TKR Another small step forward to reclaiming my life!

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

It can be quite shocking at how fast a failing meniscus can disentigrate. It happened to me that way following an arthroscopic surgery to clean up a tear. Sometimes you just have to take things one day at a time. Just don't wait too long. There is no sense being in a lot of pain and having to limit life with your new GOOD knee.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

I have to be honest, was really pretty discouraged after the appt with the PA last week. And have stayed a way from this board for about a week, I'm really bummed.
I did get a call today to set up the Euflexxa injections but played phone tag with the scheduler.
My left knee continues to do AWESOME and Tuesday it will be 4 months old, I LOVE it and it feels part of me now. I never think about it being an artificial knee other than my nasty nasty scar. My right knee however throbs all the time....... sore all the time......... I think I will go the route with Euflexxa and if that does not help, steroid injection and if that does not! (as long as I'm still employed) be looking at a TKR.

Jamie I really am sort of shocked how fast it seems the right one is failing me but I have had a big lifestyle change! I can now MOVE and love to walk and even run to show my dogs......... my right knee while having extra work when my left was so bad, now is being asked to performer to KEEP up with the left.

I also think I'm angry? not at anyone, just angry about the situation, disappointed might be more accurate but I don't want to internalize it so it seems easier to be angry.... silly I know.

 

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

It's not silly at all!!! I was hopping mad when I learned I would need a TKR a mere 3 months after arthroscopic surgery! I stayed mad and in denial for months.....with things getting worse steadily.

I know what you mean about the anger. It's not directed at anyone. I was disappointed that my first surgeon probably debrided too much during the arthroscopic surgery, hastening my arthritis. But I wasn't even really mad at him....just at the situation I found myself in. It was out of my control completely and I hated that!!!

Don't hesitate to come here and rant a bit when you're feeling those thoughts. Believe me, there are many of us who will completely understand. We're in your court 100% and we're here any time you need us. So don't stay away....that's WHY we have BoneSmart.....to help you get through these tough times.

 

[Josephine]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

well it gets better, last night when I got home I had another message from Doc office saying ins denied my Euflexxa (must have been some confusion on the first message) so when we get the denial letter I will find out why, hoping the paperwork just had problems and not that that they are no longer covering the injections.

I really had worked some illusion in my head? that I was years away from my right knee having to be replaced, excited by what future options there might be for me? (advances in how to treat knees). So you nailed it Jamie... on how I feel. I'm tired of being in pain,,, geeesh.

Jamie - I have had several challenges in my life, and I try very hard to focus on what I can do not what I can't.... I'm feeling the frustration of a possible job lay off next week as well as my right knee disappointments. but I do thank you for your support and understanding. Most people that see me can SEE how much better I'm doing, I'm just churning on the inside right now, and sooner or later it is going to come to the surface. thank god, my left knee is fixed and doing so well, I DO have a lot to be thankful for!

that said I'm going out today to show my dogs and have fun and I will deal with my unhappy right knee when I get home. I just don't want to get back of being grumpy and angry because I'm in pain all the time, like I was prior to my LTKR.

 

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

That's tough about your job. I will pray that things turn out okay and you do not get involved with a lay off.

Please know that we're here for you!!

 

[Gardengirl]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine, just when all is well someone always has to go rock the boat back & forth just so you can't enjoy the feelings of balance that you have worked so hard to achieve. You & I are in similar boats. I'll be four months this week & my right knee is acting up. My fear of having to go through this again, or should I say my family having to go through this with me isn't something I even want to contemplate. How long has your right knee been acting up, mostly the past eight weeks?

Having the possibility of a job layoff this week must be emotionally difficult. I will keep positive thoughts in my head for your continued employment. I too am having job related issues that I hope to resolve one way or another. If you were to lose your job do they offer a Cobra plan?


On the other hand, I'll bet your dogs bring you great joy & happiness along with your fantastic left knee & weight loss. Keep up the good work. Have you tried the Omega-3 supplements? They might help. I've been trying to eat more salmon & fresh food.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Thank you Gardengirl
I do take Omega 3s and eat fish regularly. I honestly eat very well (healthy) low sugar, lots of fresh foods and low saturated fat.
I just need to keep my chin up! and have faith, some-days that is MORE of a challenge!

re my right knee
I had my first meniscus tear in 2008, then another one in 2010 - both times I had surgery. I did pretty well after the 08 surgery for about a year.
but the 2010 surgery I never really did recover well what we think happened was a "new" tear - as pain is in a new place (still medial but new location - sigh). My R knee feels 'hot' angry - okay in the morning worse and worse as the day goes on - typical in my experience of my past meniscus tears. It has flared up as soon as I started rehabbing my left knee, and during my recovery the increased activity as my left knee as recovered (I LOVE My L bionic knee! and it is so good to me)

If I loose my job I will have unemployment and will be able to take out a cobra and while I wish I had more in savings to tie me over, my only debt is my house and my house payment is not "huge" I also have family that will help me if needed. Mostly I wonder how much the cobra will cost, guess I "may" find out!
thank you again for the support!

 

[RestAssured]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine,

I hung on for 4 years hoping and praying that my knees would just hang on with cortisone shots and hyalgen shots and finally synvisc. Well, I got the synvisc, and I was down for 2 days to let it "gel" in the knees.

I got relief for maybe a week or two, but that was it. I was put in unloader braces, used a walker and finally looked around and realized how much I was missing out on!

Trying to hang on to a knee that is no longer viable, is like giving precious years that you could be using to do the things that you really enjoy in life!

I do not for one moment regret my TRK's. I am so much better off now than I was before surgery!

I am still working on the right one due to the MRSA infections that I have gone through, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I knew that I could actually walk without pain! I am riding a bike at PT on my own on Saturday's, I have changed my diet, I am living life again! I love who I have become. (I was always in there, just too tired, and I was always in pain.)

A pain free life is so great! I have my days, but I can tell you I am going to succeed!

Good luck to you on your decision! I know we all wish that we could keep our "real" knees as long as possible, but are you going for a "quantity of life", or a "quality of life" out of that knee?:wink1:

I will keep you in my prayers!

 

[RestAssured]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

You were typing when I was.:th_heehee:

I was on Cobra when I had both of my knee replacements and the revision. Well worth the money. Cobra is different in every situation, but it is insurance and that makes all the difference.:biggrin:

 

[Josephine]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

I agree with Sonja - don't waste this time trying to play a waiting game. It's just not worth it.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.......
all of it to be honest.
With state budget cuts we have all been worried about jobs, but I just never thought after 17 yrs my position would be at risk. I love what I do, it is pretty specialized so not easy just to take my skills and find another job.

So add the Right knee to that..... I'm sort of in shock I think? well for sure a lot of denial.

right now my right knee is not keeping me from doing anything. It just reminds me that It is not happy. I will never go back to what I was dealing with re my left knee, I DID wait to long.

It is scary, my job situation, I'm single, so the only income. I know my mom has the ability to help me if I need it. I figure the cobra will eat up a good deal of my unemployment. I wish I had saved more, just glad I don't have any debt other than my house.

Well one way or another this week I will find out if I have a job or on Summer vacation LOL as of July 1st. (well at least until Oct 1 - then there is another issue if I still have my job as who may take over our contract - I have a state contracted job).

gotta keep the faith! thanks for the prayers and suppor

 

[RestAssured]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine,

I am so sorry to hear that you are having to worry about a job and being single on top of it all. :DOH:

I hope that your job is not cut! :hissyfit:

As for your knee, I realize that it may not be as bad as the other one, but please don't let it get to that stage, it just isn't worth it!:wink1:

When I was single and teaching, my Mom could have helped me out if I needed it! I know that it would be hard to accept, but it would only be temporary if you did need her assistance.

I will pray extra hard about your job situation!

 

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine.....just thinking about you and wondering how you are doing.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

thanks Jamie, wow it is nice to know.:ThankYou:
I was laid off on friday.....
last day will be June 30th unless the stars all line up!
I have recall and bumping rights as well as issues to figure out, it is a bit insane.
thanks to those who have been thinking about me and keeping me in your prayers.

 

[Gardengirl]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine, I'm sorry to hear of your job loss. When one door closes another opens. I hope this all works out for you.

 

[zjrog]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Know how you feel. First time laid off I had a job lined up the next day. The second time though, was a lot longer. I wish you good luck and hope all turns out well.

 

[carousel66]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

**I need helps sort of.... can anyone help me sort through, point me to literature or just help me. (sigh) I trained my dogs last night and went out to a friend for dinner (as a distraction from getting laid off) when I was running with her dog so she could see how he looked I felt that feeling of "hot ice cubes" in my right knee again, I know it is meniscus issues tears......... and today is much worse than it has been the past few months.. is my next step do you think a replacement???? I mean I have had multiple tears in the last 3 yrs and 2 scopes. = good news is that my ltkr is still just a rock star, doing awesome. for what it is worth OS from 3 yrs ago said my meniscus was very brittle for my age, like someone MUCH much older. I guess I'm just feeling the need to gain control of something.

 

[Jamie]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

Catherine, I would make a trip to your orthopedic surgeon immediately to see what the issue is....not because I'm worried it's something serious, but because you need to do it while you still have your full insurance to work with.

You say you have "bumping rights." That could be a really good thing that will save you. When will your human resources folks be letting you know who you could bump?

 

[Josephine]

Re: Another small step forwad to reclaiming my life!

"bumping rights"? :skeptical: I know about bumping old threads to the top of the forum (i.e. updating them) but .........

Catherine, Jamie's right. You need to
a) get an update on the condition of the knee and
b) decide for yourself how much this is currently impacting your desired quality of life.
I suggest a list of pros and cons - often a really good way of making decisions in situations like this.