I can't say I've been super consistent about my walking. I do have to mention that my knee seems to be standing up to more activity lately. Stairs are now doable, but I only attempt a flight or two up at one time. I'm not going to run the Lyon Street stairs anytime soon! Where I used to kind of limp up or down stairs, my pace is much more smooth these days going in either direction. The muscles around my left knee are getting a little stronger and more stable.
Rather than trying to keep to a regular "every other day" schedule, I find trying to walk a mile or so 2-3 times a week tends to work for me. Some weeks I travel for work which sometimes throws off this plan. Treading on concrete pressroom floors tend to make my knee ache a bit so during those trips I usually skip my walks.
Overall, my knee is beginning to feel more normal. By "normal" I mean I don't feel very much more discomfort in my left (the bad knee) knee compared to my right knee. I figure this may change once I decide to up my activity level. When will I do so? I'm not sure. I admit there is some fear involved. My fear is beginning the slow increase from walking to running and that my knee won't seem any better than before the synovectomy. I know, there were no guarantees with the second knee scope and, no matter what, I need to get back to some kind of regular exercise. I'm thinking about trying some yoga and now that the weather is getting a little warmer getting back in the pool. One step at a time... literally.
Showing posts with label Recovery Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recovery Time. Show all posts
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Thursday, November 5, 2009
And Now... A Word from Dr. Dye
I am incredibly behind on blogging. I heard an interesting statistic the other day that 95% of web blogs have been abandoned! Can you believe that? I have a hard time believing it is true since so many people I know keep blogs, whether they are family or business related. I do understand that sometimes life gets in the way and it's hard to post something new very often. I'm in that place right now.
I thought I would write a quick update on my last appointment with Dr. Dye, about 3 weeks ago. He told me he would like me to get on my bike. No, not outside, just some easy spinning on my trainer indoors. He said I should begin with cycling 10 minutes every other day, then building up by 5 minutes per week. Of course, this is if my knee can handle it. Dr. Dye told me he would like me to be up to 30 minutes every other day by the time I have my next follow-up with him in early December. My immediate reaction was that it seems like a dream. I could possibly get that much exercise? No way! Hard to fathom at this point in my saga.
So I began 3 weeks ago... how did it go? Okay, sort of. The truth is I'm still at 10 minutes. Not because my knee seems to be reacting to the cycling, I've just been noticing another phenomenon lately. I may have mentioned this in the past, but my knee seems to be really sensitive to stress. The last month, maybe more, at work has been non-stop. I've been traveling, staying at the office late, and even bringing work home with me. Some days my knee starts to ache and the feeling doesn't seem to tie in with the days I cycle. Plus, when I travel for work it's usually for press checks where I have to get on a plane (the cabin pressurization doesn't help inflammation) to travel out-of-town. During the time on press I spend too much time standing on a concrete floor inside a printing plant. That floor is not forgiving at all. So with all of that, I've been afraid to increase the duration of my cycling.
Still, I hope to be to be at least halfway to the 30 mintes before I see Dr. Dye again, maybe even 20...
I thought I would write a quick update on my last appointment with Dr. Dye, about 3 weeks ago. He told me he would like me to get on my bike. No, not outside, just some easy spinning on my trainer indoors. He said I should begin with cycling 10 minutes every other day, then building up by 5 minutes per week. Of course, this is if my knee can handle it. Dr. Dye told me he would like me to be up to 30 minutes every other day by the time I have my next follow-up with him in early December. My immediate reaction was that it seems like a dream. I could possibly get that much exercise? No way! Hard to fathom at this point in my saga.
So I began 3 weeks ago... how did it go? Okay, sort of. The truth is I'm still at 10 minutes. Not because my knee seems to be reacting to the cycling, I've just been noticing another phenomenon lately. I may have mentioned this in the past, but my knee seems to be really sensitive to stress. The last month, maybe more, at work has been non-stop. I've been traveling, staying at the office late, and even bringing work home with me. Some days my knee starts to ache and the feeling doesn't seem to tie in with the days I cycle. Plus, when I travel for work it's usually for press checks where I have to get on a plane (the cabin pressurization doesn't help inflammation) to travel out-of-town. During the time on press I spend too much time standing on a concrete floor inside a printing plant. That floor is not forgiving at all. So with all of that, I've been afraid to increase the duration of my cycling.
Still, I hope to be to be at least halfway to the 30 mintes before I see Dr. Dye again, maybe even 20...
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Pop!
I'm guessing you may be curious about what's going on with my bum knee lately? Well here's the deal. After I returned from my trip to New York, I limped around for a few days. It wasn't a bad limp, but it was there. I noticed it and my coworkers noticed it too. To be honest, I wasn't really worried. I knew I walked around way too much in Manhattan, but I actually felt as if my knee bounced back pretty well each day. Although after multiple days of wandering around, it had it's toll on my knee. I took it extra easy (if that is even possible) the week after I returned and my knee seemed to get back to normal. The current norm for me anyway.
I cannot deny that it's been a tough Summer. This second knee surgery really took it's toll on me, mentally and physically. The recovery period during the first 3-4 months was much worse than I imagined it would be. I have not been on the "sunny" side of life over the last 6 months or so. It's more like "clouds with a chance of rain." Not good. Back around May I got to the point that I wondered if I would ever be able to return to an active lifestyle again. It was sad for me. I didn't realize it at the time, but around July, shortly before I went to New York, it dawned on me that my worry was getting me nowhere. I can't say I entirely stopped worrying, but I drastically reduced the amount of it. I figured the surgery was behind me and there was nothing I could do to change it. I better just settle in and be patient. Dr. Dye said my knee would heal and I figured it may be good to start believing him.
During my trip, I did worry a little. I really had not walked that much in a long, long time. I thought to myself, "Should I be taking this trip? Maybe a stay-cation would be better for me right now." The need to get-out-of-town took over and I was pleasantly surprised how my knee handled the trip. That the achy feeling in my knee did not escalate to full pain and throbbing as it had when I did too much a few months earlier. In the mornings I would wake up and, while my knee didn't feel great, it wasn't holding me back. That was good to learn. I thought, maybe, just maybe my knee is on the road to be able to withstand some activity again.
A week and a half after I got home, I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Dye. I hadn't seen him for about 6 weeks. He looked at my knee and said, "It looks better than the last time I saw you!" I laughed. What? How many knees a day does he see? 12... 20? Could he actually remember what my knee looked like 6 weeks ago? Dr. Dye does not take photos, but hey, maybe he has one of those photographic memories. Hmm. I thought it was interesting that during those 6 weeks since my last follow-up I had hoofed it around NY and he still thought my knee looked better! Dr. Dye told me to keep doing whatever I was doing and come back in 4 weeks. I've had to move that appointment out a few weeks due to some work trips, so we'll see what he has to say in mid-September.
There is one especially interesting thing to note. A few weeks ago, I was lounging on my couch (as I do more than I would like to admit) and had my leg propped up on a pillow. I do this often, especially when icing my knee. I had an urge to stretch and bend my legs, so I did. I heard a "pop!" in my left knee, honestly the loudest pop I have ever heard come from that knee, before or after surgery. The pop wasn't painful, it was just a noise. Well, something must have come "unstuck" because suddenly my knee didn't feel as tight. I swear, for the last few weeks it has felt significantly better and I can lift my leg straight with minimal pain in my knee. I would say that's progress! My guess is that one of those synovial "fronds," as Dr. Dye called them, stopped catching. All a part of the healing process, I guess.
I realized it's been a long time since I've taken or posted a range of motion photo. As you can see, my ROM is not back to normal, but has improved. It's all I can ask for as the Summer comes to a close. Hopefully Fall in San Francisco will be a little more "sunny" for me.
I cannot deny that it's been a tough Summer. This second knee surgery really took it's toll on me, mentally and physically. The recovery period during the first 3-4 months was much worse than I imagined it would be. I have not been on the "sunny" side of life over the last 6 months or so. It's more like "clouds with a chance of rain." Not good. Back around May I got to the point that I wondered if I would ever be able to return to an active lifestyle again. It was sad for me. I didn't realize it at the time, but around July, shortly before I went to New York, it dawned on me that my worry was getting me nowhere. I can't say I entirely stopped worrying, but I drastically reduced the amount of it. I figured the surgery was behind me and there was nothing I could do to change it. I better just settle in and be patient. Dr. Dye said my knee would heal and I figured it may be good to start believing him.
During my trip, I did worry a little. I really had not walked that much in a long, long time. I thought to myself, "Should I be taking this trip? Maybe a stay-cation would be better for me right now." The need to get-out-of-town took over and I was pleasantly surprised how my knee handled the trip. That the achy feeling in my knee did not escalate to full pain and throbbing as it had when I did too much a few months earlier. In the mornings I would wake up and, while my knee didn't feel great, it wasn't holding me back. That was good to learn. I thought, maybe, just maybe my knee is on the road to be able to withstand some activity again.
A week and a half after I got home, I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Dye. I hadn't seen him for about 6 weeks. He looked at my knee and said, "It looks better than the last time I saw you!" I laughed. What? How many knees a day does he see? 12... 20? Could he actually remember what my knee looked like 6 weeks ago? Dr. Dye does not take photos, but hey, maybe he has one of those photographic memories. Hmm. I thought it was interesting that during those 6 weeks since my last follow-up I had hoofed it around NY and he still thought my knee looked better! Dr. Dye told me to keep doing whatever I was doing and come back in 4 weeks. I've had to move that appointment out a few weeks due to some work trips, so we'll see what he has to say in mid-September.
There is one especially interesting thing to note. A few weeks ago, I was lounging on my couch (as I do more than I would like to admit) and had my leg propped up on a pillow. I do this often, especially when icing my knee. I had an urge to stretch and bend my legs, so I did. I heard a "pop!" in my left knee, honestly the loudest pop I have ever heard come from that knee, before or after surgery. The pop wasn't painful, it was just a noise. Well, something must have come "unstuck" because suddenly my knee didn't feel as tight. I swear, for the last few weeks it has felt significantly better and I can lift my leg straight with minimal pain in my knee. I would say that's progress! My guess is that one of those synovial "fronds," as Dr. Dye called them, stopped catching. All a part of the healing process, I guess.
I realized it's been a long time since I've taken or posted a range of motion photo. As you can see, my ROM is not back to normal, but has improved. It's all I can ask for as the Summer comes to a close. Hopefully Fall in San Francisco will be a little more "sunny" for me.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Crutches and Physical Therapy
Progress is the name of the game... Slowly, but surely my knee is getting better. Last week, I used my crutches to get from my car into the office to my desk and back, and also for longer jaunts to the cafe or meetings further from my desk. I walked to the printer and to meetings nearby. After a week of this my knee seemed fine. This week, I decided to use my crutches to get in and out of the office, but leave my crutches at my desk and be able to walk longer distances such as to the cafe for breakfast and lunch. What freedom I tell you! : ) To be able to go to the cafe and carry my own cup of coffee and cereal back to my desk for breakfast is so nice. It's only Tuesday, but my plan seems to be going well. I won't make any huge statements on my progress until the end of the week, but so far so good. I would love to say I could ditch my crutches for the last time by next week, but my guess is that I will hang onto them for another week or so, even if just as back up. As much as I dislike my crutches, they are now a bit of a security item for me. I wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere without them and my knee starts to hurt.
Physical therapy has been moving along too. I don't have difficult exercises to do, but I'm to make sure I complete a quad and hip exercise each day, as well as some abdominal exercises. I'm still on an "every other" week PT pattern, but if Alex feels my knee has healed enough when I see her next week, I'll go back to every week for PT. I'm not sure how long this will last, but I know it is necessary. My knee does feel weak and I have to build up those muscles again surrounding my knee to bring it back to the full support it needs again to get back to regular activity.
The weather is finally getting sunny again so it's tempting to be out and about and frustrating not to be able to do much. I'm patient though. Hopefully, swimming is right around the corner and that will allow me to get that Vitamin D from the sun I need (albeit with sunscreen!). They say 15 minutes in the sun each day provides us with much needed light therapy for mind and body health. Interesting, huh?
Physical therapy has been moving along too. I don't have difficult exercises to do, but I'm to make sure I complete a quad and hip exercise each day, as well as some abdominal exercises. I'm still on an "every other" week PT pattern, but if Alex feels my knee has healed enough when I see her next week, I'll go back to every week for PT. I'm not sure how long this will last, but I know it is necessary. My knee does feel weak and I have to build up those muscles again surrounding my knee to bring it back to the full support it needs again to get back to regular activity.
The weather is finally getting sunny again so it's tempting to be out and about and frustrating not to be able to do much. I'm patient though. Hopefully, swimming is right around the corner and that will allow me to get that Vitamin D from the sun I need (albeit with sunscreen!). They say 15 minutes in the sun each day provides us with much needed light therapy for mind and body health. Interesting, huh?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Another "Work from Home" Day
I'm back on my couch working from home today. No, my knee hasn't started to hurt again, this is simply a precautionary measure. I had a physical therapy appointment yesterday and my manager at work and I decided I would work from home the day after physical therapy for the time being. I will probably do this a few more times to allow my knee some extra rest. I am lucky to have supportive coworkers that allow me to do this.
That said, I'm on edge today and realize I have been feeling this way since the weekend. I haven't been able to shake it. I'm frustrated with my healing process and can't seem to let that go and relax. I know I should be content knowing that in time my knee will be fine. Right now, I am not content. This has turned into me being defensive and I have snapped at people for the last few days. This is not good and I do not want it to continue, but it's been really hard to stop for some reason. My take on my defensiveness is that I feel inadequate physically so I'm extra edgy when anyone criticizes my work or other personal things. I already feel bad enough personally, that I want to succeed and have control over everything else. I want work to be going perfectly and when it doesn't, I get all snippy and frustrated. I know this is not a healthy place to be as I love my job and am very grateful it's a part of my life. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize my standing as "employed" so I'm trying my best to suppress my issues.
So, I'm not exactly enjoying my "work from home day." The last one I had was good. I got SO much done since there weren't nearly as many phone calls, meetings, or interruptions going on. Today is different. I'm a little bitter that I need this at all and am probably feeling a little lonely since I already had a boring weekend last weekend and didn't get out much. At work I'm surrounded by people and am somewhat distracted from my knee problem since there is so much to do. I didn't realize I needed that distraction until now. Sigh. As in most situations, I'm sure this is all a phase and I'll get through it. In time, always in time.
That said, I'm on edge today and realize I have been feeling this way since the weekend. I haven't been able to shake it. I'm frustrated with my healing process and can't seem to let that go and relax. I know I should be content knowing that in time my knee will be fine. Right now, I am not content. This has turned into me being defensive and I have snapped at people for the last few days. This is not good and I do not want it to continue, but it's been really hard to stop for some reason. My take on my defensiveness is that I feel inadequate physically so I'm extra edgy when anyone criticizes my work or other personal things. I already feel bad enough personally, that I want to succeed and have control over everything else. I want work to be going perfectly and when it doesn't, I get all snippy and frustrated. I know this is not a healthy place to be as I love my job and am very grateful it's a part of my life. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize my standing as "employed" so I'm trying my best to suppress my issues.
So, I'm not exactly enjoying my "work from home day." The last one I had was good. I got SO much done since there weren't nearly as many phone calls, meetings, or interruptions going on. Today is different. I'm a little bitter that I need this at all and am probably feeling a little lonely since I already had a boring weekend last weekend and didn't get out much. At work I'm surrounded by people and am somewhat distracted from my knee problem since there is so much to do. I didn't realize I needed that distraction until now. Sigh. As in most situations, I'm sure this is all a phase and I'll get through it. In time, always in time.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I'm Bored
I never thought I would say this... I'm bored. Usually, my days are so scheduled and busy during the week that I relish some downtime. After a long week at work, Saturday can involve some rest time and TiVo. I wouldn't call myself a couch potato, just a bit of a home-body. I do look forward to spending time with friends and fun activities on the weekends, but I like a good balance of this and a little time to myself. It's my way to re-charge for another week of meetings and accomplishing my tasks and goals.
The week and a half after my knee scope was good, very restful. It took me a few days to stop the work details from running through my head. During my stay in the hospital I woke up in the middle of the night still thinking I was at work and the tasks made my head spin, along with the nausea I was feeling. When I realized where I was I was relieved at the prospect of the forced rest. A week into my time off, I had read a few books and saw a few movies. My head was completely out of work and even though I wasn't lying on a beach as during a typical vacation, it was refreshing.
Now, I'm glad to be back at work and slowly getting back to a normal schedule. I have to admit, the necessary rest in the evenings and on the weekends is getting boring. I love my TiVo and reading, but there is only so much I can watch and read and not get outside much. The scenery inside leaves a bit to be desired. I wish I could get out and do more, but the reality is that I still need to take it easy. This will be the case for the next few weeks. What to do with myself? I'm still trying to figure that out. Maybe some short jaunts out and about will be just fine. An afternoon matinee (transport via bus to the theater) or a pedicure. There is something about shiny, bright toenails that cheer me up. : ) In time, I'll get back to my usual routine and I realize these few months of extra rest will be short in comparison to what I'll be able to do in the near future. Until then, I'll try to embrace the boredom. It's the necessary means to an end.
The week and a half after my knee scope was good, very restful. It took me a few days to stop the work details from running through my head. During my stay in the hospital I woke up in the middle of the night still thinking I was at work and the tasks made my head spin, along with the nausea I was feeling. When I realized where I was I was relieved at the prospect of the forced rest. A week into my time off, I had read a few books and saw a few movies. My head was completely out of work and even though I wasn't lying on a beach as during a typical vacation, it was refreshing.
Now, I'm glad to be back at work and slowly getting back to a normal schedule. I have to admit, the necessary rest in the evenings and on the weekends is getting boring. I love my TiVo and reading, but there is only so much I can watch and read and not get outside much. The scenery inside leaves a bit to be desired. I wish I could get out and do more, but the reality is that I still need to take it easy. This will be the case for the next few weeks. What to do with myself? I'm still trying to figure that out. Maybe some short jaunts out and about will be just fine. An afternoon matinee (transport via bus to the theater) or a pedicure. There is something about shiny, bright toenails that cheer me up. : ) In time, I'll get back to my usual routine and I realize these few months of extra rest will be short in comparison to what I'll be able to do in the near future. Until then, I'll try to embrace the boredom. It's the necessary means to an end.
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