Positive Steps

 So today I stepped over the dog, and apparently on some belly hair by accident. She yelped, I jumped. And twisted my knee. She was okay, I more or less got a dirty look, and she went on her way. I on the other hand took a gingerly step to see where I was at. Sore, but manageable. The positive point of this is I was sore for a bit, but no real pain, and no swelling. 

This to me is a big positive step. This means I have allowed myself the time to heal that is needed, and am healing well. 

It hasn’t always been easy. I am not one to sit. I like to give advice to people about letting themselves heal, but don’t usually heed that advice myself. The way I saw it going in to surgery is I could listen to the doctor and the proper timelines, or I could be back here all too soon. 

I have been practicing my horse stance, as that seems to cause the most discomfort right now. Each day I hold it a little longer, and get a little deeper in the stance. I’ve been working at my forms in the physical sense finally. Slow and methodical especially changing stances. Positive steps forward. Two more weeks, and hopefully on the mats!

Push ups- 1900

Sit ups - 1600

Form reps - Hand 10, weapon 0

AOK’s - 152

Sparring (modified) - 30

KM’s - 58

Blogs - 3

Watching….Waiting and Kindness

 The first week of the Year of the Dragon has been a good start, in some ways. I’ve been benched, and I am anxiously awaiting to be back on the mats. Hopefully soon! My appointment with my surgeon is March 11th, and I’m really hoping for a green light. 

I’ve been enjoying watching from the penalty box, seeing how people move in different ways, different ways of going into techniques, and stances. The end results are very similar, but the subtle differences of how people get there has been intriguing. I’m enjoying listening and learning in different ways than I’m used to. I’ve not been able to do this in quite this way before, as I was concentrating mainly on how I was doing it. I’m looking forward to bringing  this knowledge into the next part of my journey, rebuilding. 

It was a perfect start to the year with the Kindness week, and the challenge brought forward to the school, and the black belts. I agree with Sihing Burke in the fact that it makes me realize how some of the acts of kindness I view as being polite, and a normal thing I would do, and looking for or creating opportunities for others. I too will carry that forward and take advantage of creating more opportunities to be kind. I hope this is only the start and everyone will see how easy it really is to be kind, and the ripple affect it creates. 

My numbers for some goals have a good start, some will lag a bit until I am able to really work on my forms, and be able to move better. My push ups are going well, as I’m able to incorporate more with my stretches for my knee. Now I need to  find a way to put more sit ups in my daily stretches lol. 

Push ups- 1150

Sit ups - 700

Form reps - Hand 0, weapon 0

AOK’s - 85

Sparring (modified) - 10

KM’s - 27

Blogs - 2

Happy New Year, Year of the Dragon

 As we bid farewell to the Year of the Rabbit, I am reflecting on my year. Just a couple of weeks into the year, I injured my knee. This brought a different set of unexpecting challenges to face. I’ll admit there were times I was at the point of frustration that I wasn’t sure I would see any progression. One of the most important things I learned in this last year is there is always ways to progress, even if at times it is not a physical progression. I was fortunate to have opportunities that wouldn’t have presented themselves otherwise. My blogs have primarily been about this this past year, and a good reminder to look back on. Life will always have some adversity, and it is what we do with that adversity that helps us grow. 

Happy New Year, Year of the Dragon! I start this year exactly one month post surgery. Although it will be a slow start to the year, I look forward to recovery, learning, and forms again! Limitless opportunity. Even if training will look a bit different in my future, there is always ways to progress. I have learned to modify, and listen to my body. These have been lessons that I will carry forward to hopefully avoid injury in the future. And to remind me that no matter what is happening, I am a martial artist, I am a black belt with SRKF, I am thankful for the opportunities given to me, and I will never quit. 

Another Chinese New Year banquet, and another great success! Thank you to all who organized, set up, cleaned up, and participated. This huge feat would not be possible without all the great people taking part to help. 

A huge congratulations to all award recipients, and a special congratulations to our two newest black belt recipients. You all worked hard, did an amazing job, and are very well deserving. 

Welcome to our new IHC members this year. I look forward to being along side you in the coming year! 

The numbers below are the final numbers for the Year of the Rabbit. I am fairly happy with the year, even with the physical struggles. As always, a new year, and an opportunity to grow and to be even better. 

Push ups (most modified) - 35,425

Sit ups (most modified) - 32,595

Form reps - Hand 690, weapon 340

AOK’s - 1825

Sparring (modified) - 335

KM’s - 2695

Blogs - 42

Just Because…

 Just because it feels good… it is apparently a bit deceiving. Recovery has been going well, walking feels good as long as it’s not too long, and even navigating stairs is good for the most part. And then comes the push too far. 

I had a bit of a setback yesterday. At work we have the high office chairs, and in attempting to get on it, I accidentally pushed the lever that increases the height. This particular chair needs you to be sitting on it to lower it. So yes I attempted to get on. Yes, that was a miatake. I immediately felt sharp pain, and I believe I squealed. At least I didn’t end up on my face, especially as I had a client in front of me lol. 

Long story short, my knee started to swell immediately, and it is still very sore today. A good reminder that just because the outside feels pretty good, there is a lot of healing on the inside still needed. 

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!