I finished the Spring semester. I still have no idea how I managed to start in January, 4 weeks post-op from reconstructive knee and ankle surgery, and finish 3 months later. I started on crutches, in a cast, and with a post-op knee brace, and ended on a cane and with a knee and ankle brace. I am very proud of this accomplishment and it feels great to know that I am now 2 semesters closer to graduation, which is expected to be in the Fall 2013. I am taking 2 classes this summer in order to stay on schedule.
Speaking of graduations, my mom and I just returned home from sunny Florida and Nicole's college graduation weekend. I had a fantastic time despite not being able to do everything (I could not walk on the beach). The trip itself was exhausting but totally worth it. I have not been able to truly enjoy a vacation in almost 3 years. That is definitely not the case anymore. Family (immediate and extended) and friends were all in Florida together to celebrate this milestone in her life. We stayed at the most perfect hotel that was on the beach and just about every window overlooked the water. We all went to dinner together and spent the days at the pool and beach (I did not go to the beach). At the graduation we were definitely the loudest group of people.
Nicole and I have been friends since the day she was born...I was born first :). My mom and her mom, Ellen, lived together in college and have been best friends since. Nicole and I grew up together. She is about as close as you can possibly get to being a sister, without actually being related. I am so proud of her and wish her nothing but happiness and success in the future. My mom and Ellen are a perfect example of how it doesn't have to end after college. Sure the partying, roommates, and classes may end (to some degree), but the friendships can always live on and continue to grow! I am fortunate that my mom and Ellen have remained best friends because had they not I would not have known Nicole and Michelle (her real sister).
Congratulations Nicole! I love you.
Now for health related information...
My hips have been killing me lately. Cam says it is because I walk by only using my hips, which is incorrect, and therefore it should get better when I walk correctly (we are working on this). Both knees still hurt. Going up stairs or standing up from a sitting position is still very painful for my left knee, which was operated on last year. My right knee, the newly reconstructed knee, still gets lightning bolt pains through the incision at random times. Quad strength is progressing and I am farther along in this recovery than last time, but the strength is no where near functional and I am still in a brace. My ankle still doesn't flex very much but Cam did clear me to start weaning from the brace. I still have to wear it when going out for longer periods of time or where there would be a lot of people, but I no longer have to wear it in the house. This should hopefully get some more natural flexion back.
Originally we had planned on having my right shoulder reconstructed this July, however, after talking to Cam we both agree that I really need to give my body a chance to recover. My right shoulder is definitely in very bad shape and I usually wake up with it dislocated, but this is just something that I need to hold off on right now. I will have it reconstructed at some point in the future (likely NEXT summer), it just will not be happening this year. My surgeon wants me to wear a shoulder brace/sleeve. Hopefully that provides a little more stability than I already have.
My headaches haven't changed at all. I go back to the specialist this week for a follow-up to review the testing I had done.
I start one of my classes on Monday. It is an online class so it will involve a lot of work, but it'll feel so nice when I am completely done for the summer at the end of June!
0 comments:
Post a Comment