March 28th, 2011

Starting my six weeks of physical therapy before my next check-up with the surgeon.
This weekend had ups and downs but this morning when I woke up at 6, I felt pretty good and barely limped to the bathroom and then kitchen. I was looking forward to the day which I have been trying to do even though when I was in pain. But today marked a definite return to my usual upbeat attitude. I swallowed my last Vitamin C pill. I should get more vitamins. I had breakfast with my two younger kids and drove them to school. I had time for a latte before therapy.
Early morning is a perfect time to be at Thrive. It is quiet and everyone is ready for a great day. My therapist told me I could bike 5 minutes and even 7 if I felt fine. I did a few hamstring stretches before and biking felt okay. I am using a stationary bile with a backseat and I was still a little tense. But after the hour of exercises and work on my knee, I was more comfortable and biked five more minutes before being iced. I covered one mile! Okay, I used to walk at least six miles a day. Still, I see more than the shores of hope.
My muscles are tense although I don't feel it and my therapist recommended therapy massages. One of the young women who works as a PT at Thrive is also a massage therapist and I will schedule a weekly session with her. Last week I felt a huge improvement after she massaged my entire leg. So I'm aiming for muscle relief which should help to retrieve a more fluid gait.
Another exercise I did much better today is the one mimicking climbing stairs. Step on a wooden block with the injured leg while the good leg is brought to the chest. Hold the position for a couple of seconds with or without hand support against a mirror or a wall. I managed to do a few without my hands. Yeah!!!
My drive home was beautiful. Sun is back and the foothills are green and blue. Snow caps the summits and there is no better place to be now.
The mountains call me !