It's alive....
Just a post to let everyone know that I survived sugery and am slowly recovering. Thanks for all the well wishes and good thoughts.
I was throwing up and drugged like whoa for the first four days after sugery. I lived on water and toast, and quickly lost track of time. I slept through Laura's birthday and New Years. I have been more alert for the last few days, eating normally, and trying to stay upbeat. I had my first follow up with the doctor on Monday, and he removed all my bandages and staples in my incisions. My poor leg is bruised and ugly. Not to mention the fact that my thigh and calf muscles are all but gone from 10 days of inactivity. The doctor informed me that my ACL tissue graft came from a 21 year old guy who was killed in a car accident. Not on the order of a kidney or liver, but I still have a sense of thankfulness and gratitude for being given a chance to have a normal knee joint.
I started physical therapy this week. I had a visit Tuesday, a visit today, and a third tomorrow. I will be going three times per week for 8 weeks, and one time per week for 8 weeks thereafter. It is incredibly painful right now, because my joint is very tight and agitated. I thought the first day was bad, but I was on the verge of tears today. I cannot bend or straighten my leg entirely, and it is impossible to walk since I have no muscle left to support my body weight. I know that PT will be ramping up over the next week, but I am going to really throw myself into it.
I am pretty much homebound right now, and have only been outside three times in two weeks. I won't be given any driving privileges for another 2 weeks, but since my car is a stick shift, the doctor said definitely not for at least another 6 weeks. Given that I can't drive or walk, I have been doing a lot of reading, and watching a lot of TV. I have a full leg brace that I have to wear most of the time in order to keep my leg straight so the ACL graft will heal correctly. To sum it up, life is uncomfortable and boring right now. However, I am happy that I have the chance to fully heal at home without fear of losing my paycheck. That is a major bonus.
Also on the bright side of things--I received an acceptance letter from Evergreen State College in the mail last week. Laura and I are discussing it, and trying to decide if that is someplace we would truly like to be a year from now. I still have two more applications to send out, so I'll see what else comes back over the next few months.
That is pretty much all I have to report. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and recovering. I hope everyone is doing well in 2008, and I'll try to keep you all posted.
Visotors are always welcome...
I was throwing up and drugged like whoa for the first four days after sugery. I lived on water and toast, and quickly lost track of time. I slept through Laura's birthday and New Years. I have been more alert for the last few days, eating normally, and trying to stay upbeat. I had my first follow up with the doctor on Monday, and he removed all my bandages and staples in my incisions. My poor leg is bruised and ugly. Not to mention the fact that my thigh and calf muscles are all but gone from 10 days of inactivity. The doctor informed me that my ACL tissue graft came from a 21 year old guy who was killed in a car accident. Not on the order of a kidney or liver, but I still have a sense of thankfulness and gratitude for being given a chance to have a normal knee joint.
I started physical therapy this week. I had a visit Tuesday, a visit today, and a third tomorrow. I will be going three times per week for 8 weeks, and one time per week for 8 weeks thereafter. It is incredibly painful right now, because my joint is very tight and agitated. I thought the first day was bad, but I was on the verge of tears today. I cannot bend or straighten my leg entirely, and it is impossible to walk since I have no muscle left to support my body weight. I know that PT will be ramping up over the next week, but I am going to really throw myself into it.
I am pretty much homebound right now, and have only been outside three times in two weeks. I won't be given any driving privileges for another 2 weeks, but since my car is a stick shift, the doctor said definitely not for at least another 6 weeks. Given that I can't drive or walk, I have been doing a lot of reading, and watching a lot of TV. I have a full leg brace that I have to wear most of the time in order to keep my leg straight so the ACL graft will heal correctly. To sum it up, life is uncomfortable and boring right now. However, I am happy that I have the chance to fully heal at home without fear of losing my paycheck. That is a major bonus.
Also on the bright side of things--I received an acceptance letter from Evergreen State College in the mail last week. Laura and I are discussing it, and trying to decide if that is someplace we would truly like to be a year from now. I still have two more applications to send out, so I'll see what else comes back over the next few months.
That is pretty much all I have to report. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and recovering. I hope everyone is doing well in 2008, and I'll try to keep you all posted.
Visotors are always welcome...