1 year 7 months - 1 year Physical Therapy Anniversary!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Happy 1 year Physical Therapy Anniversary to me!!! 

I can't believe I forgot to write my 1 year Physical Therapy Anniversary on May 7th! 1 year flew by fast. I'm still within the month so it still counts! Yup, that plate and 9 screws is still inside this right ankle. The scar healed nicely, it lays over my hardware so close you can see the ridges of the nails from when you look at it a certain way. 

How I am feeling? For sure not 100% but still a healing process. As of the late few months, I've notice some random spasm pinches that stop me from walking for just a second. I am also noticing some clicking around the bottom of my ankle when I stretch, move a certain way, or when walking. I wonder if it's just the tissue inside that's healing. I also still get tired after walking for too long. It's really random, some times I'll get tired after just 30 minutes, and sometimes I'll last up to an hour before I start to slow down. And anything over hours, you can clearly see my slower pace and a baby limp. Then it feels hot and sore in the ankle. I have contemplated months ago for requesting for another handicap sign because it's a pain to carry my 35 lb. dog food and heavier bags of grocery days. Sometimes I wonder if the running aggravated, and stressed out my ankle. I stuck it out for a few more months, did more walking and still not much of a change. Maybe because I gained a few pounds too? Nooo..... I don't really know. I did schedule an appointment for a checkup with my Surgeon for next Friday to get an xray of my ankle to make sure nothing is loose and hoping it looks well. I have some questions of concern and wanted to see if it was even possible to get a handicap placard to make it easier for me.

I am sad to say that I have stopped running since the last time. I don't want to feel that uncomfortable feeling, being sore for days, and sometimes limping afterwards. I know I was gung ho and so excited at the beginning. But really I do feel like I have extended myself a bit then when I was just started out. I have since picked up yoga and it's really helping me build back my balance on this ankle. Very slowly but surely getting there. I have to be diligent about going to yoga classes often enough in a week to continue the strengthening of my ankle. The teachers are so kind and helpful in making sure I am safe and not in pain. I will be sure not to push myself too far or get too excited with poses like I did with running and over extending my capabilities. I I am starting to love yoga!

Most importantly, I am happy to be walking! A coworker of mine just fractured his ankle and came to work with crutches and a walking boot. It brought back so many memories. Over time, it does get better. Last year I called it my hermit year because I was tired by 9 and became sort of anti social and focused on healing. This year I call it my YES year! It's time to get back on my feet, get out there and do more activities. I continue to do some of the physical therapy exercises. Aiming to eat healthier, and getting in shape so I can one day again try running! I am getting older and need to take care of my body. I am very excited for the next year! I just have to stay focused, keep going, and staying positive along the way! I wonder what I'll accomplish by next year. I'll be back in a year!

1 year 7 months - First time taking Power Yoga class!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

It's my second day back in the gym! I decided to try out this Power Yoga class. It was extremely fast and I was working hard and dripping sweat. I am feeling the soreness in my entire body right now. My ankle is also a bit sore and tired. No pain! I'm feeling really good.

To my surprise, I was able to hold my half moon pose on my right ankle! However, I was not able to look up like the example image below. I had my gaze on my mat. I was shaky but was able to hold it up for most of that time. I'm so excited! I'm making progress in building my balance back. The teacher made sure I was doing okay. I felt stronger and comfortable since starting yoga about a month ago. I'm excited to do more yoga! 

1 year 7 months - First time back at the gym and took my first TRX Class!

Monday, May 5, 2014

It's my first time back at the gym! I am so happy! I did about 20 minutes on the elliptical machine before taking my first TRX class! It was an hour long of burning! I feel sore and so tired already. There were definitely some moves that got a bit uncomfortable for me. 

The first one was the Jump Squat, example below. I was able to do about 5 before I started feeling tired and some pressure in the ankle. 

Sadly, another move was the single leg squat I was not able to do. I got extremely nervous just trying to place my right foot into the strap and knew that I had no balance what so ever and stopped immediately to tell the teacher I was not able to do this exercise. 

The teacher gave me an alternative to do squats while the rest of the class continues the two exercises above. We did 3 sets of each exercise and more of other the other positions to do with arms and core work.

One exercise I was able to do with my feet in the straps was the plank! It didn't bother my ankle or foot at all. Just that this position made me sweat a ton! Well actually, I was sweating throughout the entire class. Great workout! It was fun and I feel like I got a great workout! I may be back for more!

1 year 7 months - 6 laps on the Lyons Street Steps

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Today, my friend and I went to hike the Lyons Street Steps. Great views and a perfect day! It wasn't too hot and just the right amount of breeze. I wore my really light running shoes for the walk. 

It was easy to go down with the beautiful view looking over the Marina. My ankle felt alright! Walking my normal pace down those stairs. 

Going up was a bit harder, these were some steep steps. Did 6 laps up and 6 laps down. I got my sweat on and my legs burned so good. My ankle is tired and sore now. No limping! I'll be back for more next week. I hope to increase my laps in the future. It feels so good!

1 year 6 months - Now able to carry a 35lb bag of dog food!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

It was time to buy dog food again and this time I was able to carry a 35lb. bag back to my car! So happy! Felt like a great accomplishment haha. Before, I was only able to carry the 18lb. bag for a while. Even at the beginning it was a bit heavy for my ankle. This is still new to me so with the 35lb. bag it still took me slower than usual to walk back to my car just to be safe. Yes, it's still heavy for my ankle but I was actually comfortable enough to carry it back to my car from the store. I'd say it was about it was about 30 steps from the store to the car. It made me feel like I was back to my old self except that I do feel the pressure in my ankle whenever I carry heavy things. This made me think what if I had a handicap placard, then I wouldn't have to walk so far to another parking spot. I'll see if I feel even stronger months from now. I am still careful and not pushing myself too far. Happy!

1 year 6 months - Vegas and Heels!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Just got back from Las Vegas this past weekend. Wore my wedged heels 2 nights in a roll to celebrate 3 of my friends' birthdays! I made it through. I wasn't in pain but was tired after a few hours in heels. Had a great time and so happy! I think this was the fourth time I've worn these with this new ankle. I guess it's the safest for me to wear wedges only. 

Then I soaked in hot water and stretched. No swelling, or limping! Success! It was a great trip for my ankle! 

 

1 year 5 months - Yoga Class #3

Friday, March 28, 2014

Happy Friday! Good way to end the week with yoga to relax my mind.

This time a friend joined me. I pretty much sweat throughout the entire class again. My ankle is still with no pain. I must wear good shoes to prevent that. Since Monday's class, I haven't felt sore for more than a day. Mostly in my arms and surprisingly in my ankle.

However, I do notice that when I walk for long periods such as 30 minutes up to hours at a time, I will get tired and slowly start limping. I have been contemplating on asking my Surgeon for another Handicap Card. It would definitely make it easier on me if I had one. I just figured after about a year out of Physical Therapy I'd be more progressed than I thought. I'm so wrong, it really takes time for ankles to heal.

This time in class, in some positions when I do some twists with the body I can feel a tiny crack. The kind like how you would crack your knuckles. Tiny little pops but it didn't hurt! When I do these leg bearing moves like the Warrior III pose example below, I can't stand or balance for long.

I also had a bit of discomfort and lost a bit of balance holding the reverse warrior pose as well like the example below. I was shaky holding my bad ankle leg bent. Felt some pressure and tiny bit of tingling. I hope my strength and balance improves as I take more classes. I just bought another yoga deal from Groupon for Hot Yoga! Will do that once I'm done with this Groupon deal. I love it!