TKR 2nd time around recovery

Thanks for the info! I have heard good things about the Breg machines, so am planning to get one of those soon as I have days still when it would feel good to ice this knee. Your sister sounds like an angel!
 
It's not unusual to run a slight fever for a few days or more after this surgery. I did and I heard many others have, too.
 
Today is day 7.Tomorrow will be a my 1 week post surgery point. Fever is gone, and swelling is down significantly. I can see ankle bones again. PT was here 2 days ago and flexion was 95. Extension was not quite where it should be, meaning I cannot fully straighten, working on it. I continue to be relatively pain free. I decided to drop the oxycodone a bit more and adjust my meds overall so that I am not waking at 3 am to take medications. So, last night, I took 2 tylenol and one oxycondone at 11 pm and got up at 5 am for more tylenol. Oxycodone is now 1 5MG tablet 3x/day. So far, so good.

Yesterday was my first day alone - no visitors, no PT, just my son who recently graduated from college and is here through Saturday morning, but he is doing his own thing. :) I have to say, I loved having a peaceful day and doing things at my own pace. I got some good naps in, did my PT, lots of ice/elevation, and even walked outside - just briefly.

My LOA is approved and it looks like my return to work is 8/9, which is a nice, long recovery.

All was going well, and then I got a call from my PCP. We had a nice chat, and I was thinking, isn't she the nicest doctor in the world to call to check on me and provide advice! But then she told me she was calling because my Coliguard test came back positive. Which means, I had to schedule a colonoscopy as soon as humanly possible given the circumstances. Called the OS office to ensure I can do this and how to do it - the said, i need to be off of the Warfarin, which I should, and they prescribe an antibiotic to take right before the procedure. I know there is lots of discussion about effectiveness of antibiotics for this procedure as well as dentistry. And my OS is adament on the use of antibiotics for the rest of my life. I am sticking with his protocol. :)

Anyhow, as one might imagine, I am trying not to freak out and to just spend these upcoming weeks focusing on the knee and not worrying about what may or may not be happening in other parts of my body. Not always easy though. Taking it all one day at a time.

PT is coming in less than an hour, so I better go eat some breakfast.
 
Hello @LaxMom
I just read your thread through and looks like your recovery is so much better this time around. I'm encouraged because the thought of doing the second is daunting - so far no plans but can see down the line will probably need to. I'm sorry you have the added worry of the colonoscopy. Hope it's a quick, easy and just a nuisance side line in an otherwise eventless recovery. Sending good thoughts and I'll be watching for your updates.

I just googled cologuard test and seems there's a high percentage of false negatives with the test. Crossing my fingers...
 
@Benay - I often tell people that having a second knee replacement is a lot like having a second child. You need to forget the labor pains and remember the joy of a child before you can be brave enough to do it again. Of course, then I tell people I have an only child. Haha.

Seriously, last time was horrible for me. I had a hip replaced 5 weeks prior and was in such pain overall going into both surgeries, I just wanted to get it all done. That made the knee extremely hard. This time around I am thinner and fitter going in and I had a less invasive computer assisted procedure. So I am blessed.

Reading your post reminded me that I can feel ok now but down the road still get the stabbing inside knee pain and restless leg syndrome. So it was good for me to read and not get too ahead of myself here. So in some ways you will be my guide as to what is coming next. I hope you continue to do well.

I smiled at your GOT references. Although the ending was awful IMHO! I am looking for a new series to binge watch. For now I am doing Boise Boys on HGTV. It is light, funny and who doesn’t like a renovated house! ;-)
 
Deadwood, hard to get into but incredible. Especially the movie to finish the series. HBO.
 
Today is one week since my surgery. It is a cold,dark, wet day. I awoke feeling very tired and am bundled up in blankets and sweaters, and all I want to do is sleep and drink hot tea. PT came around noon. They removed my bandage so I can finally see my scar and put me through my paces. Even though I felt like I did not want to move, I actually was doing better during PT than expected. The swelling is down a lot more and I was able to get flexion of almost 100. Extension is still not as good and my muscles feel tight. I am working on gentle stretches to loosen things a bit.

Medication wise, still working on 2 tylenol every 6 hours, 1 oxycodone every 8 hours, 1 celebrex in the morning, and 5 mg Coumadin at night.

I woke up to a night sweat around 4 AM - thank you very much oxycodone! I hate taking this stuff with all its evil side effects. I am hoping if pain continues to be minimal, I can continue to wean and hopefully get off it by the end of next week.

Sleep wise, I am trying to give myself a zone of 11 pm to 5 am with no meds so that I can get a decent sleep. Eventually this will work, but last night, I had a sad Bruins fan arrive home after midnight who had to make some mac and cheese (comfort food) after the loss. I feel bad for my son. He is almost 23 and for one reason or another, he has never experienced a Boston sports championship parade. He leaves for his first job on Saturday and we were so hoping he would get to see a Bruins parade. Ah well, was not meant to be! I will miss him dearly when he leaves and look forward to being able to travel to visit him - but in the short run, I am guessing my sleep will get better after he takes off. Mom stuff! :)
 
Another day in knee replacement recovery land. I have settled nicely into my new medication timing and was able to get 5.5 hours of solid sleep according to my fitbit. That is progress!

Today is the first day I could shower without a barrier on my knee. Bandages came off yesterday. The special waterproof bandage that sealed everything in actually irritated my skin in some spots, so I have blisters surrounding the wound in some places. Therapist was unconcerned. Said to watch for any oozing and there is none. The blisters seem to be going down. Whenever I think this knee looks too gross, I just look at the other one and know where I am headed!

The weather is a little warmer today but the sun is not out. I would love to go outside because I think it would make me feel more human, but so far, I am mostly dozing in bed while icing and elevating. I did get one round of PT in this morning and it actually makes me feel better and looser after I do it. I noticed this time, as compared to last, my muscles are very tight and I cannot stretch out at much. I am beginning to wonder if that is because I was more fit this time around as compare to last time. PT gave me some ideas to stretch my quads and calves before starting the exercises. It helps.

Today is a lonely day, saw my husband this morning before he went off to work. He escorts me up the stairs for a shower (even though I know I can do it by myself), and he loads my ice machine and brings me coffee in bed before he leaves for work. I am beginning to like this coffee deal and wondering how I can get him to keep doing it after I fully recover. :)

My son just popped in for a moment. He is off to run errand on what is his last day at home. Big changes for us! He will soon have his own place in Texas and will never again come home for any extended length of time. Makes me sad but also proud of him.

Other than that, it is just me. And that does make it easier to focus on the essentials - do the PT, rest, ice, elevate, repeat...

One frustration I have is with my oxycodone. In Massachusetts, refills cannot be called in, they must be mailed to the home. I do not see how this is any safer, in fact, it seems easier for bad things to happen. And, it seems like something bad did happen as a refill I ordered a week ago has not come. I called a couple days ago to tell them and ask for a new one, and now I wait. I may have enough to wean even if it does not come in time, but I would like that to be my decision. There is truly always something!

I am enjoying following other's threads. It is just so nice to know we are not alone in this.
 
Interesting, in CA you can pick up the oxy script hard copy from the doctor's office which makes it seamless and easy (husband's job amongst others).

You're doing great, sleeping, and you have a great routine, it gets easier as the time passes and somehow it goes quickly.
 
I could probably pick up the script as well, but my doctor is in Boston, we live out in the burbs, and hubby works in New Hampshire, so we rely on snail mail. I do not see how this prevents opiod abuse, but whatever! I did worry they would think I was scamming the system, but I really did not get it yet!
 
Day 10. Today is a bit of a rough day for me. I did not sleep as well and woke up achy. My swelling does look like it is going down, but the knee is big and hard.

My son left today to begin his new job and it marks the end of an era when he will come home for any period of time. I am so proud of him and excited for him but I feel the loss. Last night, by mom, who is in assisted living with dementia and delusions called to drum up some drama about my sister. She does this all the time. I do not have the energy for her right now and hung up on her. I have decided that until I am better, I am just not going to answer her calls. Just too upsetting and I can't help but think how lousy I feel today is related to emotional drama. So, no one is nominating me for the daughter of the year award any time soon but I just think I need to conserve my strength.

So, my day so far -lots of sleeping, icing, elevating. Got out of bed to shower, have breakfast, have lunch, sit on the porch while my husband vacuumed, and did one round of PT. I might try some walking around later but for now I am in bed. It is a beautiful day out and yet I am freezing! I think it is the ice pump on my knee that is making me cold all over.

In better news, my refill for oxycodone finally came so I do not feel pressured to taper sooner than I should.

Not very cheery today.
 
That's just the roller coaster which, for me, is part and parcel off the whole struggle. I use a heat pad on upper body when I'm cold and knee is icing. It really helps. I think tomorrow will be a better day. Rest is the biggest boost for me. :sleep::yay:
 
:console2:

Family relationships can be very stressful and there are times we have to step back and look after ourselves.

I’m sure your emotions are affecting your knee. I had a very stressful family situation when I was 5 months post op, well enough along to not have a set back, or so I thought. Not only emotional stress on that occasion but a 3 day ODIC visit that was hard to avoid.
(ODIC-Over Did It Club)

I also know it’s hard to send our barely adult kids out into the world. My oldest daughter moved a 10 hour drive away to her first teaching job. It was very hard for me to come home after we moved her out there. I understand how you feel.
 
Empty nest syndrome is a real thing-it's never easy, but we do get through it. It's hard when you've been a mom for years and all in one day you're no longer a busy mom, but are now a retired mom. You're still a mom, but your role has massively changed. Add that to your knee recovery and it's even more emotional. But we moms are strong and can adjust-it just takes time. And, eventually grandchildren come along and help fill that void!

As for your mom, I understand needing some distance for a time. When your emotions settle down and you're a bit stronger, you can call her and chat, or go visit if possible. Until then, this is your time to be nurtured and cared for; others need to step up when possible and help you.

You sound like you're on the right track for recovery and are doing well, good job!
 
Thank you all so very much. After reading all your replies, I had a good cry and feel a little better. You all are so kind and your words were just what I needed. This is truly why I love Bonesmart. Everyone here just understands. And that is all I really needed - just to be understood for a moment. So thank you all so much.

Just got a text from my boy. He arrived in Michigan and retrieved his car and boxes from his storage facility. He will be in orientation out there for 2 weeks while staying in an AirBNB and then will drive alone to Fort Worth to begin his job. He is beyond raring to go, but probably also a little scared. It is a huge undertaking with a lot of new adulting details. Thank goodness for text. What did moms do when there was no text?

I managed another round of PT and was careful to follow the instructions on not letting anything hurt. Just took an oxycodone, which means a nice nap is about to follow.

Sending virtual thank you hugs to you all.
 
When my daughter left NJ to move to IN I thought of the mothers in the 1800’s whose daughters went west and they probably never saw them again. I was thankful the year was 2000 and a car could get me there in one day, and we had telephones.

These days I do love texting!
 
@Jockette - that is a great way to look at it. I remember with my son went to Michigan State and his friend went to Syracuse, we moms reminded ourselves that our dads didn’t go to college but they went to Europe for WWII and their moms had very little, if any contact. Not to mention how much scarier that has to be for a mom. So we used a similar strategy.
 

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