It’s been quite a while since I have added to my blog, and there are a few reasons for this. It is now just over 12 months since my second surgery and there have been many physical and mental battles to overcome in the process. I guess it took more of a toll on me than I thought it would. The daily reminder of pain in certain movements and a nasty scar bearing up at me makes it difficult to not think about all of the time.
If you had have asked me over the last 6-8 months how my knee was going, you probably would have received a rather negative answer from me. This was a reflection of my mental frustration from the slow process of rehabilitation. It’s so bloody slow! As diligent as I am with my exercises, stretches, foam rolling, massages and treatments, I just can’t speed up the process. However there has never been a single day where I wanted to give up and throw the towel in.
“You and only you have the power to choose how to respond to the challenges in front of you” – Dan Green
Every day I’m in search of answers to find that little extra edge of improvement. I’ve spent many hours reading, researching, and chatting with health practitioners to see if I’m missing something. Let’s just say I’m quickly becoming a knee rehabilitation specialist Personal Trainer.
Physically I’m now doing much better. I achieved a few goals I set in my previous blog; completed cycling holiday from Amsterdam to Bruges, have ridden over 100Km several times, rode Mt Donna Buang (16.8km hill), can do a standing quad stretch and get heel to butt with ease, and banked many thousands of calf raises (they should be HUGE by now but sadly they’re not).
But over the last 8 weeks something has changed and I’ve really noticed specifically big steps in my improvement. A combination of some new physiotherapy treatment methods, a visit to a knee physiotherapy specialist, change in my strength program, have all added to reducing painful movements and seeing more leg muscle tone return. I’m now riding my bike faster and stronger than I was before both surgeries, and I have gradually commenced treadmill running for 15mins twice per week. Both of these activities give me great pleasure in being able to do so I’ll be aiming to improve further over the next 12 months. I certainly don’t plan on running a marathon, just a steady 5km pain-free would make me extremely happy. My next immediate goals are getting back to squatting and lunging pain-free in full range. I can sense it is getting nearer day by day.
Along with these physical changes I have noticed also a mental shift. The negativity has lifted and I’m speaking more optimistic about my recovery. My mind and body are both healing, great signs.
I can’t thank the people around me enough for what they have done for keeping positive and promising it will get better. They’re right, just sometimes I can’t see through the rehab fog and spot the finish line. But I’m getting there now. My partner, friends, family, clients and my bike riding buddies are all part of my incredible support network.
My scar is still quite prominent and has attracted a few questions from strangers who are curious of how it came about. Sadly I don’t have some heroic story to give them, just a worn-out knee that needed partial replacement. To which they then give me their best pain-face followed by their own knee injury story. I’m thankful for their compassion and enjoy asking them questions about their recovery hoping to pick up some tips to help me on my journey. Once my scar has faded more I have decided to feature it in a tattoo, stay tuned for that one.
In the meantime, I’ve got more work ahead of me. With a positive mindset I’ll be jumping these last few hurdles (literally!).
