Week 13

So, last week was rough, I mean really rough, but not knee related. Per my last post I was fighting a cold. Well, I thought it was a cold, for agonizing day's later I come to find out it was strep throat, and an ear infection. So, finally I dragged myself to the doctor, and 2 hours later I was on my way to Walgreen's to get my drugs. My work outs have suffered a bit since I have been dealing with symptoms of these shitty illnesses. I also saw my surgeon last week, Doc Walter. He checked my knee, and all is good. I did mention to him that I felt my PT was being too conservative. He gave me the green light to start slow controlled running, and step up the intensity on my leg workouts. So, I have started that. I had some leg workouts last night, and tonight, I will get to do some more. Starting with light weights, and staying away from leg extensions for one more week or so. That is all for now, tomorrow I will visit my pt again, and see what he has to say. I think I will only be working with him for a few more weeks, before I venture out on my own. That is all for now.

Fernando #5

Mid week update

So, this week started off sucky, not my knee. It is fine. It has it's day, some good, some bad. Funny enough, they are bad when my leg is tired, and my knee is taking more of the weight. So, in my office we sit in what are called tech caves, they group us based on like skills, my cave is knows as he data cave, where all the dba's sit. We also have some QA people in there as well, well one of our QA guys started to get a bit sick on Monday. I had totally killed it on Saturday, and Sunday lifting weights. I have not been this sore in a long time. I was pushing heavy weight in my biceps, and chest. So, my immune system was weak. Monday I came in contact with his germs, and I started to feel crappy, right a way. The next day, I was running a fever, sore throat, achy, and ll the symptoms of the flu. So, I had to cancel my pt, and stay home and endure day time TV. I actually like going to work, so this kind of sucks a bit. I will reschedule my pt for tomorrow, or Friday. I also have an appointment to see my doc on Friday as well, so all in all. It's been a pretty weird week. I did talk to Will my PT, he has given me the green light to do hamstring workouts, leg press, and leg sled. I still have to stay away from leg extensions for at least week 14. I am OK with that, he has also cleared me to start any workout on the elliptical machine. So, this news is pretty exciting. I will also start light jogging on my next pt session. Finally real progress, but I am not anywhere near close just yet. I can now step up, and actually build some muscle back on this leg with some forms of weight lifting.

Till the next time,

Fernando #5.

Finally, week 12!

So, my last session of pt was great. I was working hard and really fast. After reading some of the blogs from other people I follow, and that follow me. I realize my pt is a bit conservative in progressing. I feel like if I can physically run, we should get to work. With all that being said I feel like I am ready to start pushing myself even harder. For most people that know me personally they know I push myself really hard to get into great physical condition. I have made the decision to rehab up to a year, then get back into any intense training. I am also finally excited about tossing the pig skin around, my lateral movement is getting better. I did have some what of a scare last week. I was moving a table with a monitor on it at my office, and my right leg popped really loud. Seeing how my left knee was the injured one, i started to freak out. Even if it was only a small pop, and no swelling, loss of motion or pain. My quad felt fatigued. So, I had it checked out with one of my team trainers, and found that it was all good. I just have been working it out 5 days a week, it all caught up to me, and I was forced to rest it for a few days straight. My cardio is getting better 40 mins on the machines, and my strength is finally back. 235 on the bench press, 185 shoulder press, 70 bicep curls. Not too bad for a 180 lb football player. Aside from rehabbing my left knee, I have been dealing with this new Apple 3.0 software update that totally killed my wifi, and blue tooth on my iPhone. Being a software developer\ data base engineer I should either be able to figure it out, but NO! Apple has been sucking ass lately. I have an appointment with a Mac Genius today, hopefully they will replace my phone, and everything will be all good. So, for next week, I will see my doc again, and progress. To everyone out there dealing with this, good luck, and remember work your ass off.

Fernando #5

Start Of Week 10

So, this last PT session I had was the best one I have had since surgery. I finally feel like I am making progress. My leg feels stronger, and better. I have been stretching it every chance I get, and I have also been massaging it to make sure the scar is loosening up. With running on the horizon I finally found out that my insurance only approves a max of 20 visits to my pt per year. This put's me in a bind, since this will put me till about week 17 or so of this process. From there it will all be out of pocket, which does not seem so bad, but I want to make sure that my knee is healing correctly. So, for now I have 2 weeks, and I should be able to start to run a bit. This is huge for me, I am so ready to get back to some kind of running. Everything is one step at a time, and this is all part of the process, but I am glad I am moving along. I have been doing a ton of PT on my own as well, following the same protocol I do at pt, but on my own. The other weird thing I have going on is that my leg has been popping lately. Which from what I hear is normal, and well it does not hurt, its just something new to get used too. I will have to admit, it freaks me out even now, but I know the scar tissue, and weak muscles have something to do with it. So, again I stay on course another day, lifting weights, working the leg, and not doing anything stupid. Till next time, remember you get what you put it, so work that leg, and ice it.

Fernando # 5

Start of Week 9

Some days it feels likes the weeks are flying by, other days it feels like things are going by so slow. Starting this week, I have been working my tail off at PT, and on my own. As well as keeping in shape at the gym. I have taken off my brace during workouts at the gym. Up to this point it has been a comfort thing. I worry that some numb nuts would run into my leg, or drop something close by. It all felt ok, I have decided to cut back to one day a week with Will my PT, and then take his direction, and work on those workouts on my own. I am in coasting mode at this point with different resistance levels so to speak, but nothing earth shattering until I start to run in about 3 weeks or so. At this point, my leg feels good enough to run, but I know I am not there yet, so I have to stick to the regiment, and be patient. Which sucks, cause my companies pool party is next week, and well I can not horseplay or rough house with my co-workers, and well there will diving, dodgeball, and a bunch of other shenanigans going on. I will have to take a rain check, and just witness the activities. I must say, it is frustrating waiting for this leg to heal enough to get back to running and lifting weights with my legs, to get full strength back. Till later on next week, when I see Will, and change the routine up again. Have a great holiday weekend, and talk to you guys later.

Fernando

#5

Start Of Week 8, and follow up Dr. Appointment

So, here we are the start of week 8. Right now, we coasting during our PT sessions. We are adding some tweaks to our routine, but nothing really changes. I had my follow up with Dr. Walter, it went well, he checked my knee, asked if I had any issues, and gave me some weaker pain meds. I something I have not done since I started recovery, I took two days off from PT, and weight lifting. It helped me relax my leg, and body. It also did something mentally, it allowed me to re-focused. I now know the reality is I have 4 weeks from being able to run, and get into more intense training. For those who are dealing with the same situation be strong, push yourself so that you can get past the mental hurdles. So, for this week, I am cutting down to 1 appointment a week during my pt sessions, its about progress and work. Here is another thing for those who are recovering from ACL surgery, your knee will feel weird. Every time my knee feels weird I used to freak out, and now I am getting a bit used to it. It's a weird mix of patience, hard work, and being careful. I ask my PT every little thing, and I know it may get on his nerves, but there is nothing better than having peace of mind. So, till later on this week kids, keep working, and you will back to normal soon.
Fernando #5

Week 6, and 7

So, first thing is first, I have not actually posted in 2 weeks. I have been really buys working out at the gym, and getting to PT 2 times a week. So, for week 6 the milestone was the swelling has gone down alot, I have increased my PT workouts, which is a well deserved change. So, my PT routine consists of quad shuttle, double, and single legged on my repaired knee. Leg band balance work, stationary biking, hamstring, and quad stretching, wobble board, weighted walking, singled legged medicine ball throwing, wall squats, elyptical machine, and walking backwards on a treadmill. So, its a 2 hour session. The main milestone for these two weeks has been my extension is also back in my leg. I have really focused on stretching and getting that extension back to normal. It has paid off, so a word of advise, stretch that leg, and get it going. So, the outlook for the next 5 weeks will be balance, strength, and flexion. I also have an appointment with my surgeon on Friday of this week, this is just a follow up, routine check up. So, I expect nothing new to happen here. I have been really busting ass trying to get my upper body strength back. I am happy to report my chest press has gotten back to 290, and my shoulders are getting back to their normal strength. Which is important. Once I get back to jogging, I will finally feel better. My leg feels pretty normal, but do not let that fool you. From what I understand, the 7 to 12 week, and the 12 to 20 week phase are the most critical. 7 to 12 weeks the ligament is actually regenerating, and becoming stronger, while this happens, it actually becomes really week. So, you need to be very careful with it. During the 12 to 20 week period there is still some strength that needs to be regained. The knee may feel good, but you still have to regain your leg strength before you can fully go 100% on it. So, word to the wise, follow your PT plan, work hard, but well supervised, and you will be back to normal sooner, rather than later. So, until next week, we have several cool things going on in our football league, and will be talking more about it soon. If anyone dealing with this process as I am has any questions, please feel free to ask, I will be posting more pics of my knee, and leg soon.

Fernando #5