It is amazing to me how it is the unexpected challenges that can really slow you down. With my knee surgery it has been the thrombophebitis that has caused me so much discomfort, pain and slowed my progress down. In order for my knee to heal, I need to move it, exercise it and use it. For the blood clot and inflamed veins I need to not irritate it, keep my leg above my waist and take lots of anti-inflammatories (i.e., mega-doses of Ibuprofen). A real conundrum. It took me a while to discover the balance of being up and exercising for a bit, then getting off my leg and getting it raised up high to combat the inflammation and swelling. Things are getting better, although much more slowly than I would like.
Meanwhile I continue to work on eating the right things to keep my swelling down and help the post-surgery healing process. I would much rather concentrate on this than the pain in my leg! I saw a great and helpful segment on the Today Show about the best foods to eat after you have had surgery because of their healing properties. In a nut shell, it is good to add more lean protein, an additional 20 grams, to your diet (snack on nuts or enjoy a 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt...), more fruit with vitamin C (oranges, grapefruit...) and vegetables with beta-carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes...) and also add some zinc into your diet (pumpkin seeds and dark meat).
I do think concentrating on healing and taking deliberate steps to help myself heal has helped. I am sending a message to my mind and my body that I am committed to healing. Creating and supporting a healing environment and fostering a healing attitude has got to help, right? The proof is in the healing...I am on my way!
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