92nd Day-ish

Michelle is doing better, almost every day.  We’re walking further, not every time, but most times, sometimes multiple times in a day.

She’s not going this whole green-line distance every time, but usually going uphill (that's to the right, or counter-clockwise if your brain operates better with those parameters) and back home, unless we go the other way.  Short version:  a lot of the time, she’s going about twice as far as she was before, and at a faster pace. 

The whole circle (sort of a squared circle, maybe more of a block) is the distance we used to walk (with the  dog) almost every evening before we went to bed.  Well, except if it was raining.  I got the dog-walking prize on the majority of those nights, and didn't ever make the block on those occasions.  Angel wasn't so cheerful about it, and he wasn't alone in that.  Doggie raincoats and umbrellas just aren't enough.

The physical therapy side of it continues.  Part of it is going into the PT facility, the rest of it happens at home, every day.  I get to help with the at-home part.

Day 85

With 10 August, Day 83, behind us, the expected transitions have occurred; the air boot has been retired, the brace has been moved to her left ankle, and physical therapy has been scheduled.

My notes from the consult are brief and minimal.  Just to mention the detail, her surgery was on 29 May, so you can do all the day-counting you like from that point, along with the injury date of 19 May.  It’s all about counting, for some folks, and I support that option, whenever possible.

In the meantime, she’s doing lots better. Walking is still not a rapid activity, manageable without disagreeable-ness. Hard surfaces, naturally, are less forgiving, especially when she’s not wearing the brace on her bionic ankle.  Shoes on, hard floors aren't such a big deal.  It's progress.

“It’s time for her to work on her strength and balance skills,’ reads one of my notes. The physical therapy is scheduled to begin next Thursday, since that was the first available day for it.  That will include a bit of stationary biking and whatever else is on the standard list, along with some home exercises that she’s already working on.

She’s going on walks with the dog regularly. Stamina is something of an issue but, considering where she was a month ago, this is great guns progress, walking unaided.  Maybe I'm offering her my arm most of the time.  Maybe she's taking it.

I’ve considered resuming my typical schedule, going in early and such, but still feel cautious about the first part of her day.  I’ll give her another week or two and revisit that choice.

Counting Down Again

We’re counting down the days until Friday’s appointment to see the orthopedist and get the latest word on how Michelle is doing towards a full and complete recovery.  It’s sure been a long ride, but things look like they’re in good shape.  Michelle has a lot more mobility, and has gone on a good number of walks with the dog and I, most times about as far as the map shown in the earlier entry. 

The next appointment is at 10:30, so we’ll be getting there a bit before that.  She’ll be going in on her own two feet though, maybe the first time during this treatment series that this has occurred.  She’s done some amount of brief standing on both feet without any additional support.  Walking without using some kind of brace is still a ways out, but we’re getting closer to her doing that, and she’s getting better every day. We’re sure looking forward to things getting better and better.

This whole big long hassle has been a substantial challenge to us, but we’ve done well, considering, with the help of so many of our friends and family.  Looking over at the fireplace mantle, I count maybe two dozen cards that Michelle has gotten from so many thoughtful and helpful people.

If the air boot comes off on Friday, and we’re thinking it probably will, Michelle will finally be ready for some physical therapy, and she’ll get stronger that much more quickly.  Not sure about long walks by Labor Day, but Halloween looks good, I’d say.

Many, many thanks to everyone for their kind words and their generous help. It hasn’t been great, but it’s been a whole lot better than it could have been.