No matter what I have done in my life or will do, I highly doubt that I will be considered an inspiration to anyone. I don't know if that is a lack of self confidence, humbleness, or just plain idiocy. All I know is that everyone goes through things in his or her life and some people will look at those trials and tribulations as something amazing and take from it. Some people might find some things that I am going through to be interesting, but let's not use the word inspiration.
My physiotherapist made a point of asking me if I would speak to one of her clients when she came in on Monday. I had already had my treatment and was doing my exercises in the gym and my physio brought Tae to see me. Tae had an ACL surgery a week after me and her progress is substantially different from mine. Now, we understand that everyone heals different, but Tae seems to be extra cautious and extremely worried about the healing and possibly developing a blood clot. Now as someone who has had 4 knee surgeries, an ankle surgery and a blood clot, we figured that it might help Tae get some perspective. I spoke with Tae for probably 5-10 minutes, reiterated the importance of the cryocuff, elevating, doing exercises and not being afraid to move (she lays in bed a majority of the day and feels sorry for herself). I told her that it is normal for people to experience depression when they go through things like this- God knows I have previously. Things seemed to sink in a little. I told her that if she is concerned about a blood clot, to ensure she is acquainted with the symptoms (Google) and have the nurse's hotline around so that she can call and tell them her symptoms and that they can advise her if she should go to emerg. Today when I saw my physio she asked how the conversation went, I let her know and she thanked me.
The progress that I have made so far has really surprised my therapist, but it is what it is. I made a point of ensuring before surgery that I was in the gym and moving a lot. Pre- and post- surgery I was petrified of developing a blood clot again, so I repeatedly told my surgeon of this concern. He approved me to do light stretching and of course the ABCs to help prevent this. I really do feel that the early movement, coupled with my desire to bounce back fast has been key to the milestones that I have achieved so far. Granted, the milestones don't mean that I will be at work any sooner, due to all of my rehab and specialist appointments and well of course, not pushing myself too hard to the point of re-injury. As of today, I am down to one crutch. I am in the gym or at physio daily. I just broke 30 minutes on the recumbent bike today, it felt so good, and my RPMs were actually above 50. Last week, it was pushing it to be at 26 RPMs. Slowly but surely, I am getting there. I miss work and my colleagues, but I will be back in 19 days. The time has gone surprisingly fast. Initially, it seemed to drag. But being off the pain meds, I can think more clearly and I actually end up accomplishing something with my days. Thank goodness that I have a high pain tolerance.
While I was doing my exercises today, I couldn't help but notice another patient in the gym with me. She was probably slightly older than I, and she seemed to be babying her leg, however, her exercises were more difficult than mine and she did not have a brace. Of course, with my curiousity, I decided to strike up a conversation with her. She fell at work and tore meniscus and as she said "chipped" her cartilage. I asked if she had had surgery, she said not yet, that she was waiting for her MRI results. I couldn't believe her disdain for her exercises and the sass that she was giving the kinesiologist. I guess some people just don't push through it and play the victim. Rehabilitation is really no different than any other fork in the road, you can take either path and they will get you to where you need to be, but it's a matter of how you want to experience the journey. You can be negative and whine and feel sorry for yourself or you can suck it up and say, this is what needs to be done and I am going to do it. I have chosen the latter. I don't want to feel sorry for myself and I, for damn sure, want to do everything in my power to prevent this from ever happening again. Some poor sap might find that inspirational, but really, let's face it, it's just common sense.
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