8 Weeks

I just returned home from my final PT session. Today was an important day for me perhaps more emotionally than anything else. The goal was to hit 120 degrees flexion in both knees. It was painfully obvious that I was not going to hit that goal in the left knee as I seemed to be stuck at 105 for several weeks. I worked especially hard this week with an extra push from Gayle, Kera, mine brither, and of course, Brent. That extra push helped because I reached the 120 degree goal in my right knee and made my left knee bend to 110 degrees. To say I'm thrilled with this would be an understatement!


Of course, I still have a good bit of work ahead of me to get to the final goal of 130 degrees. Nate feels that I will have no problems getting there with the right, but the left will be a challenge and will definitely take more time. Since rehabbing my knees has been a full time job for 8 weeks, you know that I'm concerned about how I'm going to go back to work full time and continue to work on increasing flexion.


Nate laid out a plan to spin for 10 minutes in the morning, do about 6 mini 5-minute stretching sessions during the day, and then do the full stretching/strengthening routine in the evening. While this will take a little longer, Nate feels this will be enough to get me to the goal. So, if you're looking for me while I'm at work...I'm in the stairwell doing step lunges! Nate showed me a few seated stretches I can do and one of them I could probably do in a meeting and no one would know. Unless I really pushed it until it hurt and let out a little moan. Hmmm, that might not be good! Nate also suggested replacing the strengthening exercises once or twice a week with the pool exercises I learned. Kera - I'll be giving you a call about that!


Two weeks ago, I set out 8 goals that I wanted to accomplish. While I made good progress on some, I realize that I don't have full control on the outcome of a few of those goals. I don't think that makes them unrealistic, but certainly may make it harder to accomplish. Here's my update on those 8 goals:
1. Stand for longer periods of time - Incomplete. I'm good for about 5 minutes which makes standing in line at the grocery store a bigger chore than it normally is. Nate says this is just going to take time, perhaps 3-4 months. Does this mean it's no longer a goal? No, but maybe it's something that belongs on my wish list.

2. Get to 120 degrees flexion - Partially complete. Woohoo, I reached that goal in the right knee. Getting to the goal in the left still remains a high priority. All I can do is continue to push the exercises to the point where I can't take the pain. That's all. Just hurt myself more I guess.

3. Sleep in my own bed - Complete. Yes, and it's so much better.

4. Do the steps normally - Partially complete. I have made good progress going up the stairs. The left leg flips out to the side a bit, but I can go up foot over foot. Coming down is not as good but I'm working on it. As the left knee gets more flexion going down will get better.

5. Driving - Complete. Thank goodness.

6. Eliminate Toilet riser - Incomplete. We really didn't do this at home, and while it's a bit of a struggle at other people's homes or public restrooms, I can do it. It's just not pretty.

7. Sleep through the night - Incomplete. This is another one that is not within my control. But, it definitely has gotten better since I moved back to my bed. This is another item for the wish list.

8. Eliminate pills - Incomplete. I am still taking the tramadol and for the most part am only taking tylenol at bedtime.

So, I really only completed 2 of the 8 items, two are out of my control, and I have made progress on the remaining four items. I'm happy with that.

I feel much better about my scrapbook weekend. I know I can do many of my exercises there, get the stretching in, and can sleep in a real bed. Add my scrap stuff and my friends, and it doesn't get any better than that.

My good news has put me in a good frame of mind. I hope it stays there!