10 days Post Op

[hopeful788]

Hello, got home yesterday, 4 days in the hospital, 6 days rehab. The hospital experience was great, unbelievable, totally professional, all of my needs or expectations were all met far beyond any of my expectations. However, the rehab was another story.

I picked a rehab that was close to my wife's school, (she teaches), so she could stop by and visit on her way home. I picked a nursing home which said specialized in knees and hip rehab. The PT was excellent, but everything else in that place was limiting at best, the good news is, I'm home.

Start outpatient PT today at 3:00 pm and feel pretty good. I want to know a couple of things. I wake up from a somewhat unrestful night sleep, trying to find a position that works for all parts of my body, stiff, and sore. Once I get going, as if I need to warm up the knee, the knee feels good. Once I start my exercises the knee begins swell and I get tried. I been living on raising my leg above my heart, pain meds, ice, ice, and more ice, and then a nap, and than more of the same. Does that sound fairly normal?

My ROM is 88-90 depending on the day. I had my computer with me during the last 10 days, but sitting down and posting seem to be an effort instead of a joy, as it is this morning. Also, I had one other stress I had been dealing with while I was rehabing, my brother stomach cancer surgery.

Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts, he is now home, half his stomach remove, but they think they got all of the cancer. Won't know until the results of the lab work comes back Monday, but the doctor seem confident that this problem is behind him. Having said all that, my family will be having a very upbeat Thanksgiving. Thank you all for being there for me during the pre and now the post, Bob

 

[Jamie]

Bob, so great to hear from you and YOU'RE HOME!!!! It truly is the BEST place to be when you are recovering.

You are doing really well. Your ROM is excellent for only 10 days out. And your routine of warming up, moving around, swelling, and naps are perfectly normal. You just had MAJOR surgery and it will take some time for your body to heal. This is why it is so important to rest, take your pain meds right on schedule all through the day AND night, ice, elevate and generally let your system do its thing. Spread your exercises out throughout the day and that should help with the swelling. At this stage, just moving around to get to the bathroom, kitchen to eat, chair or table, and back to bed is exercise.

Keep us posted!!!

Your brother will be in my prayers. I do so hope they were able to get all the cancer.

 

[hopeful788]

Jamie,

Thanks for the comments about my daily routine. I will continue down this path until I feel like I have the strength to add more to my routine. I have to give myself the time and space to heal. I went out to get the newspaper today, what a milestone. I have learned that it's the small things that matter. Thanks Bob

 

[Texas]

Hey Bob i still wish the best for your brother..think positive he will be fine.......prayers his way........I think you are doing well........you will get energy back soon just lifting the leg takes alot..........you will get there............Just keep icing and elevate i know blah blah blah......but it does work............keep us posted and have a great Thanksgiving...........)

 

[Sticker Lady]

Bob-
As the others have said, you are doing very well for this early on. Healing is a slow process and you want to do it right! Life often seems to give us a lot to handle at once (my hubby had his prostate out about 10 weeks after my BTKR) but if we remember to take one day at a time we get through it all. Thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
Blessings,
Irene

 

[Linda2]

You are absolutely right on--I remember those days! Keep on with your ice and rest between exercises. It takes awhile to get your energy back.

 

[tom67]

The Small Things are great as well Bob, because they can sneak up on you
and pleasantly surprise you!! Happy Thanksgiving

 

[cindy88fan]

Bob...sounds like you are doing well. Isn't it funny how just going out to get the paper makes you feel like you have accomplished something huge? When I told my friends that I did something and I got so excited about it, they would say...is that all it takes to make you excited? Well walk in our shoes or shall I say with our knees and you will see the small things are big things in our eyes! And celebrate that you are well on your way to a great recovery!!!! You are doing fantastic Bob!

 

[Judles]

Well done, Bob! Keep up the great recup! Prayers extended to your brother!

 

[aussie]

Best wishes to both you and your brother.

Sounds like you are doing well Bob, enjoy every small achievement.

 

[Josephine]

Wonderful! So nice seeing people progress.

 

[tom67]

My Best to you and you brother Bob!!