TKR 2 straight legs? Check!

[robynhood]

Hi Fernie, Happy Sunday to you. The sleep issues will improve I promise. The more exercises you do and the more active you are you will find that you go to bed tired out and auctually sleep. I was the same as you Would go to bed before ten, drop off and then wake thinking I did it a good sleep, then look at the clock and it was just past midnight. Then it was wide awake till five ish. As for the bike. For weeks I kept trying and trying and could not get the forward full rotation. It was only then I realised the seat had been moved to the lowest position for my grand son. O God why hadnt I realised. I moved the seat right up till I was virtually on tippie toes and Yayyyyy I did it. Cursed myself for being so stupid not to realise. Now I do 5 minutes a time 3 times a day but hope to improve that this week. The good thing is its also strengthening my right knee which is in pretty bad condition. Its much more flexible than it was which is good in my opinion putting off my 2nd TKR a little longer. Hope the sleep issues improve. Last night I came to bed before 12 and slept until 8 oclock. Brilliant. By the way I have lowered my seat twice since and resistance from 1 to 3 and think the bike is the best exercise ever.

 

[Fernie]

Hello pat, thanks for the sleepie advice, I even wEnt to bed this arvee hoping fr a half hour but nothing. It's actually making me feel nausious again And I was starting to be over that. I went for a little walk outside and that was nice. Hubby back to work tomorrow so I'll have to do a few more housey bits, but certainly wont go mad ! I guess the roller coaster continues. I hope to up my cycling a bit more next week as will keep Slow and steady for next few days. How long was it before all your swelling had gone properly?

I hope you've had a good weekend, it's great toothfairy's op went well, I'm so glad she is ok.

Take care, Fernie

 

[Dewey]

Good Morning! Sure sorry to hear sleep is not your friend right now! I stay in bed for 8 to 10 hours, but I'm sure I'm not sleeping that whole time. I go to sleep quickly, but I wake often. I am able to go back to sleep, but the waking every hour or so is maddening! It never feels like I've gotten good, restorative sleep.

I will be back at PT tomorrow am bright and early. I'm still worried (really worried!!) about why this stupid knee won't bend. I've been trying and trying at home to loosen it up, but it just won't budge! Wish me luck for that bike tomorrow, although I don't have high hopes. I really think I need to get a bit more bend before I'll be able to do a complete rotation. I'll just keep rocking and rocking, I guess!

Be sure to take some naps today. I really believe we heal best during sleep, so take it when you can get it! I'll be hoping your day gets better and better!

 

[Fernie]

Hi Dewey, thx for your message. You know, I wouldnt mind waking up if I could drop off Again, it's relentless. Never mind, guess it just this stage.

Dontknow what to suggest for your bend, guess you'll have to see what the physio says when you see them. My leg is really stiff and feels like it can't bend but it does. It's lIke a big invisible bandage. Wish the brushing would go as well.

Keep rocking on the bike. Also I stand on my bottom step and bend my knees like I'm sitting back on the step, gives a nice stretch and it's good in the morning when I can barely walk.

Oh Dewey, how long is this gonna take for us? Now when is your next one coming up, do u have a date?

Best wishes, take care Fernie

 

[robynhood]

Fernie my swelling hasnt gone completely even now and Im 21 weeks now. Im sure I wont recognise my knee when it isnt swollen.

 

[jetthugger]

Fernie, I don't sleep well and I haven't even had the old hag fixed yet! My trick is to download a series of lectures onto my iPod, last one was the history of the Egyptian empire by professor Bob Brier. Puts me to sleep in under ten minutes!! Also some of it sticks! For even faster results, try the philosophy of science - mere minutes for that one!!! Big hugs & will send the sandman to you once he's sorted Toothfairy out!! X x

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Fernie, how are you my dear. Sorry to hear you are not sleeping too well. I haven't slept badly so far but I am sure that is the morphine knocking me out.
So glad to have joined you on the recovery side.
Take care and happy Monday.
Live Toothfairy. X

 

[Fernie]

Hello toothfairy, lovely to see you up bright and early, how are you feeling? I hope you are feeling nice nd comfortable. I slept quite well the first week due to drugs. Did better last night but took pill. Dr gave me 14 days half dose to help when I was desperate.

So, what's on cards for you today? Do you know when you'll be going home? Hv u done stairs yet?

Big hugs, , love fx

 

[Fernie]

Hi jetthugger how are you doing? Did get som sleep last night and feel bit better. Hubby back to work so feel I've done more today already than I ve been, just getting daughter ready for school! Just elevating and icing .

Will bear in mind the science lecture if I'm really desperate

now, you are up in a couple weeKs. I do hope you've been taking notes of all tHe packing advice on here. Even toothfairy succumbed and just took one bag in the end .. It's funny as sometimes I for get you've not had your op yet. When do you stop work? Will u be ok to have lots of time off? Have a good day

When I've recovered it's some For me. Gotta stretch out this leg, stiff as a board this morning.
Take care

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Fernie, I am feeling much better today, hoping to get up today. Only made it to the chair yesterday due to vomiting. I asked to walk later but they wanted me to wait till physio was there. I can get myself in and out of bed now and have been using the commode. Hoping to walk today and start to go to the loo. I think stairs will be tomorrow then home.
I think I am doing quite well so far. Knee hardly bending due to stiffness but I am not worried about that. It's such early days.
Glad you had a better sleep.
Just had physio in, he is delighted with my bend and says it is being restricted by my bandage. Just been for a walk. Lovely. Now sitting in chair for a bit.
Toothfairy x

 

[jetthugger]

Ahhhh Fernie! Yes, the old hag is still lurking, reminding me More frequently now why I'm doing this! I think between yourself & Toothfairy, I am getting a very good idea of what I have to look forward to!! Actually the old hag played up that much the last couple of days (nights are a specialty!) that if they carted me in right now I would go willingly. Keep the updates coming! You are both such an inspiration & a source of courage for me!!

 

[livinginfl]

Fernie,
Sorry to hear about the sleeping, just look at Gami today, all that sleep and she sounds fantastic. I hope you have a better night, it is hard to find that perfect position but maybe one night it will surprise us.
Guess what? yep, tomorrow I get to try the mini bike pedals, got the ok today. Maybe tomorrow I can join you in a bike ride.
Hope you find some decent sleep tonight. Take care, have a big ride tomorrow, don't go too fast for me

 

[Fernie]

Hi all, how are we doing?

Had my PT today an it was ok but my knee was really swollen as I've been just overdoing it past couple of days. Couldn't do any Today as physio didnt want to aggrevate knee whilst it was doing its drama queen bit but I somehow managed to get a ROM of 105, which was amazing as I felt I could hardly walk.

Its strange as knee is really swollen and stiff and oh so painful to the touch, but it seems to be quite bendy when it needs to be.

Sleepies not so well still and was reading my kindle half the night again. Cutting back nicely on meds as the deep op pain definitely going away slowly, just the surface stuff. Physio says will take good 12 weeks for swelling and bruising to go and 6 mths before I'm really back on track. Pretty much what BoneSmarties teaches us. All fairly good I guess.

Best wishes , Fernie

 

[forevergimpy]

Yeah for the ups (the bendy) and the fact that your PT supports and agrees with the Smarties here!

Sorry you are still struggling with sleep.....I am NOT looking forward to that at all. I have always been a great sleeper and any time I have any troubles with it I become very grumpy. Let's hope I don't turn into Forevergrumpy post-up.

Thanks for updating your progress, it's so reassuring to read that the deep op pain is slowly dissipating for you!

 

[Fernie]

Forevergrumpy! That is brilliant... Not that we want you lacking sleep and grumpy of course after your op.

What I learned Sarah, is that everyone here is different, yet a couple of things seem to be shared by most. Will see if Toothfairy can knock up some more dusty sleepy stuff when she is feeling up to it, just in case .

After your op, you will appreciate the shift from arthritis pain to surgery pain and that will of course subside in due course.

Take care, bendy Fernie

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Fernie, so how are you doing? Sorry to hear that sleeping is still an issue.
Sounds like your mobility is doing very well indeed. How long did you wait after TKR before getting on your exercise bike?
How are you managing with the school run now that you are home alone ?
I couldn't imagine doing anything like that at the moment. I am having trouble stringing words together.
Can't believe I am tired again, between all the healthcare staff visiting I was sleeping and resting. It was mid afternoon before I got up and since then have been sitting in a chair icing and elevating.
Take care my dear Fernie,
Love,
Toothfairy x

 

[Fernie]

Hi Fairy, got some decent sleep at last but feel totally shattered today! it was 3 weeks til i got on physio bike and i went straight home and on my bike then, think i managed a rotation then as well, but bike seat REALLY high so not as glorious as it sounds!

school run, well, lots of mums are helping me and taxi-ing the little pickle around for me, so sweet of them but i'm in a fix and they realise this. its working well so far. but its getting her ready and everything else which takes it out of me.

oh yes, it was this stage that i couldnt speak properly and found it hard to form proper words let alone sentences. its the drugs and it'll improve when you start getting use to them or ditch them. i'm down to about 10 over 24 hours now and v pleased with that. cant wait til they all gone though.

im finding the whole ice and elevating quite boring now and am spending more time sitting at a dining chair with my foot on the ground as i figure and its OK now i have more bend. will elevate etc a bit later.

so, i hope you are doing OK today, weather bit rubbish though. never mind.

i do not know how for one minute, people go back to work at 4 weeks, i'm wondering if 8 off will be enough actually! i'm starting to do a little bit more around the house now, empty dishwasher, put washing on - cant carry it up or downstairs though! little bit of cooking... actually, more popping things in the oven! i've not cooked properly for 5 weeks! still, i'm seeing a little tiny chink of light at the end of the very long tunnel.

have a wonderful day, look forward to hearing more progress from you very soon sparkly, fairy, dusty one!

Fernie xx

 

[Chinook]

FATASTIC NEWS FERNIE!! I am so so I think you have done a fantastic job. I know it has been on your mind Now you have done it. What a great start to your day!!!! HUGS

 

[gami]

Hi Fernie...cooking again how wonderful.. definitely a giant leap forward. I'm not in a rush my husbands cooking skills are improving out of sight he even told me last night that it was amazing just what kind of cooking hints you can get from 'the net'...I think he must have been referring o his surprise herb crusted chicken schnitzel he had cooked the night before...nice more time is definitely needed for those skills to be honed to an even greater degree of competence.

We might have to borrow a bucket of TF 's fairy dust so we feel less seep deprived...I know patience patience it al will come...have a relaxed day

 

[Fernie]

Hey Bonesmarties... guess what I did earlier????? I had a little, teeny, tiny drive around the very quiet block with my hubby.
YAY !!! it felt OK although slightly stretched going from gas to brake pedal - i had my seat very high so nice and close to the pedals. It was just a trial really to see if i could do it.

will have another little go on Sunday and then see how I am for middle of next week - I only want to be able to do very local stuff for first couple of weeks. I cant even carry a bag of shopping !

I wont be ditching my just yet ! - talking of which... it's calling me so best hop on for a couple minutes!

I hope my friends are doing OK today and got lots of sleep and looking forward to their weekends.
do take care, very best wishes,
Fernie x