baby steps

I can walk without crutches.

Not for very long. But it's a start.

Range of Motion = still less than 50 degrees (my left leg is at 130)



The stitches still hurt.

observations

imagine:
I'm sitting outside on a beautiful, custom built, scalloped, patio overlooking a large, two-tiered expanse of grass surrounded by overgrown trees, lavender bell flowers, orange blossomed bushes, and a burgeoning vegetable garden of tomatoes, summer squash, and zucchini. A tray with coffee and two perfectly toasted pan de sal with butter lands next to the laptop where I sit typing (and listening to Pearl Jam unplugged).

I don't think I'm in Fairlington anymore, Toto!


As much as I have been pushing to go back to my own condo during this ordeal, I've not-so-secretly enjoyed staying at the parentals. I mean, I'm getting spoiled at this point (see above). They are great at making their "pasyente" feel better even though they are still doing their own thing (going out shopping, laying another patio under the deck, hanging out with my aunts, etc). I get to choose what's for dinner, get continuous ice for me knee, and don't really have to do much of anything but lay around a take drugs and play my mom's Wii. And there's the cable! (btw, I've officially know that I'm not missing much. I really am not getting cable anytime soon. I just need to make time to watch Project Runway online. Sidenote: the Season 5 cast = BO-ring. I miss the likes of Austin Scarlet, and of course, Santos + Andre! Tanning, tyed dyed Blane = annoying and contrived).

Anyway, I really must get on with my own life, get some cell phone reception, leave the parentals alone, stop complaining about the pain, and be able to sleep in my own bed. Nonetheless, I'm not afraid to admit it: I'm going to miss being spoiled. My parents are the best.




... who wants to keep me company?! hint. hint.

overheard in philly...

kitas: I'm listening to my coworker conduct an interview on colorectal surgery

leah: hahahah. that just made my day

kitas: "rectal procedures" -- please stop!

did i mention that kitas works as an editor at some surgery magazine?

the honeymoon is over

It's 4:30am and I'm pretty proud of myself. I just lifted my leg by myself and didn't whimper!

Last night, I was finally allowed to take a shower, a full 48 hours after surgery. Trust me, I was not happy after I heard the news that I had to wait even that long. I was also given directions that my dressings would have to come off, so as to heal and not infect my incisions. I was more than excited about this -- partly because I was curious as to what my knee looked like -- but mostly because I really wanted to be clean.

What I didn't realize is the amount of stabilization that the dressings gave me. Not only did I have two ace bandages helping support my knee but there was a semi-hard (because of dried up fluid - gross) 6x6 piece of gauze/cast that helped the top of my knee stay motionless.

Needless to say, all my showing off to my mom while the dressings were on -- me doing leg lifts onto the bed without breaking a sweat, hobbling around the house, not needing her in the middle of the night to get me ice -- to prove that I could go home and take care of myself -- went down the tubes after I fell into at fit of pure frustration of not being able to lift/move my leg at one point late, last night (there were actual tears involved).

Besides the usual lifts in and out of bed, I guess the added trauma of standing in the shower was too much for my knee in one day. There is nothing more frustrating to me that not being able to do what I know I can do; I was literally willing my knee/leg to move, only to feel shooting pain. The only good thing I learned from that (now that my mom is convinced that I cannot go back to my condo) is that it gave me a glimpse of what PT is going to be like.

So, the honeymoon of the surgery is over. I'm currently sitting here with an ice pack on my knee, trying to assess if I really need that percocet, and really proud that I learned how to use my good leg to lift the other into bed.

PT starts on Monday and I know I have a long way to go. But I'm ready for the pain, because I refuse to taking this all sitting down (literally).

things i've learned while on percocet

• playing mariokart with a seven year old while on percocet will ultimately result in a loss. as in, 12th place. as in quote: "umm, a. leah, you're swerving a lot."
  
• waking up in the middle of the night while on meds and realizing that you really have to go to the bathroom and trying to use crutches quickly while groggy = lots of clumsy and lots of whimpering in pain
• percocet+ a girl that can hardly handle a tall latte = a very sleepy, rambling leah (that accidentally IM's the wrong people. whoops!)
  
• trying to update a budget that should take maybe an hour, takes much longer when you fall asleep for 4 hours in the middle of doing it. (i have a laptop desk in bed with me.)
  
• taking off the dressings on your wound should be done while on percocet. it was much funnier that way. otherwise, it's downright gross. my leg = not so cute when it's swollen, covered in blood and bruised.
  

The Post Bungee Series: Day 1

beignets & iced chicory at cafe du monde | new orleans, may 2008

I'm supposed to be in New Orleans again today, enjoying beignets.

In hindsight, I'm not really missing the "cool and crisp 93 degree swampland." Thanks for the update, DK. Sorry you're there, but then again, it could be worse.

Long story short: My bungee jumping in Africa resorted in a torn ACL. And yes, I walked around for a month without getting it checked out. Apparently, I have a high threshold of pain. Not to mention that I was really busy. Like dealing with the Secret Service busy... for two separate events. Both within in one month. Masochistic, table for one...

Needless to say, I have been too busy to think about the blog. And out of frustration on all these things happening at once, the months of May and June have been not quite so fun. I had a turning point in the last two weeks and have been slowly returning to myself. It's a good thing.

My surgery was today. It was quick outpatient thing. You know, like a drive thru. At least that's how it felt. Fortunately enough for me, they were quick to give me happy juice and within 10 minutes, I was in la-la land and out like a light. It was fun, I think... at least what I can remember of it. I woke up to a gaggle of nurses putting my shoes on and getting me ready to hear about las drogas. Si, las drogas!

Luckily, I did not react to the anesthetic the way that I did when I was got my wisdom teeth pulled. It was bad. As in, the way one acts after crossing that threshold of having too much to drink and just ends up being dead weight --slumping over until something breaks your fall. Like the wall. Or the floor. Yup, that was a fun day.

Anyway, within an hour of getting out of surgery, I went grocery shopping and to Target with my dad. As in, not sitting in the car waiting, but crutching my way through both stores. It really was nothing. Yay for percoset and really high thresholds of pain!

After getting back to the parent's abode -- they are graciously taking me in for a few days to make sure I don't end up on the floor of my condo like Mrs. Fletcher - LOL - I discovered that I need not be on crutches 100% of the time. I thought I was hearing things (was still in lala) when they moved me to my wheelchair at the surgery center because they were not at all concerned that I put weight on my leg. Hm?

In fact, my doctor told me I can be off crutches when I'm comfortable, as in within a few days or so AND he will not let me use a leg brace because he wants me to start using my leg to help heal me faster (He's an athlete and noted as a top of the top knee doctors/surgeons in DC. He also was named Top Doctor of 2008 award by Washingtonian Magazine).

I'm liking that I don't "need" the crutches and have already started hobbling around without them (no worries, I'm not going long distances). Here's hoping that I'm not in for a rude awakening tomorrow morning when the drugs wear off tonight.

OK, back to sitting around and watching cable. Oh, what a life!

where i'd rather be.