Or so the saying goes…..and I’m gonna “go on a limb” and say YES IT IS!!!!! 🦵😃
Get it?!?! Go on…a LIMB??? Because I’m having knee surgery tomorrow?!?!
😃😛🤣
Sometimes, you just gotta laugh. Or you’ll end up pulling out all of your hair or banshee-crying or going insanely MAD!!!So, laughing seems like the better choice at the moment! Though we’ll see what tomorrow brings…
Besides undergoing my 3rd ACL Reconstruction, that is. Because that, most certainly, IS HAPPENING. 😯
And I have been asked many questions about my surgery, like how long is the rehab, how long will you need crutches, when can you drive again….and the most popular “are you READY for this surgery?” All of these are excellent and valid questions!!
So, allow me to answer them now, in case you were curious, too!!
Because this is a revision surgery, meaning my original ACL Reconstruction failed so I must have it done once again, this means that my rehab will be at a much slower pace than someone who would be going through this surgery for the first time. Which is exactly what I prefer, to ensure I don’t miss any steps!!!
I have my sights set on no less than a year of rehab, yet if it takes longer…..well, then it takes longer! You can’t be in a rush when you have yourself set on completing this process fully and with minimal backsliding. ESPECIALLY after everything I have been through with my horrendous experiences at PT and the fact that this will be the THIRD time going through this hellish process. Remember, 3rd times a charm!!!…so I vow to do everything I can to stay on track and move through my PT rehab successfully this time – – for the FIRST time ever!
Next, driving!! So, since it is my left leg, I’ll actually be able to drive much sooner than if it was my right, of course! I’m thinking it will take me about 3-4 weeks or possibly less, depending on my swelling, range of motion, quad strength, amongst other factors. We shall see how my body handles the first few weeks of this recovery!
Ahhh, my crutches. When will I get to lovingly DITCH you??? Hmmmm…I want to say that it all depends on how quickly I can regain my quad strength and minimize the swelling. My best guess is that I should be able to walk without my brace, and therefore no more crutches, by about week #4. I wonder know accurate I will be?? 🤔
In terms of the next few benchmarks, riding the bike with full revolutions should take place around the 6-week mark and then any signs of jogging – – which can happen anywhere between month 3 and 4 for a “first-timer” – – will probably happen for me sometime in month 5. And then once I reach the 6-month point, which is a biological milestone for the healing tissue in my knee and when my new ACL starts becoming less vulnerable, I can begin major strength-building, running more, and moving towards re-teaching my body how to pivot and rotate with my new knee.
And while those physical training pieces are implemented, I will also be correcting my imbalances, overcoming my fears, and relearning how to trust my body as the months go on, too! Again, this is why the rehab process should be no less than a year because that’s a lot of stuff!!!! To fully train and address the physical side AS WELL AS the mental side – – – the mental side being the biggest piece of the process and the most crucial of which to tend and retrain!!!
And finally, how am I feeling? Am I ready??? 🤔🤨🧐
Nope!!!!!
And YES!!!
It is a definite mix of emotions, that is for sure!!! 😐🥴😃🤢🤐🤓😤😊😣🤕😲😌
I’m absolutely terrified to do this ‘surgery’ thing again. And the fact that it is another ‘ACL surgery thing’ makes it a million times worse!!!!!! This is going to be BRUTAL initially, as most “fun” surgeries tend to be, and then it shall consume yet another year of my life. It’s hard to wrap my mind around THAT fact, sometimes.
HOWEVER!!!!
This is also MY CHOICE. No one is forcing me to have this 3rd ACL Reconstruction. I mean, that one surgeon that I told you about nearly told me that I was a complete fool for wanting to have this surgery because of my “60-year old knees.” That jerk!!! I’m proud of my knees, for all they have been through, and I will never give up on them. And my left knee needs some help – – a new ACL!!! – – so that is exactly what I’m going to do!!
And so, on the other hand, I am thrilled that my surgery is tomorrow, so I can finally begin my healing process – – I HAVE been waiting almost a year for this surgery, thank you, COVID, so it will be nice to no longer have it looming over my head!!! Plus, I can apply ALLLLLL of the things that I have learned along the way and avoid those terrible mistakes of my past rehabs. Because I have learned so much about what NOT to do, I am looking forward to working with my knowledgeable and competent physical therapist and learning exactly WHAT TO DO so that I’m successful!! I’ve never had a truly level A+ physical therapist before so for THAT, I am psyched!!!
As always, thank you so much for being here and sharing, not only my writing journey, but my continuing knee journey with me – – – and the multi-faceted adventure it has been!!!
The next time we chat, I will be almost a week into the recovery process AND have already had two physical therapy appointments. They’re not messin’ around – – we are diving into this rehab ASAP!!!
I’ll keep you posted on my progress moving forward and please feel free to send out some of your magical healing vibes and positive energy out into the universe!! We’re all connected so I’ll feel it, too!! 🥰✨
Here’s to 3RD TIMES A CHARM!!!!!!!! 💎
I’ll “CHEERS!!” to that! 🥂✨💖🥂✨💖
***And Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!!!!!!! Perhaps the “luck o’ the Irish,” which includes my Stepdad, will overflow into my surgery day tomorrow?!?! YES!! It’s going to be a good day. 😃 ☘️😃☘️😃☘️😃☘️😃☘️😃☘️😃☘️