Pilates

I just tried to do Pilates for the first time since my surgery. It didn't go so well. A lot of the exercises have to do with the core, which is good, but a lot of the video I have is twisting, and I'm not allowed to do it. I'm also not very good at things like straight leg raises, so that was really tough. I think I'm going to have to wait until October when I'm much less restricted to be able to tackle this again, which is tough because I was able to do the whole thing before my surgery.

Camping

So I went camping this weekend. Jayson and I went up Saturday evening and met some of his family up there for his sister's birthday. It proved to be quite a challenge, as it was more difficult getting in and out of a tent and sleeping on an air mattress than I'd originally thought it would be. Walking through the woods was okay, but I'm still not that good (or steady) on un-even surfaces and I was pretty sore all weekend.

I'm getting frustrated because I'm still limping, and everyone asks why I'm limping and says something to the effect of "why are you still limping, I thought surgery was supposed to fix that." Well, it didn't, and I talked to Pete about it again today and we decided I should call and make an appointment with my surgeon just to double check and see if it's normal to be this sore this far out. This coming Friday will be 14 weeks, but I have to remember that I was on crutches for almost the first 7 weeks, so while they were being cautious, it's possible they kept me on them for too long and it's now setting my progress back. Or, not setting it back, just the reason why I'm so far behind in recovery.

That is all for now.

Update!

Sorry to Karen, Grammy and Brosey, who apparently check this "all the time" -- I don't believe any of that!

I am back at work, very limited as I am really not allowed to do any of the things my job requires. As a result, I am doing some computer work.

Other than that, I work out every day. Even though I burn up to 1000 calories some days at the gym {the elliptical is my friend,) I haven't lost any weight, as I think I eat too much icecream. Is there really a thing as too much icecream??

I have been to Fenway twice since my surgery, and I'm taking a train in 35 mins to meet dad to go tonight. It's a tight squeeze and a bit painful, but worth it if they win {they didn't win either time, here we go boys!)

Finally, everyone I show my scar to steps back and cringes. Not a good sign, I'll never be a swim suit model I guess... BYE!

I'm at the gym doing the Stairmaster (on easy!) for the first time... baby steps -- literally! I think I'll stick to my eliptical though!

MUCH NEEDED UPDATE!

Ok! I have been yelled at (or scolded??) for not posting for a while... here is the news: I am walking! About two weeks ago, I saw my surgeon and he got rid of my crutches! It was pretty much the most exciting thing ever & walking is now quite an experience... There are a lot of people that just blatantly ask, "why are you limping?" so I get to explain the whole story. For the most part it is great, but it is incredibly frustrating to have been in such great shape before and now feel like I'm constantly walking like a weeble-wobble or a penguin.

I'm doing out-patient PT two or three times a week with Pete, who kicks my ass, and I go to the gym on the other days, much more diligently than I'd have expected myself to go. I started on June 1st and have been every single day since then, except I took of yesterday, which felt good but made me a little sore.

I'm able to drive, although it starts to get stiff after about 10 minutes of doing that.

I'm able to swim, although it's awkward because I'm not really strong enough to kick my legs while doing a breast stroke, so I do a lot of water walking or weird swimming strokes that aren't real and may or may not be therapeutic. I'm adding more and more different exercises at PT every day, which I carry over to the gym, so that's pretty cool because I don't feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over.

The scar is healing nicely, or as nicely as it can. It's a total of 10" long, with the newer part of the incision being about 6.5" long, cutting deep into the side of my thigh. Definitely visible with a bikini bottom...! When I asked about my scar and the butt cheek, my butt was really flat due to the doctors taking out scar tissue, and from serious atrophy from them cutting right through all the muscles. At my follow up appointment, he told me I'm "a perfect candidate for plastic surgery" as I'm young and active, etc. Just what every woman wants to hear... However, with a lot of hard work my butt cheek is coming back to semi-round-ness, as opposed to the concave-ness it had been.

I don't return to work until July 10th-ish. I probably could go back sooner if I didn't have a very physical job. However, I'm not supposed to bend past 90 degrees or twist or rotate my leg past my center line for SIX months, and I thought it was only THREE. With that said, I unfortunately have to wait as long as possible to go back. I know you may say "ya right" but it is REALLY boring at this point and I'd welcome going back to work!

I think I covered everything, although I'm sure I missed something. Thanks to everyone for everything, the support was amazing and I'll try to post again soon-ish!

:)

My last Coumadin pill!! Three days until I can eat unlimited broccoli & sushi & asparagus!!!

I'm enjoying the sunshine & my pearly white legs are getting much-needed vitamin D after a 6 week drought!