Figured as it had been more than a month my faithful one or two readers (not excluding myself) were due for another update on recovery. And seeing as how this the ultimate "down time" of the year, that is holiday season during the COVID-19 pandemic, I honestly do not have much to do other than update the legendary recovery blog.
So, what's the theme for this period of Recovery? Two steps forward, one step back. Please take the liberty to make your own walking on an injured ankle pun here. One hundred percent. And my most recent follow up with the clinic was certainly many steps forward. It really was night and day during that week. I went from planning the trip to the clinic via uber and having no idea how it would turn out to being elated that I had many freedoms finally restored to me: being able to drive, being able to walk without the boot, being able to begin physical therapy, and being able to take a full bath and shower. And after 2.5 long months of being without those freedoms, I wasted no time immediately re-introducing myself to them once again.
And no doubt about it, I felt GREAT and free again. Like I was getting my life FINALLY back. I made the first appointment with the physical therapy group the next day. And for the first time since I turned the dreaded 40, I actually was able to relax and enjoy the Nintendo Switch my friends had given me. Life was okay once again.
I showed up to my first PT session not quite sure what to expect. I was imagining I would be given an assesment of my strength and range of motion, and I was correct about that. I wasn't quite able to walk up the stairs step over step, but at least I was able to walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. I met my physical therapist, Ron, and he actually decided I seemed to be farther ahead in the recovery process than where he thought I might have been given the time frame. I was pretty happy about that, and he seemed like a pretty cool guy. I managed to re-tell the story of my accident and rescue and the other therapists/assistants seemed quite impresed. I have to admit it's a pretty good story, but MAN well no I don't really get tired of telling it, but it still freaks me out at times. Note: PT is considered an essential service and masks were required to be worn at all times.
So there we were. I was set up on the PT schedule. I had exercises to do at home with resistance bands and I intended to do absolutely 100% of them exactly as ordered. And it was time to visit Sacramento again, this time for Thanksgiving. Back to normal right?!?!
You know how this goes: not exactly. Alanis Morissette sings about it in "Ironic". "Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you think everything's okay". Yeah. Figuring the major steps of my recovery were now over, I made plans to date again that weekend via some nice outdoor dining that would be closed in a few days due to the latest Shelter In Place orders. And I had fun! And then the weirdest thing. That depression I thought I'd conquered came back. JUST when I was starting to feel more like my old self, and my dreams were coming back, so did the darkness. It sneaks up on you sometimes. You get through depression much the same way you recover from an injury: two steps forward and one step backwards.
This bout was more or less compounded by the latest restriction on not being able to outdoor dine. My so called "pod" did not hang out any more either. I spoke with my counselor and was told it is very common to find your recovery comes in cycles. It was hard, but I kept going to PT, kept up with work, and made it through just enough to start feeling okay again.
I have grown to like PT. Fortunately, Ron has measured that I have already exceeded my range of motion goals for my ankle. I am challenged at each session, and my ankle feels really sore right after, and yes sometimes it still freaks me out that it is sore, but it is the good kind of sore. The strengthening and re-gaining flexibility kind of sore. I can now walk up and down stairs step over step. I've been able to go for a 2 mile flat hike. I can cycle indoors more or less indefinitely. Progress.
However, this holiday season was hard. Two good friends (mentioned in the last entry) contracted Covid-19 along with their children. They are okay now, but one of them found it exhausting. And like everyone else, this certainly wasn't the most "family full" of all holiday celebrations. It was tough. Though I got in a few face time sessions with the nephews, it wasn't the same. I was fortunate to be able to spend the time with my Mom though.
So that's where I'm at now. Staying positive that recovery is going well and physical therapy rehab is going well. Blessed that I still have my job and have been able to spend some time with my Mother. Also thoroughly enjoying the virtual hangout gaming sessions.
But it's ups. And downs.
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