No more machine!

I went to my post-op today.  My dad rode his bicycle downtown and met me, then we drove my car to my appointment.  On the way there, I pointed out Brandon's car and told Pops how the car was hit the other day while parked on the street.  I also told him how when we walked out and the lady randomly asked Alissa, B and I if the car was ours because she had backed into it, Alissa and I started laughing hysterically and walked into the coffee shop, leaving Brandon outside to pretend to be distressed over the situation.  My dad also found the story humorous and we laughed together and B's expense.  I love my dad.


The doctor said I was 3 weeks behind schedule for what the cartilage implant company expected, but that I'm doing well for my particular situation.  If I were to have been a normal patient, I would have only been non-weight bearing for 4 weeks instead of 7.  BUT...due to my particular situation and that this was my 5th surgery, I'm not doing so bad!  


I no longer need to use the CPM machine.  My doctor's a character and when I said, "Really?!" He responds with, "Heck yes!  Throw that thing out the window!!!!"  We laughed and then he told me he doesn't advise throwing the machine out the window, especially since it'd probably cost me a pretty penny or two to replace!!  


I no longer need to wear the gigantic brace.  He said I could still wear it, but also made it very clear that the reason people are usually required to wear the brace is for a reminder.  A reminder that you can't just jump up and start walking every where.  I don't think I'll have this problem, especially since I still keep having nightmares about doing just that.  I really don't want to do anything to put my knee at risk.  I'm done having surgeries for a while.


I'm to start physical therapy next week.  I'll be going twice a week for at least 6 weeks.  I really hope I don't have to pay the $30 or whatever it is EVERY visit.  I've got my fingers crossed that it's covered by insurance since it goes with the surgery. I'm also going to try to get some extra time in on a stationary bicycle when I can.  I'm tremendously excited to start physical therapy, even though I know it will hurt.


I'm up to 122 VERY painful degrees of flexion.  As I was laying on the table, he wanted to see how far I could bend my knee.  So I bent as far as I felt I could go...then he helped me out and pushed on my leg a little.  I thought I was going to cry.  It hurt, but he was happy with the progress I've made for strengthening, he's just worried about my bending.  I can also put about 1/4 of my weight on my leg.  This is going to be terrifically helpful for my daily activities...such as showering.  Or standing.  


To celebrate my knee brace freedom I went to Jill's house to porch sit.  Her roommate Bryce bar-b-qued us some delicious hamburgers and corn.  We talked a while, I did a lot of knee bending, we talked some more, we drank beers of the root variety as well as the wheat and barley variety, we talked even more, we yelled at cougs and pre-cougs, then we saw RACCOONS.  That's right.  Freaking RACCOONS.  These little brave souls travelled from across the street and into the apartment complex down the street.  I tried to yell "raccoon" but I think I had cougars on the mind because that's what came out instead.  I was pointing at them and was hugely excited.  Once Jill and Bryce turned to the street and saw these spectacular creatures, Bryce RAN downstairs to see these things eye-to-eye and I quickly stole his seat to get a better view!!!  The raccoons ended up meandering into the apartments, but it was still an amazing sight!!!

I just watched about 45 minutes of movie trailers...

These are two of my favorite dudes.  They left today for L.A.  Hopefully they'll both be running in just over a month.  I had a pep talk with Nigel before he took off on this journey.  He's a little nervous to be away from Scotty's where his new friends kept him in good company.  He said he likes the attention he got being there.  I told him this trip would make him feel better and he'd be more admired since he'll be seeing a lot more people.  I don't know where this narcissism comes from.  Me?  Nooooo...


Saturday night was a riot.  Since Jeff was in town, we all got together over at Kip and Mel's new house (which looks FANTASTIC) for some delicious pizza and good times.  During this much needed and healthy visit, we talked and eventually moved the party into the living room for some Apples to Apples.  I must say...I've never played with such low down dirty cheaters in my life.  You couldn't take your eyes off the table without someone grabbing an extra card, exchanging a card or looking over your shoulder to see what your cards were!  I was almost ashamed for knowing such cheats!!!!!  Truth be told...I may or may not have been one of those cheats...oops!!!


Early tonight I made it to an "older than dirt" birthday party for a family friend.  There were babies everywhere running around and being darlings.  I had the pleasure of listening to a Jersey accent!  We talked about donks, hookers, bulls, scorpions, snakes and taking up snake charming with a hookah flute, but not necessarily in that order.  Alissa also came home from another epic road trip and told stories of UFC fights in Canada, catching fish at Pike Place, getting invited on a boat to party with strangers, and wedding crashing (SERIOUSLY ALISSA.  WHAT THE FUCK?!?!  HAVE YOU EVER EVEN BEEN ON A TRIP THAT YOU DIDN'T END UP DOING SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ONLY READ ABOUT IN BOOKS AND SEE ON TV?  OH.  THAT'S RIGHT.  YOU'RE NAME IS ALISSA.  EVERYTHING YOU DO IS AMAZING AND NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED ANYMORE.  I'M NOT.  HURRY UP AND WRITE THAT DUMB BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE ALREADY.  PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU.  AND BE YOUR FRIEND TO GO ON THESE TRIPS).


My roommates rule.  Simplest things become adventures you wish you were there for. 

Atomic Fireballs

I completely forgot how much I adore that candy. Until my mom brought a bag home. Now my mouth is slightly sore. Totally worth it.

I was able to be part of Amber's Birthday Week today. Since I couldn't really go to her to celebrate, she came to me! And she brought me ice cream!!! She also brought me cards and proceeded to beat me in Skip-Bo, but I made my swift and calculated comeback and grabbed the rug from under the feet she thought she had firmly planted and kicked her ass in Phase 10. Okay, okay...it may or may not have been that good of a comeback, or that glorious of a win...but the fact is: I beat her. Man I hate losing!!

Later on the whole family came over for dinner. Mom made steam cake and we had key lime pie. If you were close enough to come get some and didn't (and don't bitch about not being invited...my mom's place is an open invitation kind of deal), you're at a major loss. Brandon came over for dinner. He had to fatten up his scrawny baby body and there's no way he's turning down a free meal, even if it means he has to drive 100 miles round trip. Lucky for me though, since he was at dinner I volunteered him to take me to get mah hurrrr did. I can't wait to clean up this mop. I won't have to blow dry my hair for at least 2 weeks.

I keep waking myself up all panicky in the middle of this dream where I jump up out of bed or off the couch without my crutches. For whatever reason my leg is fine and I can just walk around like normal and it seems like the crutches are just for show around my folks. Then I wake up panicked because I'm worried I'll wake up thinking my leg's good to go. I also keep daydreaming about RUNNING. Yeah, me. Dreaming about running. That's how I know I'm not awake. I fuggin' hate running.

Oh. And what the fuck is with Craigslist going down?!?!?! Yeah...so it wasn't very long. But that ish shouldn't happen. Ever.