Therapy update for Chumley and me :)
Today, my physical therapist admitted that the prognosis for these injuries is usually pretty bleak because the bone does not always heal so well. With it being a major weight bearing bone, that can cause permanent problems. She said the fact that the surgeon said it was healing beautifully is huge and that the lingering problems I am having are truly minor, resulting from muscle atrophy, and will go away completely as I build strength. Yay!! Now Chum: Chum met today with the physical therapist here in Boulder for PT and swimming. She had not seen her since before the surgery and she could not believe the improvement. (Chum had been swimming but with the assistant.) She said that Chum's upper body issues are just gone and she was amazed at how fast Chum was moving and how strong she could pull. Where before she was completely unstable due to problems with her front and rear legs, now the problems are really limited to her hips. She did some massage and stretching to help her flexibility and then Chum swam two 10 minute sets. She looked strong and capable. Like everyone else, the therapist commented that Chum was like a whole new dog. With therapy, swimming and meds, Chum can enjoy a great quality of life. Woo hoo!! |
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Yay for both of you! 
Thanks for the update Val  |
| You guys finally have 6 good legs between you! |
Ron wrote: You guys finally have 6 good legs between you!
Well, really only 4. Chum's rear right leg causes her alot of pain and my right leg is still pretty weak. The therapist was surprised that I am not actually able to walk and down stairs without pain. Of course, she is used to working with the ultra-fit Boulder elite athletes so I only feel marginally foolish at being so lame. Each week, I get a bit better though. |
YAY Val YAY Chum there is no stopping you two now   
Glad all is going well with you both |
| Wow good news all around!!!! |
| It's great to hear about your collective progress. Glad to hear you and Chum are doing so well. |
| Hmmmmm. Finally proof of what I suspected along along - Val and Chum are really twins.
Congrats on the great reports! Can you believe you've reached the point where you're just uncomfortable going down the stairs? That's huge progress - and very quickly too. You may not think so, but in the world of rehab, you and your twin have had remarkable success in a relatively short time. |
| First you... So glad that you are beating the odds and and your recovery is coming along so well. From your posts - it sounds like you have been working really hard on building that leg and becoming strong! Although, I have to say... I was concerned way back when you drove to get Chum from Alemeda East and bring her home!
Now Chum... That girl is such an inspiration to all of us. At her age, to go through surgery and come out on top - nothing short of amazing. Your dedication and belief that she deserved a fighting chance for a full life is to be applauded.
I can't tell you how much Chum's story has given us hope and - how many times I hav reflected back on the first pictures you sent us. Chum laying in the grass- unable to move. And now... 
Richly deserved hugs to both of you 
Lori |
Fantastic news!  |
| Must be all of that clean living in CO that has made you both heal so nicely!
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| What a wonderful update! |
| Conrats to you both, great news to hear. There is definitely something about Colorado mountain air that helps. |
| Val, so glad to hear of the progress. Chumley is truly blessed to have all your love. Be careful with yourself, not to overdo it. Healing takes time, even with rehab. With double knee replacements I've been there, done that! |
| Congratulations to the both of you, just keep on keeping on getting better |
| Yay - double good news is great!! keep up the good work, because wahtever you are doing, it must be right. |
| Oh, Val, I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear about both of you doing so well!!
As for you, I think it was sorta rude of the therapist to say that she couldn't believe you couldn't do the stairs without pain yet.  Geesh! Let HER go through what you have and see how SHE feels!! I think you're doing GREAT!! Keep up the good work. 
And what can I say about Miss Chum?  She truly is an inspiration with her determination. And you are to be commended for giving her this second chance at a full and good quality of life! |
| You two are remarkable! Keep up the good work. |
| That's awesome Val!
I do think it was such luck that you decided to move to CO since it has treated you and Chummie (and Maggie) so well. |
| I so happy to hear how well you are doing! |
| Thanks for all the support and encouragement!! I really am glad I moved here. In the most mundane ways, it is so much nicer of a daily experience. The views of the Rockies from the Home Depot parking lot are breathtaking.
Drezzie's Mom wrote: As for you, I think it was sorta rude of the therapist to say that she couldn't believe you couldn't do the stairs without pain yet.
Geesh! Let HER go through what you have and see how SHE feels!! I think you're doing GREAT!! Keep up the good work. Although I felt foolish, the therapist really wasnt rude about it. She asks me to try a variety of things to determine what hurts because that helps her pinpoint where I need to build strength. And then she gives me exercises to work on with the goal of being able to do more next time. For the steps, I had actually stopped doing the exercises I needed to be doing. I didn't realize that I am supposed to keep doing the exercises from the previous week and then add the new ones. I thought I had graduated to the new ones. There is such a long list of oddball things I am supposed to do everyday. Some are easy to fit in (leg raises) but others involve some planning (rolling around in an office chair using my leg to pull me). |
Valerie wrote: Some are easy to fit in (leg raises) but others involve some planning (rolling around in an office chair using my leg to pull me).
Man, I hope that is on a smooth surface, not on carpet!! |
got sheep wrote: Valerie wrote: Some are easy to fit in (leg raises) but others involve some planning (rolling around in an office chair using my leg to pull me). Man, I hope that is on a smooth surface, not on carpet!! This week, smooth surface. Next week, thin carpet. . . |
| I have old shag, so I was wondering!! |
| Val, WOOOOHOOOO, the news just keeps getting better. Don't worry too much about the stairs. When I had my knee done it took a while to not feel pain going up or down. Thats what bannisters are for. Help pull you up or support you on the way down. As for Chum...well thats just Mommy love. Couldn't ask for anything better!!! Pam |
| Val, That is wonderful news for both you and Chummie! Glad to hear you are both doing so good! |
| That is really good news - congradulations and hope that the recovery continues |
Yeah for you and Chum....  ! |
Wow, I have missed so much!  I am so glad you and Chum are doing so AWESOME! And do we have pictures of Chum swimming?
Hugs to both of you! |
| I'm a little behind the times here, but I wanted to say how glad I am that you're both recouperating so nicely. Truly it was a good decision to move to Colorado.
Again, I can't say enough how moved and awed I am by your determination to keep searching for answers for Chumley. With her spirit and your determination, success was the only possible outcome. |
Beaureguard's Mom wrote: Again, I can't say enough how moved and awed I am by your determination to keep searching for answers for Chumley. With her spirit and your determination, success was the only possible outcome.
I appreciate the kind words but I think it was just random good luck that it has worked out so well for her. Many others have not had the joyous outcome despite their own determination and sheepie spirit. Today I am thinking of sweet Daisy, but there have been so many others whose loss is hard to bear. So I am grateful for every good day that Chummie and Maggie and I enjoy. |
| YAHZOOOTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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