Days twenty two- twenty six

On day twenty two, I went back to see my surgeon for a check up. I (finally) got the okay to start putting weight on my leg. It was again explained to me what the hold up had been (chondroplasty- which I have a much greater understanding of now and will explain in a later post). So I was instructed to start with 25% - 50% of my weight on my leg while using both crutches. I did that all weekend, although I am not sure how I am supposed to gauge what percentage of my weight is on my leg....it was sore but okay. I went downstairs more often - a couple times a day- because going down the stairs without putting any weight at all on the leg was hard! This made it much easier. I was told that later this week I can move to just using one crutch if I am able to. I am excited and scared. Bring it.

So here's kind of how my knee has been feeling: tight. And not in the way my students use the word. When I wake up it feels like everything is in a tight fist in there. Once I stretch it out and do my first round of exercises, it feels better. About three times a day, my knee cracks. Like when your knuckles crack. Usually it cracks on the outside, where one of the chondroplasties was done. It doesn't hurt before it cracks, but feels better after. I hope this is normal. I asked about it at my appointment and they think it is happening because the swelling is going down. I hope so. And I hope it stops soon- it's weird. All of my exercises are getting much easier, so I am increasing their frequency and duration. Sometimes, my knee feels totally normal and I forget anything is wrong. This is usually when I am not moving. :)
 I'm feeling a little more independent...my mom went back to work last week and I pretty much just stayed in my room while she was gone. Today I was downstairs for about an hour. It was boring. I think I'd rather just stay up here and do my exercises all day. I got a lot of stuff for work done today and I'm feeling back to normal a little.

Here's what my knee looked liked Friday (day twenty four?) :

Still a little swollen and a lot ugly!

 

 

 

 

 Here is what it looks like today (day twenty six):

My friend Kim calls this a "wormy" scar. I have been massaging and will continue to do so!!

Not bad, I say. Plus scars make you look cooler.