Want2hike
member
Monday 10/17/16
I had a bilateral TKR. I came out of surgery feeling great, and about 4 hours after surgery was able to get out of bed and walk about 60 feet (although it was difficult with 2 ports and a catheter bag).
Had pudding for lunch and steak for dinner.
Tuesday
Around 3 am the blocks completely wore off, and things rapidly changed. I nearly went into shock from the pain (uncontrollable shivering/shaking). The nurses/docs got the pain under control but the drugs made me too weak/woozy to try to walk. I was able to get from the bed to a bedside chair (still with the ports and catheter) but too lightheaded and dizzy to attempt to walk any distance during the day. I was able to eat normal meals during the day. I ate a hamburger for lunch and salmon for dinner. One of my ports wasn't draining and was removed Tuesday evening.
Wednesday
Pain was under control and I was feeling less dizzy. PT had me walk about 120 feet and showed me a few exercises. After the second PT (walked 150 feet and practiced going up a step) my other port and the catheter were removed. I was able to eat normal meals during the day (turkey sandwich for lunch and chicken fajitas for dinner). Before bed, I needed assistance using the restroom. This was my greatest challenge. A bedside commode was basically placed over the toilet. For my size (5'9", 225 lbs, BMI 33.2) it was just wide enough to squeeze into but too narrow for me to be able to easily get back up or wipe. I needed two nurses/techs to help me stand and wipe. My mom also arrived in town to help when I got home.
Thursday
Once again needed help with using the bathroom. Was able to walk 250' during PT, and practiced going up a step and getting in and out of bed and chairs. Was released from the hospital around noon. Husband and mom brought me home to recover. Husband went to get prescriptions filled but was unable to get the extended release pain pills. He spent most of the afternoon on phone with hospital, pharmacy, and insurance company. My pain started to spike. Doubled up on my regular pain pills before going to bed since I couldn't get the others.
Friday
Woke up in a lot of pain. Continued to fight with insurance company. Finally told husband to pick up prescription and pay full amount. Pharmacist called insurance company and finally got approval to only charge copay. Struggled with toilet riser at home. It was a little too narrow and had a channel in front. I didn't get far enough back on it and urine ran through that channel and spilled down my legs. My husband or mom had to clean me each time I went, which was frustrating and embarrassing. Finally worked out that if I got back far enough, I would hit the hole better and not make a mess, but I needed a footstool to support my legs, which meant I still couldn't go to the bathroom without assistance. When I moved off the toilet it would tip forward and nearly fall off the toilet. Somebody had to be there to hold down the seat for me to get off the toilet. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Mom or husband shadowed me every time I moved to make sure I didn't fall. Tech came to the house to set up the CPM machine. Used that and calf inflators (prevents DVT) as prescribed.
Saturday and Sunday
Pain much better under control. Still struggling with bathroom equipment issues. Took a sponge bath. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Mom or husband shadowed me every time I moved to make sure I didn't fall. Tech came and gave me aTENS unit. Used all equipment as prescribed.
Monday
Pain under control. after returning home from work, husband pulled out the bedside commode (minus the collection pan) that we use for camping to try that. He secured it with a tow clamp around the base of the toilet so it didn't move when I tried to get up. Finally! I was able to complete all bathroom functions on my own! I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Mom or husband shadowed me every time I moved to make sure I didn't fall. Used all equipment as prescribed. PT showed up for therapy session. She was ok but not a good fit. Very unclear what she wanted me to do.
Tuesday
Pain under control. Bathroom equipment issues under control. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Used all equipment as prescribed. Mom and husband giving me more independence to move without them following. A friend came to visit for about an hour.
Wednesday
Pain under control. Bathroom equipment issues under control. Major problems with inflammation. PT was difficult because I was so swollen. Got a new therapist and really like her. She will continue my in home therapy. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Used all equipment as prescribed. Mom and husband giving me more independence to move without them following.
Thursday
Husband took mom to airport. He returned to help me change legs on the CPM machine and then he went to work. Still dealing with major inflammation. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Used all equipment as prescribed.
Friday (today)
Inflammation going down but still an issue. Husband helped me set up CPM machine before he left for work. Had PT and much better on exercises and ROM (80L and 67R) than Weds. Set up bonesmart account while on CPM machine.
I had a bilateral TKR. I came out of surgery feeling great, and about 4 hours after surgery was able to get out of bed and walk about 60 feet (although it was difficult with 2 ports and a catheter bag).
Had pudding for lunch and steak for dinner.
Tuesday
Around 3 am the blocks completely wore off, and things rapidly changed. I nearly went into shock from the pain (uncontrollable shivering/shaking). The nurses/docs got the pain under control but the drugs made me too weak/woozy to try to walk. I was able to get from the bed to a bedside chair (still with the ports and catheter) but too lightheaded and dizzy to attempt to walk any distance during the day. I was able to eat normal meals during the day. I ate a hamburger for lunch and salmon for dinner. One of my ports wasn't draining and was removed Tuesday evening.
Wednesday
Pain was under control and I was feeling less dizzy. PT had me walk about 120 feet and showed me a few exercises. After the second PT (walked 150 feet and practiced going up a step) my other port and the catheter were removed. I was able to eat normal meals during the day (turkey sandwich for lunch and chicken fajitas for dinner). Before bed, I needed assistance using the restroom. This was my greatest challenge. A bedside commode was basically placed over the toilet. For my size (5'9", 225 lbs, BMI 33.2) it was just wide enough to squeeze into but too narrow for me to be able to easily get back up or wipe. I needed two nurses/techs to help me stand and wipe. My mom also arrived in town to help when I got home.
Thursday
Once again needed help with using the bathroom. Was able to walk 250' during PT, and practiced going up a step and getting in and out of bed and chairs. Was released from the hospital around noon. Husband and mom brought me home to recover. Husband went to get prescriptions filled but was unable to get the extended release pain pills. He spent most of the afternoon on phone with hospital, pharmacy, and insurance company. My pain started to spike. Doubled up on my regular pain pills before going to bed since I couldn't get the others.
Friday
Woke up in a lot of pain. Continued to fight with insurance company. Finally told husband to pick up prescription and pay full amount. Pharmacist called insurance company and finally got approval to only charge copay. Struggled with toilet riser at home. It was a little too narrow and had a channel in front. I didn't get far enough back on it and urine ran through that channel and spilled down my legs. My husband or mom had to clean me each time I went, which was frustrating and embarrassing. Finally worked out that if I got back far enough, I would hit the hole better and not make a mess, but I needed a footstool to support my legs, which meant I still couldn't go to the bathroom without assistance. When I moved off the toilet it would tip forward and nearly fall off the toilet. Somebody had to be there to hold down the seat for me to get off the toilet. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Mom or husband shadowed me every time I moved to make sure I didn't fall. Tech came to the house to set up the CPM machine. Used that and calf inflators (prevents DVT) as prescribed.
Saturday and Sunday
Pain much better under control. Still struggling with bathroom equipment issues. Took a sponge bath. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Mom or husband shadowed me every time I moved to make sure I didn't fall. Tech came and gave me aTENS unit. Used all equipment as prescribed.
Monday
Pain under control. after returning home from work, husband pulled out the bedside commode (minus the collection pan) that we use for camping to try that. He secured it with a tow clamp around the base of the toilet so it didn't move when I tried to get up. Finally! I was able to complete all bathroom functions on my own! I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Mom or husband shadowed me every time I moved to make sure I didn't fall. Used all equipment as prescribed. PT showed up for therapy session. She was ok but not a good fit. Very unclear what she wanted me to do.
Tuesday
Pain under control. Bathroom equipment issues under control. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Used all equipment as prescribed. Mom and husband giving me more independence to move without them following. A friend came to visit for about an hour.
Wednesday
Pain under control. Bathroom equipment issues under control. Major problems with inflammation. PT was difficult because I was so swollen. Got a new therapist and really like her. She will continue my in home therapy. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Used all equipment as prescribed. Mom and husband giving me more independence to move without them following.
Thursday
Husband took mom to airport. He returned to help me change legs on the CPM machine and then he went to work. Still dealing with major inflammation. I ate normal, did my exercises, and napped a lot. Used all equipment as prescribed.
Friday (today)
Inflammation going down but still an issue. Husband helped me set up CPM machine before he left for work. Had PT and much better on exercises and ROM (80L and 67R) than Weds. Set up bonesmart account while on CPM machine.