It seems this is one of those injuries that gets better, faster, when you leave it the heck alone! Seriously, it really seemed to take a huge turn for the better when I STOPPED trying to get around and just sat down, propped up my foot and stuck to the ice regimen.
The emotional ups and downs have been rather monumental, but I am slowly coming to grips with not only the injury but with the fact that the human body is an amazing creation, and it WANTS to heal itself and I need to allow it to do that.
But I really miss Race.
The progress is small, but noteworthy:
*The swelling has gone down! There is still a bit right in the joint, but it looks SO. Much. Better.(I know......I should moisturize properly. But...I've been busy and I wasn't thinking about the photo shoot.)
* There isn't much pain as long as I keep the brace on to keep the knee stable. (Yeah, I have to sleep in that monstrosity) But...........
*I can stand!!
*I can walk!!!! It's a MIRACLE!
(Please, pay no attention to that basket of scarves and the leftover Sundance box. I'm walkin man! I'm walkin!)
Only with the brace on and not for very far, before I really start feeling it, and I look like Tron, but still....no more crutches!
So now, we just wait for the doctor. I have a list a mile long of pesky questions about weights and yoga and do's and don'ts etc, etc.
I feel bad about only posting pictures of my knee. So here's another picture, drawn at random, for your viewing pleasure:
It's Jackson doing yard work. I like it. (But don't tell my mom that we let him mow grass without shoes on.He has been forwarned with bloody stump stories) Feel free to talk amongst yourselves about this.Ok, back to the knee........
The only really negative thing is the astounding rate of muscle atrophy. All that beautiful, hard earned muscle......just.....melting away like the snow in Texas. That part is actually a little scary, and I can't wait to be able to do something about it! I actually had a dream (nightmare?) about waking up with a little shrivelled-up Gollum leg! ACK!! So for now, I am staying on a high protein/low carb diet and just resting.........and waiting.
As far as handling the daily stuff, the kids have been wonderful about just stepping up and doing what needs to be done. They have equally shared the load of the cooking and the cleaning, doing the laundry and taking care of the animals. I mean really, what have I been doing all this time? I should have done this ages ago, right?
Today, after lessons, I was able to take them to the climbing gym and just wait in the car with my leg propped up. (The steps and uneven terrain are not good right now!) After that, the kids went into the grocery store, armed with THE LIST, and got everything. (I ever-so-briefly contemplated going in and riding one of those little motor carts, but I knew I would laugh too hard and then no one would believe I was injured, so I put it out of my mind.) They came home, brought it in, put it away, and then Savannah made Beef Stroganoff for everyone and then asked, "Mom, would you like a glass of wine with that?" Good, good girl, that one.
Daily life isn't perfect by any means, but it feels good to know that we CAN get it done. And that we can get it done with a pretty good attitude toward one another and without being hounded. That feels great! Heck, if Race were home, this might be a piece of cake!
Cheers!
Melissa
P.S.- Because a couple of people asked,the toenails were painted by moi' using the stretch and dab method. Because nobody ever feels better any faster when they feel like they look gross. :-) Gotta go get that moisturizer.
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