Something's happened...

This is huge...let me explain - that is my LEFT leg, kicking out unassisted.

Last October I broke my left foot in a complicated enough way it's taken several months to heal. In November I had the stroke. I fell when it happened & dislocated my left ankle & knee & sprained my mcl on that side. The stroke only affected the left leg from the hip down and I'm still numb from the knee down. I have been in a foot brace, a leg brace & have been using a walker ever since (until my pacemaker surgery last month - I couldn't get into all that gear with my left arm in a sling).

I was surprised at how well I did without the braces and last night, like somebody had flipped a light switch, I was able to kick out my left leg. I can also raise it up when I stand (like a stork) - neither of which I have been able to do since the stroke. I even stepped up a curb today without help. I got in and out of my car without having to "lift" my leg either way. I'm not ready to walk through Target yet, but to me this is HUGE.

I go to see the orthopedist again on Monday & I'm dying to show him my new tricks. I still walk very slowly and both my legs hurt most of the time (compensating for walking so differently), but I'm really starting to see improvements (thank God). The doc did tell me the knee would improve once I got better bloodflow - I wonder if this is yet another bonus from getting the pacemaker?