Week 2 and Back to School

I’ve made a lot of progress this week, and now have reached a sort of plateau in terms of obvious steps forward. My stitches have been removed (ouch, ouch, hooray!), and now I have two large craters in my right leg. My left leg looks great, but on the right, my incisions are oozing blood and yellow plasma. It’s pretty disturbing for me, but everyone tells me they’re healing well and are not infected. I am remaining optimistic, but I’m so sleepy during the day since I can’t sleep well lying on my back at night. 

We are now past two weeks post-op and moving towards three. I am now able to crutch-walk around the block, as well as go to the bathroom by myself (once I am helped out of bed). I still need help pulling up my bottoms, since I can’t bend down far enough. I am now taking Meloxicam for my inflammation, only one pill per day. I also can do my exercises thrice per day now, which is great.

I went back to my JC photo class, aided by my lovely friend Stav. He is my helpful ride and pack-mule. Since the class is a hands-on lab, it’s been really difficult to manage alone. My professor couldn’t be more accommodating, and he urges me to use my current condition to my advantage in taking photographs from a physically limited point of view. I was able to obtain an assistant through the disabilities office, so I have someone with me at all times throughout the class, assisting me with everything. This is an enormous help. I would not be able to continue the class without her.

I am going to PT thrice per week now, and it feels good. I’m progressing pretty slowly, however, especially on my left side. I still cannot lift that leg without help. This makes sense, since that side had the previous surgery and the repair. My physical therapists are totally awesome. I met another one, name: Brandon. He is spoken of as “God” and “the best” around the office. I felt the magic. Greg also gave me one more exercise to add to the home-PT list: butt clenches! Those are the worst. Last week I managed to get on my hands and knees, which was a struggle, but felt good once I was there.

I was grumpy about returning to class

                                  

  Stav places the flip flops                Stav reaches into the car                    Stav pulls Bronwyn out