Last Saturday I completed my first hike since dislocating my kneecap earlier in May! My rehabilitation has been very conservative because this was a first-time dislocation, and as I've started walking without a brace I've been very anxious. To help build my confidence, I've started walking more when running errands or travelling. With every new experience my leg seems to get stronger, as does my confidence.
Now that I've become more competent and mobile, I've been able to be social and adventurous again. Marina and I has been planning on having a picnic this summer, and on Saturday we decided to make a trip out to Rolley Lake Provincial Park. I thought this park would be a great idea; it has a beautiful beach with a picnic area and a walking trail surrounding the lake. We had a delicious lunch and managed to enjoy the sunshine for a few hours by the beach. Afterwards, we decided to tackle the 5 km hike around the lake, which began as a boardwalk and then transitioned to a forested trail.
I experienced no pain during the walk, but I did need to take breaks every 15 minutes to rest. Thankfully Marina was very understanding and supportive the whole time. It was wonderful to be outside again, and I'm feeling much more positive after this achievement. Hopefully I'll continue to have good news regarding the knee. I'm determined to reclaim the last few weeks of summer!
