I keep trying to start things

But my ambition seems to have done a runner.

My left hand isn't finished healing, even though it's been a month.  It was a very deep cut.  It would feel better if I would stop forgetting, and picking things up with it, or leaning on it. Of course I am left hand dominant, so that's he biggest reason I keep forgetting.

We are making travel plans for later this year.  I hope I'm up for it. My physio and exercise therapist are doing they damnedest to make sure I ready and able. 

Also did something I hadn't done in years. I uploaded something to my photo/art sales site.

Ever since Dr H changed one of my medications, the weight is finally coming off. The new meds don't make you lose weight, but unlike the old ones, they don't PREVENT weight loss. Ahhh, the chemical experiment that is my life.

I keep up the mantra

Because it's good for me, because it's good for me.

Tough session at exercise therapy today. Treadmill pushed to not quite running, but walking at one helluva clip. 
Because it's good for me.

Then, it's was off to the weights.  I really don't like lapping the gym while holding onto two 4kg weights. I busted my ass losing a lot of weight, so lugging 8kgs of weight at the end of my arms isn't a whole helluva lot of fun.
Because it's good for me.

Then push-up, followed by lifting weights straight up over my head.
Because it's good for me.

Gawd, I wish I had a spa tub.

My first for the year

Today, after my exercise therapy session, which was rather intense, I had a light lunch.  After that, I felt myself drowsing off, no matter how much I wanted to stay awake.

I managed to get to the bedroom, changed into jammies, crawled into bed and the next thing I knew, it was 5pm. I woke up in the exact same position I had laid down in. I hadn't moved an inch.

I haven't been that wiped out in a long time.

Why do I keep doing this?!

Why?  Because, in the long run, it will be good for me. But right now, today, after seeing Meg, then Simon (exercise and physio therapists) I feel as if I have been dropping in a food processor equipped with blunt blades.

Meg is back on the job.

She's recovered from COVID, but still has a bit of brain fog. Told her I fully understand the brain fog.  She might have occasional brain fog (looking at paperwork, knowing she knows what to do, but at the same time confused by it all) but she worked my asterisk off. My butt is so sore. 

And guess what? I get to do it again Monday!

Humor is an excellent way to pass a painful ordeal

I thought Simon the Sadist was a tough physio-therapist. That isn't anything compared to him as an exercise therapist.  As an exercise therapist, he makes you push yourself, but not to the point you cause damage. 

Picture this: while getting ready to do a session on the reformer, of which there are two of them, our typical exchange.

Simon: Ok, we're going to work on the abs today.
Me: Sure, you may proceed.
Simon: Alright, we can both do them.
Me: (looking down at one of the reformers) I don't think we'll both fit.

(I get myself settled and start doing the prescribed exercise)

Simon: How many was that?
Me: I don't know. Keeping count is YOUR job!

(climbing off reformer, and there is NO graceful way of doing so, trust me)

Simon: So, what's you plans for today?
(I make grand hand gesture pointing towards him)
Simon: And the rest of the week?
(repeat first gesture)

He had me do some laps around the place, hold 3kg weights in each hand.

My hand are so sore today, along with the abs running down along the ribs... and my shoulders.  He needs to pad the shoulder stops, because I wear an anti-gravity device (aka bra) and those stops really make the straps dig in.

Exercise Therapy

My ass hurts. That being typed, I can also say I don't have another session on Friday, as Meg tested positive for COVID.  As much as my ass hurts, this stop and go (dare I say) exercise routine leaves much to be desired.

I'm supposed to be going twice a week, but lately it's been once a week. I'm tired of having to start over from almost the beginning. I don't fault Meg for getting sick; life happens.  Do the exercises at home, you say? I can't. I don't have the equipment. I do what I can to mimic them, but without the resistance training devices, I'm at a standstill.

Bleh

Because of IINETs' shoddy handling of unloading email service, and then with almost no notice, deleted the websites. Why? because their corporate monkeys have decided websites and email has nothing to do with the internet(?)

Regardless, I managed to get the website downloaded. Good thing, too, because my custom mood icons for LiveJournal were being hosted on our IINET website, and I downloaded them.  Then came the fun part of uploading them to another place, and then correcting all 135 links. GAH! It's done.

Had exercise therapy today. Most of the time was on the reformer/pilates machine, under expert supervision. Way back in 2006 when I have a calcified disk collapse, it damaged the nerves in my left leg. It's left some of the muscles flaccid. So, using the reformer 'forces' those flaccid muscles to work. My right leg has an ache in it, but the left leg is only a bit wobbly. No pain in left leg is my silver lining.

I decided to put a stop watch on rehab workout

From first bend as far as I can, to 5 minutes on stationary bike, it takes me 22 minutes and some seconds.  Since Samsung health tracker doesn't have specific category for what I do, I selected "Circuit Training". 

The only exercise I fudged on was stepping up a stair on my left foot, then raising my right leg up to a 90 degree bend, and hold it for 5 seconds.  I tried doing it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and all that would happen, is I would lurch into wall.

I substituted one of the exercises Meg showed me. With hands against wall (or other unmovable structure) stand on right foot, lift forward and hold left leg up for a count of 5. Do this 10 times, and repeat but starting with the right leg.

Two months post op

I have my physio table/bed set up and am using it instead of the bed. Bed is too soft to do some of the physio work.  I have used it twice now, and wow, can I feel the difference. I find it easier to do the exercises without hubby and son helicoptering around me. They mean well, but it can be a bit smothering.

 
Doing almost 5 minutes on the bike. I'm supposed to lower the seat, for a greater bend in the knee, when it get 'too easy. I'll be happy to do so, when my left knee doesn't feel like it's trying to tear itself apart when I push down.

8 weeks post-op

Had session with Hayden the Horrible. I told him I'd had a session with Matt the Torturer five years ago on my right knee, and it lamed me for the better part of the week.  He wanted to know when. (sardonic laugh)

I searched through my blog last night, using different tag. And hurray, I found the exact date. Since I don't have his exact email address at SporTreat, I sent it in as a general message, asking it to be forwarded to Hayden.

Session was good, but as usual, my left leg is really complaining a lot. Got a bit of swelling around the knee. Regardless of that, I did get some good news. Hayden said that he can tell I've 'put the work in' about home exercises and walking. And it shows that I am on the right side of the bell curve, but he won't tell me what it is, because he thinks I'll go "Good enough." and discontinue the exercising/rehab on the leg.

He needs to talk to Matt, or Meg The Merciless.  I don't just up and quit just because something is going right.  If anything, it increases my determination to do what needs to be done, be damned about temporary discomfort. He's sorta new, but after a few more weeks, he will see I am up for challenges to get my leg strong.

And I had almost forgotten what it was like

I had my first appointment with Hayden The Horrible, physioterrorist. And as usual, I hurt more today than I did yesterday. He did find out, as Matt The Torturerer, and Simon The Sadist, I have a high tolerance for pain.

Got a new regimen of exercises, which I did expect. What I didn't expect was to be told to stop using any walking aids if I was walking somewhere I didn't have to worry about how fast I get from place A to place B.  This kind of scares the bejeebus out of me, because we have this HUGE wide open area in the house, where there is nowhere for me to reach out should I start losing my balance, or if my left leg folds, or an ankle decides it wants to roll again.

I have ONE lace up ankle support, but there are issues. First off, I have two ankles. Secondly, if I wear it, my shoes don't fit. I do have some of those elastic type, but they aren't comfortable for a AA heel.  Really digs in painfully after about 2 hours, maximum.

Part one done

Saw "Meg the Motivator" (afterward, at home, I call her Meg the Merciless!).  Because my heel was taped up in such a fashion, there was no pain, so I sort of overdid it on the weekend and again on Monday. 

No mercy!  Well, a little bit. Was on treadmill for 20 minutes, but a a slightly slower pace than I usually do.  Then off to the "Reformer" (aka pilates machine)  I used to snicker about those things, but I don't any longer! It keeps the spine and hips in proper alignment, so when you do the actions/exercises, it's equal, and helps correct poor posture. Mine poor posture is due to years of a bad disc, and it's subsequent collapse, and having a bad knee.  The realignment isn't fun, or easy, but necessary.

Exhausted, but have to see Dr H, my GP, about getting my anti-seizure meds prescription.  He only gives me two months worth, because of the law.  It's deemed a 'controlled' medication.  Me, I call it the "Three little white tablets a day that keep my body from trying to painfully fold into sharp geometric shapes.  No nap, not yet.

Moving to a different part of rehab

I have pretty much plateaued out with the post-op rehab exercises, and I'm now moving into the harder yards of weights and stationary bicycle.  These are needed to get more flexing done, that will get me to 130 degree bend.

Worked out on a leg press, and Matt was rather impressed with my flexibility. I had to have the seat moved fairly close to the foot rest to get a knee bend that felt like I was taking it as far as I go.

Then, same thing with the stationary bike, but more for smooth movement and flexing.