Free at Last, Free at Last

No, I'm not actually free, and I certainly don't mean to disrespect Reverend King by using that phrase.

However, this morning I got my walking papers from the Benson Rehabilitation Center. I have graduated from physical therapy. I don't have to go there any more!

For the past six weeks since my knee replacement surgery, I have had three (sometimes only two) one-hour appointments each week with the therapists and their assistants. They've done a good job guiding and directing me as I learned to build up the leg muscles and operate the new knee.

I still have an assortment of exercises to continue at home, for muscle strength and joint flexibility. But the official measurement said I reached the target of 120 degrees of flex on the knee (the other knee freely moves to about 125 degrees), and I can get to 2 degrees from total extension, which is nicely within tolerance. (My surgeon actually said that 2 degrees is considered flat.)

Because I'm was so pleased with my angels at the Rehabilitation Center, I got pictures of them today. The lady on the NuStep machine is my main therapist, Jodi.

Holding the clipboard is my therapy assistant Billie.

Jodi and Billie were insistent and constant on moving me forward, and I can't thank them enough.

Here at home, of course, I have my lovely Suzy egging me on and encouraging me in following up with the exercises. As a matter of fact, she is also in physical therapy for her back and she does her exercises right along with me.

To make things even better, my surgeon told me yesterday that I was right on course, and I could start driving again whenever I want. Guess who drove home from Tucson yesterday? He also explained a center of pain on the inside of the knee -- that's where the soft tissue was cut and stretched, and the pain will eventually get better. He says full recovery will perhaps take a full year.

As long as I can walk and drive and manage the remaining pain, I'm happy.

What a great time in ...Our Life on Wheels!