Monday, August 22, 2011
A 2 Mile Hike
Yes, you read that correctly. Friday I was able to do a 1/4 mile with the dogs. Hubby has been busy teaching, and we have a new 1yr old, so walkies are a necessity. So, my first solo dog walk in almost a year! Saturday we did another 1/4 mile, and then I went with my mother-in-law to check out the craft stores. It felt amazing to be able to just go whereever we wanted and not have to consider how far we'd walked, how far away the parking lot was, etc. Just like a normal person! I had a totally pain-free day Saturday. Narry a twinge. It was incredible. Sunday I figured I better take it easy, but it was one of those amazing, you should bottle it kind of days with sun and blue skies, so carpe diem. When Ben suggested a walk to the river, I said yes. Two miles on trail, with hills and roots. My legs were shaking like noodles by the time we got home, but it was such pure joy to be able to do this walk again. I haven't been down to the river trails in two years and have really missed watching the different wildflowers bloom, and checking out the changing sandbars. The dogs ran like they had firecrackers up their butts. A very good day was had by all. And, I could still walk on Monday. Actually, my back and hips are more sore than the ankle. I just want to call everyone in the phone book, whether I know them or not, and tell them what I can do!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
A simple walk in the rain
We all know we should slow down, enjoy the simple things, and stop occasionally to smell the flowers. This week I got to experience the simple pleasure of a walk in the rain with my dog. It wasn't very far, it wasn't very fast, but it was absolutely delightful. I am so pleased by the progress so far, and excited about the future possibilities. I'm now walking without any aids. When people started bringing me my cane because I'd forgotten it somewhere, I decided it was time to put it in the closet - hopefully for good.
Sat. we set out to do my PT homework for the week - determine how far I could actually walk. As a precaution, I put on my leather gauntlet brace and my hiking boots. Felt like a turkey trussed up for Thanksgiving. I managed 1/4 mile my first attempt. That included a short section off-trail, with a hill. Going up was no problem - a HUGE change from pre-procedure. The extra dorsi flexion is really paying off there. Downhill was a bit trickier. I think I just need to stretch things the other direction now. I did feel very stiff, more like a popsicle stick guy than a Gumby guy. Like, if I stepped on something uneven I'd just break instead of flex. Sunday we went up Hatcher Pass and I decided to leave the gauntlet at home and just go with hiking boots. I took a short walk up an actual mountain trail, just far enough to see over the other side. Walking was much easier without the gauntlet and I felt much more able to flex with the changes in the trail. My husband was taking video and even captured me walking back to the car. I was hugely impressed by how even my gait looked. Wasn't fast, but it was pretty fluid. I'd like to screen capture that video and shove it down the throat of every VA doc who insisted we had to fuse this ankle. Yeah, yeah, still working on that zen thing!
When we got home Sun I stood in the kitchen and made a cake. No additional swelling. No increased pain. Certainly some stiffness, but 10-20 min of rest and its ready to go again. It's not painfree by any means, and maybe never will be. And I don't know how much of this is physical and how much is just an attitude shift, but now when I feel pain I think, oh, well, that's not so bad, feels better than a week or two ago. Before the procedure when I felt pain it was, oh, see, the thing's falling apart. Attitude really is a huge component of this whole procedure.
So, I'm 2 months into what is normally considered a 12 month rehab, and I am delighted by the progress. The first few steps each time I get up can be quite painful, and sometimes I have to stand a few seconds and just shift my weight back and forth. Quite amusing at the library when a patron is waiting for me to retrieve a book. I'm hoping that dissipates over the next few weeks. I hope to continue PT for a few more weeks, as we're just starting to work on balance and gait. I'm looking forward to increasing my endurance over the fall, and wishing I didn't have this invisible timeclock ticking away signaling the end of outdoor activities and the beginning of six months of hybernation.
Sat. we set out to do my PT homework for the week - determine how far I could actually walk. As a precaution, I put on my leather gauntlet brace and my hiking boots. Felt like a turkey trussed up for Thanksgiving. I managed 1/4 mile my first attempt. That included a short section off-trail, with a hill. Going up was no problem - a HUGE change from pre-procedure. The extra dorsi flexion is really paying off there. Downhill was a bit trickier. I think I just need to stretch things the other direction now. I did feel very stiff, more like a popsicle stick guy than a Gumby guy. Like, if I stepped on something uneven I'd just break instead of flex. Sunday we went up Hatcher Pass and I decided to leave the gauntlet at home and just go with hiking boots. I took a short walk up an actual mountain trail, just far enough to see over the other side. Walking was much easier without the gauntlet and I felt much more able to flex with the changes in the trail. My husband was taking video and even captured me walking back to the car. I was hugely impressed by how even my gait looked. Wasn't fast, but it was pretty fluid. I'd like to screen capture that video and shove it down the throat of every VA doc who insisted we had to fuse this ankle. Yeah, yeah, still working on that zen thing!
When we got home Sun I stood in the kitchen and made a cake. No additional swelling. No increased pain. Certainly some stiffness, but 10-20 min of rest and its ready to go again. It's not painfree by any means, and maybe never will be. And I don't know how much of this is physical and how much is just an attitude shift, but now when I feel pain I think, oh, well, that's not so bad, feels better than a week or two ago. Before the procedure when I felt pain it was, oh, see, the thing's falling apart. Attitude really is a huge component of this whole procedure.
So, I'm 2 months into what is normally considered a 12 month rehab, and I am delighted by the progress. The first few steps each time I get up can be quite painful, and sometimes I have to stand a few seconds and just shift my weight back and forth. Quite amusing at the library when a patron is waiting for me to retrieve a book. I'm hoping that dissipates over the next few weeks. I hope to continue PT for a few more weeks, as we're just starting to work on balance and gait. I'm looking forward to increasing my endurance over the fall, and wishing I didn't have this invisible timeclock ticking away signaling the end of outdoor activities and the beginning of six months of hybernation.
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