Post Op Week 2 - A Week of Highs and Lows

I'm officially two weeks post op.  And the last week had some of the wildest swings between high and low that I've had since my injury occurred back in January.

Physical therapy has been both hard and rewarding.  From the first assessment appointment last Friday morning through two appointments this week, I haven't made it through a session yet without tears.  And mostly the tears are from frustration.  I've lost SO much of what I gained in my first round of PT.  But, Todd and Karen have been amazing - reminding me of where I started and helping me see how far I came in a short time.  I'll have so much to look back on when I finish my 50k next June!!!

I also had my first post op appointment this week with the PA.   And she was amazing.  Alleviating so many of my fears, working with me to relax my leg, and being real about what's coming.  I was officially cleared to go weight bearing as tolerated on my repaired leg as long as my brace is locked.  In two weeks, I get to unlock for weight bearing and, hopefully, I'll be in my functional brace at my next post op appointment in late May.  The exciting part of that is that I'm finally able to DRIVE!  🚗

Torture of the Day
My e-stim device finally came into use this week as I met with the guy who got the whole thing set up.  I'm so grateful I didn't have to do that on my own!  I'm glad that we have these really cool toys to help me heal but having electrical current run through your thigh is a bit like torture.  

My fabulous idea of setting this appointment up back to back with the post op appointment was a great idea pre-op and actually terrible in the execution.  I ended up home, exhausted, and ready to throw in the towel.

Which brings me to the reason for the week of highs and lows.  The big low is that I haven't managed a day without tears yet.  From frustration of inactivity and not being able to do things for myself to the pain of my injury, the tears are never far from the surface.  

But, I try to keep my eyes on the positive.  I finally got to be rid of the awful compression sleeve and take a SHOWER!  Washing my hair never felt so good.  And I reached my first goal of 90 degrees on the CPM!  Here's looking at the final goal of 120!

I hit 90!!!
Alexa stayed with me Monday afternoon as she made me cookies and we watched a movie.  And doubled down on Friday when she wrangled the wheelchair into her car so that I could attend her academic signing celebration.

Samm brought me coffee Tuesday morning and sat with me through a crying jag until I felt better. 

Mike continues to be my rock - getting up early each morning to make sure I'm ready for the day when I wake up hours later and staying up late each night to make sure I'm taken care of.  Even taking time off work to drive me to what seem like never ending appointments.  He's incredible.


I know rationally that everything is looking up.  I'm working towards activating my quad and getting stronger every single day.  It's 59 weeks and counting to Eagle Up 2025.  I got this. 🎉✨🎇



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Post Op Week 6: Joy, Fear, and the rest of the Emotions

Post Op Week 5: An ACL Recovery Primer