Two weeks out, but not yet kickin!

I see progress. When I first met Raymond, my range of motion was 19 to 75 and I couldn't lift my surgery leg off the pillow. Yesterday, Raymond gave me my "mission accomplished" paper with a range of 10 to 96 and lifting my leg in all kinds of contortions for the different exercises. I didn't tell  you that when he came into the bedroom that I am now calling home, his eyes lit up when he saw the recumbent exercise bike I had gotten for Georgia. Well he couldn't leave me without  getting me started on that. It was even a possibility when we started, but now he felt we had enough range to try it. He set it up and we gave it a shot. After the first revolution of the pedals, we both gave a little cheer (mine was spiked with a little groan). So with the other exercises that I am doing 3 times each day, we have added 3 minutes on the bicycle. I have to tell you that that is the longest 3 minute bicycle ride I've ever taken. Of course when it gets tolerable, we will in crease it.... That seems to be the way with these theraphy folks. If you're not in agony,  let's go a little further.  However, the one thing I have learned is that it is better to push yourself to get the result with your own stretches than to have the therapist do the stretching. That incentive kept me from having to endure  Raymond's "rack" to achieve the 96 degrees of flexion.

That's not pain you see. It's accomplishment. Same dif.

So now I am finished with Raymond and "graduate" to outpatient therapy where we face another set of goals. I can't wait. Also got the staples out and was released by the home care nurse. The instability is still unusual and Dr. Bane has me wearing a knee immobilizer when I am up walking around (except for exercizes). With the immobilizer on, I did make a quick trip to the basement to show something to Blaine. He and Celina are our home healthcare team for today.  Oh, another achievement; I am only using the pain meds for the exercises.  My cycle: 1 pain med and muscle relaxer, start 1 hour on CPM at 1/2 hour take the other pain med. Then do the exercises including the bicycle. Then ice on the knee. Getting that in 3 times a day in addition to meals, clean-up , etc. pretty much fills the day. So it goes. I rode to the grocery with Georgia the other day (stayed in the car) .. Uh, it was too early for that. Not a fun time.