Another nurse becomes the patient

[abunnybabe]

Hello to everyone here. I found this website in August after a right knee arthroscopy for what I thought was a torn meniscus, per my MRI. Well it turned out that I have bone on bone in the whole knee, blah, blah, blah, you need a right TKR. I guess 29 years of high-impact nursing have finally caught up to me. LOL.
So...here is where I am now. I've been out of work on disability since the surg, Aug 5, doing PT twice a week, not progressing as I had hoped, I had better ROM pre arthroscopy!
I have found a surgeon that I really like and trust and am scheduled for the RTKR on Oct 23, 2009, at New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases. I just got the date yesterday and I am sort of freaking out, but I guess it is better to just get it over with, so I can get on with my life painfree.(if anyone has been to this hospital please feel free to give me the scoop)
I can already tell that this website is going to be very helpful to me. I hope you don't mind thousands of questions. :pzld:
Thanks to all of you for being here.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Bunny,
You be so much better when you get your new knee!!! It does take a little work to get it where you are happy at. But it is worth it!!! Believe me it is so worth it!!!

 

[Linda2]

We are the realm of a thousand questions! You are fortunate to have gotten a date so quickly--less time to be anxious.

 

[Sticker Lady]

Welcome Bunny!
You've found the most wonderful group of people here. Ask away, or just stop by to chat (or even cry), we've all been there and will offer support. Good luck!

Blessings,
Irene

 

[Texas]

hey Bunny well with your job you will probably be so happy you did this , this is the final fix I know those scopes i think just prolong . I mean they work with other who have just that a meniscus tare but not the bone on bone......This pain will not go away the surgery pain will............We were ll a lil nervous Im sure i was petrified.....lol....but it all worked out for the better...Then you can go on with your life pain free.............good luck post anytime we have all been thru it want to help in anyway...............) welcome............

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Bunny....welcome to BoneSmart. You'll almost always find folks online here 24/7 to answer your questions, talk about your concerns, or just to chat if you need to talk to someone who really understands what you are going through. We've all been right where you are! It's a great group, so don't hesitate to post often!

 

[Judles]

Welcome, Bunny.!!! The countdown's begun for you....Soon you won't be hopping, but walking pain free all over The place!!! Post away! We've been there!!! (0)

 

[Dawnie]

Welcome Bunny, if I had not found Bonesmart I would still be waiting to get a review from my OS, instead I am 3 days away from a BTKR, the support and advice on this forum is invaluable.

 

[abunnybabe]

Thanks for all the welcome wishes, now here are some of my questions/concerns. I'm sure that these will be addressed at my pre-op class, but that hasn't been scheduled yet.
I already have crutchers and a cane at home, am I supposed to bring these to the hospital with me? How soon were you able to change into your own nightgown, so I can get an idea of my packing needs.
Do I need any special wedge or leg elevating pillows for once I return home?
Sorry if these questions are all over the place, but these silly things keep me awake at night.

 

[sykeRN]

Hi- welcome to Bonesmart. This IS the place for support and getting all your questions answered. Feel free to ask anything.

I am also an RN. I am 6 weeks post surgery and I can say this surgery has been life changing. I am doing wonderful with my new knee--I'm walking without pain or limp. Every day I'm grateful for this miracle!!!

To answer some of your questions--from my experience--the hospital arranged for some equipment (insurance paid for them) for me--a walker, cryocuff ice machine, and a portable pottie that fitted around our toilet. I was in the hospital for a short time--had surgery on a Monday--home Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm-but I did wear shorts and teeshirt on day 2 plus make-up. I brought very few items with me--toiletries and a few clothes items--I wore ugly hospital socks when I was up and for hospital PT-so didn't wear shoes--wore Crocs to go home. I used a variety of pillows small and large to elevate my leg plus one in between my legs for sleeping. (Everyone else will also give you ideas.)

A good hint--you can learn so much--read older posts from this site. So again--a warm welcome. Regards!

 

[ship4]

Welcome Bunny!
My suggestions:

• Purchase the book
• Strengthen your knee joints on both legs concentrating on your quads between now and the surgery
• Prepare a place to sleep for about the first 6-8 weeks on the first level of your home. I slept in a recliner where I could elevate my knees above my heart. (Rest, Ice, Compression (Ted stockings will be given to you), Elevation) I purchased a twin size feather bed to line the recliner with and covered it with a sheet (I actually made one to fit that was the same size as the seat of the recliner and was able to slip it on and off easily for washing. Set up at table or TV tray to hold a trash bag taped to the side, your drink container, glass & straws, Kleenex and medications. I did not use any walker at home only the crutches I had from prior surgeries the first couple of weeks. I went from 2 crutches to one for balance and then none.
  
• Have some meals prepared in advance in the freezer, or delegate to friends who offer dates to bring dinner for you. This is not a time to do it all yourself, accept help!
• Have comfortable supportive shoes to wear you can get on and off easily. Being a nurse, you must have something that fits the bill!
• Bring a couple of pairs of pull on elastic waist shorts (easy on and off), a couple of t-shirts (these are to wear to PT)
• Bring a short night gown to pull over your head or a long t-shirt to sleep in as you want to be comfortable.
• Bring a sweatshirt or fleece jacket into the hospital to wear in the hospital as I got cold after the surgery and after PT.
• Bring a positive attitude and know this will be life changing for you. A huge surgery, but one to allow you to live life as you would like to live it.
  
• If they offer to send you to a rehabilitation hospital after the surgery, go!

 

[Josephine]

(I think Crystal has a commission from that book! But it's well worth it.)

Lovely to meet yet anther nurse on here! I think I'm going to get a post icon to mark all us nurses out. Cus we's special! :hehe:

What area do you work in? I was in the OR almost all my life and tbh the thing that was freaking me out most was being wheeled in there and spotting stuff or actions that I wouldn't have approved of! Happily my anaesthetist knew me and knew what a stickler I had been for high standards so he complied with my request (nay - command!) that I be rendered totally out of it before I was wheeled in! Sometimes ignorance is bliss!

Anyway, as someone said, this is the forum of the thousand questions and there's no such thing as stupid question! Ask away, sister!

 

[Jamie]

I wore elastic waist workout shorts and a long-sleeve front-button shirt in the hospital. It was more comfortable than a nightgown. You will most likely be on a walker when you leave, so unless they specifically tell you to bring the crutches, leave all that stuff at home. The hospital will use whatever they feel is appropriate for the first day or two after surgery that you are there. Don't overpack....you won't feel like doing much besides your therapy and sleeping. For me, even eating was optional for a while.

Any pillows you have can work for elevating your leg, although health supply stores do sell a really cool wedge thing that looks comfortable to me.

Don't hesitate to ask ANYTHING that is bothering you. That's what we're here for! We've all been where you are and there is nothing you can't ask....we're here for you!

 

[cindy88fan]

Welcome to the family! You found a great place for advice and support! The people here are fantastic! I don't think I could have made it through my surgery had it not been for all these wonderful people. Post anytime and bring on the questions!:thmb:

 

[abunnybabe]

I am so glad I found this board. I have already learned so much. I almost feel like I can be an ortho nurse when I am done with my surgery!
I am a cardiology nurse for the last 10 years, working in a field called electrophysiology (EPS for short). We implant pacemakers and defibrillators and do all kinds of heart rhythm testing. Before that I was doing mostly ER and ICU nursing.
Josephine I smile when I read your posts about telling the anesthesiologist what to do, I'm that way myself. I had my arthroscopy at the hospital where I work so I knew the docs well.
Unfortunately, my RTKR will be in a hospital where I know no one but the surgeon, and he is always the last one in the room. Oh well, at least I won't have to be shy about getting nekkid infront of people I'll see in the cafeteria, huh?
I'm going to start another thread with some specific questions that I have about rehab. Thanks in advance for you help.
Terri

 

[Texas]

hey Terri you couldn't find better people are more caring they have helped me thru so much please post anytime we are all here to help............Wow ER nurse I bet you have some stories huh!!!!!! And yes Jo all of you nurses are special thats for sure.......Good Luck Terri !!!!!!!!!!!!..............)

 

[Josephine]

Well, I wore my own knickers (panties) for the op! Not having anyone stare at my nether regions, unconscious or not!

Oddly enough, when I got retention after the op, I could have cared less who was looking at what! Exhibitionist me!

 

[One NZer]

Prunes or stool softeners to take with you, are a definite must, said by one who got caught out, and how !
Missed out on all the gorgeous hospital food.

Oh well, at least I won't have to be shy about getting nekkid infront of people I'll see in the cafeteria, huh?
Terri

Yikes do they strip you down naked in the theatre ? only asking because I was out to it within 1 minute of hitting the pre-op area.

Josephine I wore my own knickers too... leastways I think I did.:sct: They were on when I started out, and when I came around later.

This'll kill you. The MALE theatre nurse asked if he could put the heart monitoring thingies all about my chest, I wasn't frightened to say 'No Way !' so the female took over. Now if they had just waited for half a minute they could have done anything (and maybe they did), with or without my permission, I was gone so quickly... LOL :whis: Modesty!

Ellen
RHKR 3/19/09

 

[Nancyo]

Terri,
Welcome to the best forum in the world! I did have quite a laugh at Jo's statement about a nurse's privacy! I'm also a nurse and my career followed almost exactly the same as Jo. I have to agree wholeheartedly about wanting to be "out" before going into the OR! Call it modesty or what ever. I didn't want anyone staring at any of my regions and I for sure didn't want to see the way someone else had set up the room!
We are very glad you have joined us and please feel free to ask any and all questions you have.... even at 0300 in the morning! We do know how you feel and what's going on in your mind. Believe me, we've been there. You are in great company!
Blessings to you!
Nancyo

 

[Judles]

What is it with just the word "REGIONS" that is soooo funny???? (0). And I'm NOT even on a ny drugs at the moment!!! LOL!! (0)