It has been 17 days since I was originally injured and 9 days since I had surgery – not that I’m counting! I have to say it has been very up and down, and several times I had to remind myself to focus on the positives. Sometimes I had to think very hard to find a positive but there are a few.
Obviously I was disappointed to miss the last two days of skiing, but I honestly had no idea while still in CO that I would need surgery so I had very little to worry about. I actually enjoyed two quiet days in the hotel room where the tv remained on whatever shows I wanted to watch, and I was able to prepare a kick butt presentation for an upcoming mediation for a very worthy client. Most of all though I enjoyed the time by myself during the day (which I never get) and the good fun, drinks and talks at night with Albi and Brett.
Obviously coming home and finding out my knee was worse than I thought was surprising, but I was immediately grateful for the VIP treatment I got at the Andrews Institute. I guess it helps that Albi works there and knows and is liked by everyone there. I still have so many thank you notes to write to everyone who helped us out that Friday I found out I needed surgery and then again the following Tuesday when I had the surgery.
I have to admit I was a little nervous about how Albi would take care of me post surgery. I knew he would know exactly what to do about my knee, but was he going to make sure I had cute and comfy clothes to wear and find me some lip gloss if I needed it and couldn’t get out of bed? My fears vanished when he went to get my prescriptions filled and came back with the items pictured below! 
Albi kept my foot propped up, figured out a way for me to shower (even though the dr said I couldn’t for 4 days…who goes 4 days without bathing?!?!) and insisted that I do all my PT exercises. I also received beautiful flowers from my boys (yellow tulips), the LP shareholders and employees (far rt bouquet) and Troy, Aaron and the Rafferty Gilmer girls (center bouquet).
I have to say the first 2 days after surgery were the worst from an emotional standpoint. Mom had taken the boys, so Albi could focus on me, but the guilt I felt for not being with them was overwhelming. I felt helpless b/c I could do nothing for myself and kept wondering how I was going to manage on crutches for 6-8 weeks (I still wonder that at times.) Between the ski trip, a huge mediation out of town (hence the presentation I was working on during the ski trip), and then the surgery I was only home with the boys for 3 out of 14 nights. I felt like the worst mom ever.
I’m also not good at being needy. I have always been fiercely independent and hate asking for help. I’m not lazy, and I don’t like to sit still and relax for long. Being on crutches with a 2yr old in the house requires you to become needy, and I learned to accept that. Thankfully I have a wonderful family, generous friends and the best husband ever. Friends were calling/emailing/texting as soon as they heard about the surgery and offering to bring dinner. Matter of fact I haven’t cooked since I had surgery! That has been a huge lifesaver. Mom took the boys so I had two good days to recover and has let them spend the night again one night this week so I had a little break – I have quickly learned that the mornings are hard when Albi is already at work and Katie hasn’t arrived yet.
Katie (our nanny) is another life saver. She makes sure the boys are bathed before I get home; she has taken Mac to school every morning since I can’t walk him in very easily; she does my grocery shopping and really anything I need her to do and the boys LOVE her. Thank God for Katie.
Albi, Albi, Albi --- I have to say he gets husband of the year! He took excellent care of me while in CO; he made sure I had the best treatment available when we got back to Pensacola; he was a stellar nurse in the days following the surgery; and he never complains (at least not out loud) when I need him to help me with stuff at home. We had a big debate about whether he should do my PT. Everyone says you shouldn’t treat family. I left it up to him, and ultimately he decided to do it. Secretly I don’t think he trusted anyone else to do it. Not that they aren’t good, but we all know he is the best! He and his Athletic Trainer, Ben, have taken excellent care of me in PT. Albi even offered to take my picture on the first day of PT so I could include it in my blog. He knows me well even though he never reads my blog :) 
This has been an experience I will never forget and I hope to never repeat. Admittedly other than day 2 after surgery, the pain has been nothing in comparison to the huge inconvenience of being non-weight bearing and on crutches. To have both hands constantly tied up and only one foot on the ground makes carrying anything nearly impossible, but I am adapting. Here are some other positives I have to remind myself of when I get frustrated:
- Its cool/cold out – can’t imagine being on these crutches and wearing a huge leg brace in the heat
- I live with the best PT around
- I know my surgeon personally, and he constantly checks on me
- My children are both capable of walking – no way to carry an infant on crutches!
- I get to wear workout clothes to work on the two days I have PT
- My arms are going to get toned using the crutches, right???
- I get to see Albi and Ben twice a week during PT which is always entertaining
Speaking of PT, this is what I overheard last time I was there:
Albi is pushing on this lady's leg trying to get her knee to bend and she apparently took a bunch of loritab before coming to therapy. Albi is all up on her leg and she says, "I hope I don't fart on you!"
Six and a half more weeks on crutches is a long time, but I keep thinking Roger is going to take x-rays next week and see such amazing progress that he will take me off the crutches early. A girl can wish.
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