Adding the time frame

Hi Mary, how's everything going for you today?

and hows the weather your way? Lots of snow and ice here. Cold as well so doesn't make you want to go out anywhere. Think my biking is improving. Believe it helps a lot so glad I got it. You still feel kindof achy?

my knee stiffens up every night so usually still take a pain med before bed. The stiffness still wakes me at night but  am falling right back asleep again so that also seems to be improving. After saying that I'll probably be up al night now!

haha

Oops! Sorry forgot.

Peter 7wks 5 days

I have a good memory, it's just short. 

I am feeling better but I have to admit it is still up and down. Happily it is more up than down and better every day. I rode bike for 30 minutes today after my 3 km dog walk. Icing now. It is VERY cold outside today but we have just had a snowfall so the world looks beautiful. We fly to Mexico on the 26th; I can't wait!

Mary

Up and down for me too but like you say, more up than down

30 min on bike is pretty impressive. your doing great.

and yes I agree, everythings very pretty right after a nice fresh snowfall.

last year I got some snowshoes but never got a chance to use them. This year is out because of the surgey so will have to wait now till next year.

Mexico sure does sound nice. I would sure be excited to.

I used to snowshoe a long time ago but I love classic skiing so much that I do that instead. With all this snow I would love to be out there. I do not think it will happen in the next 3 weeks though. Next year I will be skiing!

Aren't you afraid of twisting your knee while sking?

I used to ski years ago but gave it up for that reason. Maybe I'm just overly cautious though and have missed out.

I don't downhill ski. I cross country ski. I start skiing again when I have about 115 degrees of flexion and strong quads.It builds muscle and there is virtually no lateral movement to cause problems. It is a total body workout and a great way to enjoy winter! Take a small thermos of mocha coffee (with or without Baileys) some snacks and good friends and hit the forest for the day.

I will try that next year for sure. Thanks!

Happy Monday! The church pew exercise is easier this week and I am doing it whenever I am standing for short periods (cooking mostly). My balance is improving and I notice that I can do things with my knee without thinking about it. Last week I had to focus to engage the quadriceps during yoga-style moves in the pool and now it's automatic. Today I took the ladder to enter the pool and stepped foot over foot and didn't notice I was doing it. Yay! I was also able to spend 30 minutes on the stationary bike on Saturday and 40 on Sunday. I followed these workouts with pool physio so that my knee wouldn't get stiff. So that is my Monday report. How are you doing with the church pew exercise?

Mary

That’s absolutely fantastic Mary! I have also noticed a very definite improvement in balance. When I first started with the exercise I was pretty shaky and usually had to catch myself a few times on the table beside me. Now I complete it pretty easily. We have to move to the advanced part of it now. Can't remember what that was so will have to view the video again. 30 and 40 min on the bike is pretty impressive. I'm on it only for 15 min twice a day. I'll have and try and step it up a bit.

I was going to ask you about the stiffness. Although my knee is bending much more now and getting stronger all the time, that stiffness is still there. Especially in the morning.

Any suggestions on how to combat that or is it just time and that patience thing again. Haha

I'm happy to hear of your progress Mary. Keep it up, Very inspirational.

 Peter 8 Weeks today

Peter I think you are doing very well for 8 weeks! I have only been on the bike for the past 2 weeks and I am at 3 months now. The stiffness in the mornings used to be pretty bad and in the night as well. I usually had to warm it up before walking or take the first 10 steps gingerly and in pain. Only the past 3 weeks has this improved for me. Hang in there. It gets better. Yup it is the old time and patience thing. That is a good default answer for all of us most of the time. We are doing the work and the benefits are happening. Sometimes it is slow but we are recovering. I am glad that both knees are done now. There are good times ahead!

Cheers,

Mary

Thats encouraging Mary thank you. I stopped taking any pain meds (percocets in my case) so I'm hoping when my system adjusts, sleep will begin to improve as well. for the first 6 weeks I was popping them like candy, now haven't had 1 since sat night. Am trying to stay off them altogether. Thanks again Mary

Yes. Getting off the big meds is a good step. I still use some naproxin twice a day but need them less than I used to. Sleep is back to normal. I have about 4-5 hours at a time. Only one time up a night and that is to pee! Ha! It has been a very good week for me. I hope to keep it up but there are no guarantees of that!

Cheers Peter. Keep up the good work!