Thread Drift

[Pax]

I've been a state of pity party regarding my newly replaced knee for the last several months. Now I'm in a zen place, I'm making peace with the fact it will never be as good as I'd hoped. I still limp about 30% of the time, my flexion and extension are fair but not great, and it keeps me from doing much of what I want to do. BUT, it works, doesn't hurt as bad as it did before, I'm a little more mobile than I was, so I'll take it and just do little bits of things. I walk a little, ride my bike a little, swim a little. It's all good.

[emily_in_nc]

I've been a state of pity party regarding my newly replaced knee for the last several months. Now I'm in a zen place, I'm making peace with the fact it will never be as good as I'd hoped. I still limp about 30% of the time, my flexion and extension are fair but not great, and it keeps me from doing much of what I want to do. BUT, it works, doesn't hurt as bad as it did before, I'm a little more mobile than I was, so I'll take it and just do little bits of things. I walk a little, ride my bike a little, swim a little. It's all good.

That's a good attitude, Pax, but I sure am sorry that your knee replacement hasn't been as successful as you hoped. My step-father experienced the same thing, and I feel so bad for all he has gone through that he still has issues with pain and flexibility there. I know he's better, like you, but he'd hoped for even more of a change. I still see how difficult it is for him to get out of a chair, for instance. He can do some light hiking, but he'd hoped to be able to backpack (with a light pack), and I don't see that happening.

[Catrin]

I've been a state of pity party regarding my newly replaced knee for the last several months. Now I'm in a zen place, I'm making peace with the fact it will never be as good as I'd hoped. I still limp about 30% of the time, my flexion and extension are fair but not great, and it keeps me from doing much of what I want to do. BUT, it works, doesn't hurt as bad as it did before, I'm a little more mobile than I was, so I'll take it and just do little bits of things. I walk a little, ride my bike a little, swim a little. It's all good.

I feel your pain Pax! On the one hand things are a bit better than before the surgery, but my knee doesn't seem to yet be working all the way normally yet after 10 weeks...but I keep reading that it is early yet. My flexion and extension are fine, but the knee still wants to give out occasionally and I don't feel safe walking outside without a cane just in case. I try to keep a good attitude, but some days, like today, it is frustrating. Is it so much to hope for walking normally with both knees feeling about the same? Apparently it is too much, for now. It also still hurts - but I DO have quite a bit of patellofemoral arthritis - and that hasn't changed. The pain IS less than before the surgery though

On the other hand, I can hike gentle trails, (with brace and stick), can play with kettlebells (though not as hard as I would like), and not much else. THAT being said, it is a lot more than it could be, and I'm thankful for what I can do. Trying not to push myself too far as I'm prone to doing. I think I would be less frustrated if there weren't obvious signs that I've lost upper body strength - my shoulder mechanics makes it very hard to gain that kind of strength so I begrudge loosing anything there. I've given up on the idea of competing again, but I want to focus on being as strong and healthy as I can be. If that means hiking with brace and stick permanently, then so be it

<\whine>

[Crankin]

Oak, I think the person who left the forum, stating that she felt unwelcome as a conservative, may have also been somewhat freaked out by lesbians. She didn't say this, but I was reading between the lines. I think she realized that her views were somewhat different from everyone else's and couldn't get past that, to talk about cycling. I am sure there are plenty of conservative cyclists... somewhere.
On the physical part, well, I mentioned this in another thread. I've had a year of lots of immunological/allergy stuff and a mild resurgence of my supposed fibro symptoms. However, I have a friend (a cousin, sort of) who really does have fibro, and what she experiences is similar, but I just don't have to stay home and do total rest like she does, nor do I have an cognitive symptoms. Work doesn't tire me out, like it does to her. I just have less tolerance for intense exercise. However, it's cyclical, so I am hoping it will eventually get better. Since I am returning to my previous health club, I will be doing a lot more stuff this winter, in addition to my nordic skiing/snow shoeing. Lots of spin classes and I will definitely be at Tabatta and circuit training 2X a week. The club is practically next door to the condo, so I am looking forward to that. So, my mantra is to keep out there, maybe just less distance if I am not feeling well. But, my head is ready for more. Hoping for a mild enough winter that I can ride a little outside in January and February, for the first time in a couple of years, to get more miles. I am hoping adding more yoga back in, will help, too. What worries me is that I have been having thoughts of cutting down my work more, but I have no idea why. I would be bored without more structured activities. Not going there...