Sausage foot

So this is what happens when you overwork yourself 3 weeks after ACL surgery. Easy to do when you feel almost back to normal! No pain whatsoever, quad is getting strong again, full range of motion, gait is back to normal. PT says I'm way ahead of where I should be. It's hard to remember to take it slow!


...and yes, my toenails are orange.

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Busy May

Is May really half over? Having surgery has made it feel like I lost a couple weeks, and what makes it especially crazy is that this time of year is always so busy! Last Friday was my 9-day post-op doctor's appointment, and since I still couldn't drive, Tuell took me. They removed my bandage and just checked to make sure my leg was still attached and not turning green and smelly or something. I was hoping they would unlock my brace as well as approve me to drive, but they said to wait and get the physical therapist's approval to do that. Poo! He did say that I could ditch the crutches as long as my brace was locked straight, so at least I got some good news. Hooray, walking just got easier (I hadn't really had much pain since a few days after surgery, but crutches sure are a drag).

Sunday was Mother's Day, and I opted to stay home from church one more week, after a very nice breakfast in bed courtesy of Tuell and the girls. I may not have had any lingering pain, but the swelling was crazy. I could only be up for about 15 minutes before my knee blew up like a giant water balloon. Not pleasant! I spent a lot of time laying on the couch icing and elevating while doing the CPM machine... and trying not to kill the dog, who thought it was great fun to rub her nasty wet nose all over my arm while I couldn't get away. Grr. I still don't like dogs.

Monday out of impatience and frustration, I unlocked my brace and drove to pick up the girls from school (my neighbors had been rotating picking them up while I couldn't drive). I also drove the girls to gymnastics that afternoon. It didn't hurt at all; the only problem was if I were to be in an accident, I would have been at fault because I wasn't approved for driving yet. But a taxi driver's gotta do what a taxi driver's gotta do.

Tuesday morning I had my first physical therapy appointment (day 13 post-surgery). They assessed my knee and were amazed at how well I was doing for only being 2 weeks out! The main difficulty with rehab after this type of surgery is getting your range of motion back, and I already could straighten my leg completely, and bend it to 100 degrees. That's at least two weeks ahead of where I should have been! Go me! I had been taking my brace off and stretching every chance I could since the surgery, and I guess it is paying off. My doctor prescribed PT for three times a week for a month, but even with insurance, it was going to cost $48 each time I went. My PT guy said that since I'm ahead of the game and doing so well, he's OK with me going once a week, as long as I keep working hard at home. 

 Wednesday evening the girls had their end-of-year gymnastics show, and they all three did really well. I tried to get pictures of their routines, but with Livian and Melaina I kept catching them in awkward positions during their tumbling, and with Avalie all I got was a big blur because she flips so fast. Oh well.

 I got a call from Livian's art teacher Monday giving me a heads up that she would be getting the top 6th grade art student award, so Thursday I went to the middle school for the awards ceremony. It just re-emphasized how proud I am of Livian, and how happy I am with her choice in friends. Every one of the girls in her group of friends got at least one of the top awards. They are all at the top of their AP classes, and it was nice to see them recognized for it. Awesome!

 Friday was Field Day at the elementary school. With my knee still swelling badly when I'm up for long, I was a little worried how I would manage. But I was determined to go! I hobbled to Avalie's first event at 8:30 a.m., then had to leave to go to PT. Before heading back to the school, I went home and used an ace bandage to strap a big ice pack to my knee, which was probably the best thing I could have done; the ice pack really helped keep the swelling down, in addition to the crutch I brought to help take the weight off my knee.

When I went back to the school, I somehow managed to find a parking space in the lot, avoiding much of the walking I was dreading. I was able to watch a few more events and bum around with the girls before going home for lunch and to elevate my knee for an hour. Then it was back up to the school for the last of the events. I'm always amazed at how much fun the kids have at Field Day, and I just love watching them with their friends. I love seeing them so happy! Oh, Melaina wanted everyone to know that she won the jumprope contest for her class. :)

That was the most I'd been up since the surgery, and although it wasn't too bad at the time thanks to the ice, I sure felt it later. The horrible aching started later that evening, resulting in Livian pushing me in a wheelchair around Costco (we have wild Friday nights around here!). The pain got so bad that when we got home I took those fun narcotics I got for the first days after surgery. Sleep was fitful because of the pain, but there doesn't seem to be any long-term effects. I think I'll live.

Knew Knee Knews

I'd like to introduce everyone to the newest member of our family:  my new ACL! I had ACL reconstruction surgery last Wednesday to replace the patellar graft I got in high school. This time my surgeon used an allograft, which is from a cadavar. So if anyone notices bizarre personality changes in me in the next few months, we'll know why.

The surgery was a breeze compared to what I had done 20-something years ago. Only one 3-inch cut and two little holes this time, compared with a combined 15-plus inches in three big cuts the last time, and as an added bonus, I got to go home the same day. I was bummed that my meniscus was so deteriorated that he couldn't repair it; he just trimmed the tear. That means a higher likelihood that I'll suffer arthritis later on, because the meniscus is what cushions your knee.

The pain hasn't been bad at all. Of course, I'm sure the Vicodin had something to do with that. It is also to blame for the fact that I only remember bits and pieces of the first three days.

Mom flew in Wednesday evening and stayed through Sunday, which was a big help since I couldn't get up much. I was pretty much stuck on our fold-out couch, icing my knee and strapped to the CPM (continuous passive motion) machine to help with range of motion. It seems to be working well though, as I can straighten my knee already, and bend at least 90 degrees. I only have to keep the (massive, uncomfortable, hideous) brace on when I'm up moving around, so I take it off every chance I get, including sleeping. So much more comfortable, except when my stitches catch on a blanket.

Notice the big "BT" written on my leg in very large, permanent letters? That's my doc's signature, to make sure they cut the correct leg. While I'm thankful for their commitment to not making mistakes (I've been through enough surgical mistakes to last me a lifetime), I wonder if it would have worked the same if he hadn't written it so big? Even the nurses were commenting on how huge his writing was. It took some scrubbing with some rubbing alcohol, but I got most of it off.

So now I'm wasting time this week, trying to be patient as I wait for my post-op appointment on Friday. I really want to start PT so I can get back to normal, but what I'm really wanting is to be approved to drive again. As taxi driver of our household, this is torture!

Our Big 7-Year-Old

*Just FYI, this was written one week ago, but I'm too lazy to update it.*

 *Before I forget, Melaina lost her second tooth last week!*
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 Since Friday was Melaina's birthday party on her actual birthday, we let her open family gifts Thursday night. I think the highlight for her was a singing card from Nana. Nana, where in the world did you find a Rio birthday card? I'm so impressed!

The majority of last week was spent prepping for Melaina's birthday party Friday night, but since it was essentially the same party we had just thrown for Avalie the week before and we had left up a lot of the streamers from her party, it wasn't too difficult. Melaina wanted a bird theme, so we borrowed all of Livian's ficus trees (her bedroom is a tropical jungle theme) and brought them downstairs, then I had Melaina dig out every bird stuffed animal she could find, and we put them all in the trees. We added some helium balloons and a palm tree made from streamers, and decorations were done.

I wanted to make the birthday girl a new outfit for her party, so I embroidered a cool blue macaw on a white shirt, lettuce-edged the sleeves with turquoise thread, and added some turquoise ruffles to the bottom hem. Also made some white stretch pants with matching turquoise ruffles, plus a matching headband. Not sure what I was thinking making a WHITE outfit for a 7 year old though!

I also planned on making the cake as usual, using little plastic figures of Blu and Jewel from the movie Rio. However, despite much searching, I couldn't find our Blu figure! eBay to the rescue. Our new Blu figure arrived just in time. Oh, but that wasn't our only snafu. Thursday night I put in our Rio DVD to have it ready to play at the party. Good thing I did, because I discovered that it was so scratched up that it wouldn't play. You can't have a Rio party without watching the movie, can you?! So Friday morning I ran around trying to find a copy to rent, but when I couldn't find one, I then scrambled to find one to purchase that wasn't insanely expensive. Thanks, Walmart.

Wow, did we have some excited kids show up to the party Friday night. For most of them it was their first sleepover! While we waited for everyone to arrive, I had them make bird wings. I had cut big wing shapes out of fabric, sewn elastic onto the wings for handles, and added a tie at the neck to hold them on. The girls got to glue "feathers" (strips of fabric I had cut from a variety of different fabrics) onto their wings. While we waited for them to dry, we ate pizza for dinner and had some free playtime in the backyard. Already by this time we were realizing that this group was MUCH harder than the 3rd graders -- much shorter attention spans, lots more screaming and loud talking, and just so much more busy, needy and hyper. Both Tuell and I were exhausted after only an hour, and I think Livian wanted to run away!

Once our final guest arrived, we started the activities: spider web, scavenger hunt, and piñata. And I must say, this was the most awesome parrot piñata ever. Tuell had spent a few nights making it, and it turned out super cute! Much better than my pathetic disco ball...

We had them get into their jammies at 8:30 and started a movie in hopes of calming them down, and it worked for the most part. When the movie was over around 10:00, it was lights out. I ended up staying downstairs sitting in the dark at the kitchen table just so they would be quiet and go to sleep (Melaina could NOT stop giggling!), and finally they were all asleep by 11. However, the stupid dog barked at 6:15 and woke them all up, so it was a VERY long morning until parents came at 10:00! I have never been so exhausted after a party... Note to self: eight guests is way too many for a first grade sleepover!!

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Avalie's 9th birthday, part 2

I spent the whole week stressing about getting everything done for Avalie's party Friday night, on top of finishing a bunch of editing work. But by Friday afternoon everything was done and I was ready for the onslaught of eight little girls (plus our three)!

Avalie chose a disco/dance theme for her party this year, so we had the living room set up for dancing, complete with a disco ball, speakers and a microphone. We did our typical home birthday party: pizza, spiderweb game (strings leading to a prize, this year leading to the first clue to the next activity), scavenger hunt, pinata. To save some money, we chose to make the pinata, and it was pretty silly looking (ever tried making a disco ball out of cardboard and tin foil?), but the girls didn't care as long as it had candy in it. We followed all that with some free play in the backyard: swingset, our giant fabric-covered rubberband, and building pyramids.

Next we herded them inside for cake, ice cream and presents. And then... let the dance party begin! We turned the lights down, put the spotlight on the disco ball, and turned up the music. We had a contest to see who could dance the best in different ways -- silly, ballet, monster, disco, ballroom, etc. After they were completely exhausted, it was time for jammies and a movie, during which several of them fell asleep. Ahh, so quiet!

In the morning we just let them play on their own until their parents came, and most of them decided to make a music video (with Livian as the videographer). I pulled out a bunch of crazy high heeled shoes and boots someone had given me, and the girls loved trying those on and finding the best ones for their video, along with fluffy skirts to maximize their awesome dance moves. Funny girls!

It was a fun but exhausting party, and we were super glad when naptime came around Saturday afternoon.

And just think, we get to do it all again this Friday night for Melaina's party!

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Avalie's 9th birthday, part 1

Saturday night Avalie got to choose her birthday dinner restaurant, so we had a nice meal at Rainforest Cafe. We even got the volcano for dessert, but Avalie insisted we not tell them it was her birthday -- she doesn't like to be the center of attention!

 Monday was Avalie's official birthday (9 years old already?!), so that evening we let her open gifts from family. Such fun! Lucy thought so too ... so much wrapping paper, so little time to shred it all!

Zippity quick Austin trip

Livian left Friday morning headed to Austin to attend the Future Problem Solving awards ceremony (she won second place for her essay on coral reefs). She drove down with two other kids and one of the girls' moms, following two buses from their district -- the kids on the buses were going down for additional competitions and so were staying longer than our kids needed to.

Tuell and Avalie had planned on flying down after school to attend the ceremony, while Melaina and I stayed home to allow her maximum sleep before her first gymnastics meet Saturday. However, the flights filled up, so they jumped in the car right when school got out to drive down. They arrived only 10 minutes before the ceremony started!

Afterward the girls swam in the very cold outdoor pool, then Tuell put Avalie to bed. Livian was staying in a room with her chaperone and two other girls, and she reported later that they stayed up late running around the hotel and riding the elevators. Freedom is a wonderful, magical thing when you're 11!

Saturday morning Tuell retrieved Livian and they raced home, trying to get home in time for Melaina's meet at 1:00. Of course, they HAD to stop at Round Rock Donuts for a Texas-sized, 2-pound donut!

I took Melaina to her meet, and Tuell and the girls missed the warm ups and march in, but got there about two minutes before Melaina started her floor routine. That was cutting it a bit close! Melaina did great at her first meet; she handled her nerves just fine, and performed well. Best of all, she had a blast!