Do it now!

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.