Almost 3 weeks post-surgery...3 more to go...

Well... I had fully intended on writing more posts in regards to my progression after surgery, but let's face it... I was just too distracted watching the Food Network and HGTV tired and focused on healing to get around to it. So far, I think I have been doing everything I am supposed to in order to make sure I heal properly and regain my strength. I started Physical Therapy (PT) only 3 days after my procedure where they asked me to do a straight leg raise. Simple,right? Just raise my dumb leg up in the air and lower it back down. This seemingly simple move was utterly impossible. My knee at this point felt like a bowling bowl attached to a noodle for a leg since all my quad muscles had atrophied. I was able to contract what little muscle tone was hiding in there, so I worked for the rest of the week simply contracting and holding my quad muscles and doing some lateral leg raises that were somehow easy for me to do. At my 3rd PT appointment, at about the 1.5 week post-surgery mark, I was finally able to do a straight leg raise. Quite the accomplishment. Oh...and I not only did one, I did a rep of 10! Then I came home, rested and did another rep of 10! Needless to say, my leg and knee were exceptionally sore that night. Even though I have been able to do the straight leg raises, it hurts in the most excruciating way. I literally feel like something is going to snap and break with each one I do. Yesterday, I returned to work. Overall, while I was at home, I started feeling pretty good. I spent a lot of time just resting, relaxing, doing my exercises a couple times a day, etc. I also, however, was on pain pills during these two weeks. Thus, my overall knee pain was abated. I knew I would need to quit the pain pills before returning to work because they generally made me sleepy, nauseated and, yes, constipated. Three things you do not want to deal with while at work. So this past weekend, I weened myself off and now I am actually realizing the pain a little bit. Also not fun. It has been tolerable and I am still taking ibuprofen which helps, but I am definitely noticing a difference. Also, being someone who doesn't necessarily like taking any sort of medication on a regular basis, I'm hoping I just start healing and feeling better soon so I can be off all medications. My gastrointestinal lining is wearing away as we speak... In close, being back at work has been an adjustment, but I am making the best of it. I have scared Jon with a couple of emotional breakdowns over the past few days just because I have been feeling so incapacitated and helpless. I am really used to my independence, so the adjustment has been rough. Looking forward to driving again, cooking, walking the sloop monster and even cleaning. I know... Im weird like that. I start therapy with a new PT today (one that could see me at 5:00 pm when I get off work), so we'll see how that goes. I appreciate everyone's support over the past couple weeks and I will try to provide timelier updates going forward.