Exercises and A Visualization

New exercises: Each one to be done 10 times once a day. The usual lying down exercises done 10 times each once a day.

• Standing at the center table in the kitchen and using it for balance/support, full weight on right leg, left knee raised and lowered 10 times.

• Standing with full weight on left leg {the one which was operated on} right knee raised and lowered three to five times eventually working up to ten times. This was incredibly difficult this morning. I managed three times.
• Repeat this pattern by doing left leg out to side 10 times followed by right leg 3 to 5 times
• Repeat this pattern with left leg moved back 10 times being careful to keep back straight Do the same with right leg 3 to 5 times.
• repeat this with left knee bent up towards the butt 10 times. Right knee 3 to 5 times

After all this was over this morning and the physical therapist left, I went to bed and slept about an hour and a half!
Visualization for solving the laundry problem. In order to do laundry, I have to go down 12 steep and not very well lighted steps, and walk across the basement to the washer and drier bent over because I am tall and there are heating ducts in my way! Our dirty laundry is in two plastic containers in the closet in our bedroom. One bag is whites and the other is permanent press.

So, first go down the stairs holding on to the rail on the right. Stick held in left hand but not used on the steps.

Next, walk across the basement using stick, There is a mesh bag I used to use before we got the plastic containers. Get this, go back to steps and walk up them holding rail with left hand and stick in right hand.

Transfer dirty laundry to mesh bag and close the top tightly. Throw the bag down the steps. {This is what I used to do before we got the plastic containers. It is actually a lot of fun to do this bit} Walk down the stairs carefully and drag the bag of laundry across the floor with left hand using stick in right hand.

Load washing machine. Back up stairs. Later go down stairs and transfer laundry to drier. Back up stairs

Go down stairs. Take clothes out of drier and rough-fold and stuff in mesh bag. Drag mesh bag across floor and go upstairs holding on the rail with left hand. Have mesh bag in front and lift it up a couple of steps and then walk up to it. {It would be great if I could throw it up stairs with the ease I can throw it downstairs!}

Empty mesh bag on bed and sit on bed to sort and organize. Put own clothes away. {Fred’s clothes are put on his side of the bed and he puts them where he wants them.}

Now, of course, all of this is not going to be done on one day. I think walking down the basement stairs and back up will be tomorrow’s big activity! I find doing this kind of "think ahead" stuff incredibly helpful. I am not locked rigidly into this. If I find a better way as I am doing it, I have no problem taking it. In fact this is what happened when I was actually taking that first shower–but I am very reassured by having worked out a way to do these physical things before I actually do them!
Jen the physical therapist said she will give me a call after next Thursday when I go to see the surgeon. She also reminded me that I can ask for a referral to outside physical therapy at this meeting and I will do that. I know Fred will take me until I am give permission to drive my car again which will be in three weeks, I hope!

QUOTATION: If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.

— David Viscott

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