Progress and Slowing Down

 It’s been 2 and half weeks since surgery. I went back to work day 12. Some things are going well, and some are slow. I had my two week post op appointment 3 days after I went back to work, and my surgeon was not too happy with me. He strongly cautioned to limit my walking, and to be extra diligent to not slip or fall. My incisions are healing well, but I still have a deformed knee, so the swelling is still pretty prevalent.

I asked about my timeline to return to kung fu. The short, direct answer was - we’ll discuss at your 6 week check up. I have an appointment booked for March 11th. I do understand, and I know I’m not a spring chicken any longer, but one my shortfalls is patience. I have to stop myself from pushing too hard, and doing too much. It has to be top of mind at all times. I am too used to just go and do. The consequences are too high this time. I am able to start physio next week, so that should help with progression and healing as well.

It is due to this that I had a good conversation with Sifu Rybak, and have ultimately decided to scratch myself from the Chinese New Year demo. I am very disappointed, and was really hoping that one month to the day after surgery would be enough time, but I need to be realistic. For the benefit of myself, and my team. Even though I may be progressing, and even if my instructors and team can see it, I won’t be able to get into proper stances, and show well. The audience won’t know why, and that is important to me. I will be there though to help and support wherever I can and am able to. 

I am working on numbers I am able to, still modified, but still progressing. I am focusing on my intent, and how my movements affect my intent. I am also being cautious to not push myself too far. I am grateful for the opportunity of being able to heal, and what I am learning about myself in this journey. It is new for me, and I have struggled at times to see the opportunities that it provides. I am trying to keep this at the forefront as well, and not forget how this will make me better in the long run. 

So although I won’t be on stage with you all, I’ll be your biggest cheerleader! The demo is looking great, and I’m getting excited to see it all come together! 

Push ups (most modified) - 34,065

Sit ups (most modified) - 32,245

Form reps - Hand 690, weapon 340

AOK’s - 1742

Sparring (modified) - 335

KM’s - 2634

Blogs - 40

Day 13

 Tomorrow marks 2 weeks since my surgery! In a lot of ways it is hard to believe it is only two weeks ago, as I am very happy with my recovery so far. 

I did not have to use assistance with anything for walking at all. No crutches or a cane at any point (and no assistance needed from my husband, to his disappointment apparently lol). I took Tylenol for pain the day of surgery, the next afternoon, and at bedtime for the first three nights. None needed since, and no narcotic painkillers taken. I was only in mostly mild pain for the first few days, and then being uncomfortable, and now only when I sit or stand too long. But, it has been like this for a year now, so I am pretty well versed in listening to my body. All in all it has been a very easy recovery so far. 

The day after surgery I started 4 of the 5 exercises, with knee bends and straightening the leg, and day 7 brought the 5th exercise of the standing knee bend. I am already bending my knee farther than before surgery. Exercises are in sets of 30 each, 3 times a day. I also started push ups on day 7 as well, and am almost back up to my daily amount from before surgery. I also started doing parts of my hand form again, but have to be quite careful of any knee twisting, as this is still the most sensitive, and causes great pain. 

I came back to work yesterday, as well as got my stitches out yesterday. The nurse advised I am healing very very well. I see ny surgeon for my post op on Thursday, and then I am hoping to start physio. Next week I will also start to bring my full hand form back into my routine if I am able. 

I am quite happy with my progress, and it seems to be on a faster track than I thought it would be. I know there will be highs and lows in this recovery journey, but so far, so good! I won’t be on the mats this week, but am hoping for maybe IHC next week! 

Push ups (most modified) - 33,715

Sit ups (most modified) - 32,245

Form reps - Hand 680, weapon 340

AOK’s - 1712

Sparring (modified) - 300

KM’s - 2588

Blogs - 39

Day 1

 I am detailing this part of my journey to be able to look back and see my progress. I won’t post everyday, but I think the first couple of days are important, a sort of ground zero. 

Up this morning, and felt pretty good. The feeling was more uncomfortable than pain. I puttered around, doing dishes, cleaning up, making lunches. It quickly became apparent that I had overdone it. The uncomfortable feeling quickly became pain. I am icing 3-4 times a day, and unwrapping when icing to relieve a little pressure, as prescribed. Some Tylenol after lunch to take the edge off, and some rest helped greatly. I do have some prescription narcotic painkillers, but Tylenol is doing the trick when needed. 

I’m not going to post my numbers for a bit, as they are non existent at the moment, until I heal a bit. Although I joked today that I was going to use all the trips up and down the stairs as push ups, as it is mostly upper body at the moment lol. I am getting around on my own, with no help from any assistance or devices, so that is good. I started my exercises today as well. Today was one set each of 30 knee bends, 30 leg straightening with tightening the whole leg, and 30 tight leg leg lifts. After day 3, I will do these sets 2 times a day, and up the sets as I gather more strength. 

All in all I am feeling good, with manageable pain. I’m already going a little stir crazy, but also listening to my body, and paying close attention to my limits. And I really couldn’t have picked a better time to have an excuse to be wrapped in a blanket in this bitter cold! 

Stay safe and warm everyone! 

Day 0

 Knee surgery went really well. They put me under at 9:15, woke up in recovery at 10:05. Stopped for coffee and almost home at 11am!

I’m feeling good, knee is a little uncomfortable, but for the most part pretty much pain free at the moment. Was able to limp into the car, so already some weight on the knee, which is good as well. 

Exercises from the surgeon start tomorrow, and physio after my 2 week check up with the surgeon. I’m looking forward to the recovery, and the path forward! 

See you on the mats soon! 

Nervous Excitement

 3 days away…. My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, and I am feeling a nervous excitement. I am very much looking forward to being able to move past this physical barrier, and start to rebuild.. There is also this butterfly of the unknown. 

I’ve already been told that I won’t have the same capability as before, as the tear I have won’t heal, and there is always the concern of injuring it again. I will be doing my best to keep that in front of me, but not let it deter me. We won’t know of course the movement capabilities until I heal. I know this is the next part of my journey, and I am looking forward to it.

It has been 18 years since I had a surgery, and there is some nervousness of going into that abyss of sleep. I’m older now, and feeling my mortality. I am confident all will be good, but the thought still sneaks in of the ‘what if’. 

I am grateful for this journey I have been given with an injury though. It has taught me many things I don’t believe I would have learned otherwise. Learning to consistently adapt, depending on the day, and pain level, has provided a different insight and perspective to myself. Still being able to progress has a been a key factor in helping to stay positive. 

I am looking forward to seeing you all on the mats again hopefully in a couple of weeks, even if I am only on the bench for a bit. 

Push ups (most modified) - 33,340

Sit ups (most modified) - 32,245

Form reps - Hand 655, weapon 340

AOK’s - 1599

Sparring (modified) - 300

KM’s - 2513

Blogs - 36

New Year, New Day

 I have started a blog several times over the last few weeks. Then been distracted with one thing or another, and never finished. Yes, the holiday season is busy, and with all the hustle and bustle I’ve not only let down my team, but myself. The good thing is I did write down important points that I wanted to blog about. Today, new year, new day, no more excuses. 

This past year has been a struggle for me. I’ve been faced with challenges that I haven’t had to deal with in the past. At times I let these challenges take me down a negative path, and I wallowed in frustration. I still attended classes, and still kept up my numbers up for the most part, but I wasn’t necessarily doing anything meaningful at times. I was concentrating on what I wasn’t able to do, instead of seeing value in my challenges. 

A couple of one on ones has helped immensely, and I am working on shifting that mindset to appreciate the opportunities I am given, rather than focusing on what I am unable to do. This is helping me to be more in tune with my body, and feel my movements and techniques, instead of just going through a motion. I was only feeling frustration when I would push myself, and then end up down for several days because I pushed too hard. I am learning the limits I am able to reach and not go beyond at the moment. I am learning to appreciate those limits, and modifications. My mind knows the correct technique or movement, but my body needs to modify to stay within the limit I am able to produce at the moment. 

One thing I am keeping a close sight on is when there is a modification needed, I stop and mentally check where the technique should be. I don’t want to lose sight of this, and not remember how to do something correctly when I am able again. This is all helping to keep me positive, and progress, even though I am not physically able to do something at the moment. 

My personal goals for the year of the dragon are focused on recovery, and progression. They were made in hopes of surgery early in the year. Thankfully that happened and my surgery date is set for January 10th. I realize it will be a long road, but I have set goals and timelines to help me progress positively. I have to keep the opportunities in front of me, and know that everything will not always go as planned, but to always keep pushing forward. I only hope that this date will still remain, as I have been quite sick over Christmas with this nasty cold going around, but hopefully on the mend from that!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, a strong finish to the Year of Rabbit, and the excitement to come for the Year of the Dragon!

Numbers 

Push ups (most modified) - 32,950

Sit ups (most modified) - 31,645

Form reps - Hand 640, weapon 340

AOK’s - 1564

Sparring (modified) - 295

KM’s - 2392

Blogs - 35