March 27, 2008

A Giant Leap Forward

Spring has brought to the physical therapy room yet another new ACL surgery recoveree. I met him last week when he was at his first visit post-surgery. It was a very good reminder for me of how far I’ve come. When he found out how long ago I had surgery (December) he and his wife were shocked that I was still there at PT. It’s a very long road; I told him to prepare for it. I also told him to get himself some prune juice.

While he worked on some painful leg raises, I worked on getting my heel to greet my butt. I am so close now. It’s hurting a lot less and my extension remains good. Yesterday I pushed it past 150 degrees. I have less than five to go.

While he was working on pushing his flexion to 80 degrees, I was standing on one leg on a foam block playing catch with a weighted ball. I told him to go to his "special place" when I noticed the pained expression on his face. That first week was horrendous, and one I don’t wish to ever relive. I made it through that week by going to the beach in my head. Staying in that PT room while working on flexion was just too painful and difficult.

When I was finished celebrating from that little feat, I rode 4 miles on the bike in 15 minutes and then moved on to my other exercises. I bumped up my leg press to 80 lbs. and for the first time in weeks, I bumped my weight up on the leg curl machine as well. It finally felt easy. Yesterday felt like real progress.

Last night, Mr. BBM and I were filming an interview tape for consideration to be on a TV show (more details to come if we get chosen), and for part of the video I put my gi on. It felt so strange putting it on again for the first time since October. Mr. BBM retrieved my belt from my belt display and I tied it on like it had been only yesterday when the injury happened. I’m getting the itch to return like I’ve never had it before.

I was adding an appointment to my calendar for April this week and noticed that I have another post-op appointment with my surgeon at the end of April. This is the appointment where he’ll determine if I’m ready to be fitted for my sports brace. I am determined to push myself really hard this month to build up those muscles and get fitted for that brace. It’s just another forward step in the process of returning to what I love.

I’m focusing on taking it in small steps so as not to reinjure myself or take a step backward. Right now though, every degree in flexion and every pound I can bump up in weight feels like a giant leap forward. Real measurable progress feels so good.