PHYSICAL THERAPY

On August 29, 2011, I had my cement spacer removed from my right knee.  It had held the space for my new titanium knee.  There was no sign of infection lingering in my knee.  My new prosthesis was inserted in my right knee.  The surgery went very well.  I went home in 4 days.  I began home therapy the next day!  I had the Physical Therapist who I had following my initial surgery to remove my stainless steel right knee.  He's from India and also studied in Australia.  He is exceptionally interesting and can talk to distract you while he continues to have you do therapy.  He had taught me to get in the backseat of our car without having to bend my knee at all, while I had the cast which encased my leg from thigh to toes.  That still was necessary following the surgery.  He taught me to go upstairs before I began outpatient therapy.  That enabled me to get rid of the hospital bed from our living room.  After 3 weeks of home therapy I began outpatient therapy. 

I consider physical therapy essential.   9 years ago following my bilateral surgeries (both knees done the same time) I endured 6 months of PT.  The first day my therapist asked me my goal.  My reply was, "I plan to walk out of here pain free."   I fulfilled that goal and was told "I didn't think you could do that!"    Now I'm back in that same spot after 8 1/2 years enjoying walking pain free!   I began with 3/wk and now am at 2/wk, both with home exercise.  It is exhausting but I am not in pain, which is wonderful.  I have more bend than I did the first time around, which is amazing since I'm OLDER now.

I feel better than I have in a couple of years.  I'm still weak from chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, staph infection, and oodles of medications.  Currently I am working on functions.  Last week I ironed, baked cookies, had guests for a chili lunch, and ran the vacuum  cleaner (1 room/day).

Prayers are really being answered positively.

"Together we have thought about the wisdom endowed to the body by the creator through an intelligent design....You are a recipient of that gift, and your appreciation and respect for your design and the Designer requires that you seek the path to health and wholeness by personally making a commitment to constantly care for your body."   p.79

GOD'S PRESCRIPTION FOR HEALING  c2004
James P. Gills, M.D.