Six Weeks

Wednesday it was six weeks since my total knee replacement surgery.  It feels like just yesterday and it feels like it was forever ago...all at the same time.  I feel like I'm doing great and I'm so proud of where I am today but I have moments when I feel like I should be "done" with recovery and I should be all back to normal already.  Well, that isn't reality and I know it.

I had my first aqua therapy session on Wednesday afternoon and I met a lady that was in my pre-surgical joint replacement class.  She had her left knee replaced on March 28th just like I did...by the same doctor.  She was the 2nd surgery of the day (so right after me).   We were both in the pool at the same time and compared recovery notes.  We've had almost identical recoveries! It was really neat to see her again and to be able to talk to someone that is literally at the same place I am in recovery.  Aqua therapy for me is 10 minutes of walking on the underwater treadmill; leg lifts to the front, back, and side; going up & down on my tip toes; bending my leg to the back (leg curls?); and then bending & straightening my leg out to the front.  The leg lifts I do with both legs...my left leg for strength and my right leg so I can work on balancing on my left leg.  The other 2 things I just do my left leg.  

My last 2 therapy sessions I have made progress on my range of motion.  Wednesday I was able to bend my knee 111 degrees on my own and 120 degrees with help.  Today I got 114 degrees on my own and 120 degrees with help again.  At the moment, 120 degrees with help seems to be my limit.  I make a horrible face and squeal/squeak in pain/discomfort and about come off the table.  LOL!

This week has been pretty busy for me.  I'm very proud of being able to handle everything at this point.  Monday was chiropractor for Morgan, physical therapy for me, school with the kids and dance class for Morgan. Tuesday was school with the kids, fencing with Alex (at a later time than normal), running some quick errands, quickly make dinner & eat, get Morgan's hair in a bun & make up on & then dash out the door for 3 1/2 hours of costume changes and pictures at the dance studio.  Morgan & I got home about 10pm Tuesday night..tired!  Wednesday was CSA week #1 pick up, strawberry picking at a local farm, unpacking & washing all produce, school with the kids, physical therapy for me, getting Morgan's hair in a bun & make up on & dash out to the dance studio for 2 1/2 hours of costume changes and pictures.  We got home about 8:45pm Wednesday night. I was WIPED OUT!  *surprise*  Thursday was chiropractor with Morgan, school with kids, and then dance class for Morgan.  The rest of the evening was pretty slow & relaxed.  So far today has just been physical therapy for me and some relaxation.  We are already planning a very veg-out night.  We have a Netflix movie waiting to be watched, St. Elmo's Fire at Morgan's request, and no other plans.