing I love about our new location is that our gym is only a couple of miles from the house. I desperately need to start doing some cardio since all I've done for the past couple of months is sit on my ass and eat, and it shows. The stationary bike is a good place to start for now (I don't think it's a good idea to try clipping in/out of my road bike yet). Swimming might be an option soon if I can manage to get myself in/out of the pool (stairs) and I also need to check on whether it's okay for my skin/incision site to be in water for a prolonged period.
In other news, we are officially suburbanites now! We spent our first night in our new house on Friday followed by a hectic weekend trying to get the remaining items out of the old place. We were treated to a visit from our neighbors on Friday night with home-made cookies in order to welcome us to the neighborhood. A much better reception than our previous neighbors who rudely requested that I not park in front of his house because he wanted to admire the thousands of dollars worth of landscaping they had done in the front yard. Grrrr.... We're already appreciating the significant increase in space compared to our old place, multiple bathrooms, and a garage for my car. It's going to take me some time to get everything unpacked sans crutches so look for a housewarming party in May possibly.
For the couple who traveled monthly, sometimes weekly, last year, we are taking our first (mini) trip since Breckenridge right before our world got thrown for a loop in January. We're headed to Houston for the NCAA Tourney on Friday. It will be great to get out of town, even if it's only a couple of hours away and "it's Houston." I'm nervous though about navigating getting to and around the stadium with my not quite healed self. We're going to check out the possibility of handicapped seating so that I don't have to deal with stairs. Fingers crossed.
I'm ready to be a part of the world again. It's been so hard largely being confined to our house for much of the past 2 months, especially missing the wonderful weather and all of the uniquely Austin festivities that have been going on recently. Watch out world, here I come (lurching forward)!
No comments:
Post a Comment