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1cruiselvr recovery diary

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Hi Juniper...what do you use to ice at work? I will be heading back probably in the next 4 weeks and I'm sure icing at work will be necessary. Right now I can't imagine going back but since I'm not rich and didn't win the lottery, it's a necessity. Like you, I was not mentally prepared for this journey. I thought I was getting a PKR and even then I didn't realize what the meant in terms of recovery. It's been 9 weeks since my surgery and I can't believe how stiff and painful my knee still is.....every day is a lesson in patience....take care.
 
When I got frustrated I tried to remind myself how far I'd come since the first few weeks. As you say, a lesson in patience. You almost have to think in terms of months rather than weeks.
 
Lynne, We have a nurse at school who stores ice in her freezer. I stopped by today after the long trek to the cafeteria and got a bag of ice. For me the biggest problem is that I keep getting caught up in doing things for and with my students and I don't keep a regular schedule of icing and meds. Went from 7am to 2pm before I took meds. I iced at lunch but then spent a lot of time on my feet because my teaching colleague and I (we have adjoining rooms and team teach) need to pack up our classrooms. Packed about eight cartons today. I'm lifting books, not cartons, but my knee was so swollen when I left at 3. Came home, iced and elevated for forty minutes. Now I have to exercise and write reports. Two pages of narrative for each student. Glad my class is smaller than usual this year.

I usually ice only once at work. This is getting old for everyone who needs to help me as well as for me. I get it, and that makes me want to hide away. The kids are absolutely wonderful and generous. They keep my spirits up, but every once in a while, someone gets impatient and, depending on my pain level, I can dissolve into tears. The physical piece is the hardest, but the emotional vulnerability can be tough as well.

Be kind to yourself. Keep coming back to this site. The support from people who actually do understand is huge for me right now.
 
Juniper....I don't have an ice source at work. Maybe I will get some of those blue ice gelpacks and put them in the freezer at work (we do have a frigerator with small freezer compartment). I know icing will be necessary when I return to work, I'm just trying to figure out how to accomplish it without ice.
Today my knee is so stiff, it feels like I'm trying to bend a rock...SIGH
Sleeping is still tricky as well. How are you doing w/it? You must be exhausted after working all day.
 
Hi Lynn, I'm assuming you didn't get a cryo cuff system with the thermos jug. If you had one, you could fill it with ice at home for the work day. It can be disconnected from the hose to move around. The ice is suppose to last for 6-8 hours before refilling.
 
Janet....no I didn't get one. I've been using something the hospital sent me home with but I have worn it out! The nylon pouches holding the freeze packs have shredded....otherwise, it would be perfect for work. I wonder if there is someplace I can buy a similar one.....
 
I took my gelpacs with me to school--I have a small fridge in my classroom. I would then use an Ace-type bandage and wrap it around the gelpac to keep it in lace when I iced.
 
Live too far away to go home for lunch but I do like the ace bandage wrapped gel pack idea. Might have to go with that. Thanks for the idea.
 
I also took a gelpack to work and iced on breaks.
 
Kneeper...how long did you have to ice at work before it wasn't needed anymore? Just curious how long it will be necessary to do at work...2,3, 6 months?
 
I think a couple of weeks--I was able to be off work for 12 weeks since I didn't teach in the summer that year. After a while I didn't ice at work, but did ice and elevate once I got home.
 
Got a kick out of this, thought the readers on BS would too....I was walking thru a business today and a lady stopped me and said 'oh I sympathize, I have a bad knee too'.....I laughed and responded 'no, I have a good knee, I'm just recovering from a TKR'.....I guess people assume a cane and a slight limp = bad knee pain. There are alot of people that can relate to us out there in the real world.
 
The irony of it all---you had yours taken care of and are on your way to being fully recovered, and somebody----that lady---should take note of what you had done and how much better you are feeling and will feel!
 
I just got some very shocking and upsetting news yesterday. The OS that did my TKR passed away on Memorial day from injuries sustained in a polo accident. I am crushed. He was such a wonderful man, kind and understanding. He will be missed! My care is being transferred to another dr. in the clinic. I see him next week for a followup visit. It's going to be difficult to walk into that clinic without tears.
 
Lynne, this sounds very upsetting. Life is so fragile. I'm glad that you felt so good about your surgeon. I hope your recovery is part of this doc's legacy. You can feel that as you heal, that your healing is another proof of the good things this doc did.
 
Juniper, thank you for your kind words. He was a wonderful human being and surgeon. He was very involved in the equestrian community was going to the summer 2012 olympics as a doctor supporting the equestrian team. He will be missed by many! RIP Dr. Ferrell.
 
I've been reading your posts, and they are very inspiring. So sorry to hear about your doctor. That must be very traumatic. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
 
pmonroe, thx. How are you doing? It's been 11 weeks for me. Still struggling with stiffness and pain when I do too much. I'm sending good thoughs your way.
 
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