One Step at a Time: May 2009

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Another Follow-Up

I had a short, but good follow-up with Dr. Dye about two weeks ago. Why haven't I written about it since? Well, I'm not 100% sure, but I can honestly say I haven't felt like blogging much lately. I've realized my recovery is slow and some days there is not much to say.

So my appointment with Dr. Dye on May 4 was good. He was happy to hear I was feeling better an that it seemed like the stronger anti-inflammatory he prescribed was helping me get back to normal daily activity. Dr. Dye said the next few months of my recovery can be dangerous. I said, "Why, because I may think I can do more than my knee will allow?" He said, "Yes, please don't go for a hike." I laughed. OK, got it. I'll stick to swimming for a while longer.

At the moment, while I'm feeling better, a few times a week my knee either gives out on me, or I take an odd step and pain shoots through my knee. The pain usually happens when my foot plants not quite level and some weight is shifted forward to my knee. It always happens quickly, even when I am being careful. The pain dissipates in a minute or two, but tends to upset me and I worry. I asked Dr. Dye about these experiences and he said painless giving way of my knee is due to lack of muscle strength and should improve with my continued PT. The painful episodes are most likely synovial tissue impingement events analogous to biting the inside of my cheek. These episodes are examples of loading "Out of Envelope of Load Acceptance". Of course Dr. Dye said it's important to avoid these as best as I can, naturally. When they do occur, I'm to get off my feet as I can and cool the knee. I'm hoping these episodes happen few and far between.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mom's Day to All!

I had a very nice Mother's Day in Lafayette with my Mom and Dad. I headed out there (only a 30 minute drive East, without traffic, from the city) Saturday night and met a friend from college for dinner. I got to my parents house around 10:30 PM and chatted with my Mom for a while. She offered some great advice to me about some things going on at work. I can always count on my Mom for that. : )

It did not go unnoticed that there were pretty fresh flowers in the guest room (my old bedroom) from the garden. It was almost Mother's Day and I was the one that felt special! Thanks Mom! On Sunday, we had a good time shopping then watching the Giants-Dodgers game on TV. The Giants won in extra innings, which made it even better! Go Giants!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

A Weekend with Morgan

I just got home from a long weekend up in Spokane, Washington with my sister, brother-in-law and 17-month-old niece Morgan. Due to my knee surgery, I hadn't seen Morgan since her first birthday. Wow, she has grown! Morgan is walking, starting to become more vocal, and looks more and more like a little girl. Such a cutie.

Meg and I had a girl's night out on Friday. We indulged in some delicious appetizers at Twigs, a restaurant downtown, then saw a movie. We finished the evening with mini desserts at The Davenport Hotel Safari Room. On Saturday night, I got special Auntie Ali and Morgan time when her Mommy and Daddy went to the Shock game. They are the local arena football team. I insisted Meg and David have a date night so I got some quality Morgan time. : ) I read Morgan lots of books (she's so cute when she hands you a book, then turns around and waits for you to pick her up and put her on your lap), fed her dinner, gave her a bath (I didn't keep Morgan's diaper on until just before I put her in the tub. She peed on the big yellow ducky next to the tub... Oops! Mental note for next time...), read her a few more books and put her to bed. After one lovey and blanket rescue from the floor outside her crib, Morgan went to sleep. Here are some photos from the weekend.