TKR Benay's Recovery

[Benay]

@luvcats It was my go to first time round but I think I'm a lot (maybe truthfully moderately) less anxious this time.

 

[Benay]

I booked a facial and it all went fine except for the constant shifting to get comfortable on the bed and not being able to properly relax for that hour with the worry of what say this begins to hurt too much. I think I could have been a tad premature Now home in jammies and icing.

 

[mendogal]

That was indeed brave of you!!! (Should have brought a lounge doctor or pillow stack!) But a bit of pampering goes a long way!

 

[Layla]

Good for you taking the time for some self care. That cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing had to be a mood booster. Sorry it was a bit uncomfortable at times. Enjoy your evening home in your comfy jammies, hope it's a good night. Sleep well, Benay!
@Benay

 

[Toothfairy]

Good for you @Benay. I do think it’s good to do something that you enjoy. It’s hard sometimes to know if we are ready until we try. I hope you weren’t too uncomfortable afterwards and hope it was worth it. . I do love a facial.

 

[Benay]

October 16 is my 2 month mark. I’m almost back to normal with relatively little pain, no pain meds, sleeping through the night mostly (I like all these caveats ) but remain mindful of the slippery slope back to the ODIC. I’d packed lounge doctor away but out he came again after I realized really how helpful (though ugly) it is. I’m walking 10K daily without really even trying or tiring.
Definitely there’s movement away from the total “whataboutmyknee” mindset which has been my boring go to since the op. It’s good to feel part of the world again.

 

[benne68]

Happy two month an-knee-versary, @Benay!

10K step a day is amazing. It sounds like you are doing remarkably well for so early in recovery. But, as you said, it's easy to end up on the ODIC bench, so be careful not to push.

Hope you continue to have a smooth recovery.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, Benay!
Glad you're doing so well but remain mindful of how easy it is to land in the ODIC. I agree Lounge Doctor does not blend in well with the decor but I've grown accustomed to mine and actually drag it out on occasion as I'm watching tv or reading. I find it comfortable on occasion at 7+ yrs post op. Great to read that you're feeling part of the world again...Enjoy!
@Benay

 

[Benay]

Update 10 weeks post TKR

Measured at PT today 130 and 0. The incision scar has developed 3 little pea sized nodes which I'm busy trying to massage away, the knee clicks, especially on the stairs. I'm hoping all these minor irritations will fade away over time. I'm getting back to comfortably doing all the things I did before and only occasionally reaching for Tylenol.

It's been so helpful keeping up with everyone on the forum and always knowing there's help and the voice of sanity out there has made it all much easier for me.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Saturday, Benay!
I am sure the minor irritations will fade over time. You're doing very well! It's wonderful to get back to what feels normal, without the pain.
We're thankful that you understand the value of the BoneSmart forum and thank you for sharing your journey and supporting others along the way.
Have a lovely weekend!

 

[Benay]

Forgot to say, Tylenol extra strength easy swallow is a game changer. It really is easy swallow and no need to wash down with water.

 

[benne68]

@Benay. It's never a good idea to take any medications without water -- even if the pills seem easy to swallow.

That glass of water does more than just help you swallow the pill. It ensures that it moves through the esophagus and into the stomach before it dissolves. Without that water chaser, a pill can become "stuck" to the wall of the esophagus and dissolve prematurely. That can cause inflammation, irritation and even bleeding.

Most experts say drinking a full 8-ounce glass of water is the correct way to take your pills. Please be careful!

 

[Benay]

Thank you, helpful as always

 

[Benay]

This is the exact 3 month mark so here goes the mostly good and the sometimes marginal update. I reread my 2019 thread this morning to get of a sense of where I was then, best I can see (and I really posted lots which, with hindsight has been helpful) I was well past most difficulties at about the 5 month mark. Here I am doing, I think, well. I take no regular pain meds, I take them sporadically though I’m thinking to go back to a Tylenol every morning. There is still pain but not so it impacts any daily activities but sometimes there is still significant discomfort. The clicking is distracting mostly happening on the stairs (the knee bend) when I do it normally - either up or down - so to avoid that I do the foot to foot thing. I still have sensitivity - that comes and goes - but it’s lessening and the numb side (outer knee area) feels as though it’s bigger than the last time. 3 or 4 small lumps underneath the incision. I’m massaging them and PT says they will go away over time, no stiffness in the morning or after longish car rides. So all in all, I think my complaints are relatively minor but I’m impatient and want to feel strong and pain free and inclined to torture myself with why aren’t I.

It was my birthday a few days ago and every year we go to The Cat House on the Kings which is 5 hours away from home by car, close to Fresno. There are close to 1000 cats so well looked after on 12 fenced acres of land @luvcats - you’d love to go I know. They’re happy and free and so calm and incredibly friendly. I traveled just fine - no stiffness.

So that’s me - I read the forum every morning to see how everyone is doing and I find it, just like last time round, comforting.

 

[Jockette]

Great update!

Wow, that’s quite the cat place!

Best wishes on your continuing recovery.

 

[mendogal]

You're having a great recovery!!!!

 

[Layla]

Hi there, Benay! It's so nice to see your photo...looking good with your new knee!

A belated Happy Birthday to you!

It sounds like you're making great progress. I know its tough and you want to get back to doing everything that you love, but you know from your Left TKR that progress is gradual. Your body is healing and with each step you take, no matter how small, is a victory. It may feel slow, but look at the progress you've made already. Keep up the good work, we're cheering you on!

A birthday treat for you!

@Benay

 

[sistersinhim]

I would love that cat 'heaven'. I have rescued cats all my adult life. At the time of my TKR, I had 16 of them. Talk about 'natural PT'! Taking care of them was all the exercises I needed! All the original 16 have died, and I have only 6 newer ones now. They still keep me busy!

It sounds like you are doing great for only 3 months out! Learning to listen to our knee is the best successful recovery for everyone.

 

[Benay]

@sistersinhim You're so lucky, I'd love to have 6

 

[benne68]

Thanks for the update, @Benay. And happy belated birthday. It sounds like you are doing well -- and that's the best gift of all!

Isn't it great to have a thread from the previous surgery to check for reference? I was rereading mine often during the first few months of my second TKR.