I apologize for my lack of posting over the last couple weeks! I have been remiss and I'm anxious to have a chance to check back in with everyone. To answer your question,
@north girl, I went to a super small hospital with only 100 beds in a small town of Chelsea, Michigan. I don't think they're known for their cutting edge ortho department, but I couldn't have been happier. I imagine you probably need a doctor whose practice is exclusively around correcting TKR issues rather than just doing the replacements, so maybe you should consider traveling if necessary to find the right person. I'm so sorry you're still struggling after two years.
Regarding my recovery, I have so much to report since my last update! Today marks the first day in a month that I haven't had visitors/caregivers staying with me. I am sure I'm way past due to start taking care of myself! Here I've been using a cane to assist with each step, which turns out was unnecessary. Today I just made it all over my house without the cane and had no problem. I've just been chicken. I can comfortably get in and out of the shower, do my laundry, make my food, and care for my overactive dogs. I can even eat my meals sitting in a normal chair at a table, as long as I don't stay there too long. I have my appetite back! I do move slowly, and carrying things is still a challenge. Also, I have only had a brief outing to a really close by pet store and two trips to PT. Other than that, I've been home. If it weren't for the entertainment of various friends and family in my home, I know I'd be going stir crazy. Having their company has really been a fantastic diversion and encouragement to me.
Regarding pain, I'm feeling much better in general. I have cut back to about 2 Tramadol per 24 hours, along with some Tylenol and Motrin as needed. I am still icing for pain, and often that takes care of things as well or better than the drugs. I take a cooler to bed with a big ice pack in it, and every second or third night I need it.
Usually I sleep in about 4 hour shifts, and manage to stay in bed 6-7 hours each night. I am dying to sleep on my side, but every time I try it, I last only about 15 minutes. My PT said it would be good for me to sleep on my stomach, but that is also no longer comfortable as it was pre-surgery for me.
Now onto my comments about PT. I am SO grateful for BoneSmart, and for all the knowledge I gained about PT from this site and from all of you online friends. On Monday I started outpatient PT, after literally crying when I had to say goodbye to my wonderful in-home PT. I almost felt loaded for bear when I arrived at the PT facility. I had looked at the 8 photos of the therapists at this provider online, and made my first appointment with the oldest-looking one. I am embarrassed at my stereotyping, as I'm sure plenty of young athletic PTs are fantastic. I just felt like an older person might be more understanding, as I'm not a youngster rehabbing a sports injury! Anyway, "Colleen" greeted me and asked a few questions, then wanted me to hop up on her table to get started. I said "hold your horses, there is a lot we need to work out before we start". I feel so sorry for putting her through this, but I told her I didn't want her to touch me. I went on and on about what I would allow her to do (mostly just vocally advise or demonstrate!) and what I would not allow. The poor thing was clearly taken aback. I would never have had the courage to be that direct, without hearing horror stories from so many of you!! She told me she was concerned I wouldn't have a successful recovery if I wouldn't let her do her job. But she was nice, and supportive, so we pressed on. After our discussion, she was very very gentle and explained each thing in detail. She even told me not to do anything that caused me to make a face, which was such a more descriptive way to explain what level of discomfort I should stop at. I ended up happily agreeing to allow her to adjust my pelvis, which was totally painless and immediately resolved my feeling of my surgical leg being longer. I also allowed her to wiggle my knee cap around, which was very creepy, but did not hurt. It was very tight and stuck in place, but she was ever so gentle and slow, checking each second to see if I was o.k. with what she was doing. The next time I saw her, surprise, surprise, the knee cap was all loose. In order to walk normally, our knee cap has to slide up and down. I had never known or noticed that! I have actually hated thinking about knees for my whole life. So, in the end, after two sessions I do not dread going to PT, and I feel it has helped me. I do not take pain meds before (thank you BS!), and I don't necessarily do the number of repetitions they want. I feel pretty empowered that I am in charge, and Colleen is there to use her professional expertise to help me. Phew! I can't tell you how worked up I was about PT beforehand. I am so so sorry for those of you who have been hurt by therapy, and I have truly benefited from your lessons (especially you,
@Suz!).
At 4 weeks post surgery, I am feeling so grateful and relieved. While I am sick of recovery, exercises, limitations, pain pills, and long nights, I rejoice over how good I feel. Each of my days, even the rougher ones, are mostly filled with the things that make life joyful and worth living. And Colleen told me I'm doing great, which gave me such a huge boost. She even added, "and I'm not just blowing smoke, I really mean it!". For anyone reading this who is awaiting their own TKR surgery, I just wish I could take away all that fear and dread for you. I tortured myself worrying, fretting, obsessing, and "awfulizing" as I imagined lying in agony literally for a year. It hasn't been anything like that!! I'm proud of myself. I feel loved and cared for by the people I'm closest to, and even those who aren't all that close, but clearly care. And when I put my weight down on my right leg, it feels SO strong, I can't tell you. I think of the metal and cement, and how able that worthy structure is at holding up and moving the weight of my body. It's glorious, really.
United States
while we eat dinner! Keep on, keeping on Sara! You're doing great!!
