Today is exactly 8 weeks since i had my surgery, and after tomorrow i will have 8 more weeks of Physical Therapy. Since i'm feeling a little like i'm in Recovery-Purgatory and therapy seems to be moving at a snail's pace, I figured i'd take a look back to see how far i've come...i already feel better.
Here's what Used To Be:
These were my goals in the days immediately following surgery (see "Pain Control" and "Ambulate" on the board*). While the morphine really took care of the pain effectively (see pic below) , the ambulating proved to be more challenging. Now I am abulating all over the place and my goals are set much higher; such as "Get Rid of this Dang Brace". ( * notice also the lovely decorations on the formerly stark hospital board...these were graciously applied by my friend and summer hostess.)
Used to be, it was a huge endeavor to go to the bathroom. I recall really missing my catheter when they first took it out, which would've seemed absurd to me before surgery. Once they took that out, i had to get up with a walker and laborously move merely feet to the bathroom, dragging all this stuff along.
USED TO BE that i was on so much MORPHINE that taking these pictures seemed like a good idea--haha.
Used to be that i could only take a sponge bath, beginning with the aid of a Nurse's Aide. I didn't get to take a real shower until a week after my surgery (note armpit). Man, that first shower felt like HEAVEN!
Note: my lucky mom was the first nurse on the scene: she isn't pictured here because she was the photographer! It used to be that we had to do this bandage change twice a day. I seriously couldn't look at my knee for several weeks post-surgery. It Used to be that i could only catch a glimpse of the surgery site by looking at pictures. Now i am cleaning it myself...and closely inspecting, touching and examining everyday.
7 comments:
nothing like starting my friday morning with a good cry!
you've come a long way, baby! it was great seeing you last night. renegade crafters unite!
I'm a little vaklempt. You are awesome . . .that t-UMA is OUTTA THERE man! Way to go on the progress . . I mean sheez, you so HAVE come a long long way all the while with grace and dignity . . and let's don't forget humor!
Tready is adorable btw and very lucky to have you as a role model. Take care you! NC Amy ;)
aaw..you got me all choked up.
*hugs*
You kick so much ass. That's one thing that was true when things were the way they used to be and still is. I am so proud of you!
Wow! You've come a long, long way. You should be proud! Keep up the good work.
That was very interesting. You have certainly come a long way. I wish you weren't such a long way away. Darlene talked about Tready this weekend. She called him my friend Tready.
Well, I'm a little late in reading this (and thus, posting a comment), but I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who got all teary eyed and choked up after reading this. *sniff sniff*
You are an inspiration, Krissy!
Love you!
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