Because what active dogs or active owners do not occasionally need these?
I find that when you are icing yourself or your dog on a regular basis you need a lot of ice packs so you can have some freezing while you are using one.
You know I love DIY, so with all that has been going on with my knees and I have Breeze who is a dysplastic dog, thought I would share how to make some cool ice packs.
METHOD ONE:pictured above...
Take 1 part rubbing alcohol + 3 part water. (that would be like a cup alcohol to 3 cups water) You can adjust and may prefer 1 cup rubbing alcohol to 2 cups water, but I like the 3:1 ratio.
Take the alcohol and water plus some food color, so that you know not to drink this... and put into a zip lock bag, and put that bag into a second bag so it is double bagged. If you have a food saver, I think that would be PERFECT!!!!
The trick is that if you like the slushiness this produces you are good to go, if you want your ice pack harder put in less alcohol and more water. The alcohol is what keeps your ice pack from freezing into a hard ice cube. If you want a softer ice pack do the opposite and put in more alcohol and less water. I like it a bit slushy when it is ready so that it conforms around the body area you are trying to ice. Put the whole thing in the freezer a couple of hours and you are good to go!
Method 2:Get cheap gel liquid detergent from say the dollar store. Fill a ziplock bag about 3/4 full, seal and freeze.
JUST MAKE SURE TO ALWAYS PUT A CLOTH BETWEEN SKIN AND AN ICE PACK! NO FURTHER INJURIES NEEDED ;).______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It took me a bit of time to post about what happened at the orthopedic clinic but I was waiting to be in a good frame of mind ;-) but somehow.....that isn't coming that fast!!!!
One thing is during agility camp the last day I felt like such a Wuss! One of the instructors was doing her best to hide her irritation but I know she was irritated just how slow I was going. I know I am slow but I was surprised at how much trouble I had, it really bummed me out.
Good news is I am not a wuss!!! I am thinking I was a trooper!!!!! Seems my left knee has a torn ligament and the right knee has a torn meniscus! No wonder I could not run, even though I really was trying ;-). I feel stupid now for not just sitting down and admitting I could not do it!
Anyway, the two comments I got the minute they looked at my knee xrays was, "WOW!, that is about as bad as it gets!" and "WOW, most 80 year olds have better knees" WHAT???? I do not think those are good comments!!!! hahahahah.
Seems normally they would do arthroscopic surgery on both knees but the doctor said because of the damage to the knees it was not an option. My left knee with the torn ligament is collapsing on itself when I walk,it has no cartilage left and the right knee with the torn meniscus has a tiny layer of cartilage but no cartilage between the knee cap and the bone.
So what do they plan? Looks like they are recommending a knee replacement of BOTH knees. I so wish I could find my Clean Run with the article about knee replacements but of course, I can not find it for the life of me!
It all sure explains why I have been getting slower and stiffer and stiffer, although right before the injury the knees felt better then they have in years, WEIRD!
So this is Kaiser and my appointment with the surgeon is August 29 when I am sure the plan will take better shape but the doctor said it will probably be four months wait to get it handled. The recovery time sounds like maybe 6 months plus or minus until I might be able to possibly do agility????? If I could find my article from Clean Run maybe I would have more answers ;-).
Worried about my doggie and where we will be by the time I can run again and worried about keeping everyone happy and occupied, day by day, right????
In the meantime, I have to have two hinged knee braces, and a cane, and lots of ice and being careful.
HERES ME JUMPING FOR JOY-AS MUCH AS I AM JUMPING BECAUSE I CAN FINALLY WALK WITH JUST A CANE AND EVEN A FEW STEPS ON MY OWN!!! Whoo hooo, might not seem like much but it is progress!
13 comments:
Oh man, at least you have an answer as to why you felt like a sloth! Take it easy!
Oh man. I'm sure it feels really good to have answers to your pain, and a solution in the near future!
Knee replacement seems pretty common in these parts. You'll be up and running before you know it! Without pain!
Wow that horrible. I feel like I know more and more people who are getting knee replacements who are young. I hope you start to feel better and can get moving agian. How frustrating for you. Let me know if you cant find the article and Ill email it to you.
I am glad that you at least have a diagnosis and a plan of action.
Sending good thoughts to you!
I am so sorry to hear about your knees, that sounds so painful! Very glad to hear that you have a diagnosis, I hope that you don't have to wait too long for the surgery. Sending you lots of good healing thoughts!!
- Steffi
ps - thank you for the ice pack tips, I have never thought of doing that before.
Oh - one more thing - love the shoes :)
Awful! Both knees? I am so sorry! Glad they have a plan for you and I know you will do well and recover quicker than anticipated!
Thanks for the ice pack recipes! I needed that last summer. And your new shoes are cute!!
Sorry Kathy but your knees will feel better eventually.
Thank you so much for the icepack recipes! Dare's icepacks have been well used, and I'll be trying this out right away.
I can't even imagine how much pain you've been in with your knees being in such bad shape! I'm sorry you have to have both knees done, but I'm hoping it turns out to be a kind of blessing in disguise if you get it all taken care of at once.
Crap. I've been thinking of you. I am so sorry. A few things you can do with Cricket during your time out that will help:
-nosework: you don't have to move fast and canes and crutches are ok. You don't have to do a class, get some boxes and just do it at home. Email me for directions if you want, or you've got some of the best nosework instructors down your way.
-tricks. You stay still and have Cricket do all the work
-Go ons: Get one of your kids to help. Set him up in front of a line of jumps and start hobbling. Release your dog and hobble forward saying go on, have your child toss the toy as he goes over that last jump.
-Lead out pivots and start line stays.
-Wine with weaves: You need wine for the pain. Sit, drink a glass of wine and say weave...toss the toy. Repeat.
-Left and right...
So, lots for you to do. Much of it from a chair. Take care. I've been there (with broken bones so not so much in limbo). Even if it is 8 months, there is so much fun to be had! Hugs
Loving agility and having had a knee accident last year, I can somewhat identify with your situation. Just wanted to let you know that there is a yahoo group called "agility knees" that is full of people who run agility and have knee issues. You have such a positive attitude, I bet you will recover in record time! :-)
Awesome ice pack recipes! Can't wait to make some, thanks!
That is terrible that your agility instructer at camp was so callous! There are TONS of people that can't run fast, and for TONS of reasons too! How incredibly rude. Not someone I'd pay money to train with again for sure!
Lots of luck with your knees...fortunately, surgeons these days have had lots of practice and I'm sure your knee surgery will go smoothly :)
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