tfdchief said:Dennis, How long did it take you to regain your strength? If I get my brace off September 12, do you think I will be able to carry wood into the house in October?
Regain strength after what? Injury? Which one? Sickness? Which one? Sad to ask those questions isn't it?! My problems began in 1947 when I had polio and was cripple from the waist down. The top was hit but not as bad and thankfully I was never in an iron lung. I was always a skinny runt until about age 12 when I finally was able to do some good work and I even went to work for a neighbor. There were 3 of us boys at home so being the youngest you know what I got. So I worked for the neighbor and later ended up moving and living with them. They became like mother and father to me. Can you imagine this happening today? I went to work at age 12 and by age 13 I was doing all the milking while still going to school. That is one thing I definitely do not regret and have some fond memories.
Injury, the worst was with the back and that happened in 1984. I stopped at 3 surgeries and said if that can't fix me then I don't want any more. Yes, it still hounds me today.
As for regaining strength, it all depends.... Sometimes one can regain fairly fast but for sure you need to figure on a year to get back at least close to where you were. Yet, I've known some who did much better. Even with myself, I had hip replacement in early July of 2004. I was walking a mile a day within 6 weeks or less. In early September I was climbing trees and setting tree stands for hunting season. Then last winter I had the other side replaced and it is still a struggle. Some days I still can't even tie my shoes. I think they must have shortened my arms while I was in there.
I don't feel very strong right now and to compound the situation, I hurt my back again last night just getting into the shower. It was not a good night. Fortunately I always have pain medicine handy.
Will you be able to carry wood by October. I say yes! However, you won't be carrying full armloads. I think you will be able to tend the stove okay this winter and your determination will get you to that point. You can do these things so long as you are careful. Yes, all the time, even today, people holler at me that I should not do this or should not do that. I say Bull! I'll do what I want to do.
Sure, sometimes I pay a heavy price and sometimes I get away with a lot. Steve, I'll soon turn 69 and I'll be damned and won't slow down until my body forces me....and it has, but I'll still do what I can. Yesterday I visited with one of the best friends I've ever had. Sadly he is now starting a fight with cancer. But he and I were talking after he asked me how far I came to get to his place. Yes, I was on the bicycle. When I told him the route I took his eyes lite up and he smiled. Then we got to talking about other folks our age. Actually he is older than I at 73. Now get this. He still works in the woods and in the sawmill. We both agree that is it much better to stay as active as possible.
You will be finding out as you go what I am talking about. You will get a little better and a little better. You'll start walking further daily and it will be a struggle. Then one day you'll go for a walk and suddenly you realize just how much better you are and how much better you feel. From that point on things will go fast. You will heal, but you'll also never forget that day on the atv, or should I say, when you flew off the atv and flew right into the hospital. Just look at it as one more trial you have to go through just like other trials you've gone through in life.
You want to read because I've seen it in other posts. I have to tell that when I was so bad and could do hardly anything I finally made my mind up to read the Bible from cover to cover. I did it. Much did not make sense....until the third time through. Also, after I was able to drive, I took some college courses at the community college. It all helped a lot. I wish you the best of luck, my friend.