One day at a time

It's finally 3 weeks since my knee surgery - half way through having to wear a full leg brace everyday. I feel like a robot with my black brace wrapped around my right leg and crutches extending from my arms. It's all very awkward and clunky. But our household has gotten used to it. We just have to watch out for crutches I've left resting against something and then suddenly falling with a crash.

The day of surgery went well. Had an early wake-up call and had to be at the hospital at 7.20am. Grandma looked after the kids while Phil dropped me off. I finally went into theatre about 2 hours later. Surgery went for an hour and a half. Woke up at recovery feeling quite groggy. After some issues with my elevated blood pressure, I was wheeled into my room for my overnight stay and was relieved to find Phil waiting there. Later that afternoon the kids came for a visit and were curious about all my attachments and hospital gadgets.

My very large meniscus tear was sewn up and repaired and my ACL was reconstructed with a graft from my hamstring. Pain and soreness were unbearable only a few times during the first week of recovery. I didn't get much sound sleep though.

Days have felt really long since I've been homebound. I'm not allowed to drive until the brace is off and I can bear weight on my knee. I can't wait for that day. It's been a real drag for me and Phil. Phil's doing a great job coping despite how exhausted he sometimes looks at the end of the day. Help, food and visits from family and friends have been saving us. We're so lucky and extremely grateful.

I took the first couple of weeks off from work. I finished reading two books and started books 3 and 4, watched the final season of Scrubs and continuing with a couple of other TV series DVDs, completed our photo blog book from last year and just started another one from 2010 during that time. Last week I started working from home which made those 2 days go quickly.

I've made progress with my knee. I can now bend it 90 degrees (with some pain). I've been able to go out for a few hours a day here and there, which afterwards leaves me feeling mentally a whole lot better. We just had visitors over the long weekend, so our last few days have been fun.

It's school holidays again. So far the days haven't dragged on. Nicholas and Catherine just finished the third school term of the year. I missed out on a couple of school activities which Phil got to attend this time. Nicholas had his first talking role in his last assembly. He introduced the principal and the school's prime minister. I don't know what it is but in the past few weeks, the kids seemed to grow in some way every time they came home at the end of the day. It must be because I haven't done the school run since my surgery. I guess time just seemed to go extra slow being stuck at home. Hope the next 3 weeks go a little bit quicker.

From Sep2014