There is hope...

I had my RTKR almost 3 months ago now on December 3rd and needed to share that today is the first day in all that time that I finally feel like maybe this wasn't a mistake and I will eventually get my life back and needed to share with people who might understand.

I had a great experience with my LTKR almost 5 years ago now and expected to feel better this time as quickly as I did that time. Over the years since then I've lost a lot of weight and gotten much more active, usually averaging 17k-22k in the months leading up to December. I knew I wouldn't get back there right away (and still haven't hit those numbers yet) but it has been so bitterly cold and snowy all winter here in the Hudson Valley that recovery has been slow, stiff, and painful with what felt like never ending swelling and inflammation.

Well, we broke 50° with sunshine today and I felt strong enough to get outside and do one 2 mile late morning walk and another 1.5 mile afternoon walk!! Collectively I'm over 13k steps and still have to put my kids to bed and walk the dog before I can even think about calling it quits and I still feel like I've got more left in me! My hamstring, calf and quad are a bit sore just from being stretched and used way more than they have been lately but my knee felt good and I'm finally starting to believe I'll be able to get back to my hour long walks as the weather warms up. Mentally I needed this so bad as it's been such a depressing winter and it feels so good to feel optimistic towards the future again. Even when it feels like the pain and limping will never end, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, folks!