Tag: post-surgery

Another Step Forward

Things were VERY bad this morning. I was extremely stressed out. Many issues that are “real” and probably some that only seem to be issues because of lack of sleep or insufficient hydration or whatever. I was able to walk in 3.5 inch heels on Thursday, but not very well. PT on Friday didn’t go very well either – could not get the one toe to unlock and flex. Sigh. Things such as that accumulated. As has my weight. Ugh. Before noon the big cranky gray cat had attacked the black kitten twice. I was wound tight and tighter. What to do?

inch by inchIn the past, when I’ve reached that ready-to-scream-and-snap state, I’ve worked out. Okay, well then, I’ve been doing the grocery shopping (1.5 hours in sneakers & upright & moving). I wore 2.5 inch heels all day at the beginning of the week. Surgeon has said I’ll do more harm now by babying the foot than by pushing the limits. It wasn’t much of a decision. I changed into my workout clothes, grabbed my music and headed for the treadmill. I’ve not worked out in over 6 months, probably much longer. *laughing* I wasn’t even sure the treadmill would START. It did and I stepped on. I walked. I walked and I walked and I walked.

My walking was either pitiful or a major triumph. Or both. The FASTEST rate I got to was 2.4 mph. I used to start warming up at 2.6 mph. I pushed the incline up to 4% as I walked. I might not be going fast today but I could go steep. The triumph is that I walked a mile – nonstop. Considering that a few weeks ago I couldn’t walk at all without a major limp, I was quite pleased, even if it took 27 minutes. I started at 2 mph and got it up to 2.4 before I stopped. Considering there was a time I used to RUN, 2.4 is embarrassing. Considering the last few months, 2.4 is a miracle.

If I can walk, well, I’m sure I can row, too. *grin* Yep, I can row. Again, comparing it to what I used to be able to do, I did wince. Comparing it to the last several months – I rock. 180 strokes in 5 minutes.

Even more to the point, I do not seem to have damaged anything anywhere while I walked and rowed. My mood definitely lifted. No question that I worked out the negative energy that was stressing me. Since I think I’ll still be sufficiently limber tomorrow, I’m planning on doing it again.

Wish me luck and continued endurance and commitment. I hear my shoes calling.

Stepping Out

*Triumphant grin*  I DANCED Saturday night!!!!!  Yes, I mean my physical self, not my SL self.  I had to go to the doctor on Thursday to remove 3 lingering stitches. I tried to put on a real shoe, but could not fit my foot in. 😦 I was wiped out and frustrated and tired on Friday, after PT session #5. I decided that I needed to “take back my life”. Before anyone argues with that phrase, I know it’s not a very accurate statement. But that is how it FEELS. I want MY life back. I want to be bustling about doing what I do, with energy, getting things DONE. (Oh my, there is NOTHING more satisfying than crossing items of a to-do list!!!) I decided the focus this weekend was going to be on return to “normal”.

Friday night was getting out of my “invalid sleeping setup” and getting back to “go to bed”. Saturday we met friends for dinner. A mutual friend was going to be playing with his band at that restaurant. We had a LOVELY dinner – great company with lots of laughter and talk. The band arrived with their usual “groupies”. *grin* Wives and friends. Our friend’s wife was there, also a good friend of ours.

The band started right out rocking with “Backdoor Man” and kept going. I was bouncing in my seat, wanting to be MOVING. My friend got up to dance with another of the wives and called to me – “You can’t dance at all???” Well. You know me. I thought “What’s the worst that can happen? I’ll try to dance and won’t be able to shift weight.” So I got up and danced. It was wonderful!!! Dancing is easier than walking. I can fudge the weight distribution much more easily dancing. The only “blight” was that I was wearing flat sandals. OOOOOOHHHHHHH – I WANT my shoes! I didn’t dance long. It only took one injudicious placement for me to decide that I’d had enough fun for the evening.

Today I did a lot of house chores, cleanup, winterizing, bills, laundry. It’s the to-do list scenario. I’m getting things DONE and back in order. AND – I actually fit my foot into my boot. I can’t actually WALK on it, but the swelling is down sufficiently and there is just enough flexibility to make me think that perhaps by January I will indeed be back in my steampunk boots!

You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about…..