2010--for all of you...

[referee54]

who are facing knee replacement surgery: there will come a time when you will leave your old life of pain and inabilities behind and gain a new sense of freedom. It is is OK to be nervous and filled with trepidation---we all were! Do not let those trepidations and questions hold you back.

who have just joined the TKR "fan Club:" keep on working hard through the ups and downs of rehab. Keep your chin up and keep a positive attitude. You WILL regain your life and you WILL get through this. You have to WILL it, however. Work hard at PT and good things will happen.

who are veterans of the TKR regimen:keep up with the lifetime-PT and the exercises and keep moving forward away from the "old you." Do the stuff that you haven't been able to do for a while and realize, everyday, the reason you had the procedure done and went through the grueling PT.

May the year 2010 be one that includes a "fresh start" for all of you as you mold a new life style with your new parts!

Tim C.

 

[Surfsister]

Right on, Tim!!

As 2009 came to a close, I realized that I'd been holding my breath for years, waiting for the day when I'd be told it was time for my knee replacement. I had not expected to hear it this early in my life. The knee replacement was the Sword of Damocles that had been hanging over my head as an athlete. I was fearful that life as I knew it would be over once I had my knee replaced.

Well, I was oh so wrong about that! I can tell I've finally exhaled. And I'm happy, extremely happy. I'm back to my old self. The change, though, has been more mental than physical. Life looks a little different now. The thing I feared for the last few years came and went without completely disrupting my life. Yeah, I worked hard to get to this point. I've never felt pain like this—meaning the pain after surgery—before in my life. But . . .

it was more than worth it. And I now approach my athletics with much less fear. Instead of being worried about the pain (and I do still have pain), I just charge. The doctor said this knee is solid. He was right.

I'm including this picture, as funny as it is because I was surfing in costume (as a little old lady), to show that I take tumbles and still come up smiling. Don't be afraid of your new knees. If you are without complications, you can pretty much do whatever you like.

 

[Jamie]

What a great thread!!!

Ref, your post is so true and insightful. Sometimes it helps just to have someone put these simple truths down in print.

And Surfsister....your photo says it all. Life is all about living so GO FOR IT!!!

God bless you both!!! You are an inspiration for all of us!

 

[Dtman44]

Its funny, I've been cramming in as much as possible before my surgery on the 15th. I've gotten back in the gym to do some light lower body lifting. I've also played hockey in a police league as a sub, as well as playing pickup games with the rink rats. I'm all out of vicoden and didnt bother refilling it since I have to quit it soon anyway. Thats probably why I can be seen here at any hour of the night. hehehe, I can only manage sleep in one or two hour increments.

Thanks for the encouragment. I hope I can offer some of my own soon.

Dan

 

[Courtnoo]

I just wanted to thank both Ref & Surfsister. Whether they know it or not, they have both helped me out tremendously in this process. Surfsister's blog eased so much of my anxiety pre-surgery. Ref has been a wonderful source of wisdom & support post-surgery. I hope 2010 is wonderful for us all!

 

[Josephine]

They are, they are, court. I can tell you, they've both inspired me and that's not easy!

 

[gettingthere]

wow--I feel better just reading these posts. Surfsister...you go girl! How long before you could get on a board? I am so encouraged by the picture! Thank you Tim for your post. I never would have thought there would be so much support and encouragement! Thanks to all of you Jan

 

[gettingthere]

Oh and Courtnoo...you and I are almost on the same track..my LTKR was 11-23-09! thanks for your posts as well!

 

[Galcyclist]

Enjoying this thread and the encouragement for 2010. I'm scheduled for two TKR surgeries in March (right) and April (left). Have to admit that I am looking forward to the day where I don't have to consider whether I'll be physically up to doing something I would really like to do....like going to a sporting event or even shopping!

Jen

 

[Surfsister]

Gettingthere, I had surgery on April 20th. I got back on my board on July 30th. It wasn't easy by any means. However, I am stubborn and tenacious. I would not be denied.

I think, truthfully, I recovered so well because I put it all in my own hands. Yes, I had a wonderful surgeon and a kick #$@ physical therapist. Still, they weren't in my head. I was the only one in there. Had I raised the white flag and admitted defeat, I would not have surfed again. I told myself it could be done. I knew of one other surfer who'd had the knee replacement and gotten back on his board. I told myself that if he could do it, I could certainly do it . . . better. So I put my head down, got serious about my recovery, faced down the pain and did it.

I take all kinds of tumbles off the surfboard. Not one of them has ever injured the new knee (which, by the way, is still healing from the surgery). I do have pain. I make sure people understand that I'm not pain-free just yet. My pain, though, is surgical. The horrible osteoarthritis pain is gone. My current pain comes from the fact that I push this knee to its limits without pushing past its limits. When I'm just sitting quietly, I'm fine. But I'm not one to sit quietly so I'm happy to endure the minor pains I've got.

Life is better with my bionic knee.

 

[referee54]

I reffed college basketball in the Midwest for 17 years---and football for a little longer. I have umpired baseball now for what will be my 37th year. I used to jog a great deal, but I do not do that anymore; I cycle at least 60-80 miles a weeks in the summer---sometimes even more. (I ride a bike to "nowhere" during the winter months.) We heat our house with a wood burning stove, so I am out most of the summer cutting down trees, using chainsaws, and splitting wood---either with a gas-powered splitter or with a sledge hammer and an wedge. Slipping on a root or an uneven piece of ground would bring yelps of pain from me before; that is not the case.

Other than not officiating two sports, my life is not quite the same---it is actually better. I do not limp, gimp, or hobble around. I can sleep very well at night now and there is no more "nail being driven through my knees type" pain any more. As for not officiating certain sports, I miss certain aspects--the challenge and the camaraderie, but it was time for me to move on.

The PT was rigorous and grueling at times, but I never doubted that I would persevere. I do not have any doubts that what I did just over two years ago was absolutely the correct action to take to reverse the affects of arthritis on my life.

I asked other veterans of TKR's---"When do you know that you are ready for this." Their reply was always, "You will know when it is time."

Are you ready to regain your life? It is a decision that will allow you to reap countless rewards; both the obvious as well as the intrinsic.

Blessings to you all,

Tim C.

 

[calling_all_angels]

And when you decide. then your life will start again.. And it will take work to get where you need to be but, awww life can be sweet again.

 

[gettingthere]

You are all GREAT and such an encouragement. Surfgirl--I agree...I was released by the PT right at 4 weeks..but at 3 weeks I didn't really need her...because I was determined to do it right. And yes there was alot of pain...and there still is pain--especially when I sat the wrong way---but I am determined to get my life back...You are an inspiration. Thanks for all the encouragement.