WEEK 22 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal
Pain level: 1 - 3
Epiphany: If you feel silly walking in place on a plane, try dancing to your iTunes!
Milestone: First plane trip since surgery

WEEK 19 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal
                      Stamina is not yet back to normal
Pain level: 1 for standing 1/2 an hour
                  3 for standing 1 1/2 hours
Epiphany: I love getting out of bed without assistance! This happy thought makes me smile every day ~ also increases the probability of  getting up on the right side of the bed.  :)
Milestone: Can stand on one leg for 60 seconds. Can stand on two legs for 1 ½ hours before the swelling becomes overwhelming.

WEEK 18 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal
Pain level: 1 after walking ½ mile
Epiphany: Ice is great for reducing the swelling, but it also stiffens the joints which makes me walk with a pronounced limp. It takes about 100 paces before the stiffness goes away.
Milestone: Ready to resume a regular yoga practice.

WEEK 17 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal
Pain level: 1 for walking
Epiphany: Carrying things is my new favorite activity!
Milestone: Walking without a cane!!!! Woo hoo!

WEEK 16 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal
Pain level: 2 for walking
Epiphany: It’s amazing how quickly strength can be lost and gained.
Milestone: Can balance on one leg for about 10 seconds. Yippee!

WEEK 15 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal
Pain level: 2 for walking
Epiphany: Old ties make great yoga straps! Keeping ties scattered around the house encourages stretching the foot throughout the day.
Milestone: Walking with a cane at almost a normal pace.

WEEK 14 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Normal! Yippee!
Pain level: 2 for walking on sunshine!
Epiphany: Keep icepacks at work - you never know when you might need an afternoon break
Milestone: Walking with a cane

WEEK 13 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Good – almost back to normal
Pain level: able to tolerate a little more weight everyday now!
Epiphany: Water aerobics is a most awesome form of physical therapy!
Milestone: Walking with one crutch

WEEK 12 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Good
Pain level: 0 - 2
Epiphany: "Riding" a stationary bike always reminds me of The Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere"
Milestone: Recovered from sprain and able to commit to a regular exercise class: Water Aerobics twice a week.

WEEK 11 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Good to low
Pain level: 0 - 3 (the harder I push myself, the more aches)
Epiphany: No pain, no gain
Milestone: Week 11 starts off with strength and energy to attempt more exertion on a “stationary bike”. However, a trip while getting off the bike results in a sever sprain. Week 11 is a bit of a setback.

Learn from my fail: A bike trainer does NOT turn a bike into a stationary bike suitable for physical therapy.

WEEK 10 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Low to OK
Pain level: 0 - 1
Epiphany: Physical therapy easy as ABC, 123!
Milestone: Begin minimal weight bearing

WEEK 9 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Low
Pain level: 0        Woo hoo!
Epiphany: Spring is in the air!  But so is rain.  A hooded rain jacket is a good thing ~ don't leave home without it!
Milestone: Begin full regimented physical therapy. Current focus is stretching.

WEEK 8 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Strained
Pain level: Variable
Epiphany: Padded bicycle gloves are so handy when using crutches – which really is the equivalent of walking on your hands.
Milestone: Start basic physical therapy with contrast baths to encourage nerve growth.

WEEK 7 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Building
Pain level: Fading
Epiphany: Showers are for the sure footed or two footed kind. Back to baths and rubber duckies for me!
Milestone: Back to work full time, but not strong enought to get to and from work solely by public transit. Scabs are closed enough to get the foot fully wet. The first shower is tricky, but ok – second shower results in a slip and fall. Standing in a slippery shower on one foot is a bad idea. Will wait until I am full weight bearing to try showering again.

WEEK 6 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Variable
Pain level: Manageable
Epiphany: I’m afraid of escalators
Milestone: Back to work in the office part time. More scabbing, almost no leakage. Skin on the bottom of the foot is peeling from not being properly scrubbed from over a month.

WEEK 5 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Lethargic
Pain level: Sore
Epiphany: Working from home is not for me – I miss the office!
Milestone: Daily bandage changes show some leakage. Bathing with one foot hanging over the tub prevents bandages from getting wet.

WEEK 4 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Exhausted & lethargic
Pain level: General soreness
Epiphany: Skid proof socks – the best invention since the Safety Dance!
Milestone: Working from home -The foot kept elevated at all times so the “lab top” is really a “belly top” computer.

WEEK 3 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Variable
Pain level: Manageable with occasional stabbing pains
Epiphany: Watering cans, not rubber duckies make bath time so much fun.
Milestone: Stitches removed!

WEEK 2 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Low
Pain level: High
Epiphany: Office chairs are excellent for rides to the bathroom! Woo hoo!
Milestone: Can make it to the WC with crutches, but office chair rides are preferred. Unable to carry things since both hands are occupied with crutches -must haul even the smallest items in a plastic bag and must also use an office chair to get around the kitchen.

WEEK 1 | POST OPERATION

Energy level: Exhausted
Pain level: Off the charts
Epiphany: Oxycodone is my friend
Milestone: Survived surgery