ACL Repair Day 9

M, my partner who has been diligently taking care of me throughout this surgery recovery as well as through the nervous breakdown and burnout I had before the surgery, really deserves and needs a rest. I encouraged him to go skiing and found myself a catsitter (I'm the cat). Before he left, he worriedly emphasized to me to remember to stay cautious of my limits and not push myself too far while he was gone. I think he suspected I would try to clean the house or get a grand idea that would require me to go down stairs, climb up ladders or a tree, or embark on a new project that required some complex building and I just couldn't wait...or something. To which,... he was not wrong. I did think about all of those things. BUT I practiced resistence and didn't do any of them. I may have pushed my knee a bit though. Many people I speak with, as well as many videos I've watched, keep warning to keep up with the physio. So I'm trying to! But I also am not sure if I'm overdoing it. I miss working out...

I measured my legs today, and it's amazing how fast muscles deteriorate without use.

Today's measurements (circumference)

Right quad 39.7 cm (-3.3 cm)
Right thigh 40.8 cm (-7.8 cm)
Right calf 38.2 cm (-1.1 cm)

Left quad 40.1 cm (-3.4 cm)
Left thigh 46 cm (-2.6 cm)
Left calf 38.8 cm (+1.6 cm)

Curiously, my left calf actually gained some mass. Perhaps its from taking on extra work from being the only one lifting me up.

My left talus has been acting up too. It was wonky before from a ankle ligament tear 1.5 yrs ago. Now, I'm sure it's not liking the extra work either.

Seeing the deterioration results of my leg, though expected, made me a bit sad.... and fueled me to work even harder....not that I haven't been already.

I can see (through photos) that my knee bends are improving. Here, I am pulling my knee in to the max it will go. It does hurt like hell, but I try to breathe through it. I try to hold it for 10 min the best I can. I don't always make it.

I had no idea what this strap in my house was for until now. And it is quite handy for knee bends.

I wonder how much of me being to walk is because I took some Tylenol this morning. Being able to walk without crutches puts me on the further end of schedule for progress, which I'm happy about. But I'm supposed to use a crutch until I can walk without a limp. It also tires me out and I am a bit nervous about suddenly collapsing. I often can feel some weird movement and popping (seated) and I'm not sure what that is or if that means something will give when I'm walking. I probably need to rein it back a bit on walking too much for now.

I'm super tired from the day. I'm grateful for support and help of lovely friends, M and his mama. Somehow the stew/soup resorvoir keeps getting refilled in the fridge...The soup train has been abundant with lots of healthy love!