Sunday, March 29, 2009
Slowly I began to do more on my own. I shopped at the pool store and convenience stores while Jack waited in the car. And on March 23, I drove alone to a nearby store, shopped and drove home. My first solo drive and shop!
On the 27th I finished at-home therapy and the following week I went to an out-patient rehab facility. It was of course better equipped than at home and the exercises were much more agressive. Ouch!
This rehab place is part of the orthopedic center run by my surgeon's group. The therapists are all very friendly and the place has a great atmosphere. There's lots of personal attention and they appear to be very professional.
I go to rehab twice a week until the end of April. Then I need to join a health club so I can have access to the leg exercise equipment.
While surfing the Internet I found that the Medicare.gov site has links to the charges they have paid on my behalf. If and when I figure it all out I will post a summary of what all this has cost. So far the insurance has covered everything. The replacement knee itself cost $18,020.95, (and that's parts not labor).
Now that I am into a period of steady progress I will post updates only once a month. The next one will be right after April 29.
I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. It must have been hard to go without driving so long. I'm looking forward to hearing about the gym you end up joining. I've been going to 24 hour fitness for years. I love how crowded it is. That's the exact reason most of my friends hate it.
ReplyDeleteI was a member of 24 Hour Fitness in Panorama City, but I often went to the one high up over Canyon Country at (I think) Via Princessa when I worked at CalArts. The ones here all seem to have juice bars situated so the patrons can sip their smoothies and watch me work out.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are now able to drive...amazing chronicle for anyone facing this procedure...and getting the brace off earlier than anticipated should give everyone documentation as to why it's a good idea to follow the surgeon's orders!
ReplyDeleteHad I follwoed doctor's orders after my foot surgey two years ago I would not have a permanent steel pin in my metatarsal troday.
;-)