ACL Repair Day 11

I stepped out of the car and walked into the clinic, sans crutches. As I walked towards my physio, her eyes fixated on my bottom limbs. After some more observation, she commented that she was pleased with the strength and mobility I have reached, but I need to slow down. While my eagerness to get on two feet again has taken me this far, I'm not walking with good quality steps and the imbalance would lead to longer term issues that would be hard to fix later.

"Keep using your crutches and walk slower." She advised.

We practiced and corrected my walking over and over. Walking in the correct fashion felt cumbersome and my legs trembled, threatening to buckle.

At home, I could walk without crutches, but only with the good postured gait we practiced in the clinic. Walking the correct way was harder and much slower. If this is the correct way to walk, I'm not going far or fast right now.

I took the feedback in. Ok. Keep moving forward, but with intention ensuring that how I move is sound. This would build a good foundation for stablity and lead to much better long term results. Ah, the gems of life lessons in every corner.

So that's where I am. I still need to do the same exercises and ice frequently, managing swelling and pain while progressing. I need to practice walking, but doing it well.

I yearn to go for a trail walk and some fresh air. And I will...a few cautious well placed steps to a few meters at a time. I'm hoping that the stew train will be replaced with supporters who are willing to patiently take me on little walks.

My hamstring is still hurting quite a lot. It's stiff, sore and a bit pissed off; I'm hoping it will simmer down soon.

All the walking, and some intense needling, tuckered me right now. Both my brain and body felt heavy for the rest of the day.

A potter friend came over to chat and help me load and fire the prepared pieces of pottery I left sitting in the garage. I won't be ready for stairs for long while and I was mentally eager to have my pieces fired to their phase. I had hoped they would have been ready for me to finish before I went under the knife, but desire doesn't speed up clay drying in a humid room. I was excited to receive photos of my kiln loaded up. It's these little movements forward that keep me smiling. The acts of service from friends and loved ones showing up and helping me when I can't do things have been healing for me, much beyond my knee.