I "Walked" the Woods!

 Our weather has been just stellar - so stellar - 70's!  I'm at wits end...  Being unable to be out doing something or riding Speedy is the pits...  But - as friends have reminded me, I can sit in the sun, I'm a little more mobile & I'm Home!  Doris picked me up & we went to Matt-Making this morning.  Only six of us there - but it was good to see my friends.  

At my first Physical Therapy appointment last week, the bend in my knee was just over 70%.  Full range of motion is 130%.  I was given exercises aimed at strengthening the under used muscles in my leg, above & below the knee.

Bottom of the backyard~

Today, I took the walker, now with wheels & navigated the ramp.  Once at the end of the sidewalk, I went down the edge of the woods to the lower corner of the yard & the start of Tinkle Branch Trail.

Two new residents~

I'd made it down here one other time, a few days after I got home.  With Butch's help - to hang the flying owl ring I'd found shopping in Duvall.  This - of course had been before my injury.  After I'd been hurt, I asked Courtney to go back & buy the owl hook we'd seen in the same store.  It was still there & I'm so glad I bought it.  

I made it all the way to the far end of the trail & the Lowlands.  The sun was glinting off the red glass post cap.  The woods were the driest I've ever seen them.  We've had only one decent rain since I returned home.  It gave us just shy of an inch of rain.

The far SW end of our property~

The leaves have dried & curled.  Crunching under my feet & the walker's wheels.  I stopped to give my leg a rest, before turning back.  A few larger branches had come down in the winds. One I had to move to get past & up the hill to the cabin.  The hill was a challenge - but I managed.

Looking south from near the cabin~

Once back up at the top, I hustled a little, knowing Butch would be home shortly to take me to this weeks PT appointment.  Hum...  I didn't make it, he came down the street just as I'd made it back to the sidewalk.  He asked if I'd planned to do my PT before I'd done my PT?

I was very happy when the bend in my knee measured just over 80%.  A decent improvement from last week.  Jenny added some additional exercises.  She said I should be going in three-times a week.  But since I'm doing them at home, she'll settle for once.  I learned it takes up to a year to recover full use of the knee & they consider a return to 120% adequate.  Since my injury was so severe - it could take longer...  (I did manage to get my leg into the drivers side of the Explorer, so hope I'll feel comfortable driving around town by next week.)  I sit on my stationary bike & use my right leg to stretch the left knee with the pedals.  

Next week, I see an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon in Omaha - who will be handling my recovery from this point on.  I'm into my eighth week - hopefully with only four to go - before I can bear weight on my leg.  I'm so tired of the brace & so tired hobbling...  Fingers crossed!

Home Sweet Home!

 When told I couldn't go home for at least six-weeks, it seemed like forever.  Every day, I did my level best to do everything I could to heal.  Courtney went above & beyond to make me comfortable.  I loved my kiss goodnight, as she tucked me in each evening.  The pain always worsened at night.  It was impossible to sleep - even with the CBD gummies a neighbor dropped off for me.  

I'll never forget a night when the pain had me moaning.  (I tried to quietly moan.)  Mason woke his mother - to tell her an "animal" was making noise outside his bedroom window.  :-(  My injury was a Tibial Plateau Fracture level 6.  Both bones in my lower leg had been shattered.  This required a plate, pins & Allograph implant.  It wasn't the repair that caused the majority of my pain - but Compartment Syndrome is nothing - if not nasty.

 Mari Jo sent me a daily message. I so looked forward to them coming in about 4 a.m. Washington time.  Joyce too, went above & beyond.  Driving a two-hundred mile round-trip - twice to visit me!  Doris called with updates on Nika, who stayed with her, while Butch was at work.  Living with an  active family, kept my spirits up as I hobbled through the days.

As Courtney & I spent our last night watching TV together, we both thought the time had gone faster than either of us had imagined.  My final appointment with the Surgeon, I passed with flying colors.  Courtney said his expression was shocked, as he unwrapped my leg & saw how well it was healing.  He adjusted my brace to a 30 degree bend at the knee!  My leg didn't know quite how to respond to that!  Asking if I'd made my reservation to go home - he smiled as Courtney told him it was for the following day!

Alaska wanted me at the check-in, two-hours before flight time.  Leaving the house at 6 a.m. - David drove.  We were so lucky to make the trip without undue amounts of traffic.  Pulling up at the Alaska curb, as Courtney helped me out, two porters came running.  One grabbed my bags from Dave, the other had the wheelchair.  The kids kissed me goodbye & I was on my way!  TSA has a new program called;  "TSA Cares".  When I called, they offered a person at security to assist me.  Even with my pre-check, I spent about 30-seconds getting through!  

First to board the plane, I again had the entire row to myself.  Good thing, since my leg took up most of the three seats!  I'd paid the extra for premium class & it was worth every penny.

My heels just over the third seat.

A lady a few rows back, was also injured & terrified.  She was worried about the plane flying in "bad weather".  The flight attendant's assured her the pilot would only take-off if it was safe :-)  (My video only appears when you view this post on a computer.)

I was just so happy to be on my way!  Mid-way through - I had to visit the first class potty.  The flight attendants accompanied me.  As I did the sideways shuffle with the walker, both mimicked me & we were laughing so hard!  The 30% bend in my knee came in so handy.  My toes were resting on the inside of the bathroom door!

Coming in to land~

A lady with a wheelchair was waiting as I exited the plane.  Just past security - I thought recognized a guy with a beard  - standing against the wall?  After two-months - finally - my Husband!  The lady offered to take me all the way to the car!  Butch had both suitcases, jam packed & my walker.  With the Explorer's front passenger seat all the way back, my leg fit in the front!  

Butch had to build a 21ft. ramp to get me in our front door!  Just three steps in height, but it took 21 feet to keep the incline elevation low enough.  That was still a few feet short of ADA standards.  I had no problem at all navigating it.  Nika was so excited to see me!  I got so many kisses, I couldn't help but cry.

Sunshine came softly~

The sunshine of home felt so wonderful!  I spent my first afternoon sitting out on the back deck with Nika in my lap.  I have to admit, I was a little lonely that first day, home alone...

Home Sweet Home!

While I was gone, I asked our local FAA Certified drone pilot Steve Bogart, of Elevate Aerial Photos,  to fly over the Home Place & take a few photos.  What a thrill to see things from an aerial perspective.  I would like to learn more about editing raw images.    

Update:  Aug. 12, 2021 I was contacted by VideoProc Software & have included a link to the site.  

Looking south~

My first physical therapy appointment was today.  I have exercises to strengthen my muscles in preparation for when the leg will be weight bearing!  Only five-weeks to go!  My goal is to be riding by bike by April at least!