There was a golf tournament this morning so CB was home. (Heartland PT is not responsible for this.)
Because he was home, CB cooked breakfast.
We ate out on the deck and enjoyed the cool morning and the hope of a new day.
Then we went to the Oregon Trail Park where we went for a walk. (This is where Heartland PT begins to become part of the day.) I had my walker just in case I got in a spot where I needed some extra confidence. I started up a gentle, black topped path, enjoying the blue sky and pretending I was in Colorado.
My walker was helping a bit and I was feeling pretty cocky. (Heartland PT remembers this about me.)
But then the path turned to dirt and this sign appeared:
That's right. It says "Steep Grade". STEEP GRADE? Are you kidding me? I'm using a walker here. I've not really tested my new knee in battle conditions nor have I been 4 wheeling with this lousy boot. I have to admit that the smile was a bit forced. How in the hell was I going to get down this slope. It was like Pikes Peak. I shit you not. Look how desperately I am grabbing that sign pole. For dear life. No. Shit.
Here's the view from the bottom - - looking back up the incline.
Okay, I admit, it doesn't look like much, but in person it's a bitch. CB had Buddy on his leash and was trying to convince me that I was most certainly going to break my neck if I continued down this path.
But, I've been trained by the best (THIS is where Heartland PT comes in) and I knew that my new knee was strong and flexible and would do whatever I told it to do. I knew that my boot foot was now my "bad" leg and had to think along those lines.
Steve and Angie are the best PTs in the entire universe. They had no idea when they were trying to get me to bend my knee, damn it, that they were also reassuring me that my knee would some day function normally. (Okay. Okay. The whole "normal" thing should not be taken literally.)
Oh yeah. I made it to the bottom of the hill and was so very proud. For several weeks I've been feeling more than a little discouraged about my mobility; however, this afternoon I felt more capable and mobile than I have for a long time.
I think it's time for Hearland PT to change their marketing strategy and use ME as their success story. Oh. Wait. Maybe we shoul wait until I actually am a success story. Sometimes I get ahead of myself. Like when I bought jeans in size 8. Yeah, those bastards have never been worn.
Since our walk at the OTP was such a success, we drove south of town to Mt. Mitchell where we did the whole "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" all over again.
I made it half way up (once again, thanks to Heartland PT. No one ever got anywhere by saying "I can't", right Steve?) - which CB said was the hardest half. CB and Buddy made the ascent and said it was amazing. You can see Colorado from up there. I can't wait to make that climb myself.
This is the view from the half way picnic table.
The countryside is covered with these beautiful sunflowers.
Buddy had a great time, too!
Closing note: this is how I looked every day after PT. Buddy learned the side tongue hang from me!
