Monday, June 28, 2010

I tried to ski last Saturday!

As usual, I am late with updated posts.
I should start this one with my graduation party on June 12th. I woke up and decided not to use the cane ever again. We had a great time at the party and I have not looked back. The cane is in my bathroom untouched. My most recent trip to Tulsa last Tuesday to see Dr. Norris resulted in mostly positive news. The only questionable news was that there is still a section of the hip that has not completely healed. He says it is in one of the locations where they cut the bone. All other areas have healed and he attributes most of the healing to the bone growth stimulator. While there has not been any significant changes in the drop foot, he said he thought he could feel a flicker where the tendon tries to activate the muscle when I try to pull up my foot. This is certainly a sign that the nerves are healing and I may get some control back. While I was there, I asked him if I could try to ski. He replied "I do not see why not." While I have been accused of not following doctors' orders all the time, I took this order and put it in action last Saturday. I did not get up, but I got close. My left knee tried to bend further than tolerable so I had to let go of the handle. The next plan of action is to use the lock out knee brace for the next attempt. This knee brace can be set where the knee is not allowed to bend past a certain pre-determined degrees. I will set it at 90 and try again soon.
We are closing in on the two year anniversary of the wreck. They said it could take 1 to 2 years before I felt mostly recovered. I would say that they were right. I will never be 100%, but I am pretty close. All normal activities have been resumed. My stamina is considerably higher than it has been since before the wreck. The left hip and knee will always be an issue, but I am not slowing down.
Work has been very busy and with my full release to visit plants, I have been on the road again.