It’s been so long since I've updated my blog I’m sure people
who have been trying to keep up with me forgot I had blog or even had surgery last year. I’m so sorry I haven’t updated sooner. There are several good and bad reasons why
it’s taken me a while to get back into writing.
Ok so let’s look at the timeline first.
My last post I was 18 weeks out and I am now 58 weeks out from
surgery. I’m been MIA in blogging, but the
effects of the ACI surgery have not been MIA.
My last post I was doing rehab on my own and was doing
really well at making it to the gym 3-4 times a week. My quad had not fully returned, but it was
stronger each day. Then my work
activities started to take over which is the only good reason why I did not
continue to update my blog. My business
really took off and I was working everyday all day. Which is good for the normal person’s knee,
however for mine is was really bad. The
next four months were what I like to call “my dark period” and I wasn't too
keen on sharing those times with anyone b/c they were not pretty or encouraging. However that really wasn't fair not to share
everything so I’m sorry and would like to try and fill in the blanks now.
I did not do any, I REPEAT, ANY rehab exercises during those
4 months. Even though I was walking and
lifting a lot due to my interior design profession my quad was not getting any
stronger…which is when my PT later said DUH!!?
I was so focused on working (gotta pay the bills people!). I thought about doing the exercises at home
and skip the gym, but by the time I got home every day I was exhausted and just
wanted to ice my knee and go to bed. I
became very stressed and upset that my knee was not better by that time and
started to question whether I should have had the surgery at all. This train of thought was not productive and
lead to many pity parties and “ugly cry sessions”. I fell several times during this time which didn't help my confidence My quad was so weak that when I put all my weight on my bad knee without the support of my other leg I would do a nose dive every time. This happen a lot when I would pivot and try to change directions. For example I was cooking at the stove and I look my bad leg and pivoted it to my left and back to go to the sink without turning my body first. My husband during all this remained
supportive, but he like everyone else did not know really what to do for
me. It was easier to help me when I couldn't help myself, but since now I was mobile there really wasn't much for
them to do.
The wake-up call happened in Dec for my 9 month appt. Dr Arnold was not pleased with where I was at,
can’t say I blame him. Last time I saw
him was at my 6 month mark and that was when I was doing rehab and was
progressing. I was supposed to see him
at the 8 month mark but I was so stressed and upset during that time I moved my
appt a month later in hopes I could regain some quad muscle during that month… didn't happen L. Dr Arnold said that he would give me 3 months
to prove to him that the problems I was having were really due to me not going
to rehab and if I couldn't do that then it must be b/c something was wrong with
my graft area and he would then want to have another surgery. That would be #6 surgery. Looking back now I’m sure that was just a trick
to get me back into rehab, but who cares b/c IT WORKED!!! I made an appt with my PT and back to rehab I
went! I then went to appts 3x a week for
2 months and then 2x a week for the 3rd month. I stared scheduling my works appts better
giving myself more space and balance in my life. I’m not saying I was perfect, but it was such
an improvement that when I went to see my doctor in March for my 1 year he
smiled big!! My quad was firing on my
own!! It was so cool to have a little
control over that muscle!! And it really didn't take as long as one would
think, but I just had to stay consistent (story of our lives isn't it!) My next appt will be at the 1.5 year mark.
Since my 1 year appt with my doctor (mid March) I have been
doing rehab on my own at my local gym.
With the exception of a couple crazy weeks I have been doing so much
better! My knee feels better and I am
allowed to start to run!!! YES RUN!!!
Something I have not done in over 1.5 years!
Now I've never been a marathon runner (and I’m not staring now!) but the
kind of running I would like to do is from the grocery store to my car when it
rains! Or from the car to the gym when
it rains…are you seeing the pattern? I’d like to run to get out of the rain J. I haven’t had the courage to run yet, unless
you count the time (yes it was raining) when I sorta ran/skipped/hustled from
the car to a clients house. It felt awkward
and I’m glad no one saw me, at least I hope no one say me. I’m sure someone did and laughed!
So there everyone is updated now J. Don’t we all feel better now! I will promise
to continue to update this blog in a timelier manner. If you have questions please leave comments.
