It’s 4 weeks today that I had my knee op and I can
definitely see signs of progress now. Still stiff and sore, and sleep, although
improving a little, is still not easy. I decided to look back at my old blog
diary from 12 years ago when I had my first knee replacement and that has
encouraged me a bit. I was still on Tramadol then whereas I gave up the opioids
after just 2 weeks this time.
Back in 1983 I was contemplating getting some ankle weights
for my exercises – perhaps I need to start using them again now? I was also
starting to, ever so gently, get on the exercise bike. Time for me to try that
again now, I think.
I have been out on a few walks – some short, just to the
shops and back but a couple of longer ones too. Last week, Jo dropped me at
Morrison’s and I walked back from there, hugging as close to the river as I
could. This year’s drought has certainly tamed the Dee – the strip of water has
got ever narrower and there appear to be more rocks than water in places. This
was down below Banchory Lodge:
I walked under the Dee bridge and then realised I would have to somehow climb back up the embankment to the golf course. That bit was a bit of a struggle but I got there and then bumped in to some of my pals playing their regular Wednesday Quaich. I rewarded myself when I got home:
Yesterday Ross took Jo out for her weekly visit to her friend Elizabeth and I hitched a ride with them. Ross dropped me off at the entrance to the Household Recycling Centre, aka the tip, and I walked the trails back from there – just over 3 kms in total. I had been getting in to trouble with Jo as she had spoken to former Physiotherapist Joan McLoughlin who had told Jo that I must continue to use my walking stick on the longer walks, else I will end up with a permanent limp. I did as I was told yesterday but I don’t feel the stick’s helping at all – I feel I’m past that stage.
The other thing that Jo is banning me from is driving again
just now. It’s just over a week until our trip to Mallaig so I need to get in
the car before then. I can’t see how it can be an issue in an automatic car,
given you only use your right leg to accelerate and stop.
I walked up to the Legion on Saturday and had a couple of
pints of ale with Colin – first time for a month.
That’s about all for now but I’ll close with some photos.
First of all, Jo wearing the nice jacket that Lucy had to leave behind:
Then a couple of Kendall – one with Lucy and another with Cade:
