Day 17: Happy Monday!
I severed my ACL by missing just one step on my stairs at home, while carrying a laundry basket. Meanwhile:
– “Man rides avalanche feet-first (CNN)
8:20 AM: Today is PT session #7, at 9:30 AM, and the start of post-op Week #3. I am going into it stiff and sore, but in good spirits. My recovery is going ahead of schedule in every regard, and a positive attitude certainly can’t hurt!
1 PM: PT was challenging today — worked up quite a bit of perspiration, in part due to intensity on the exercise bike and in part due to fighting through the pain. I’m on level 9 on the Total Gym. I’m not sure what level I began at last week, but oh-my-word, both of my quads were burning after my 8 minutes were up on that today! I must have looked positively pained, since all three physical therapists asked how I was doing during my exercise. I swear, I wasn’t whining or groaning, but the look on my face must’ve said it all! When I stood up afterwards, the floor nearly came up to greet me — Jello legs!
My PT regimen is currently:
- 10 minutes on the stationary bike
- Resistance exercises for my calf and quad muscles (using a Theraband): 2 sets of 20 repetitions for each exercise (there are 3)
- Steps: 2 sets of 20
- Leg presses/squats on the Total Gym for 8 minutes at level 9
- Ball (4lb.) toss into a trampoline, while balancing on my post-op leg: 2 sets of 30
- Wall squats w/a ball: 10 repetitions of 10 seconds each
From PT, I headed to my parents’ to walk 1 mile on their paved walking/jogging trail. I’m pleased to say I fell into nearly my normal walking gait, although not my normal pace. I’m icing my knee right now, but all things considered am feeling great! Maybe all those stairs at home are helping, after all! 
Thomas said,
February 21, 2005 @ 8:28 pm
To be fair dear sister, you began the injury by seeing if you could fly while standing atop a ladder. I am quite proud of you however, most people don’t think to try.
love,
T