Since being diagnosed 6 years ago I have learned that at my worst with my PVNS I'm still better off than I could be. It can always get worse. That idea alone motivates me to waste no time. To do the things that I wouldn't otherwise if I was in it bad with my PVNS. Things that most people take for granted. Walking a flight of stairs, walking a long distance, sitting for a long period of time, or any kind of traveling.
I had my last surgery a year and one month ago. So far I am doing great. I have moments when I think I'm having a recurrence but since my last surgery I have incorporated going to the gym 3 to 5 days a week where I ride a stationary bicycle for 25 minutes. I average about 5 miles or so. Or I go swim but I prefer the bicycle to keep the knee moving steadily and consistently. About 8 months ago I added in a five minute yoga stretch before the gym time. But now I'm up to 20 minutes of yoga before the gym. I do the yoga at home where I won't have an instructor shouting at me to bend my knee while I'm trying to breathe. I found an app that I use that has videos that I can choose the length of time as well as the level of difficulty. The yoga has become such an vital part of my day that I genuinely get anxious if I don't start my day with my yoga practice.
Last year I started booking vacations when I knew I could still walk around easily and without pain. I knew that if I didn't go on these trips I could suffer for future travels if I waited too long. Surgeries have been such a big part of planning that if I'm not planning a surgery I am planning a vacation. Through my travels, and even my surgeries, I have learned to be grateful for my mobility and abilities and work to accomplish all that I can while I can.
My fear is if I don't travel or keep moving I will become unable to do so. So I do everything I can for myself everyday. And I'm in the best shape of my life because of this mentality. And for that I'm actually thankful for my PVNS.
