Day Twenty-Seven

Watching my gait in freezing 88 degree water.

My legs on the monitor.

Cool Pool. 
Had my first pool therapy session today.  Seems like 88 degrees would be warm enough but it wasn't.  Last year at this time I'd been surfing every day in Costa Rica for 2 (out of 4) weeks in 88 degree water that was plenty warm.

The whole floor of the pool is a treadmill that starts out level with the pool room floor.  You stand and it lowers you into the water at a height the therapist chooses depending on how weightless he wants you to be.  You walk while watching your legs and feet on a monitor so you can adjust your gait the way he tells you.  I think my surgeon's knee patients are spoiled.

There was a scale at the clinic and assuming my wet hair and trail shoes were less than a pound, it looks like I may have gained some weight.  If nothing else, I haven't lost any.

Yesterday was my biggest PT day so far and because of it I was a bit stiffer and more sore than I normally am which meant when the new therapist took his baseline measurements they were pretty pathetic.  My extension was good (3 on the left and 1 on the right) but my flexion (admittedly, I could have pushed it a bit more) was 100 on the left and 103 on the right.  My thought is that it is good to start in a place that is easy from which to improve.  Then there was my gait.  It was so robotic, I was almost embarrassed.

It will be interesting to see, if because I took it easier today, I'll feel better (looser, better flexion and gait) tomorrow.

Thank you for all the crutch vs. cane votes.  So far you think I look better with the cane.  Have to admit, it's a pretty classy look.

Day Zero

I was able to ski for an hour with Vince before we went to the hospital.  It was so fun and mostly painless really.  It's pretty much the end of the season so my timing as it happened really was good.  The anxiety of the drive to the hospital wasn't what I expected.  I thought Vin would have to knock me out but he didn't.  I took a vicoden for the trip in.  The OR nurse was a dink.  She kept insinuating I was making up the necessity of a saline (not glucose) IV.  I finally told her that I didn't care if she believed me and she got much nicer.

Anyway, went in to the OR thinking I was getting partials and came out with totals.  Guess I wasn't all that surprised.  The surgeon said they were both so bad that the decision was a no brainer.

I don't remember a whole lot about recovery except I felt like crap and thought the nursing staff I had, must have graduated at the bottom of their classes.  I stood, vomited and took a few steps.  Got a bunch of calls and emails.  Vin came.  I couldn't eat.

Seventeen Days

I'm just making up the day numbers now.

February 23 I had a GREAT ski before we drive south to the Hartford airport.  No pain.   Then February 24 we flew to Tallahassee for a MFA film school interview.  That made me nervous since I knew that the student's average age was 25 and even with perfect knees I was giving something up being 55.  My strategy was to not use my crutches and not mention my new knee with the interviewers.  If for some reason they asked why I was limping I would just say that I sprained my knee skateboarding.

While in Northampton I had my teeth cleaned at my real dentist's office.  They all knew about the what they consider arrogant orthopedic surgeons vs. the dental profession (I knew they would) and assured me that a cleaning 19 days before surgery was OK.

Before we flew out on Sunday, February 26 I rode the stationary bike with both legs for 35 minutes.  Seemed good.  I was able to retain my exit row seats by convincing the flight attendants I was just transporting the crutches.  Bear in mind that I was fully capable of assisting with the exit in case of an emergency and I wasn't endangering everyone else on the flight just so I could have more leg room.

Nineteen Days

I think I'm one day off (should be 20) but whatever.
Skated 2:05 this morning, some crust cruising, without incident.
Went to my 'joint class'.  They had the hip people in there with us.  I felt pretty young.  Had a lot of questions.  I always hate it when one person has so many questions....but that's when someone likes to hear themselves talk.  I hope the group didn't think I just wanted to hear myself talk.
The doc was talking about the replacement surgery and recovery of the hip.  Then he talked about the replacement surgery and recovery of the knee and the hip sounded to much easier.  When he was done he asked if there were any questions.  I raised my hand and asked matter of factly  "Can I get a hip replacement instead?"
Tried to diagonal ski 40 minutes late in the day and had no kick.  Still enjoyed being out.
Still have to use crutches.  The class emphasized the importance of a strong upper body.  I should have that going for me.  

Twenty-Five Days

The right knee was stiff and swollen but not bad.  No pain to speak of.   BUT.  The left knee was stiff and swollen and painful.  I just hope the right knee is so painful I can't stand it the day I go in.

Skated 1:45 hr. south and 1 hr. north.  40 degrees made very slow conditions.

Even being laid up I can still knit, read, watch a movie, write, do ebay, email, order components for projects, dream and that's what I did.

Twenty-Six Days

Skated and 1 1/2 hours and not very far.  A half hour out I got slammed with the flu and it took me an hour to limp back.  Couldn't even blame it on my knee.  So.  I was immobilized for a whole different reason.  Good thing I had my convalescence corner all set up because once I got home I couldn't do anything but lay down and try not to move at all.  Probably lost another pound.  I'M NOT A HYPOCHONDRIAC!

Almost wish I had more knee pain since everyone that has gone through the surgery says that now they are pain-free.  I'm already pain-free sort of.

I have an interview for the Florida State MFA film program in 10 days.  I think I try to walk into the interview without crutches like a normal young applicant.  Don't think I want to mention the knee replacement since they'll equate it with 'old person'....I probably would.  We both know that once I get a new knee, I'll be as good as new but I doubt they would know that and I'm sure my age is already a strike against me.

Thirty-Two Days

Parked the car by the bridge at the end of Young Road so I wouldn't have to go down any hills unless I wanted.  Good idea.  Double poled in the sun for an hour and a half.  It was fast but I made sure I didn't slip and that did the trick.  And guess what?  I realized that I could snow plow if I had to with no repercussions.  Even with all of these new conclusions and even though it would be in my nature....I'm not going to push it.   I doubt my heart rate is ever over 100 but being outside is good stuff for the old head.
I still use my crutches to keep weight off the knee...mostly to keep the swelling down so I'm able to get out every day.  I look so forward to that time.  Lately, but before I was couch ridden, I would try and get some exercise everyday but I'd do it mostly just to get it over with.  Now I actually really look forward to it.  Everything changes when you identify and stop taking things for granted.  So, my knee....which could have been perceived as a TOTAL disaster, ended up spawning this incredible benefit.  (this is my attitude when it is sunny).
The baker cyst is still missing and I'm in almost no pain at the moment.
If a fit upper body helps with knee replacement recovery, I'll be dancing in a week.
Until tomorrow.

Forty Days #2

Plodded south along the river for an hour and a half after the swelling went down enough.  Still uncomfortable but worthwhile. 
Maybe yesterday was a bit much.
The explosion of the left knee today makes me think that if I just have the right knee done, I'll still be hobbling.  Should I have them both done?