Post-Surgery Survival Kit

I came across this photo from someone else's blog who also had ACL surgery. I thought it was funny so I thought I'd post it. Visit the blog.

Getting a little serious, being prepared for the days after surgery does help. I bought a mini-fridge and put it in my bedroom for easy access to ice, water, etc. since my kitchen is downstairs and going up and down stairs is a drag. I also had plenty of books, magazines, videos, etc. as well as my laptop and cell phone on hand to keep myself busy. I got my "laying in bed clothes", a towel (for under the ankle) and pillows ready and accessible.

I cleaned the house the day before surgery and did a run at the grocery store to stock up for awhile as I would not be driving for about a month. I paid my upcoming bills so I wouldn't have to deal with that. I had my post-surgery meds called in beforehand and picked them up before surgery. I arranged for the neighbors to set my garbage cans out and move my car for street cleanings. I had an extra key made and kept it under my welcome mat so friends visiting could let themselves in the house.

So, if you are going to have surgery, make sure you make a list of things to do so that you are prepared.

"You say you want a revolution"

Well, I want a revolution - on the bike. I went to the PT on Friday and she had me get on the stationery bike. Tried as I could, I just could not do a full revolution. She said that was fine. So, for about 10 minutes I pedaled one way as far as I could and held the stretch and then went backwards and did the same. When the full revolution does come, I will celebrate. Then it will be gradually adding resistance and increase my time on the bike. I hope that comes soon as I haven't done any type of aerobic exercise in 3 weeks and I need to start back up again before I gain weight. I think I lost a few pounds right after surgery as I didn't have an appetite. My diet was soup and saltines for several days. But now, my eating is back to normal and I need to find a way to burn off those calories. The leg lifts just aren't doing it.l

Getting Here to There

Well, it's now 2 weeks (plus 3 days) post-surgery. I am back at work. I take 2 buses to get to work as I can't yet walk 5 blocks to the Metro - 3 blocks is all I can do and it takes very long to do that and wears me out. If you will be having surgery, plan that everything will take longer once you are out and about. You will walk slower and may need to take alternate transportation like I do. If you take the bus, like I do, you may be very protective of your knee and be a bit fearful that someone is going to bump into your knee as you can't bend it all the way to bring it closer to the seat - so it sticks out in the aisle a bit. Also, don't be surprised if no one gives you a seat. I was on the Metro this morning and no one offered a seat to me. I prayed I would be able to maintain my balance.

I just had my 3rd PT session. I was late because of trying to get down my new transportation connections so I was only worked on for 15 minutes. However, the PT did manage to inflict pain in those 15 minutes. She then set me up on the machine that stimulates your quad muscle. I actually looked forward to this and the accompanying "icing" that comes with this was a relief.

I spent last weekend by myself "trapped" in my house. I could not really walk anywhere and I am not able to drive yet. It was very, very hot and humid in DC so sitting outside was very uncomfortable and like taking a sauna. I had some movies to watch but my DVD decided to break so I was really, really bored. Finally, on Saturday evening, my neighbor offered me a ride to the grocery store. I felt like a dog getting a ride in the car and a chance to escape the house. Plus, I was finally able to buy some vegetables which I was craving. I had a great salad and grilled salmon for dinner.

So, I am looking forward to walking beyond a snail's pace and to driving my car so I can finally go out and do something. Maybe this weekend?

The Joy of Chores

It is two weeks post surgery and I decided to try some chores as I was growing very inpatient as I had nothing to do. Since driving is out for me for several more weeks, I could not really go anywhere. DC is having a heat wave (98 degrees and very high humidity) so sitting outside is not very comfortable. I was tired of tv and didn't feel like reading so all that was left was the chores.

I started by vacuuming upstairs and had no problem. However, I am now waiting for someone to take the vacuum downstairs as I am not able to lift something this heavy and negotiate the stairs at the same time. I then tackled the bathroom and cleaned the tub, sink and floor. It was very satisfying to do these and have a somewhat clean upstairs.

As for those stairs, I also attempted trying to walk up (but not down)the stairs normally. It was a bit awkward as I really needed to think about it in addition to concentrating on lifting my leg up - which was tough. I was able to do this for about 6 steps and then had to go back to one step at a time. Hopefully, I'm not pushing things with this simple exercise. Due to this experience, I have a profound admiration for people who suffer far worse incidents and are not able to walk and need to go through a much more vigorous physical therapy program. I can only imagine what their legs feeling like trying to get them to move. As I know a bit, their legs must feel like dead weight (basically like a log) and trying to get control of them is probably extremely frustrating. But, they just push on with incredible faith and determination despite the associated physical pain and emotional toll. One such person is Tara Llanes who had a horrific crash during a mountain bike race and following seven hours of surgery to the back and spinal cord, it was determined she had no feeling from the waist down. Read her story.

The Long Road Ahead - Part 2

I did my first sets of my rehab exercises at home - well, I tried to do my exercises at home. I felt like my leg was simply dead weight. I tried the standard task of putting a rolled up towel under my knee and then trying to tighten my quad. (If you are able to strengthen your quad, your heel will come up off the floor.) I could not at all get control of my quad and there was NO movement in my right heel - that heel was stuck to the floor. I had no way of tightening it. The left leg did its thing and I felt the quad tighten and saw it tightenting but I could not tighten my quad in the right leg. I just could not!

Another exercise is lying on my bed on my stomach and tieing something around my foot and using my hand to hold the other end and then pull my knee up so it bends. OUCH! I'm suppose to hold it for 30 seconds. You got to be kidding. After this one, I simply let my ankle drape over the side of my bed forcing the leg to extend. OUCH! I'm suppose to do this for 5 minutes.

Last but not least, are the heel slides. Sitting on the floor, you slide you heel as close to your buttocks as you can. I am only able to slide my heel in about 6 inches. I also do some leg lifts and am having no problems with them but I think I am doing the wrong: I am using another muscle instead of my quad.

So, needless to say, this is a bit discouraging. Yes, it only was my first day but nonetheless, it sucked. And, walking is still a drag as I need to go ever so slowly. I mean really slowly.

Well, today is a new day and I'm hoping things will progress and I will start to be able to regain control of my quad.

The Long Road Ahead

I just had my first physical therapy session today. Not the best news and am feeling a bit down. I basically have no quad, can't bend my knee and can't extend my knee. My ROM flexion is 78 degrees (I think normal is 110 degrees of flexion) and my ROM extension is -6 degrees (not sure what normal is). I need to greatly improve both of these. It will be a long, difficult task but as I said before Grin and Bear It.

I will go to the PTs twice a week and then need to do my exercises at home 3-5 times/day. How does one do that when you also work full time. I can get in 3 times: before work, after work and after dinner but I doubt I can get in more; maybe do some at lunch.

This is the frustration point and I need to see my ROM numbers improve to give me encouragement to keep moving ahead. So without further adieu, I on my way home to do my rehab exercises.

Grin & Bear It

In light of everything happening in the World (war, cyclones, tornadoes, famine, etc.),going through a knee surgery is nothing. It also pales in comparison to having a way more serious illness or health issue such as cancer or a brain tumor. Not to mention that I caused this to happen by skiing. Others simply have things happen to them with no fault of their own. So, I can hardly complain about my condition. But, when something interferes with your life so much, it does affect you and you do get frustrated, depressed and feel a little sorry for yourself. However, as they say Grin and Bear It as things do happen in life and you need to just keep on going. So it is with this philosophy that just keeps me going. Don't look back and say why - just keep moving forward.

Anyway, I had my stitches removed today. The PA had a problem with one stitch and just could not get it out so my surgeon needed to remove it. Although I am still hugging to my one crutch as my knee is unstable and swollen, the doctor gave me an A+, which was very good news to hear. I will now start the PT and hope I will progress. If all goes well, I may be able to stop supervised PT visits in about 4-6 weeks and only need do the exercises on my own. That would be really nice.

So, I am on my way to a nice stable knee. Running, yoga, biking - here I come. Skiing, I'm afraid not. I just do not want to ever go through this again.