Bilateral TKR A new life for me - 12/28/11

[Ditzzeechick]

Sounds like the hospital was more like a torture chamber. I hope your recovery continues on its current path. I'll be having both knees replaced on 2/20 and then 2/27 in a hospital noted for it's ortho procedures so here's hoping my experience does not mirror yours. Keep posting, I'm very interesed (needless to say!) in everyone's ongoing recovery

 

[Country Boy]

Eh. My attempt to not derail the thread, we were doing wonderful. We had spent a weekend at a NICE hotel the weekend before as a last "hurrah" before I left. We had a WONDERFUL time. Every time I saw her I made sure she had flowers when she left for home. We cooked dinners together. You know, the typical stuff.

But, I'm not going to dwell on it anymore. This is what I care about getting back to:

(Mine is the little guy):biggrin:

Dad is taking out to a toy store (tool warehouse) today. I'll get some walking in with that. And considering I haven't bought food, oil, gas, or flowers in a month I've managed to bank some money. Today might get a little dangerous.

 

[Deeden]

"Today might get a little dangerous."

Boys' toys - enjoy yourself!

 

[Country Boy]

Eh, only spent $100. Felt good to get around.

My concern is that I can't stand straight up. I have to keep moving around. If I stand in one spot, I have to keep raising my legs and "march" in place. Same thing when I shower. Not quite sure what that's all about.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

My concern is that I can't stand straight up. I have to keep moving around.

Hmm. Guessing starts. Can you sit on the floor? If you can, are your slightly bent? Can you slide your hand under the knee(s) easily?

If so it could be that you need to do extension exercises.

 

[Country Boy]

I can sit on the floor. I have roughly 5º at extension. If I try to extend more it gets really painful.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

There's your answer -- same for me awhile ago.

What I do is to sit on a chair with leg straight out on another chair, then press down on the quad. It will stretch hamstrings and calves, and may well be painful; but for me it's not the awful pain of hurting the damaged knees, but the bearable stretch-pain. Do this for a few seconds at a time a gazillion times a day.

If, when sitting on the floor, you can get someone to push down with two hands either side of the knee, this will stretch too. GENTLY or it will hurt a lot.

On standing, use your quads to pull your knees backwards, if you can do so without pain. Hold on to something the first time you do it (not like me, I nearly fell...:th_heehee.

 

[Country Boy]

Thanks. I just rested my legs on the chair and pressed down. Its very painful, but I can suck it up. I'd have to measure it, but it has to be 0º or close to it. I'll keep doing that for a bit. Thanks.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Thanks. I just rested my legs on the chair and pressed down. Its very painful, but I can suck it up.

Just do it until you can feel the stretch and a little bit of pain maybe, not until it really hurts, that's the body saying 'Back off!'. But loadsa times a day is good.

I'm only saying all this cos it's what I've been doing with good results, not because I'm in any other way an expert.

 

[RunA42K]

HI Country Boy, sounds like you are doing much better. So sorry about the girlfriend but if she would leave you at a time like this then she is not worthy of you. Move on and find someone else, there are many fish in the sea.

As far as driving goes pretty much the standard is being off the narcotic pain meds and being able to react fast enough with your TRK leg (if that is your driving leg). Mine was my right knee and my first drive was after one month. I must admit it was uncomfortable, not what I would call pain, but something that I didn't want to have to do for a prolonged period. Each week got a little bit better until finally I had to drive myself across town to a eye doctor appt., my husband was worried about me driving so far but I did ok. That was probably 1 1/2 months post op.

Great that you can walk to rehab! What part of the country are you in? You don't have to deal with snow or ice do you? In that case walking there would NOT be good!

Continue the good work and please let us know how you are getting along!

 

[Country Boy]

Back from my checkup. Surgeon says I'm far beyond the curve for recovery. He cleared me for driving and sees me back to work in about four weeks. Rehab starts next week and I go home Saturday. Friends and I are headed to the local bar, going to have my first beer of 2012, have my first smoke for 2012, drive for the first time in 2012, and shoot some pool. I think I may just shed a tear.

Living with Mum and Dad is great and all, but for the love of beer get me out of here. I want to go home!

 

[Josephine]

Back to work in 8 weeks after a bilat? Is he mad? That's much too early!

Ah well, just make sure you negotiate a Phased return to work

 

[Roy Gardiner]

first beer of 2012, have my first smoke for 2012, drive for the first time in 2012, and shoot some pool. I think I may just shed a tear.

Drive, beer, pool, :yes 4: smoke :arghh:

Back to work in 8 weeks after a bilat? Is he mad? That's much too early!

Desk job I'd find OK now at just over 8 weeks - but I think Mr Country Boy has a physical job? That's tough!

 

[Country Boy]

Nah. I pretty much sit at a desk all day long. I'm in charge of every water, sewer, and electric bill for my town. I'm the guy people hate every month. But, when elections come in two years I'm putting my name down on the ballot for a certain position. So, its not so much physical. Though, on busier days I do stand up and sit down 300+ times a day.

Outside of work I am more physical. I work in the garage almost everyday depending on what my knee pain was. Cutting, grinding, welding, and turning wrenches almost everyday. I can't WAIT to get back to that.

I just got back from grocery shopping though. I walked around for a little over an hour. Got a bit rough at the end. I was in quite the hurry to get back to the car to sit down. Though, I did buy some new cowboy boots so that makes me a bit happier.

And as far as smoking, yea its a bad habit I know. I usually only smoke once or twice a week when I go to the bar to shoot pool and drink beer. hehe

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Sounds like if you pace yourself you may be OK. You are young after all.

300+ that's about once every 2 minutes :th_heehee: that'll be tough. Any way to keep that butt planted?

If you smoke only a couple of times a week it's not so bad -- but as an ex-smoker I know how addictive it can be for some people. I was trying to quit by your age -- but then I was on 40-60 a day.

 

[Country Boy]

Eh, I work with three other ladies. So we do take turns getting up to help customers. See, I work at town hall and my town doesn't have an "electric company". The town runs the electric. So to pay your bills, you can go to town hall. I also work alongside the tax collector as well. Taxes are twice a year so July and December is really busy.

We're also a huge tourist town. Come Memorial Day, our population jumps from 4,000 to 44,000. So by the time our "busy" season comes along, I should be much better. Winter time I don't see an issue having the other ladies get up. But, the town doctor or attorney won't let me back to work until I'm 100%. Which is fine because I do have short term disability, with benefits along with a weekly paycheck. I'm really fortunate to have my career at my age.

I also drove today which was a great feeling. I think the longest I've gone without driving was two days since I got my license. Driving has to be one of my favorite things to do so I'm so happy to get that back. Can't wait to get in the Jeep and tool around town. For a $500 4x4, I love that thing.

I'm ready to pack up the car tonight and head out first thing tomorrow. Friend and I are headed to a gun shop to get a new holster. Then tomorrow night we're all going out to the local bar to welcome my return. Its going to be awesome. Took me over twenty years to find my niche. First time in my life I have people excited for my return. Great feeling for sure.

 

[Josephine]

Oh phew! That's okay then! But, standing up 300+ times a day notwithstanding (pun) you should read this article Why Does My Knee Hurt So Much when I Have Been Sitting for a While?

 

[Jamie]

Country Boy....I have enjoyed reading your updates. You are doing so well!!! I think once you get back home it will be even better. Just work up to things slowly until you know that a particular activity won't cause you pain or swelling the next day.

So sorry about your "almost" girlfriend. Breakups are rough, but I have to agree that she doesn't sound like much of a woman who would leave a guy who just had major surgery.

 

[Hopeful]

Re: A new life for me.

Your attitude is so great. You'll keep us all on our toes. (snicker). Well all remind each other to have the patience we need for this journey called recovery. Welcome.

 

[Country Boy]

Thanks all! Doing fine now! I'm in rehab twice a week. She really gives me a workout. I'm back in the garage doing some lighter stuff on the 4x4. I need to to pull the transmission, but I think I might need to wait a few days on that.

I'm walking better but still on some Tramadol. I really hurt early this morning. Pain was alleviated by 100mg of Tramadol and eating Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream out of the carton at 4am. 45m later I went back to bed and conked out until 10.

I'm driving just fine, went to a pub last night with all my friends to watch the game, but my knees still get rather sore. I'm really feeling it today. I think I pushed myself too hard yesterday in the garage. Dog has a vet appt today so I think after that I may do some laundry, dishes, and play some video games. Cleaning the guns is another option too.

Oh, and to boot I actually read a book. My Aunt got me Tuesdays with Morrie. Took three days too. I was impressed with my self. Last book I read was about six years ago and dealt with astrophysics. That took me about two years to read.

Anywho, life is going well. Pain is slowly leveling off, but I can definitely tell when I work them. I should probably be taking it a little easier. Until then, carry on! =]