One Month Until Surgery

One month from today, I'm scheduled for ACL reconstructive surgery - unless of course, Dr. Theo decides on September 15th at my pre-op appointment that I'm not ready which I highly doubt. So far, my recovery has been great. I continue to work hard on my range of motion (ROM) and strengthening exercises. I can walk freely but tire easy and then need my crutches for support. Neena says that I'm a model student! A++ for me!

Speaking of ROM, my flexion is now at 130deg - far exceeding Dr. Theo's minimum of 90deg and meeting Neena's goal. To be honest, I'm even surprised by how well I'm doing but have been warned that I'll be starting from zero after my surgery. In fact, I'm preparing and organizing myself for all the school work and teaching that I will be missing by categorizing my time and assignments by "pre-surgery" and "post-surgery". Nothing ingenious, but from the stories I've heard, post-surgery recovery is pretty painful and I'll be off my feet again for awhile.

Anyway, the most exciting part of pre-surgery (since the rest is work-related) is that Jeff will be coming home for Labour Day weekend! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay! I cannot wait. 10 more days!

-ange xx

New Rides!

My parents are THE BEST. They are kind, caring and thoughtful. So much so that when I simply mentioned that having an exercise bike at home would help tremendously with my physio, we went shopping for one. In fact, yesterday, we went on a family field trip to the local Fitness Depot and picked up the Johnson R800 - very fancy (see below):

The Johnson R800 (from here)

It took Chris and Karen about 2 hours (with breaks for food) to assemble it right in the middle of the living room - saving us $75 for delivery and assembly! I'm looking forward to using it 3 times a day, slowly pedaling at an impressive top speed of 10-20 km/h for 5-10 minutes, to keep my knee from getting stiff, especially on days that I do not have physio. Mom is also pumped about the bike in the living room because this means she can cycle and watch TV everyday before the wedding.

I was excited to share the news about my shiny bike with Jeff. Funny enough, when he called last night, he had some exciting news to tell me himself. He, too, also bought a new bike - very sexy (see below):

Jeff's new carbon-fibre road bike (from here)

Some background: two weeks ago, his old mountain bike was stolen right off his patio. Fortunately, he was able to claim it for insurance and got $650USD - a lot more than the salvage value of that bike. So, it all worked out as he was able to put the money towards something new! Also, during this two week period sans bike, we became the proud owners of a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero (for $2850).

Our *new* car - not actual, but same idea (from here)

This means no more rental cars to get from point A to B! And, that I can fly directly to SFO for American Thanksgiving! Yay!

-ange xx

Congratulations to Victor and Adriane!

Last night, I attended Victor and Adriane's beautiful wedding! Victor and I have known each other since I started graduate school in September 2005, and we served as co-presidents of the chemical engineering graduate student association over the 2006-7 academic year. We always joked around about being "political spouses" but I couldn't have been more thrilled for him when I first found out that he met a lovely girl named Adriane, who I got to know better while playing softball with her last summer.

Anyway, the ceremony was held at the Newman Centre on the UofT campus and was followed by a dinner reception at One King West. The mass was lovely, the venue was very classy and the whole event was extremely organized. In fact, it gave me many ideas for my and Jeff's wedding. For instance, the couple's first dance was even choreographed which makes me think that we should either a) take lessons or b) have a slideshow on simultaneously as to divert the audience's attention away from us while we sway back and forth =)

The happily married couple serve great as my crutches

Unfortunately, I had to leave a bit early (shorly after the dinner and speeches) as Prof. Paradi kindly offered me a ride home. I was, however, pretty tired from standing a lot during mass, and it was my first full evening out since my injury so the timing worked out just right (aside: my flexion is now 105 degs).

And finally, some more great news: Mrs. Paradi graciously and generously offered to make our wedding cake! Cake decorating is a serious hobby of hers and I couldn't feel more honoured! Isn't that amazing? =)

-ange xx

100 Degrees of Flexion!

I had a great day at physio today. So great that I just have to blog about it. In the past week, I've been committed to my exercises that Neena teaches me during our sessions. I've been challenging myself as much as I can to bend my knee and put weight on my leg. And it has paid off.

My flexion is now up to 100deg (from 75deg just a week ago and 25deg to begin) and I'm relieved that I am over the minimum 90deg required for surgery! I was also able to pedal on a bike, albeit slowly. Starting today, I will attempt to walk around the house without my crutches. So all in all, things are looking up. Neena says she'll continue to push me and has set an ambitious goal of 130deg before my pre-operation assessment on September 15.

Time to put my game face on!
-ange xx

Unhappy Triad

Yesterday, Dr. Theo confirmed my ACL tear but also told me that I did much more damage than was anticipated. I also tore my medial meniscus and did something to my MCL and the lateral meniscus! See the diagram below for where all these parts of the knee are.

Anatomy of the knee (from here)

Chris says this type of injury is called the "Unhappy Triad" and according to wikipedia, is usually caused in contact sports (e.g. football, soccer). How I managed to do this while playing Ultimate is a mystery.

Anyway, I am scheduled for surgery on September 25 (again, great healthcare that I can't boast enough about) but only if I can get my knee to bend 90 degrees by September 15. I hope it's not a problem considering that I was at 75 degrees last week but I'll find out what my progress has been over the past few days at home when I have my physio appointment this afternoon.

So, that's the story for now. I have to work on my range of motion and have been ordered/prescribed aggressive physiotherapy over the next month. This means I likely cannot go to San Jose to see Jeff - definitely the worst part of this whole deal.

Wish me luck.

-ange xx

A Card to Brighten My Day

This morning, I got a very sweet surprise from my father-in-law-to-be, his lovely half, Cathy, and the "kids". THANK YOU!!!

A purolator man rang the bell at around 11am and I almost missed him because I have to slowly crutch downstairs to get the door. I'm glad I caught him in time though, otherwise I would have missed out on my hilarious card (see below) and a future shop gift card (yay! lucky me!).

Front of the card

Back of the card

The "kids" in Corunna last Thanksgiving

It's days like today where being a bit crippled is not too shabby ;-) I'm so grateful for the amazing support system around me.

-ange xx

Pseudowalking

A week has passed and I've made some progress! I started physiotherapy and my physiotherapist, Neena, has taught me how to do some simple exercises to prevent muscular atrophy. Also, an important goal is to get my range in motion back. Essentially, a healthy knee has flexion of 150deg. Here's a picture to illustrate:

Range of motion of the knee (from here)

When I first got out of the knee brace last week, my knee could only bend 30deg. On Tuesday, at physio, I was able to bend it to 69deg. And on Thursday (just two days later), I got it to 75deg. I'm halfway there! Yay! Neena has also told me to challenge myself by putting weight on my right leg. So, I've started to walk (well, pseudowalk - I complete the motion of walking but rely on my crutches for balance).

Next Tuesday, I have an appointment with Dr. Theo (aside: again, what amazing and prompt healthcare). I imagine he'll be sharing the results of my MRI and giving me options and/or a recovery plan. I'm looking forward to this. In fact, I'm getting anxious and growing impatient "waiting" to know what is in store for me over the next few weeks/months. Wish me luck!

-ange xx

How do I get back on the (Big) Island?

It is a beautiful summer day in Toronto (finally!) and I can only admire it from the inside! I also find myself wondering/daydreaming: If I go back to the (Big) Island, will my knee magically heal, like on "Lost"? Will someone please take me to Hawaii again, just to see if such a recovery is possible? I need to test this hypothesis =)

The gorgeous Waipio valley
Photography by Jeff ("borrowed" from Facebook)

I haven't blogged at all about our trip to Hawaii so I'm thinking maybe I should sort out some photos in the next few days when I'm bored.

-ange xx

Thumbs up for Canadian Universal Healthcare

Today is Day 10 of staying off my feet and this journey has been physically taxing for the rest of my body, and mentally draining. I think I've been frustrated by not being to help out around the house and needing to rely on my parents and Chris, and crying to Jeff. Thank God I have them!

I am also extremely grateful for the incredible and timely health care that I have received. Here is a quick summary of the medical love and attention.

• Wednesday, July 22 at 9.45pm: I arrive at the ER in Mt. Sinai Medicine hospital and am discharged a "short" 2 hours later. I go home in a knee brace and crutches.
• Thursday, July 23 at 9am: I call the Mt. Sinai Sports Medicine Clinic and am told that someone just canceled his/her appointment so I can come in the following week!
• Tuesday, July 28 at 5.30pm: I visit the Mt. Sinai Sports Medicine Clinic and am examined by a physiotherapist and a physiatrist (Dr. Taylor with the iron ring - previous blog entry) who orders that I get x-rays... so I do before going home. Also, I'm told that the orthopaedic surgeon will be around the next day and that he happens to have an opening. If I don't take it, the wait to see him will be 8 months! Yikes!
• Wednesday, July 29 at 5.30pm: I return to the Mt. Sinai Sports Medicine Clinic and see Dr. Theo (the surgeon) who plays with my knee and concludes in about 1 second that I have torn my ACL. Dr. Theo orders me out of the knee brace and writes a prescription for phsyiotherapy at UofT and an MRI (usually a 2-3 week wait) before seeing him again.
• Thursday, July 30: Not expecting to hear from the imaging unit, I surprisingly get a call for an MRI on the following morning at 6am! I also visit the UofT Sports Medicine Clinic and their doctor examines me and comes to the same conclusion as Dr. Theo. He orders physio for me next week.
  
• Friday, July 31 at 6am: Chris drives me to get my MRI bright and early yesterday.
  

Now, it's just a waiting game. It apparently take the radiologist a week to send my MRI results to Dr. Theo (and confirm the tear).

My knee is still swelling but not as much, and now you can see some bruising. The pain is greater too because I no longer can where the brace for support, which means more tylenol and more ice!

I'm just glad it's the weekend - more guaranteed TLC =)

-ange xx