Quality of life restored.

September 17th 

Nearly seven weeks post op, and I'm doing brilliantly. Still some pain behind the knee, especially if my leg has been raised for any length of time. The exercises are going really well, and I have gone from doing the step-ups with a block of a 6-inch rise to our front step, which must be well over a foot. I can truly say this was the best decision of my life. No more arthritic pain, and Ian has noticed how much happier I am. I say to anyone considering having a knee replacement, go ahead...you won't regret it.

 

Block

Front step

 I'm walking now without a limp and can manage roughly a mile all by myself, no hanging on to Ian for support. Even the swelling is going down and last weekend I managed to be on my feet for 5 hours serving tea and coffees for the Heritage Open Day and not a twinge of pain felt!

So that Heritage Open Day (HOD's). It's organised every September to celebrate the history and culture across England and thousands of volunteers organise events for people to find hidden gems and experience new places, all for free. It was decided that our canal society should partake and the Erewash Canal be put on the map, so the Toll House, Pump House and taking groups to see the dry dock and finished extension of the Cromford Canal, were the highlights of our event.  Considering rain and high winds had been forecast, we got away lightly, a brief thunderstorm early afternoon, okay the rain was torrential and had us all scrambling to cover up the cakes as well as ourselves, but that was the only thing to mar a very good and well attended day. Ian was the volunteer at the Pump House, showing folk around and talking about its history, a task he relished.

 

Historic photos of the pump house (can be viewed via ECP&DA website gallery)

I manned the refreshment gazebo and somehow got myself volunteered on making the hot drinks. That's where I stayed until it closed at 3 pm! All those lovely cakes on show and I didn't even have one! The diet is still on the cards, I've not lost any more since the op, but at least I haven't put any on!  

 As usual, I took photos for your enjoyment. 

The gathered group, ready to be led by Micheal (the font of all knowledge about the Erewash), to the Cromford extension. (He knows most pubs around the system too! 😂)

Tombola

Jenn having a go.

A band to serenade us all

 

Shirley on ECP&DA stall hoping to recruit new members.