Hi all! I'm so happy to report I'm 6 days post new knee! I was in a bit of a panic (to put it mildly) the day before surgery. My last post in preop area showed a terrified me. Then the site went down ! Probably for the best because I didn't stop panicking until I arrived at the surgicenter at 9 AM on 8/23. I was very honest about my fears to anyone and everyone, including housekeepers, maintenance men, and the patient in the next bed! Thankfully, the staff was very supportive and liberal with the versed!
Despite my terror of spinal anesthesia , I had it, with heavy sedation. All I remember is the sweet nurse who held my hand while they inserted the spinal.
I woke up in PACU, then went to my room. The spinal wore off within 6 hours and I walked with a walker to bathroom, got into my own jammies, and slept all night. I woke up with mild pain (they gave me tramadol every 4 hours). I had a dose of Dilaudid before 6AM PT, which was just assuring I could use walker and climb 5 stairs. By 730, husband and I were on the a way home (all that practice getting in the car-- I just scooted in).
I've spent the last 5 days on the couch, with toes above nose and my wonderful ice machine. I'm getting up and walking at least every 2 hours. I've only had breakthrough pain once and responded to an extra dose of oxycodone. My pain has been 0-3 , but I'm taking 5 mg oxycodone every 4 hours while awake, alternating with Tylenol . I am able to go up 14stairs to bedroom for sleep, then down in the morning. I've had one in home PT, and she firmly believes in the Bonesmart mantra! I'm now using a cane, which I forget at times.
So far, so good! I'm so grateful that this has been not anything close to what I feared. I attribute that to the info Ad support here, and my outstanding care team. I secretly thought I would not have my second knee done, after the preop terror of the first one. But I'm still on the schedule for knee 2 on 9/20. Again, thank you all so much! Today is my first day home alone. It's kind of nice.
Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016
Despite my terror of spinal anesthesia , I had it, with heavy sedation. All I remember is the sweet nurse who held my hand while they inserted the spinal.
I woke up in PACU, then went to my room. The spinal wore off within 6 hours and I walked with a walker to bathroom, got into my own jammies, and slept all night. I woke up with mild pain (they gave me tramadol every 4 hours). I had a dose of Dilaudid before 6AM PT, which was just assuring I could use walker and climb 5 stairs. By 730, husband and I were on the a way home (all that practice getting in the car-- I just scooted in).
I've spent the last 5 days on the couch, with toes above nose and my wonderful ice machine. I'm getting up and walking at least every 2 hours. I've only had breakthrough pain once and responded to an extra dose of oxycodone. My pain has been 0-3 , but I'm taking 5 mg oxycodone every 4 hours while awake, alternating with Tylenol . I am able to go up 14stairs to bedroom for sleep, then down in the morning. I've had one in home PT, and she firmly believes in the Bonesmart mantra! I'm now using a cane, which I forget at times.
So far, so good! I'm so grateful that this has been not anything close to what I feared. I attribute that to the info Ad support here, and my outstanding care team. I secretly thought I would not have my second knee done, after the preop terror of the first one. But I'm still on the schedule for knee 2 on 9/20. Again, thank you all so much! Today is my first day home alone. It's kind of nice.
Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016