Total Ankle Replacement: 24 Weeks Post-Op--Ankle #2

If anyone is following this blog because they are interested in my progress, and you are looking for some updated stats...look at last months stats and add five pounds to the knee machine and ten pounds to the leg press machine. That's all the progress that I've made in four weeks time :(

This week marks 24 weeks since I had my total ankle replacement on ankle #2. Ankle #1 is almost at the year mark (June 12). Last month I talked about how I don't feel anywhere near “normal”, and I'm starting to think that I'm never going to even come close to that at all. The past four weeks have been very depressing as I've realized that I've plateaued in my recovery for the last couple of months. Now, I've had plateaus happen before with other surgeries, but it's usually for just two weeks or so. Looking back at my progress in my March posts, I realize that although I've gained more strength in my legs, I haven't gained any endurance at all. At all. I can't stand on my feet longer than ten minutes without being in a terrible amount of pain. I'm starting to think that this isn't going to get any better.

Whenever I mention this to anyone, they remind me that I'm only about six months out and this can take a year to eighteen months to fully recover. But I'm almost at a year with my left ankle (#1)! And that is not any better than my right! They are in the same level of shitty pain!

Getting fed up.

I've had both hips and both knees replaced, so this replacement thing is not new to me (I told ya I was a cyborg!). I know that rehab is painful, but after it's done, the benefits can be life altering. My hips were so bad that after I had my replacement surgery I felt like I hit the jackpot. The replacement hips were new and improved and better than the originals (they took about 3 months to rehab). And although my knee replacements were a bitch to rehab...by far the worst pain I've ever encountered....the trade off was that I was pain free after all was said and done. The biggest downside to my knee replacements was that I lost a lot of range of motion (ROM). This is always a possibility, and I knew that going in for my ankle replacements. But I was willing to trade off ROM for no pain...no such luck. My ROM for my ankles is within normal range, but there is still so much pain whenever I stand or walk.

I'm not scheduled to see my surgeon until July. I think I may call just to ask if I should be worried, or if I need to be seen sooner. Can't hurt to ask, right? Only thing is...what if they tell me that this may be it for me? I've been so depressed over the past few weeks, that I don't know if I want to hear bad news right now.

Both the hips and knees, after rehab, gave me a (mostly) pain free existence in those joints (there's the occasional "I feel the rain coming"). I just assumed that I'd have a similar experience with my ankles. This is not the case, yet, and I'm starting to lose hope.

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To read about my full ankle replacement journey, please click on the Total Ankle Replacement tab.  

I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Please comment below, or email me privately at:  thecyborgmom@gmail.com

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Zzzzzzzzzz......

Let's face reality...sometimes when you are recovering from surgery, you just don't feel like much of doing anything.  Not even getting out of bed and socializing with your own loved ones :(

When I first came home, I slept a lot.  Like more than I thought was humanly possible. I was on a ton of medicines, some of which had drowsiness as a side effect.  Couple that with my body needing the extra rest to mend itself, and I was keeping the hours of a newborn those first couple of weeks.

I remember feeling angry with myself for being so tired, especially after the first month or so, when I started weening off the heavy drugs.  I'd get so frustrated that I didn't have the energy that I thought I should have.  But my husband would remind me that my body was healing and that it was okay to have the extra rest.

After going to physical therapy, I would want to come home and take a nap...and sometimes I did!  Physical excursion definitely does me in.  It was worse immediately after surgery, but even now there are days that I'll stay in bed...maybe it's once or twice a week now.  I just don't yet have the endurance that I had before surgery.

I still get frustrated every now and then, but for the most part I just accept that some days I just need a little more battery recharging time than others.  It's okay.  Healing takes a lot of energy and I need to listen to my body so that I can get better.

Are you one of those people who welcomes the down time, or do you despise having to recharge every now and then?

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This is my last A to Z post of 2014!  For a click-able list of all 26 How to Keep Busy While Recovering posts, click here.  Thanks for everyone who has stopped to visit my blog over the past month during this challenge.  I hope to see you all around!

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Who? Doctor Who...That's Who

Yes, I know I've already talked about watching TV with my Amazon Instant Video and Netflix posts...but Doctor Who is so awesome that it deserves it's own post.  It's adventurous and funny and makes me feel better when I watch it.  And feeling better and being in a positive state of mind is helpful with the healing process.

Note to self:  do not write a book on Doctor Who...just a short post is sufficient :)

My Short History with Doctor Who

In 2005 the BBC did a reboot of Doctor Who.  All episodes of DW before the reboot are known as Doctor Who Classics.  I've tried watching several of the Classic episodes, but I can't seem to get into them.  While the stories themselves may be good, I just can't get past the way it was filmed.  Die hard Whovians will probably hate me for not loving the Classic Who's, but such is life.  I can't please everyone.

Anyway, I started watching the 2005 reboot about 3 years ago.  My husband and I were bored over the summer with nothing to watch and we had just gotten Netflix streaming, so we decided to give Doctor Who a shot.  I pretty much loved it after just a few episodes.  And after David Tennant came...oh my...he was just great.  In addition to Tennant being a great actor, he has the best hair, ever, on the planet.  I have thing for hair.  Don't ask.

My Favorites

 

Favorite Doctor:  As much love as I have for Tennant, my favorite Doctor is Matt Smith, aka:  the bow tie Doctor (that's what my son calls him).  He was the first Doctor I ever dreamt about.

Favorite Companion:  River Song.  I love how strong of a character she is!  And the chemistry between Alex Kingston and Matt Smith is amazing.

Smith, Tennant, and Hurt

Favorite Episodes:

The Girl in the Fireplace

Vincent and the Doctor

Blink

(not necessarily in that order)
I also really loved the 50^th Anniversary special.  Tennant and Smith were absolutely fantastic!  I really wish that John Hurt could have stuck around a bit more...maybe someday they'll bring him back.  He was such a great Doctor.

Favorite Person to Watch With: my son...he's 10...pretty sure that's the target audience even though Doctor Who is really for anyone of any age.  I just have the most fun watching with my boy :)

BTW...currently, Amazon Prime has all 7 seasons of Doctor Who.

Are you a fellow Whovian? When did you start watching? Who is your favorite Doctor? What are your favorite episodes?

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Total Ankle Replacement: 20 Weeks Post-Op--Ankle #2

So this week is 20 weeks since I had my total ankle replacement on ankle #2.  I still don't feel “normal” in either of my ankles (ankle #1 is approximately 10 months post-op).  I realize that there's a very really possibility that I might not ever get to “normal”, but I've been pretty disappointed about my level of progress so far.  My husband keeps on reminding me that it hasn't been that long with either ankle and that I just need to be patient and give it more time.  But...patience is stupid.  Just getting frustrated here!

Physical Therapy/Medical Gym

Since last week, I've stopped going to physical therapy and have progressed to the medical gym.  What does this mean?  Not much.  Basically I do all the same exercises that I did while in pt, but I don't consult with my therapist anymore.  I'm lucky that my pt place allows patients to transition to a gym routine like this and I'll probably keep this up for another month or two?  Who knows.  I guess it depends on my level of progression and frustration factor.

I stopped using my aircast ankle brace a few weeks ago while at the gym.  I still wear it whenever I go out, but not at home.  Most of my exercises have remained the same, with the weights changing for some.

Hip machine...45lbs (same as last month)
Knee machine...25lbs (up from last month)
Total Gym...level 6 (same as last month)
Leg lifts...3lbs each leg (same as last month)
Leg Press machine (this is new)...60lbs
Pilates Reformer...
     Heel on bar squats w/ foot flexed... 1 red band (same as last month)
     Toes on bar squats w/ foot pointed... 1 red band (same as last month)
     One legged squats... 2 red, 1 green band (same as last month)

I stopped doing the rebounder every time.  Instead, I've been balancing daily at home...either barefooted, or with my Birki's on.  My balance has much improved!

Unfortunately, the treadmill hasn't progressed as much as I'd like.  I'm doing 10-12 minutes at 1.3mph.  Seems like whenever I'm on my feet for longer than 10 minutes, I start to really hurt.


Range of Motion
My range of motion is pretty much the same as it was last month.  I hope to do a video sometime in the next few days and will link it here.

'Round the House

Still walking with a bit of a limp, which is way more noticible the more tired I am or the more activity I have done.   I can load and unload the dishwasher, do the laundry, and vacuum (one room before I need to sit and rest).  I really try to schedule cleaning time so I don't overdue it and kill myself for the day.  I can cook a little bit...I sit on the counter if I have to be at the stove.  I cannot do a whole big meal, with lots of prep, and the cleanup afterwards.

Out and About

I'm still pretty sore on the days that I go to the gym in the morning and try not to schedule anything for the rest of the day.  But if push came to shove, I'd just slap my aircast on and maybe take a pain med if I really needed to do something super important. 

Like I mentioned above...I still can't really be on my feet longer than 10 minutes.  After that time, my feet start to massively hurt.  I did make a trip last week to Kohl's to get my son a new suit.  We went in, got some clothes to try on, and I sat down in the dressing room to rest while he tried on clothes.  All was going well (up to get clothes, sit down to rest) until I asked a sales lady to check the back for some stock.  We waited about 10 minutes (my breaking point), and then I had to wait another 5 minutes (at least) on the line to check out.  Holy hell...I was in so much pain by the time I got home.  I barely made it out to the car and could hardly walk the rest of the night.  But the next day I was okay, which is a huge improvement.  Before surgery, I wouldn't have been able to walk for days.  I did take a pain med when I got home, and it took the edge off, but I still could barely walk.

Immediate Goals

Over the next month my biggest goals are:  to go to the elementary school to have lunch with my son.  This was a goal for last month that I just haven't had time to do.  

I wonder just how far behind I am than the average person having this type of surgery...if there's anyone out there who can compare, please comment below!

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To read about my full ankle replacement journey, please click on the Total Ankle Replacement tab.  

I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Please comment below, or email me privately at:  thecyborgmom@gmail.com

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Try An Instrument

Last summer, after my first ankle surgery, I wanted to try to learn to play the piano.  The biggest challenge I had is that I couldn't sit at the keyboard too long because my foot would swell rather quickly.  I still have the keyboard in my family room, but it's currently collecting dust.

My daughter started taking guitar lessons in January, and my son joined her about six weeks later.  They would practice and I would feel left out.  I'd pick up my son's mini-strat while he was at school and try to play some chords.  I was picking up his guitar so much, that I decided that I wanted my own guitar for my birthday.  So my husband let me buy this...a few weeks before my actual birthday.

My Taylor GS Mini

I went to Guitar Center (which is a little bit of Heaven on earth) and tried a few guitars, but my Taylor was the one I fell in love with.  And it was on sale!  But it still cost a fortune.  Spending money on musical instruments is a bit more palatable than more frivolous expenses.  It's music for goodness sakes!  And music makes people feel better (which I already talked about here).  So my small fortune purchase was justifiable.  Right? :)

Plus, I can play my guitar while sitting in my recliner with my feet up.  And now I can have jam sessions with the kiddos.

Currently I can play Three Little Birds, by Bob Marley, and the intro to Wish You Were Here, by Pink Floyd.  I'm awesome.

Here's my daughter stealing playing my Taylor...

Do you play any instruments?  If you had to be on bed rest, or home recovering from surgery, do you think you would play more or less?

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Queen For A Day

I talked about having company over, and friends over, and ordering stuff online...all these things are happening at your home.  Maybe you'd like to get out and go for a little adventure, but you are still weak or, like me, couldn't really walk around.  The answer:  get a wheelchair and have a friend or loved one take you somewhere and be a queen for a day.

You can get a wheelchair a few different ways.  Many insurance companies will let you rent one immediately following surgery.  I knew I would be having a second surgery, so it was cost effective for me to just buy one out of pocket.  I ordered this one online through Amazon.   Many stores have wheelchairs or electric scooters that you can use.  This is another option.  The only downside to this is if they are all taken, you are out of luck :(

Years ago, after I had knee surgery, I still needed to plan for my daughter's first birthday party...life doesn't stop just because you have major surgery!  So I asked my bff if he would be willing to wheel me through Party City.  *Public Service Announcement:  if you see someone pushing someone else in a wheelchair, hold the door!  Jeez, you'd think it was common sense.  Anyway, shopping this way definitely was a time saver.  I wasn't able to dilly-dally in the store like I usually do.  The bff thought this was great and I got to get all the goodies for my baby's party.

A great memory I have is from this past summer when my husband would take me out for “walks” around the neighborhood.  Of course, I was in the wheelchair, but it was helpful to get some fresh air and sunlight.  And being with my hubby and kids made me feel more normal.

If you know someone who is stuck at home, please volunteer yourself to take them out.  To the grocery store, or out for a “walk”, or to lunch, or wherever.  It's not always easy to ask for help, so be a good Samaritan and offer it.

Have you ever been helped or helped someone get out for a day?

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Pray

How appropriate that my letter for P happens to be for prayer...and is scheduled to fall on Good Friday.

I will be posting two letters on Thursday, April 17 because April 18 is Good Friday.  As a practicing Catholic, I try not to do much on Good Friday.  It's a day of prayer and reflection, and one of the few days that Catholics are asked to fast (I don't fast because I'm hypoglycemic and get sick if I do).

After my second ankle surgery, I asked if I could see a priest while I was in the hospital.  I wish I remembered his name, because he was a truly nice man to speak with.  He offered me confession and afterward I was given communion.  It was a little spiritual boost for me...something that my soul was thirsty for.

Prayer has gotten me through a lot of tough times in my life and this past year has been no different.  There are times that I need to calm myself...either because I have anxiety, or depression, or pain.  At these times I take out my rosary beads and pray.  It's a form of meditation for me.

Do you have certain prayers or meditation techniques that help you get through hard times?

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Open A Package...Order Stuff Online!

I had my second ankle surgery in the beginning of December...which means that I wasn't exactly in the best shape to go out and do any Christmas shopping.  For the past few years I've done a lot of shopping online because I suffer from chronic pain.  I feel like online shopping was made for me and don't know what I would have done if this was thirty years ago and we didn't have everything at the click of a button.

3 places I find it easy to order from:

Amazon.com

I've ordered Christmas presents to granola bars on Amazon...they have almost anything you need.  I even ordered my wheelchair off Amazon.  And because I have Amazon Prime, I get most of the stuff I order in two days.

Etsy.com

When you need to order things that are specialized or out of the ordinary, Etsy is the answer.  Before my second ankle surgery, I ordered a cast sock to keep my toes warm while I was in my splint.  I didn't know if I would be casted like I was with my first surgery, so this purchase was for “Murphy insurance”....like when you take your umbrella out just to make sure that it doesn't rain.

JCPenney.com

Recently I ordered clothes and rugs for my kitchen.  Anything that doesn't fit, or I don't like, can easily be brought back to a JCP store (you can also ship items back, but I find it easier to return them to the store).

Of course, the best packages to open are ones that you didn't order.  Surprise gifts in the mail! :)  A friend of mine recently knit a hat for me right before Christmas.  With all the snow we've had this winter, I've gotten a lot of use of that hat.  Thanks D!

So if you're not in the habit of ordering stuff online, give it a try.  The convenience is fantastic and it helped me feel a bit more normal.  I was able to order gifts for my kids for Christmas, which made me feel like I contributed some.

Do you order stuff online often?  What site is your favorite online store?

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Hot Baths

The medical condition that I have causes me to suffer from arthritis.  Anyone who also suffers from arthritis knows that some days are worse than others and things like your activity level or the change in weather can affect how achy you feel.  

Solution?  Take a nice long hot bath.  

Fill it to the brim, get the water as hot as you can stand it, toss some Epsom salts in there, and soak until you can't take the heat any longer.  My favorite time to soak is at night, right before bed.  It not only helps with my arthritis, but it also helps to relax me for bedtime.  I turn off all the lights, light some candles, put on my favorite Pandora channel, and just soak.

This winter has been especially hard on me because of all the snow we've had.  So one day I woke up...and it was one of those days that I just didn't want to get out of bed because I was so achy.  So I stayed in bed all morning, then took a nice hot bath around noon...got back into my pajamas and that was my day.  I don't normally do that, but it was really needed and totally worth it.

Do you enjoy taking hot baths either for relaxation or as a form of therapy for your aching body?

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Get Over It!

Whether you are recovering from surgery, are on bed rest, or at home taking it slow for any other reason, chances are you will get frustrated and depressed at some point.  You may end up feeling like a caged animal that needs to be let out.  You'll want your freedom back and wonder how it is that you are going to keep your sanity.

Here is the good news...there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

For my first ankle surgery I was only supposed to be in a splint for the first couple of weeks and then go into a walking boot.  Well, at my two week post-op check up I was told that I would be going into a cast for the next 6 weeks instead.  To say that I was disappointed would be a huge understatement.  I was very depressed for the next several weeks.  It was very hard on me, both physically and emotionally.

For the first couple of months post-op I would go up and down my stairs on my butt for fear of falling down.  I remember one day, while going up the stairs, I was in so much pain that I just stopped midway and started crying.  Both my kids came and sat on the steps with me and gave me hugs.  And I realized, that as much pain as I was in, and as depressed as I was, I had a wonderful support system.  These two beautiful children of mine comforting their old mom.  And my husband, who helped me up and down the steps every single time, was there telling me that this wouldn't last forever.

So I needed to stop the pity party and just get over it.  I would get through this.  There was a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Depression is something that I've struggled with for many years, and when I'm physically struggling and in a lot of pain, the depression only gets worse.  So after my surgeries, I had to be on high alert for the signs of depression.  I always try to keep myself as positive as I can.  Little things like opening up the blinds every day to let in the sunlight are a huge help.  Even making sure that I shower and wear a bra are subtle reminders of being human.  So for anyone that thinks that it's easy to say "Get over it!"...please know that I understand that it's not always as easy as that.  But being as positive as I can and trying to count my blessings really goes a long way with feeling better, and less depressed.  And when you are feeling better emotionally, you can physically heal faster.

This too shall pass.  And it did.  And it does.

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Friends are Better

So maybe you're thinking, “Katie, you already had a post last week about having company”.  Yes I already mentioned having company...but having company and having friends over is not the same thing.  Let me explain the biggest differences between company and friends...

Company... you have to have your hair done or in a hat and have showered sometime in the past 24 hours.  With friends, you just need to brush your teeth.

Company...when they come over, your house can't look like a tornado hit it.  With friends...they can see your kitchen island full of two weeks worth of mail, papers from school, legos, and anything else the kids or hubs has decided now belongs on there.

See the difference?

Company is great.  Friends are even better.  So if you are recovering from surgery, or on bed rest, or maybe you're going through chemo treatments...call a friend.  They will cheer you up and you won't even have to change out of your pajamas.

Has a friend helped you pass the time?  Give them a shout out in the comments!

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Eat, Drink, And Be Merry

If you are recovering from surgery, even just a minor one, then chances are that you were sent home on antibiotics.  Most people know that whenever you go on antibiotics, you need to make sure that you are eating food that has that “good” bacteria in it to keep your belly and digestive system from going on the fritz.  And women especially need to be careful because there is a greater chance of yeast infections when you take this type of medicine.  So get yourself some yogurt, pick whichever kind suits your fancy, and eat it every day until a few days after you're done with your antibiotics.

And for the love of everything that is holy...drink a lot of water.  Like as much as you can.  Because, without going into awful detail, your body gets all kinds of wonky after surgery.  Usually, you are on all kinds of medicines, from pain killers to antibiotics, and you need water to keep thing “running smoothly”.  That's all I have to say about that.

The merry (in my blog title) may be a bit of a stretch if you've just had major surgery, but there are things that can lift your spirits.  Those first several weeks were so hard for me to get up and down the stairs that I just stayed upstairs most of the time and had my meals in bed.  Breakfast in bed...lunch in bed...chili spilled on my lap dinner in bed.  Sounds so nice...until it's not.  And it gets pretty depressing rather quickly.  It really made such a difference when I was able to go downstairs and eat a meal with my family again.  Maybe it's my Italian heritage, but there is something about eating a meal with my loved ones that just makes me happy.

Dear Readers, any food and drink tips for anyone recovering from surgery or is on antibiotics and/or pain killers?

**Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, I'm just speaking from experience.  Please see your doctor for any medical advice.

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Documentaries Are Fun

Documentaries cover so many topics that, if you haven't already, there is no reason to not give them a try.  You can find these kind of films on food, war, politics, religion, history, music, famous figures...and the list goes on.

I've watched documentaries on the use of medicine in ancient Egypt to a fantastic film on gay orthodox Jews (Trembling Before G-D).  I've watched band documentaries (via Hulu Plus) on Van Halen, Guns N' Roses, and Queen.  Did you know that Queen's guitarist, Brian May, made his own guitar?  These are the type of cool things you learn when you are laid up in bed and want to watch something a little different on television.

Probably my favorite documentary that I've watched has been Sound City.  It's a film directed by Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, about a recording studio in California that recorded a massive amount of famous bands and albums.  It was recommended to me by my best friend and it was a great watch.

There are documentaries out there for everyone.  Do you have any favorites?  Is there a genre you tend to be drawn to? 

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Company Helps

Having a bit of company over helps a ton.  During my first ankle replacement recovery, I was lucky enough to have my kids home for the summer.  What a huge help they were!  And when I had surgery on my second ankle, well...the kids had so many snow days, it was unbelievable.  So I was blessed, yet again, to have them around to help.  They are old enough to heat leftovers up in the microwave and fill my water jugs when they ran low.

I also had “Katie-Sitting” days during the recovery of my first ankle because I had to be non-weight bearing for so long.  There were times when my husband and kids weren't home and I still needed help.  So some of my closest friends came over and “Katie-Sat”.  Mostly they just kept me company, but sometimes my friends helped out with some tidying.  Two of my girlfriends one afternoon cleaned out my refrigerator.  That was awesome!

Another company boost happened when people would drop by because they made a meal for me and my family.  While the meal was great, and very generous, I really loved having someone just stop in for 5-10 minutes and say 'hi'.  Especially in the beginning when I wasn't feeling well at all.  Ten minutes was just enough time to give me a boost of happy without me feeling like I had to entertain.

A big THANK YOU to all my friends who visited, dropped off a meal, or “Katie-Sat”...you were a blessing!  And to my kiddos...I am the luckiest mom on the planet...thanks for all the help you've given me...you've both earned major heaven points :)

Dear Readers...how has company been a help to you while your were recovering?

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Blog

Yes, blog...as in the verb.  

After my first ankle surgery, I realized after being non-weight bearing for almost 2 months, that I could make better use of my time.  So I decided to start blogging to help others get information that I was looking for myself, and in the process, maybe help someone else out. 

 

If you're going in for surgery, and it's possible, I would recommend keeping a blog about your recovery.  Here's why:

• Keeps family and friends informed of your progress
• Helps you remember just how far you've come
• Can help when you're ready for those post-op check ups and answering questions
• By blogging about your experience, you may be helping someone else out who will be going through the same thing as you.

Expectant moms who are on bed rest or are seriously taking it slow physically, in anticipation of your little one arriving...blog!  This is probably the best reason to blog...you have a little miracle growing inside of you and what better way to keep your loved ones informed of your progress.  Plus, maybe your bundle of joy will someday be able to read about all you went through while creating them.  And then you have a written account of all the good (and bad) stuff that you went through during your pregnancy...stuff that you usually end up forgetting just in time to decide to have baby number two :)

Plus, speaking from experience, I've found blogging to be cathartic.  I guess this is why people keep diaries and journals.  Sometimes it's helpful to just get things off your chest and let it go.

For anyone who has kept a blog of their recovery experience, please post your link below! 

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How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Amazon Instant Video

If you've ever shopped on Amazon before, then you are probably familiar with the Amazon Prime feature of free two day shipping on your orders.  Besides the free shipping, Prime members also get to enjoy a few other great benefits...like an e-book lending library for your Kindle and online video streaming.  While I could go into more detail on all of these benefits, for this post I will be focusing on the instant video benefits.

What you'll need to start watching.  There are many different viewing options:

• Watch on your Kindle Fire
• You can watch on your computer at home
• Watch on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod
• Watch through a smart TV
• If you have a TV (non-smart)  
• You'll need something that will stream to your TV.  I have a Roku box that is hooked up to my television (I actually have two: one for my family room and one in my bedroom).  This allows me to watch what I would normally watch on my computer, on my bigger screened television.
• Many gaming systems like Xbox, Playstation, and Wii have the ability to stream through them.

Click here for a full list of Amazon Instant Video compatible devices.

Now that you have your equipment for watching, you are all set to go!  If you have a Prime membership, then you have many different movies, documentaries, tv shows, stand up comedies, and even some concerts to choose from.  I've watched everything from Downton Abbey to Pink in concert. 

Currently, Amazon also has all 7 seasons of Doctor Who :)

With so much to choose from, what are your favorite shows or movies to watch on Amazon Instant Video? 

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For a click-able list of all 26 How to Keep Busy While Recovering posts, click here.

Total Ankle Replacement: 16 Weeks Post-Op – Ankle #2

So today is 16 weeks since I had my total ankle replacement on ankle #2 and things are coming along pretty well.  I still don't feel “normal” in either of my ankles (ankle #1 is approximately 9 months post-op).  But there's a very really possibility that I might not ever get to “normal”.  I'll settle for pain free and working :)

Physical Therapy

I'm still going to physical therapy twice a week to regain the strength in my legs and feet.  At physical therapy I'm doing between 10-12 minutes on the treadmill...still at a snails pace.  I'm up to 45lbs on the hip machine, 15lbs on the knee machine, and level 6 on the total gym.  This is all with the aircast ankle brace on ankle #2 (for pics of my aircast click here).  My therapist also has me doing some weird exercises on the reformer (pilates machine) with my shoes and brace off.  I guess this torture is supposed to help strengthen the smaller muscles in my feet.  And last week the rebounder was added into the mix...that's the one where you throw a weighted ball at a mini trampoline and it bounces back and you catch it.  What does this have to do with my ankle?  Yeah, I have to do this exercise while balancing on my bad foot.  I've yet to master just one toss.

My range of motion is pretty much the same as it was a couple of months ago...seems like I got it all back pretty quickly (click here for my last post with measurements).  The biggest difference is that when I flex my ankle up, I can make it go further now on my own (this is my active dorsiflexion...for those that know all those fancy pt terms).

'Round the House

My gait is continuing to get better, although I'm still walking with a bit of a limp, even with the aircast on.  Without the aircast, the limp is much more noticeable.  I wear it whenever I go out, but when I'm at home I don't.  The one exception is when I had company over for my birthday...I wore my aircast in the house since I thought I would be up and about a bit more.  It definitely gives me a bit more stability than without it.  And, thankfully, it isn't as annoying to wear as it was in the beginning.

Out and About

Yesterday was the first day that I went out in the afternoon after having pt in the morning.  Usually on pt days, I don't schedule anything for the rest of the day because I'm so sore.  But yesterday we went out to dinner after I took my son to the orthodontist.  By the time we got home last night I was pretty sore, especially since I drove.  But waking up today I was okay.

If I'm out for the afternoon then by the time I get home both my ankles are swollen.  To be fair, this was like this even before the surgery.  I was hoping it was going to get better, and maybe it still will, but it hasn't yet.  I've yet to make a grocery store run...that's my biggest goal...to go the grocery store and not regret it for days afterward.  It's the little things!

Immediate Goals

Over the next month my biggest goals are:  to go to the clothing store with my daughter for some needed items, and to go to the elementary school to have lunch with my son.  The clothing store run will have to be short and sweet...luckily my tom-boy daughter would rather be doing just about anything else but shopping with her mom.  And I have to get in all the school lunches that I can with my son before he goes to middle school and wants nothing to do with me :(

I wonder just how far behind I am than the average person having this type of surgery...if there's anyone out there who can compare, please comment below!

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To read about my full ankle replacement journey, please click here.

26 Different Ways To Keep Busy While Recovering: A to Z Challenge 2014

If you read my post from Monday, then you'll know that this April I will be participating in the A to Z Challenge, where everyday my posts will feature a different letter of the alphabet, for a total of 26 different posts for the month of April.  And today is the big theme reveal.  The one common factor that all my posts will have is this: 

How To Keep Busy While Recovering

Recovering from what?  Well, maybe you're recovering from surgery...or from an injury that has slowed you down...or maybe you're an expectant mom who has been instructed to be on bed rest.  If you fall into any of these categories, then stay tuned for the month of April, where I will focus my A to Z Challenge on things to keep you busy while you are recovering.

Since I've had two major surgeries over the past nine months, I've had a lot of down time.  Having so much down time can get pretty boring really quickly and can also lead to depression (at least it can for me).  So I decided to focus my theme on things that I've done that have kept me busy and helped pass the time.  Everything that is on my list is something that I have personally done.  I'm not throwing suggestions out there that I haven't done myself.  For example, you won't hear me tell you that you should try knitting.  While I know that knitting is wonderful for some people, I'm not one of those people.  I don't knit.  Maybe someday I'll try, but I don't currently.

Have any guesses as to what will be on my list?   I'll give you one hint...Spoilers!!

Any fellow bloggers also participating in the A to Z Challenge?  What is your theme?

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*Throughout the month of April, I will link all the posts back to this main page...this way all 26 ideas will be in one place.

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Amazon Instant Video

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Blog
How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Company Helps
How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Documentaries Are Fun
How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Eat, Drink, And Be Merry

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Friends are Better

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Get Over It!

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Hot Baths

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Imagine Yourself Better...The Power Of Positive Thinking

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Just Ignore The Mess

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Kindle Fire...It's My Fave
How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Laugh...A Lot...and Often

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Music Soothes The Savage Beast

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Netflix Is My Best Friend

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Open A Package...Order Stuff Online! 

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Pray

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Queen For A Day

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Reading Is Fundamental

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Strike A Pose

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Try An Instrument

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Uber-Delicious Cake

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Vampires...I've Loved You Since The Lost Boys

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Who? Doctor Who...That's Who

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: eXamination

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: YouTube

How To Keep Busy While Recovering: Zzzzzzzzzz......