Changing seasons...

Last week of winter!!!!!!

I had physio again today and was told to go to the beach after the treatment. Something about lying in the sun on the sand is apparently good for healing knees…or at least that’s the story I’d like to go with; but since I know none of you will actually believe that version, I’ll tell the whole story.

As soon as I stepped out the door this morning, I realized that physiotherapy was not the best place for me today. It was 25 degrees with pure, bright sunshine – in my humble Canadian opinion, an absolutely perfect summer day. As I was getting the physio treatment, I commented that I should be at the beach instead of in there. “I reckon you should go” was the response of my physiotherapist. So, under the advice of a medical professional, I went. I wasn’t sure how my knee would hold up to the walk in the soft sand, but it held up quite well. I think it was actually good for it to use more muscles than are needed for walking on a straight surface. I was only there for a short time, but it was good.

I’ve been working hard at getting back into a proper healthy state and I’ve been getting better. I was put on a machine to work my leg muscles today. At first, it was set really light; aiming for around 25% of my maximum. After some discussion among the staff, it was decided that I should do the most I could without pain, so I went ahead with this. After about 30 reps with my damaged leg, I did a few with my strong leg – giving the weak one a break and providing a benchmark for comparison. With my left leg I was averaging around 200 (don’t know what units they were using) and I brought it up to 240 a couple of times. Knowing what that leg could do, I figured I could push harder with my right leg so under the watchful eye of the physiotherapist (and to her mild objection) I went from the previous 30-40 up to 80 and felt no pain. Took a short break and tried again. Being me, I couldn’t resist pushing it a little further, so I went as far as I could – 140. One last push – 170!!! I thought back to my childhood days and the frequent reminders from my mother “Don’t push yourself too hard.” Then I thought back to my dating and married days; “Don’t push yourself too hard.” Same comment coming from different women in response to my way of dealing with recovery from injury. I guess I don’t listen too well, cause I got the same comment today – and yesterday – and last week – and… I’ve lost track.

I had an MRI done a week ago today and got the results on Wednesday. The results basically said that everything around my knee was damaged – cartilage, muscle, bone (bruising only), tendons, all soft tissue. “You’ve done real well” was one comment I received in regard to the scan results. The official report stated that together with all the other damage, I had most likely completely torn my ACL – one of the key ligaments in the knee; and one that would require surgery to correct if it was in fact completely torn. I’ve been praying about this and have had some other people praying as well and I’ve noticed massive improvement. Basically, I’m doing too well for the ACL to be completely torn. I’m also doing better than I “should be” based on the rest of the damage that was done. It’s not normal for people with so much damage done to be doing as well as I am now. I haven’t been instantly healed, but answer to prayer is the only explanation for my recovery so far.

So that’s where things are at for the time being… 4 days of winter left! Forecast… sunshine and highs of 27, 22, 25, 23 (or something like that) What a way to end winter!!!!!!!!