Too Cocky

When I went to bed yesterday, I was so cocky that I figured I'd be walking more or less normally in a couple of weeks, that I was going to be the best little knee patient ever, and that all that stuff about pain and swelling didn't apply to me. I was cocky, way too cocky. Today was pay-back day.

Now before you get alarmed, I'll say that I've had a fairly productive day. I went upstairs this morning, did all my laundry myself, watched a couple of TV shows that I had recorded, repacked my little suitcase, took a sponge bath, and got dressed. Once I came downstairs, I did my exercises partially, but I have to tell you that my knee was sore and swollen this morning when I woke up, and it stayed that way all through breakfast, my expedition upstairs, and lunch. By the time I came downstairs, I was beyond exhausted, my knee hurt, and it was hot and swollen.

Stan wrapped a gel-pac around my knee, fixed a pile of pillows for me so I could elevate my leg, and then I promptly fell asleep. And I mean promptly! Stan fixed my pillows, walked over to the kitchen to fix his lunch, and I was asleep before he even finished making his sandwich. I woke up at 12:45, had some yogurt, and got myself tidied up, ready for the arrival of one of my teacher friends who was coming to visit.

As soon as my friend arrived, Stan left to go run errands and to go to the pool. I enjoyed my friend's visit, we did a little school-related work, and then she left, having been here for 45 minutes. By this time I was ready to admit defeat and went to the bathroom to take two Percocet tablets. Did I walk back to the couch? I must have because I woke up an hour and a half later when Stan returned to the house.

The Percocet has eliminated the pain, I'm only a tiny bit queasy, and the swelling is somewhat alleviated. I've definitely got a love-hate relationship with this drug. I don't like taking strong drugs, but I don't like feeling so weak either, so I guess I'll try to take just enough to keep myself going at a reasonable rate. Stan and I think I probably over-did the exercising yesterday and that all that over-stretching caused my knee to react by swelling up again. At least I hope that's all it is!

So, today has been a reasonably productive day. I did, after all, go upstairs, do laundry, and have a visitor. I just expected to make progress every day and I think I'm a little discouraged at having slipped back a little. But, after all, my knee surgery was one week ago today, and it's unreasonable to expect to be almost well again in just a week. Let's look on the bright side--I'm walking, I'm climbing stairs, I've done a little actual school work today, I'm able to take care of myself completely in terms of dressing and hygiene, so I guess I'm making reasonable progress. As soon as my daughter-in-law comes to give me my shot, however, I may consider a nap.......