And a slightly less sucktastic evening

[klwilliams]

I rested today and used my walker (because I had to, which is its own suckiness), but this evening I took a long, slow ride on my bike. I made sure to do full stride pedaling, if that's a thing, where I try to use the entire length of my leg. I could feel my knee responding to it, and this evening I can walk around a few steps at a time without my walker. The muscles around my knee are still very weak, though, but they are responding. We'll see how they are tomorrow.

Thanks for the support. I really appreciate that. Bones has started up again this season, and **spoiler alert**
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**spoiler** the character Hodges, who was paralyzed at the end of the last season, finds out he is actually permanently paralyzed. He doesn't respond well to this, and I found myself agreeing with so many of what he was complaining about. Most of it is the inconvenience (having to go around to an out-of-the-way ramp instead of taking the stairs) or the embarrassment (having to take a public, noisy lift, like the one I need to use to get myself and my walker onto Caltrain), but one thing I didn't agree with was his hostility towards his co-workers and his wife. Yes, it sucks for him, but it sucks for them, too, plus I think it's worse having to watch someone else go through something that it is to do it yourself. OK, not really. But I get that. They're trying to help him, and he's being a dick. Don't be a dick.

Comments

[acanthusleaf.livejournal.com]

Glad you are doing a bit better. I think the exercise is probably the best possible thing. Is there anything I can do to help you?

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I hope that today is an improvement in many ways.

Your commentary about Bones makes me glad I quit watching, not because I object to characters with new disabilities, but because Hodges being a jerk sounds like no fun. And it sounds like it pulls the balance of the show way off. In early seasons, Hodges was the science id to Brennan's science superego, and he provided the glee. It's okay if he doesn't any more, but if they're not being conscious of those factors, the entire balance of the show goes sideways into something far less fun to watch.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

So sorry to read about your knee problems. I totally sympathise, having had a similar challenge for several years now. From my experience, you are doing just the right thing. Regular, careful exercise has been the only thing that keeps that recalcitrant joint working. My bicycle is my lifeline.

I sincerely hope that this continues to ease. Have you considered consulting a physiotherapist for additional exercise you could do?

Please keep us posted on how things are going.

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad it's improving!

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yay for bike riding!

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

They've dragged Hodges' character around during the whole show. First he was a conspiracy theorist/billionaire. Then he fell in love with Angela and lost the conspiracy theorist bit, then the evil bad guy stole all his money and he was forced to live within his means, which meant on a great salary. The last bit left is his joy in science, but if all his joy is being sucked away because of the disability, like you said the balance of the show has gone (even more) sideways. I'd be happy to have stopped watching it years ago, too, but my husband loves it.

[katerit.livejournal.com]

Yeah - don't be a dick, which is excellent advice for such situations. You are strong and a good problem solver - I love your attitude and I understand your frustration. Every time I have a mobility setback I go through the more intense stages of grief and panic. I am glad your situation is improving and I do so wish you had a more functional body. You are an amazing person, my friend.

[galeni.livejournal.com]

Best wishes and hoping for serious improvement quickly.