Physical Therapy & Watching Movies
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It seems my daily life is currently made up mostly of physical therapy and watching movies these days. I have physical therapy today at noon today here at my apartment. The therapist comes twice per week.
It has now been just over 5 weeks since my ankle surgery. I’m not very far along in terms of walking, which of course is the main goal.
But I’m taking all precautions and having no concrete expectations.
My physical therapist has me walking in the walking boot with the rollator to the front door from my chair several times per day. But it’s too hard to walk normally right now.
He’s only here about 30 minutes each session because I’m only strengthening my leg and foot while seated in my chair. And then lastly I walk to the front door.
What I’m Currently Doing In Physical Therapy:
So Greg, the physical therapist, has me moving one foot forward, then meeting it with the other foot. This takes the strain off the inside back area of my ankle, which produces pain when I try to walk.
Yesterday I got brave and decided, once I walked to the front door with the rollator, to just go on to the bathroom. When I got there, I found that the rollator/walker would not fit through the doorway.
So I had to walk the 3-4 steps without it. This made me realize that I can’t go into the bathroom without the knee scooter.
Aggravating as that thing is, it is the only way to get everywhere in my apartment except into the closet where the washer/dryer is. I wash clothing by rolling the knee scooter up to the doorway and leaning over as far as I can to reach the buttons.
You quickly learn that when you are able to walk freely, you can accomplish so much that you tend to take it for granted. Before surgery, I could at least get to my car and drive to pick up things or drop things off.
Please don’t ever take walking for granted. It is what frees us.
Ivy & The Squirrel:
Ivy had a little excitement. Another squirrel appeared at the patio door. It was very humid outside, so the glass was fogged up.
I wonder what Ivy is thinking when she is so close to the squirrel, but the patio door separates the two of them.
After a while, the squirrel scampered off. It does not fear Ivy on the other side of the glass, so it took its time to leave the patio.
What I’ve Been Watching On TV:
Nightly, I’m now watching the 4th season of Longmire. During the daytime, I tend to watch movies.
Yesterday I watched “The Double” with Richard Gere, Topher Grace, and Martin Sheen. The movie is from 2011.
Did you know that Richard Gere is now married to his third wife and has three sons? He has one son with Carey Lowell, his second wife, whose name is Homer. Homer is 22.
Gere’s first wife was model Cindy Crawford.
And now Gere has two young sons with his third wife, Alejandra Silva. As is the case with many male Hollywood celebrities, his current wife is much younger than he is.
I watched “The American” (2010) with George Clooney before that, another American heartthrob.
Any progress is good news, even if it is taking longer than you’d like. Cheering you on to the finish line!
If you’ve not yet watched the George Clooney movie “Michael Clayton,” you may like it. It’s my favorite movie of his and I rewatch it about once a year. Top notch cast and a smart movie.
Brenda, I am happy that you have pt, I am sure that it helps a lot. Do not go anywhere without your scooter! You have to be careful!
You are in my prayers my friend!
Brenda, over ten years that you’ve been dealing with the pain and difficult mobility of your ankle! I surely hope that this last surgery and physical therapy will leave you much better in both respects. I have not gone through physical therapy for anything like you are dealing with and it sounds so challenging. You need a lot of resolve to keep plugging away at it. But you are a determined woman and I don’t doubt that you will keep at it and succeed in being able to walk anywhere you want to without pain.
My tho’ts are with you as you struggle forward and I hope you make good progress every week.
Hugs for you and pats for Ivy.
Sounds like you’re making little bits of progress, but also sounds very frustrating. I hope you continue to get stronger each day.
Hubby and I went for a treatment for our knees today…it is helping, but very slowly!! I think SLOW is the name of the game with us now…and you are so right, never take walking for granted.
Sounds like a tough journey Brenda, I really do hope it gets easier. I love that first picture. So many lovely red plates!! Where did you find them all?
Brenda, if you have Acorn, there is a good British detective drama series called Suspects. I think there are 4 seasons. Each episode is a separate case.
As well, on Prime, at least in Canada, there is another British detective drama series called Murder Call. There are 2 or 3 seasons, with each season having 24 episodes.
We subscribe to Acorn as well as Brit Box US. Lately we have been really enjoying 800 Words and The Good Karma Hospital on Acorn. They aren’t heavy stories and a good way to finish the night. (If I watch some sort of police story before bed I have a hard time falling asleep.) The comedy is light, the characters are fun to get to know. The scenery in each of the stories (New Zealand and Sri Lanka) is so beautiful!
The mode of rehab and recovery is a slow and arduous one isn’t it? In this stage it must be hard to remain positive, but you are actually in a much better place now–at least your long-term ankle issues are properly diagnosed and you are taking steps (pun intended😉 ) to eventually have improvement. While I don’t have your challenges, I am much older with many issues, including now recovering from a light case of Covid. I found a Netflix mystery with 8 episodes that is certainly taking my mind to a place other than my ailments – it’s called “The Stranger” – it’s a secret inside a secret and on and on. Masterfully done and a diversion in our recuperation phase, dog days of Summer. I plan to watch it again just to better understand the plot. Be well and be patient.
My favorite two Richard Gere movies are Officer and a Gentleman and Pretty Woman. You didn’t talk about the movie The Double, so I followed your link and it said it was a box office dud. Did you think it was bad? Usually spy movies are interesting. I love hearing about Ivy. She’s so beautiful. I sure wish she could talk and tell us what she’s thinking when she sees the squirrels and birds and critters. Her body language probably gives you some idea, but boy if she could talk, imagine her stories! I’m sorry your ankle isn’t healing as fast as you’d hoped it would. It’s frustrating, I know. Hang in there. We’re all praying for you!
I liked “The Double.” I often find that when they say a movie is a box office dud, I may like it anyway.
You are dealing with so many challenges right now but trust the timing and things will be back to ‘normal’. Not sure what normal is anymore but things will be better.
You’ve been watching some very interesting movies. I know I’d enjoy watching them, as well.
Brenda, enjoy your day!
I’m not sure what normal is either. This injury has been part of my life for over 10 years.