Nearing Six Weeks Post-Op: Waddles, Indentations, and a New Perspective

I’m almost six weeks out from my ACL surgery, and I have to admit — I’m pretty excited at the thought that I might soon be able to ditch this brace. I mean, how exactly do you go from wearing a brace all day and night to not at all? We’ll see what my doctor says at my next appointment.

Right now, my leg has permanent-looking indentations where each strap sits. It reminds me of when a tree grows around a fence — my leg is misshapen in that same stubborn way. The physical therapist told me this week that my stride is finally looking less like a waddle and more like an actual step. That’s progress, right? Although, when you already feel uncomfortable in your own skin, being told you looked like a waddling penguin is quite the mental image. He wasn’t wrong though — haha!

Last week, I spent time with my mom, just soaking in some much-needed mental relaxation. I read a lot and enjoyed some sweet time with my youngest daughter. It was exactly what I needed before jumping back into reality. I head back to work this Friday after six weeks on disability. I didn’t take disability leave for my first ACL surgery and let me tell you — big mistake.

Taking this time off made me realize that healing isn’t just physical. It’s mental too. Resting and focusing on rehab without the added stress of work makes me think that’s a big reason why this recovery feels faster and easier. Hindsight really is 20/20. I have a tendency to put everything and everyone else before myself, but if this journey has taught me anything, it’s that caring for myself first actually makes me better at caring for everything else — and everyone else — in the long run.

So what does week six look like? I’m already doing 8” step-ups in physical therapy (not pretty…probably still a waddle up the step, but I’ll take it). I’m riding the stationary bike with the resistance bumped up to two. I can balance on my injured leg. I can do mini squats. And yes, I’m still strapped into the stim machine, but now I’m doing leg raises while getting zapped — multitasking at its finest.

I even canceled my Factor meal deliveries because standing over the stove is tolerable again (not enjoyable, just tolerable — let’s not get crazy). I’m sitting on some lottery tickets and honestly hoping I won’t have to go back to work, but we’ll see. These six weeks of focusing on me have shown me there’s so much more to life than just the grind. Time to re-evaluate what’s next and start pushing open new doors for new chapters.

One thing is for sure — I’ll keep doing better than yesterday until I’m the best version of myself. Here’s to week six and everything that comes next.

A Death in Door County By Annelise Ryan- This is a great book!