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Bilateral TKR Adventures of the Goo-Knee Twins

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It’s May 19 and Day 21. Exactly three weeks ago I was getting new knees. I went in for my second outpatient PT session this morning. I worked with a new PT, who was amazed that I had increased my ROM from my May 15 appt.: L: 5 - 95; R: 10 - 105 to today's: 0 - 110 for both legs. She high-fived me and gave me a couple of exercises (leg lifts and knee bends) to do at home. My knees still feel stiff, and I can't really tell the difference in ROM. I do know that I can do a little more each day however.

After this great morning, we came home for lunch. My mom called to tell us that my dad had just passed away. She had visited him in his nursing home earlier for breakfast and he seemed okay. I was grateful that she did have a chance to see him. My dad was very frail and his health was definitely declining. We all realized it was just a matter of time, but no one expected him to go today. I am trying to assist my 92-year old mom long distance, but she's having difficulty focusing. I'm trying to send her emails, as well as phone calls, so that she will have a written record of things I feel are important for her to consider -- as well as those things which I don't think she should make decisions about while in her current state. Hubby will drive me to the funeral home tomorrow to attend my mom's meeting with the staff. Fortunately, my mom and I both prefer a very private, very simple service for my dad for our surviving family members. My parents had signed up for a plan with the funeral home some years ago, and I'm grateful for that as well.

I haven't been anywhere except for my post-op meeting with my OS, PT, and other medical appointments since coming home from the hospital, and I also haven't seen my mom. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to sit for the funeral service, etc., but I think I need to let my mom see what I can and cannot do at this point.

This has been a day of ups and downs. I want to be there for my mom, but I know my physical limitations. I hope that she will understand that. I guess I will be out of the house more and earlier than I anticipated. However, I do plan to be mindful of what I can and cannot do and try not to over-stress my knees. This whole BTKR experience has been life-changing, and I definitely don't just mean my knees. Take care, everyone.
 
Emptyhands....I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. My prayers to you and your mother as you deal with everything. You are very practical and wise and I have no doubt that you'll be a wonderful support for your mom. And congratulations on the great progress with your knees!
 
Thoughts and prayers for you as you lay your father to rest and console your mother. It's tough to do that anytime, much less after major surgery.

Your progress is great. Should make it easier to do those things you must do in the wake of your loss. Be prepared for it to catch up with you in unexpected ways before you find the way forward again. But be assured, you will move forward.:flwrysmile:
 
Emptyhands,
My condolences for the passing of your Father.
When your Mother sees you, she will be glad you are there, and see you cannot do everything.
Glad to hear you knees are doing well,
 
I'm so sorry about the loss of your dad.
 
Dear @Jamie @BigBend @pumpkin and @Wednesday -

Many thanks, dear friends, for your support and words of comfort. I am an only child and I appreciate your kindness. I began drafting an obituary and remembrance memorial about my dad. This brought back memories of a time when he was young and vigorous. The muscles of his upper arms were strong and hard like mangoes. Our family went for picnics near the ocean, and I remember holding on to his shoulders as he swam and pulled me through the water.
 
So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
 
I'm an only child too and I still remember the pain of losing both my parents 11 months apart in the same year in 1999. It is nothing short of earth shattering. My heart goes out to you.
 
So sorry about your dad. hugs
 
@Jozilla @Jamie @kneeper and All,

We had a very productive meeting with the funeral home staff member, who was organized and professional. He understood our requirements and covered all bases. My mom said she was satisfied and happy at the end of our meeting. Hubby drove us to her senior home where we all had a nice dinner together. I was out of the house from 1:15 - 7:00 pm, riding, sitting, walking, or avoiding rain and puddles for much of the time. My walker served me well, and my knees never protested once. My mom and the funeral home staff member were both amazed at my progress at 3 weeks, and I'm so glad that my mom has a clearer idea of my capabilities and limitations. When we got home, hubby immediately brought me gel packs and I was asleep as soon as I put them on.
 
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[Bonesmart.org] Adventures of the Goo-Knee Twins
It's a comfort to know that arrangements went well and that your knees were well behaved. Take care, we care.
 
Glad all went well with the arrangments, and your knees are behaving.
:console2:
 
:thumb: Good for you!
 
May 21 - Day 23. I woke up with both legs achy from yesterday's efforts. I wasn't sure how much I could do in today's PT session and used gel packs until 10:00 am. The session went well however, and I was able to maintain a ROM of 0 - 110 for both Twins, although this was more of a challenge for the right knee. The PT began adding strength building exercises to my routine. I was amused when she added a one pound weight to each of my thighs -- hey, I'm already packing much more than that on each leg! In any event, I was able to do leg lifts with the added miniscule weight, and I marveled that just 3 weeks ago, the nursing staff had to support me under the ankles to help me get my legs off the bed and onto the floor. As usual, the PT session ended with heavenly elevation and icing, and I actually felt better than I had all morning. I had a chance to observe other PT participants. One fellow next to me was doing squats -- made the Twins nervous just to look at him. Today also marked the last of my prednisone prescription, and I'll be ending the rest of my OTC allergy pills as well. I'm very grateful to my allergy PA for her concern and efforts to get me off the oxycodone and onto the prednisone. My skin problems are (hopefully) becoming a distant memory.
 
May 22 - Day 24: I was reading another thread when I remembered that during yesterday's session, my PT suddenly said, "I smell malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts)." I really didn't want to tell her, but I think it was me. With my ever-evolving combination of pre-op prescriptions, new add-ons, and OTC allergy tablets, every so often I think I can smell myself on my bedding, etc. -- a smell I can only describe as sweet, subtle, chalky, and somehow "pink." I'll be ending all or almost all of my allergy-related meds within a couple of days. Hooray.
 
This is the first time someone has mentioned this. I felt the same way for the first two weeks. Strange v
 
Hey @Wednesday -
It was actually your thread I was reading! We've got a psychic connection, girl! The weird thing is that you never mentioned any odors, etc......
 
:heehee:It was so weird I was sure I was imagining it.
 
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May 24 - Day 26: I normally cut hubby's hair and give him a beard trim. He was getting a little bushy, and I said that I could give him a light beard trim, but I didn't think I could stand long enough to do both. I'll cut his hair a couple of days from now. We discovered that our new shower chair worked fine as a hair cutting chair. Hubby was pleased with his trim and said that he felt lighter.

I'm one of the very lucky ones who has experienced only minimal pain. I do have achy legs, was bothered by that tight band feeling below the incisions, and turning on my side in bed was a challenge. New sensations make their appearance, but these are in the realm of discomfort, not really bad pain. I haven't had the stabbing pain, etc. that others have unfortunately experienced. I haven't actually been without some kind of pain meds since my surgery. After we determined that the oxycodone was causing my skin problems, I switched to OTC acetaminophen and ibuprofen. After I read Josephine's article about NSAIDs, I discontinued the ibuprofen, but kept the acetaminophen under 4,000 mg per day.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...ol-paracetamol-differences-and-dangers.12858/

Early this morning (e.g., 2:00 am), I slept through my normal pee break and acetaminophen dose, and didn't take the acetaminophen until much later. My legs were achy when I first woke up, but after a short walk to the living room, some light stretches and leg lifts, I felt much better. I didn't keep to my normal 6-hour schedule for the acetaminophen today when I got involved in other things (TV, email, etc.), and it was okay. I definitely will continue to take the acetaminophen regularly as I need it, especially before PT or if I have to do an errand.

I noticed yesterday that the skin dimples or puckers at the top of my left incision -- where the first staples were -- when I stretch out my leg. When I bend the knee, the skin stretches flat over my knee. The skin over both incisions feels quite taut. I don't see swelling, but maybe it's internal. Have others experienced this? Did the tautness (and dimples) disappear on their own over time? Did applying lotion, gentle massage, etc. help? Thanks!
 
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This evening I taught hubby how to make spaghetti sauce-from-a-mix over rotini. Easy peasy. After several weeks of fast food, take out, and warmed up frozen meals, this was a simple treat. I couldn't stand for the entire cooking lesson, but this was the first time I've been in the kitchen since my surgery, and as such, a milestone. Hubby has done such a great job of hunting and gathering at the supermarket, cooking, and cleaning, that he is welcome to these tasks forever! I hope to gradually take on more of these jobs over time, but for the moment, I'm really glad that hubby is learning some new skills and that he is providing me with essential support with humor and good grace.
 
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