Weeks 8 and 9...

It's been a little while since I posted last. Basically last week was a lot of new strength exercises to hopefully get me off the crutches. I graduated from two crutches to one. And I saw my friends get married and was able to enjoy my night despite still being on one crutch. It was a beautiful wedding and I'm so happy for Brett, who is like my fourth older brother, and Lindy, who is a good friend!! 

It's now the beginning of week 9. I am still on one crutch but I feel stronger and stronger every day. I'm working on doing steps/ stairs normally, but I still have to take it slow to make sure I don't hurt myself in the process. The goal going into week 10 is to walk on my own and drive! I can't wait to drive again! Seriously I didn't realize how much I enjoy driving! Late last week, around Friday or so, I kinda got really down on myself. I felt bad because I'm not walking in my own yet and I can tell I lost a lot of strength in my leg. But after a little pep talk from my aunt and from Ryne, I definitely started to feel better about myself. The goal is to be healthy. It doesn't happen overnight, it happens from continuous hard work. I just have to keep working hard and everything will get better. I hope to update soon with more good news! My next post op is in August. By then I should be walking and driving and hopefully ready to go back to school. 

Week 7...

Monday marked the beginning of week 7.  Last week I had a small setback because I strained a muscle a little bit and had to take it easy. This week at physical therapy I was able to get back on the bike and warm up. I am currently working on graduating from two crutches to one. I'm pretty stiff in the morning so I have to start out with two and once the day progresses I move to just one. I only go short distances on one crutch because my leg muscles are pretty week from not being used the past six weeks. You never really know how much you use your legs until you're off the leg for six weeks and then start putting weight on it and it feels like it's going to collapse. The physical therapist added some exercises for at home this week. I'm still working to wake some stuff up and rebuild some strength so I can get off crutches. I have noticed that since I've been using only one crutch and putting about 80% weight on my leg that my butt muscles get sore fast. 

I have also noticed that getting in and out of bed is getting better and I am able to shower standing up without a chair. I moved from my parents stand up shower to my bath shower today. I kinda have to pivot on my good leg to move around, but it's worth it. 

I'm excited that every day I get closer and closer to walking on my own! It's been a long 7 weeks and I know I still have months to go, but I'm ready for this part to be over. 

Second post op...

Went well! I can start progressing to put more weight on my leg and hopefully soon enough I'll be walking! 

Some of you may know that my incision hadn't closed all the way and had some yellow drainage coming from it. Good news is that it's not infected! It was just the sutures that they put in the inside dissolving. Sometimes they can dissolve and find their way out through the incision. The little hole that's left behind should close up soon :) 

Earlier this week I strained a muscle in my leg so I had to take it easy at physical therapy, but I should be good on Monday to do more strength exercises. 

That's all I have for now! Until then...

Good days and bad days....

Today was a good day! I had the privilege to have lunch with one of my favorite people (Luke White!) It was so nice to catch up and see him in person! 

Every day is different. Some are good. Some are not so good. Sometimes I just feel sad that I'm not out doing things. I'm pretty much stuck at home all day doing school work... Alone. I know it's going to get better and I just have to be patient, but I feel like life is just standing still for me. But some days are good. Some days I feel better about the whole situation and I know a year from now I'll be thankful I went through this. 

Five weeks...

Well it's been just over five weeks since surgery. Three more to go on crutches. There is not much to report. Physical therapy is my favorite part of the week. I like the stretching and being able to move around. Every week a new muscle wakes up and I feel closer to walking on my own. The scars are healing up pretty well. They look pretty prominent now, but I know with time they will disappear. The scars on my left side are almost not noticeable at all. 

I stopped by Sam's yesterday. It was nice to see some of my old coworkers and boss. I'm definitely missing the people. 

Tomorrow I plan on going to the gym. I can do the upright stationary bike and my at home exercises. I still can't do a whole lot. I'm still in the "take it easy" stage. We want the bone to heal up nicely before anything else. Muscles are still waking up and we are working to regain strength before I start walking. 

I'm able to get in and out of the shower alone. I'm still using a chair, so I don't have to bring the crutches in with me. I can put my own clothes on too! That's exciting! Every day I grow more and more independent! 

That's all I got for now...

It's been a good week!

I think this is the first week where I really feel good! 

I started on the stationary bike in PT on Wednesday. Everything is feeling good. More muscles are waking up and moving around is getting easier. I'm still using a seat for showers but I think I'll soon be graduating to standing on one leg. 

My PT instructor said I'm allowed to drink, but to obviously take it easy so I don't fall over while still on my crutches. He's a cool guy and makes PT go by fast. 

I think next week I'll be up to going places more. I'm not taking anything for pain at the moment but I am still icing when I feel like it needs it. 

Today after PT, my mom forgot that I needed help out of the car/ need my crutches. She got all the way to the front door before she remembered to help me. It was pretty funny. I also came home to a very nice surprise from my mom's friend Madeliene and her family. They sent me a bouquet of roses! They live out of state so it was such a nice thing to get! 

The only sad part of my week was when I decided for health reasons to quit my job. There was no way I would be able to get back to work in 12 weeks. And I didn't want them to have to be short a supervisor for the 12 weeks of FMLA. I definitely feel ready to move on and do something that's closer to my degree.

So if any of the Sam's family is reading, you won't see me back as an associate, but I will visit as a member. I'll miss you guys.  

Three weeks down...

That's 30 degrees of rotation right there! The bones will show more fusion at my next appointment 4 weeks from now. 

I got my stitches out. 9 from the scope and 17 from the osteotomy. 

I was also told what I already knew... Going back to Sam's isn't likely. The doc said it could be four to six months to get me back to COS ability. Months 3-6 is the light walking period. 6-12 the goal is to walk more than a mile. It's an 8-12 month full recovery. We will see what happens. 

Until I find out what the company says I have school to look forward to! I am taking two online classes, one of which starts next Monday. I think this will be good for me. That way Netflix can get a break from me. Lol. I also have PT to look forward to. 

I'm feeling better and better every day. And today I actually felt stronger. Moving around gets easier/ smoother every day too. 

I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my progress. Don't be shy. Call or text me if you'd like to hang out. :)