The Palm Springs pool.
One of the takeaways I’ve gained from injury, surgery and recovery is patience. I’ve had to learn to be patient with myself. I remember the old saying, “Patience is a virtue.” Well, It’s been more than four months since I fell skiing and my patience is being tested. I’m on week five post-surgery and finally, I’m seeing improvements.
I do feel like I’m at a turning point where things are getting better. My Physical Therapist keeps adding to my list of exercises and she had me strap weights to my ankles yesterday. On the days I don’t go to PT, I make my way to the city pool and walk in the handicapped lane and do my PT exercises in the water. This week, I can walk around the house—without my post-op leg brace on.
With all these rapid improvements in my health, I am impatient for more movement and strength. A few weeks ago I was in my brace 24-7 and I couldn’t put weight on my leg, and had to use a walker. Compared to those bleak weeks, I’m doing great. However, I’m ready to get beyond this and I have to remember to be patient a little longer. I get tired easily. My leg gets stiff when I sit at the computer. I have to be patient with how long it takes me to get ready for my day and how long it takes me to walk from one room in the house to the other. Yes, patience is a virtue and I’m trying hard to be virtuous.
My next big move will be to push off the wall and swim, rather than walk in the handicapped lane. I’m also looking forward to getting out of the post-op brace and being able to return to my morning walks around the park. In the meantime, I’ll try to be more patient with the small improvements I’m experiencing each and every day.
Soon, I hope to be back to doing this!
In what areas of your life do you need patience?
yes, patience with ourselves and the process of healing and recovery is essential. I’ll also add that its very common to have continued significant improvement long after the doc and PT “release you”, so don’t be overly concerned if you’re not all the way there. I’m still filling in small gaps in strength and muscle activation 3 years after shoulder surgery (shoulders are generally considerably slower than knees, fear not). Tough stuff in our world of instant gratification. Glad you are progressing so well!
That’s good news you’re seeing improvement years later! That’s something for me to look forward to.
it is a pleasant surprise!