Whew......6 weeks 2 days!!

Hi Team

I wanted to update on what's been going on through week 6! First, let me say I feel better this week than at any point since the surgery......still a little tired, still achy if I walk too far or stand too long....but much better!! Not surprising I know, but when you're in the midst of feeling so incredibly crappy......it's hard to imagine you'll ever feel normal or see a light at the end of the post-op tunnel!! My therapist and her asst kept giving me goals....hang on until week 2, hang on until week 4, hang on until week 6.....now I understand how good week 6 feels. The last few days......really heading into week 6.....I've been feeling pretty good and definitely much stronger (physically and mentally, amazing what getting off all the medication does for your spirit). I've starting getting out of the house a little more, even actually went to the grocery store by myself to grab a couple things!

I had my 6 week dr. appt a couple days ago, and he is very pleased. It was a good appt!! Walking in cold I was able to flex to 116 and the scar looks super good (thanks to acupuncture)! He told me to keep on working out and riding my bike, of course keep on 2x a week to PT, and keep on taking pain medication when I need it....primarily at night before bed and for PT (funny I needed that permission since I thought I should NOT be taking them and had been trying to manage without)!!

Let me give you an update on what I've been doing exercise wise. I am still riding my bike just about everyday.....1 or 2x a day...I am up to 8.15 miles in 30 minutes......meaning I'm averaging slightly over 16 miles an hour. Basically...I'm cooking!! lol!! In PT: bike x10 minutes, stretching on balance board 3x1 minute, tke with green band 4x10, wall sits 1 for 2 minutes and 3 for 1 minute, calf raises 4x10, single leg raises 2x10, quad sets or short arc 4x10, heel slides 10 minutes, and single leg balance for 1 minute!! I haven't been able to completely ditch my cane yet, but have been walking around the house without it and I imagine I'll be able to get rid of it in the next week or so.

Hope everyone has a good week!!
Ralean

PS.....I haven't started back to spin yet....I still don't move too fast and quite honestly I'm a little nervous (I have no idea why)! I'm really thinking about starting back this Sunday, which would be just about 7 weeks! :)

Happy New Year....4 weeks 3 days!!

Hi ACI Team!!

So......I have survived through the 4 week mark and watched the new year come in......boy am I glad to put 2013 behind me! For the record I don't generally make much out of new years resolutions......but his year my resolution is no more knee surgery! :)
Let me just say, heading into 4 week was significant!! The pain has dramatically decreased in its intensity and I've even started tapering down the pain medication.....to be honest, every once in a while it doesn't even hurt.....STRANGE I KNOW!!!  My therapist and her asst. kept telling me a couple weeks ago to hang on until 4 the week mark..... I am pleasantly surprised!!! In fact, I've even made it out of the house other than therapy....lol....we went to an indoor lacrosse game last weekend....I managed to make it through the stadium and to our seat!! It was a harrowing experience.....but fun nonetheless!!

You'll be surprised at the quick changes in strength, here is my current list of exercises. Bike x10 min, balance board stretching 3x1 min, squats on total gym 4x10, tke still with orange band 4x 10 (I'll be moving up the band next week), heel slides 10 min (replaces ball range of motion), wall sits 4x 1min, quad sets and MY QUAD IS MOVING AND MY FOOT IS OFF THE TABLE!!! 4x 10,today I did 4 single leg raises and balanced on that leg for 7 seconds.....sounds lame I know but this is some serious improvement!!! I'm still riding when I'm at home, but still feeling very tired most of the day and still in that post surgery funk......so sometimes I'm just a slacker. My therapist said this morning I should head back to spin class....would it make you laugh if I said I was scared....why? I have absolutely no idea....but I may try one next week!

Hope you all had a wonderful (and pain free) new year!!
Ralean