My physical therapist came over on Wednesday (I'm still not cleared to drive) . I handed him my neatly typed out list of all the exercises I've been doing four times a day. Religiously. Yes, I have been practicing in church! When he saw that I was still having trouble getting this knee bent into my chest, he very politely told me to: RELAX why don't ya? Mind you, this is coming from an imposing man who was a top NFL pro. He looked at all my ultra marathon medals and told me that this rehab is not the same as hitting the wall at mile 80 of a hundred mile race.
That afternoon, Surfer Boy and I took the three grand dogs down to Heisler Park in Laguna Beach. We walked, people watched, sat at a bench and had a lovely one hour conversation with a 70+ year old couple retired to California from Brooklyn. Cynthia and Sam finish each others sentences, ask a zillion questions and show you pictures of their grand kids. What a hoot those two are! And the best part? Not once did they ask about my knee.
When I got out of the shower today, I could lift my leg up and put my foot flat down on the toilet seat, a feat that was impossible two weeks ago.
Success = balance. I'm taking all my favorite supplements for healing, including systemic enzymes for inflammation, eating organic foods, taking bio-identical hormones - don't leave home without 'em: they're all natural and they make life, ahem, sweeter than cherry wine. The most important component to healing: Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
Here's my new stretch goal: Once I'm walking again: To walk the one and half miles from my home, with Surfer Boy and the three grand pups, to the ice cream shop, then sit on the bench with Cynthia and Sam, enjoying the view. Make mine a double scoop, please!
Remember to relax and have fun in life! That is the true key to healing.
So good to catch up with you. I'm glad you are doing well. Just you wait, in just some few silly weeks that goal will seem so little!!!! Ok, I know it's been a whole 7 months since my surgery, but, heck, I walked 6 days for hours on end around Paris and Brussels, and not a thing hurts. A month ago I seriously doubted that was possible. Sooooooooo, I can't wait to read about you walking that 1.5 miles, but you'll be running very soon after that, I'm 100% certain!
ReplyDeleteUlyana: You made my day! I am thrilled you are on vacation and enjoying your new ankle. Promise me you will eat lots of chocolate at that chocolate factory you visited :)
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