Knee replacement Recovery Diary – Thoughts from the Sofa Sage.

Today I'm feeling really chuffed with myself. you see I'm just home from my physio and my measurements are great. In case you are confused let me explain. Post knee surgery measurements are everything.

Today my knee flexion is 87 [90 is full movement] and my extension is 10 degrees short of being perfect. I'm not boasting or anything but you have no idea how good that makes me feel. I definitely hit a dip awhile back and felt I was going nowhere but patience and exersise pays off.

The most important lesson for me is comparision is the thief of positivity in recovery. We all recover at our own pace.

My daily exercises continue, and I can’t say enough how important they are. They’re my meditation, my discipline, and my reminder that movement — however small — is progress.

Firstly, a massive thank you for all the messages and good wishes. I started keeping a little diary to distract myself during recovery, and it’s turned into something quite enlightening — proof that even enforced hibernation can teach you a thing or two about life (and your own patience levels).

Once you get past all the physical stuff, it becomes clear that everything really is down to your thinking. The great philosopher in me has realised that everything begins and ends in the head. The knee may have been replaced, but it’s the mindset that really needed the reboot. I've always known it but the enforced hibernation reminded me

I’ve definitely improved because I don’t even notice empty toilet roll holders anymore!![see first post]

Of course, the whole “do I get dressed or not” is no longer an issue. It was at the beginning though . It was a real effort and I did  surrender to the pyjama life more than once, but I’ve since discovered that a shower is vital . Clean body, clean mind so I don’t recommend lying around in the pjs. It's definitely worth the effort to get up get dressed and move!!!

Not having anywhere to be is both a blessing and a curse but I must be a lot better because I'm beginning to be a bit bored.. I’ve also become an expert on our presidential election campaign, which is probably not something I ever aspired to. I’m watching it non-stop — it’s politics as philosophy, drama, and endurance sport all rolled into one. Maybe I need to get a life… but for now, this is my life, and that’s okay too.

So here’s what I’ve learned so far: life’s biggest lessons sometimes come when you’re forced to sit still. The body heals, the mind adjusts, and somehow, even with a bionic knee and questionable fashion choices, you end up feeling more human than ever.

When a negative thought pops in I replace it with a positive one and in any given day there's lots of positives, The more you notice the more you see. Go on give it a go.

Lots of love

Bernie x