Well, you know I have been trying so hard to get into shape (ha!) after everything I've gone through lately. Three times in the hospital and recovery from 2 surgeries this past year did a number on my muscles and entire body in general. Like I was hit by a truck, a BIG truck some days. I know everybody is tired of hearing about it and I usually suffer in silence. But I'm still recovering and really working hard to try to overcome the toll it's taken on me. It's been a frustrating two steps forward and one step back most of the time. My doctor understands though and she keeps telling me to give myself a break, it hasn't really been that long, the body takes time to heal and Hey, guess what? I'm no kid anymore. Thanks. Pretty soon I will have to call this blog The Old, Broken Quilter Who Only Thinks About Quilting Sometimes.
I walked a lot this past Spring to get into shape a little before my surgery. One day I twisted my knee walking the little girl (see photo, above) as she pulled the leash and ran after a squirrel. It hurt, I limped home and put ice on it and wrapped an Ace bandage around it. It bothered me a little for awhile but after I had the surgery, the pain disappeared since I was resting a lot.
When I finally got the okay from my surgeon to resume exercise a month ago I started walking and trying to exercise again. But then the weather around here became unbearable so I joined the local YMCA so I could exercise inside. This was working great and it actually felt good to move so much again and get my heart rate up. UNTIL, one day, I walked the dog and did that half-step-slide off the curb again . . . My knee twisted and this time it hurt REAL bad.
I went to the Orthopedic Dr (I have a doctor for every occasion, LOL) who made me get an MRI and then told me I tore the cartilage in my knee and needed surgery to repair it. You can imagine I was not happy to hear that. He suggested pain killers and a cortisone injection if I did not want surgery. The pain didn't really go away and I like to avoid pain meds. Walking comfortably for more than two blocks? Forget it. This time it felt like I took 3 or 4 steps backwards.
Instead of surgery, the doctor said I COULD try the conservative approach and give Physical Therapy a shot and see what happens. I could tell he was not confident it would help, but then he's a Surgeon and that's what they do, surgery. If I had not already had SOOO much surgery recently I would have consented, pronto. For now this is what I have decided to do and here's where I feel like I spend a lot of my time -
What's next, the hip??
I'm only telling you all this because I know there are probably many of you out there my age with knee and hip problems and I need some sympathy. At least I hope I'm not the only one. Getting older sure is no fun.
Therapy does have its perks, however. The other day I went up to the front counter to schedule another appointment and had to walk past someone on another table. The buzz in the room was about pulled hamstrings. I looked at my therapist and quietly said - "Is that . . . ???" "Mmmm hmmm" he answered. No, sorry, it was NOT George Clooney. This is Illinois and we take what celebrities we can get. In my house we are all NBA basketball fans so this will not mean anything to most of you, but I was excited. I stepped out of my shyness and walked over and asked if I could have his autograph and oh, by the way, also get a picture for my son, who's a big fan.
I went home and texted my son that I had just finished physical therapy, then sent him the picture telling him they assigned me a "personal trainer" so I could get better and maybe hopefully play basketball with him someday on a Mother-Son team.
He texted back with an annoyed sigh: "Mom, that's Kirk Hinrich, I don't think so." Well, I thought it was funny but I guess you can't put anything over on kids today . . . Kirk Hinrich ("Captain Kirk" to his fans) played 7 seasons with the Chicago Bulls (our team) and is currently with the Atlanta Hawks. Nice to see him back home.
If I ever run into Kirk again and by chance he asks how I'm doing, what's wrong, I plan on telling him I injured my knee in a much more dramatic fashion than "Walking the Dog" LOL. Maybe something like, say - speed dribbling down the court on a fast break. I don't think I'll mention the squirrel . . . . .
20 comments:
oh good luck with the therapy.
You poor thing...it is just one thing after another! I'm with you...give the therapy a try first.
Kathy,
You have a wonderful sense of humor!! I remember it at the time of your surgeries, and here it is again, sneaking out. You are so funny- I laughed out loud. You just keep yourself doing what you know is good for you. We are all behind you rooting you on! Keep up the good work- it will pay off in the end. All my best!
Peg in NJ
Bless your heart, girl! Stop moving so fast...your Guardian Angel can't keep up! On the upside, at least you'll have some eye-candy to go along with your therapy ;)
Wow! I feel for you but keep positive. Continue with the therapy and just take it easy.
I understand because I going thru some health issues too but I need to keep the spirit, is not happy news to realize we are getting old :P
Best wishes
Marta
I hope you do well with your physical therapy. I have been to several over the years and having a good one, can make all the difference. I am one who wants to get better and not a year from now, so I like a therapist who pushes me and lets me do my own thing so I don't have to sit at machine for hours;) I think we need a support group for quilters who are injury prone, lol.
Debbie
Thanks for the uplifting post...It really was, for me...I have lower back problems (the type there is no surgery for) and I was reminded that I needed to continue to work on whatever helps...wonder if there is a quilting activity you can do on a treadmill?????
Debbie - what a great idea for a group! I volunteer to be leader . . .
STEPHANIE!! LOL, He's probably young enough to be my SON . . .
I'm sorry to hear about your knee mishap, I hope the physio will help! Just take one day at a time! Try and not get to disheartened Kathy!
Never know who you will meet at physical theraphy. At least it brought some sunshine and a laugh to your day. Even though you don't feel A+---------please keep designing new doll quilts, we love them
You are a trooper. To still have a sense of humour after all you've been through!
Take it easy ... I know it's easier said than done.
Hang in there Kathleen--- listen their advice, rest and keep your chin up. You can do this, don't give in or give the hurt power. This was my "mother's" favorite saying and she lived till she was 92 and always a trooper--- like you!
:) Carolyn
LOL, I love your cause of injury!! I may use that one in the future.
I think you chose the right route with pt and hope you get some relief soon.
I am in pain every day, yet at 63 I didnt think all this would happen so soon...maybe 83 or 93?? I can commisserate with you. It is easy to get depressed if we are not out amongst people and quilting away. Cheer up...We can do the virtual group. Quilting group for folks who hurt and do not want to. PS Water exercises helped me more than PT.
I'm sorry you've had such a poor year health-wise. It's definitely no fun in the hospital and surgeries can bum you out. I've had two in the last eight months and don't want to have any more. Hope things are looking up very soon.
What a great post today!! I fortunately, have not had to deal with the physical trauma's you have lately.I dot struggle with osteo arthritis in BOTH my thumbs...which meant I had to give up crochet and knitting. The LQS's are happy because I am no longer dividing my funds between yard and fabric!
It's also meant I sometimes have to wear hand braces...and people always think I have some exotic injury. No. I just wore out my thumbs!
Deb from clutteredquilter.blogspot.com
When I went for PT, I never got to run into anyone famous!!
From one knee patient to another, I sympathize. I had my first knee replaced at 46 and the second one at 51! My only regret was not doing it sooner! I had the arthoscopic surgery in both knees in my 30's and the cortisone injections and then the synnvisc injections and finally the replacements. If you have to have the surgery, trust me, it is not bad. I would not think twice about it. Of course, if I had the eye candy available like you, I might really go for the PT for a long time!!
Good luck!
I am lucky enough at 55 to not know anything (yet) about knee surgeries and PT. I do know about dogs that pull too much on a leash. My Cocker Spaniel was terrible on a walk, she pulled me so much! My groomer recommended something called a Gentle Lead collar. It works like a horse's bridle, it is great. She stays by my side now when we walk, for the first week I had to keep looking down to make sure she was there! The collar does not hurt her and she is able to eat, drink, pant and bark while wearing it, it does kind of look like a muzzle. Give it a try, it really makes it a pleasure for me to walk my dog now.
It probably wouldn't be nice to say how much I chuckled while reading this post. I'm not laughing at the fact that you're in pain, just enjoying your sense of humor. I certainly hope you get relief soon and can resume your normal activities!
Oh no! I can't believe that you hurt your knee again. I truely hope that therapy fixes you up. I am sure you don't even want to think about anymore surgery
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