Recovery - Days 14 - 20

Wednesdy 1st - Tuesday 7th March 2006

Went back to the physio on Day 15. This was at the same hospital as the op, but as an outpatient with a different physio. I got a few new exercises - steps with no brace, sliding down a wall, lots of leg flexing, gentle kicking of the lower legs whilst on stomach. I also got onto the exercise bike, which was great for getting the leg moving. Not working hard, just getting movement back. I was also told to try and walk to local shops etc. This can now be done with just the brace and one crutch. The reason for the crutch is to alert people you have a problem as much as anything else, and it does help. People stop to let you by and give you extra room. The brace was also opened up a bit, so that it can go 75 degrees flexed and is only 10 degress from full extension. So all in all, a good visit.

Saw Sarah R on Thursday about cell and also managed to make it to the pub again! Although this time I managed to walk there (I got a lift back!). Also managed to make it to the local Tesco's on foot in order to purchase a newspaper. Not that exciting, but it was the first time I had left the house on foot and on my own, so all a step in the right direction.

Friday was much more interesting as my very good friends James and Beth were coming to London to watch 2 pints of lager and a packet of crips being filmed. So after securing V tickets for them, they turned up about 11:30 and we had an ace lunch (mmmm white crusty rolls..) and a great catch up. Given they live in (well near) Swansea it was a joy to see them. Spent Friday evening playing Pro Evo 5 and doing ok - ending up 3 of 5. I even managed to beat Jack finally. The biggest thing on Friday was the move back to my flat in Sydenham. I realsied how much stuff I had at my parents - loads. I took way more than I needed, but better that way than the other way around. Many many thanks to Jack who came and help lift things up the stairs. He even drove himself - a very strange sight initially, but well done! The reward - a Belash curry. Mmmmm curry.....

Saturday was very fulfilling. We had a worship jam in the morning, which was really good, but very loud! 4 guitarists, keys, percussion, drums and bass. Pretty full on but everyone seemed to fit together well and there was some great stuff being played. This set us up for the main event of the day - the Mike Laxton cup semi final. Without going into the details (should be a match report on the PFCFC website - see links) we won the game 2-1. It was very tense and I'd like to think it was the excellant management and substitutions that won the game, although I know it was actually the players. So - after a day of being on my feet all day and getting a lot of use out of the crutches I ended up in a bar in Crystal Palace, having some celebratory beverages. Very tiring, but an excellant day all round!

Went to church on Sunday and then to the M&S (Moon & Stars - a Weatherspoons) for lunch, which was lush and went on for about 2 hours (mmmm roast beef.....) Then back to the flat where I whiled away the day watching the football and continuign to sort out my stuff from my parents and plan the week ahead.

Monday and Tuesday were slow days. Got through loads of stuff at home as the work link was not up and running yet. Did walk to the doctors which took ages, in order to get a medical certificate. Also had my first experience of ordering food from Ocado. I was very impressed. They turned up on time and got the order right. This is much better than going to the shops. It's a lot harder to get things you don't really need - y'know those instore offers. Watched Chelsea go out of the Champions league.