Speaking from Experience

I noticed some improvement with my knees. Lesser pain to the knees each time I lift up my legs from the floor to the bed and vice versa.

Had a tiring session yesterday with solid 4 hours of physiotherapy. Today is a lighter one. Never a session where I would miss out SLR as it is the toughest form of exercise for me. The soreness and pain and struggles in contracting and locking my knees and ankles in lifting it up.

Boon was right. Days do passed by quickly when you have physiotherapy sessions about half the day. Fighting pain and also gritting your way through with some exercises in order to give the good ol' wake to the weak muscles.

I skipped lunch at nursing home and ate nasi lemak with rendang ayam today. Uber my way back to nursing home in a Viva. Got to remind myself not to head home immediately after physiotherapy if the time coincide with lunch hour. Traffic was bad.

Was looking back at photos of the day I was in hospital. Reminded me of a lot of things which happened. It feels like as though it happened just yesterday. Should I say " What a journey it has been.. "? Maybe it is way too early to say so.

Sitting comfortably on the bed now, I asked myself if I would want to be where I am in another year time. I asked myself if I should take a leap of faith and listen to the wisdom of many of my close friends. I think I should. No... not I think. I should. That is the right word.

Doc, and now you know...

Mini cycling

Doing cycling to even out the fluid in my knees after injection. I am grateful that I have lesser swelling this time. And best thing is, this is my last round of injections. Halleluyah!

Doc seems pleased with my progressed. Gave me another challenge - to stand up without hand support and he would want to see that in two weeks time when i go for follow up.

He did not advice me to play badminton and basketball in future. A price I have to pay with chondral injuries I had. As sad as this might sound, this is a fact... as for now. Hehe...

On the other hand, I am encouraged for squash, tennis and ping pong. Will consider about this ya, doc.

Kept reminding me that my right leg would be the stronger leg despite the challenges I faced with it.

And yes, he still teased about me staying in a nursing home. Haha. I was surprised that he spared some of his time to hear me out and how I can have a mind to be able to stay with a number of folks.

Doc, now you know why...

" Now I know you have high pain threshold...it is in the blood..., " he said.

I do not know if I should be proud of this. All I know is this is the last surgery I ever need to go through in my life!

Miracles & Glory to God

Right after surgery

Up and about in a couple days time!

Cannot believe that today has been 17 days after the surgery. I have started to use elbow clutch as per therapists advice.

I would not forget the day when doc told me to put my legs down from the bed. Most painful moment. It was the 15th days of Chinese New Year. Customarily, a day where young ladies and young chaps would find love.

I, on the other hand, on the day itself, made a call to one of my beloved therapists and cried my heart out, despite being told of the possible temporary complications and battling not just physical pain but emotional pain as well.

The day I was tested was the day I cried to one of my closest friend, over the phone, that I could not withstand the pain and to God that it is too much to bear. There is so much painkillers could do. The rest, as they said and I believed, is that I need to overcome.

As nerve wrecking as it was, I took those painful steps. Doc had the utmost confidence in me. Nurses had the patience with me. My cell families was there for me carrying with them love and taking turns to visit me daily during my course of stay in the hospital. Friends I known in Griefwalk came to see me. The moment I opened my eyes, one of them was there and she came more than once to give support.

My beloved therapists are ever so supportive and have complete faith in me that I would recover well. They welcomed me with smiles the first day I got to rehab centre for my physiotherapy. I had small surprises in between the sessions. Not only discovering my capabilities each time I got there for sessions, I also found possible lasting friendships.

The folks, whom I prefer to call as housemates are ever so adorable. Reminds me of my past. And in certain ways, reminds me of my late granny. I love them. Adorable and sweet. Their wisdom ever amazes me. Who says grannies ain't fun?

I really am grateful for everything I have now. I truly do. God has good plans for me. Plans I may not know of still... I discovered things about myself. Things I never knew before this.

It is not about the gifts. But the thoughts. I am easily contented even with a message or call. Knowing I am in their prayers or thoughts.

My journey in life is long. Obstacles which I know will strengthen me and brings together closeness of friendships.

I cherish every moment I have.

Pain Tolerance & UberX Boyfriend

I went hardcore with physiotherapy today. Four long hours. And I must say only an athlete can take such long hours of pain.

However, one of my physiotherapist told another one who treated me today that my pain tolerance is high and be less afraid when I wrinkled my eyes in pain. Only when I suddenly sit up that he or she needs to stop massaging my calves and thighs. And that means the pain is at its peak.

I may probably able to manage transportation arrangements for myself too. Today I took cabs. UberX all the way to the nursing home in a SWIFT that got my caregiver a slight evil smile on her face when the driver was a finely dressed man with shades.

They thought he was my boyfriend. Hahahaha! And owner of the nursing home even urged me to get his number so as to have him drive me back and forth. Honestly, I prefer to have different drivers. I like flexibility.

My Birthday Cake for My Beloved Therapists

Special ordered cake from Cake Tella

Ordered yummiest apple mille crepe cake from talented Mr Eddie Tan of Cake Tella to treat my beloved therapists. 

Two thumbs up!

Most Memorable Birthday

I was very surprised with my cell family's effort in keeping much at home. Frequent visits, Whatsapp-ing to ask me of my wellbeing and even went the extra mile in ensuring I get fetch from rehab centre to the nursing home. They make the arrangement without my knowledge! I cannot tell you how much this means to me! I was silently in tears... Thanking and praising Lord for His blessings. 

Thank you for the photos! One for the album :)

Preparing to start the mini party with the folks

Yoke Ann lead the prayer for me

About to start singing a birthday song for me

Yay! Cutting the cake...unprofessionally @@

This before it all started. A classic look of a hungry monster

Rosalind helped in cutting the cake for me

And finally Alice helped out too

A bouquet of roses from my boss, Eric. Thank you!

All these ladies went hyper about the flowers

They even make me take a picture

Posers @@

They made me take a picture with the flowers

Not happy with the previous result, we took another one

Ended the day with Madam Chik

Survival Kit

It is 11:17 p.m. and I am sitting on the dining table of the nursing home I am staying for recovery; doing some reading and research of my own.

I was asked, teased and even raised some eyebrows when I mentioned of the place I have chosen for recovery. A nursing home.

Most people have the worse picture in mind and even dreaded the fact of spending the long period of time with old folks. Not with me and I got my late granny to thank for. She has given me first hand experience of dealing and communicating with people of her time.

I even thank my cellgroup members for their help in getting me a place here in this nursing home. If it was not for them, I would not be able to cope with daily chores like preparing my own food and even bring my own clothes to the washing machine and have it hung. Thank you.

They even check on me by calling me or Whatsapp-ing me to ask of my wellbeing. This also to assure me that I am still very much in their thoughts and for that I am truly truly thankful.

My beloved therapists also keep tab of my emotional state when comes to recovery. They also wanted to know how it was when staying in a nursing home. And I shared. And now their main concern is not the emotional state of mine but my weight. Though I have lost 1.9 kg in total right after surgery, I will very much like to reduce my weight or at least keep it at 62 kg at max. This would do justice to my knees at least.

I am pampered with really good home-cooked food prepared in the nursing home. You have no idea how difficult it is to really fight the tempting yummy food around here. Knowing how easy it is for me to gain weight, I have to learn to control the food intake especially carbs.

I told the nurses and caregivers of the home that I do not take much rice and I can even go without rice. So long I have chickens or fish, I am fine. And yes, they accomodate the best they can because most of us ( me and the folks ) cannot take much food.

Suppose it is time to share my so-called survival kit in a nursing home :-

1. I treat all the folks like my own grandparents

Truly I do. Like I said, I had first-hand experience thanks to my late granny. I keep the folks entertained. Here in the home, you are completely forgiven to act like a kid. I fool around and we laughed about the silliness that comes with it.

2. Making yourself at home

I brought with me, obviously, a laptop, books and painting materials. I have yet to get my hands on painting though since I am busy elevating my legs to control swelling.

3. My caregivers and nurses are my friends

What can I say? I felt loved and being treated like one of the folks - like a big kid. They said that I am the youngest patient to have lived in this home and suppose this is why they like company. By the way, I am a couple of years older than them. So there are privileges here. I can act like kid in front of the folks ( FYI, I am qualified to be grandchild and to one of them, I can even qualified to be her great grand daughter ) and a joker to the nurses and caregivers. That is what I call it double bonus.

4. Deja vu

I have a session of unfriendliness with one of the folk. She tends to annoy me but I think I charmed my way through with her. According to the nurses and caregivers, she is not easy to communicate and tolerate with. And here I am, granny, you taught me to be creative in handling you and even take a step higher in understanding you, and this proved to be so useful in dealing with this same folk. She reminds me of you.

5. Opportunity to improve yourself

This is one great opportunity to catch up with whatever I complained that I never had the time for.

6. Holiday?

Maybe my doc is right. It is a holiday and the kind of holiday where you only think about yourself. I am thinking about myself. I am being disciplined with my sessions of physiotherapy and also trying to do some manageable exercise on my own. Considering my future. Reading. Researching too. The only thing that a holiday package should not have is physical pain. Or else it is an ideal holiday 

smile emoticon

Busy Elevating Legs

My bed

I am all set for physiotheraphy session. Way early as I was awake by the commotion in the dining hall and my room which I shared with two 83-year-old ladies.

Glad to be able to sleep well last night as I did not take any nap.

I am now lying on my bed with both my legs elevated. Swelling badly and I refuse to use cold packs as it stiffens my knees. Bending will take a while should you use the ice packs. But, it is required and I will usually use it in the afternoon. Never at night because it is way too cold.

Cannot wait to see my therapists again. Despite the pain, I welcome it as a good beginning to a journey of lifelong of good health.

Aftermath of Massage

Right leg

Left leg

The bruises now a little dramatised. Swelling happens very often. I have to elevate my legs every two hours.

Had my first physio after surgery today. My therapists welcomed me with big smiles. Must be a smile that I pulled through well despite being a big baby days before because of the excruciating pain.

Doctor had brief them about my condition. And after some information digging, I realised that doc had make me a star patient. And I wonder why.

I am not the only patient that underwent such surgery. Maybe the fact that I did put efforts and being diciplined with my pre surgery physio that most patients do not take, had make me one. It is likely that I am going to prove that pre surgery physio does expedite recovery period.

Done with Surgery ( Battle Fought - Round 1 )

Joan & Jennifer came to visit me

What you see here is actually the unimaginable. My legs were darn heavy. I was told that this is what I would face and not to be panicked about. It was a tiring day and presence of the anaesthetic was still in me. Poor Joan had to watch me vomit those greenish liquid before my late dinner. 

Temporary Out of Service

All are well

Thank you so much for everyone's well wishes. I am still not sure when I would be discharged from hospital. Doctor loves me so much that he wanted to keep me for another day or two. The fact I will be heading to nursing home for recovery is not something he expected.

" You are not sick! You're just temporarily out of service! "

That was his reaction.

Doc, as much as you like to keep me, I need to leave the hospital because I miss breathing fresh air!

Thank You for Well Wishes

Thank you for everyone's well wishes and concern.

The surgery on both of my knees been done on 3rd March 2015. I am still at hospital recovering. The 5th March was not easy. I cried as the condition was too much for me to bear.

Today, after much prayers from my beloved cell members and friends, I am walking much well.

I still cannot walk for long. Though doctor encourages me to walk as much, there is so much a person can take.

There are many excruciating pain when it comes to bending my knees for standing up and also straightening my knees to get on the bed.

I pray things would get better in the days to come. My road to recovery is a long one. But, I trust in Him who provides me everything all my life.

My mugshot of the day

The front view of both knees - swelling

Right side of the knee. Obvious jabs or punctation wounds

Left side of the knee is much bruised it seems

Surgery Morning

The day and time has come. I am about to wear the surgery gown. Freaking scared. My hands are cold. My fingers are numb. Not a pleasant feeling. Really not when you do not know what to expect apart from pain. Even though you know the word pain exist, the amount of pain is questionable at this point.

There is always two side of the coin. Either it is extreme pain. Or... lesser pain than you thought. Okay. I am trying my best to be optimistic and also consoling my fear inside me now.

Admission Day

Today is admission day. I am nervous as less than 24 hours time I will undergo the much anticipated surgery. Part of me wanted to chicken out from all this. But, I went through 6 solid months of pre surgery physiotherapy session in order to save my knees. 

Trust me, it is not fun to be where I am now. It is as though a chicken prepared to be slaughtered...

Blood sample taken and there seemed to be no visible sign of punctured wound here. Am I a human or what?

Entrance to the lab where I waited for my turn for blood sample to be taken.

Sipped some tea while waiting for my number to be called and I could get my room.

Where I am now, chilling with hymms while my neighbour next to me jamming the night with laughters. Great thing here is that I get a good window view facing a shopping mall. Yes, window shopping is what I need now. I made it a goal too. To be able to walk as well as I can and as quick as I can after surgery.

And mind you, did I tell you that it is freaking cold here in the hospital?