Seven weeks post hinge

It is now seven weeks since TLOMIL had his total knee replacement. Seven long weeks dear imaginary reader.

I have been his official chauffeur, for the last three weeks that has meant getting up at 5:30 a.m. and being out the door shortly after 6. Hauling our butts down the escarpment to the GO station, our trusty sidekick Ollie curled up in my guys lap staying nice and warm for the ride down. I have been thanking the engineering Gods for heated seats and steering wheels, haha! We try to ensure that we arrive at the station with plenty of time for TLOMIL to make it down stairs and then up the other side to get to the correct platform. The effort required to do just that has been quite a test for him.

It has been difficult to watch my big, loud, full of life guy be humbled by this surgery. The real work has yet to begin - Physio now, but the rebuilding of his leg that has atrophied over decades will be the real test. I can see glimmers of what could be pass across his face, then comes the articulation of that thought. Last night he saw a commercial on T.V., someone was riding a bike..”I’m going to be able to ride a bike again” says TLOMIL with a smirk on his face. He is currently rocking a full rotation with minimal tension on our recumbent stationary bike...there is work to be done.

The last seven weeks have meant allowing myself to become TLOMIL’s “person”, putting him totally before myself in order for him to be safe and to begin his journey back to healthy and strong. For me, that wasn’t a tough decision to make, care giver is my favorite role. Now, seven weeks in? Not getting up to get him something, or automatically get in the drivers seat - not so easy. I have to remind myself that there is a very short gap between care giver and enabler.

As my guy meets with a possible rehab trainer my short career as his chauffeur is entering its last mornings (for that I am oh so thankful) and evenings. I have been doing my best at taking care of myself as well. The not so gentle giant is working wonders on my hip, though why does change have to hurt so much? A question I often ask as he is massaging/tourturing me on his table. Ollie and I have begun to walk again on a regular basis, something that I have missed thanks to this darn injury. My challenge now is to not over do it. I filled up the ole bosu ball, doing bridges is far more difficult for me now...I have to let that be ok - just work through it and get stronger.

The next six months will be hard work for both me and TLOMIL. Time to work hard, get strong and healthy - time to dream of new adventures ahead - far different than we have had in the past. Our first big test will be DC and the Boy’s wedding, the excitement and adventure it will bring. Being able to enter that adventure with our whole family....now THAT is a great motivator. Cheers to sore muscles and making it all worth while dear imaginary reader!