Balance...

Balance

The hardest, no the 2nd hardest exercise is balancing on one foot on a four inch piece of semi/stiff foam for a whole minute. That is 60 seconds! Until the beeper beeps.

Someone stands beside me to catch me if I tip or fall and to offer encouragement.  “Almost there!”  “Good job!”

I can grab the bar in front of me when I get too wiggly.  Sometimes, just touching the bar steadies me.  How this helps my new knee is a mystery to me.  There are few times, actually, none, where I have needed to balance for any length of time on a four inch piece of foam.  

It has been explained that the balance centers mostly in the ankle, then moves up the body.  Sometimes putting my arms out helps.  Touching the bar happens often. One whole minute.  60 seconds seems like an eternity. But finally the beeper beeps.

The hardest exercise is the heel slides. I lay on my back.  Hook a belt on my foot and drag it as close to my butt as possible.  Hold. Then release.  10 times.  My knee is really not interested in bending that much.  If I want to walk normally, I need to get to 120 degrees.  Right now it takes a lot of pulling on my part and pushing, massaging on their part to get to 120 degrees. Balance and flexibility necessary for a smooth  walk.  

The therapists and helpers are great encouragers.  Their whole focus is on getting me back to a normal full life and they are ready to catch me if I fall.  They are pushing and pulling and most of all – encouraging.  

God says, “Count it a sheer gift when tests and challenges come to you… under pressure your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors – So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.  Let it do its work as you become mature and well developed not deficient in any way.”  James 1:2-4 The Message.

I want to walk normally without pain.  I have a new knee and will soon have another.  I have a whole team of people helping, instructing and encouraging.  

Test?  Trial?  Or a sheer gift!

I wrote this a few years ago. After my first knee replacement. It seems as though various parts of my body are needing special attention now.

Maybe, my attitude too!! Do these things continue forever?