TKR Birdy's Recovery Thread

[Skippy]

So good that you had a good sleep , at last! Now that you are getting looked after. Those legs are coming good too, you will be skipping around like me soon!

 

[Pescara]

@Birdy, Glad PT went well and hope they finally got your tummy under control. You are doing great with PT.

 

[Slainte]

Sounds like you have caring and thoughtful folks adjusting your meds. Glad they seem to be finding a solution for you.

 

[Birdy]

Thanks for good wishes, I have best ever sleep last night.

 

[louie]

Wow, sounds like you are doing wonderful! I just reached 3 weeks in my recovery, I had my right knee done, and last oct I had my left knee done! This past week, I felt great, and today I have been sleeping on and off all day!
Keep us posted how you are doing, and feeling!!

 

[Pescara]

@Birdy Glad you finally got a good night's sleep. How are you feeling today?

 

[bdink21]

Sounds like you are doing great @Birdy!! ROM is fabulous and your incisions look really good. My stomach was a mess with all of the new meds but not nearly as bad as yours. I think my stomach is finally coming around which is good. Hope today goes well.

 

[Birdy]

@bdink21 welcome to the club, glad your medication is now sort of sorting out. Send good vibes for your smooth recovery. I took the wise advice from @Celle always has some little things to eat when med is not taken on meal time, and I found white bread is best.@ Skippy yesterday hydrotherapy canceled because water can't be warmed due to fault, so I hv physio instead. A fellow TKR er, asked me if I hv operation at MUH, she recognised from the Honeycomb dressing, and we found out same Dr Gursel operated her at morning 4 Aug,it really is a small world. I am now quite impressed with Mt Wilga rehab, the first day must be a tiny hiccup. So I introduced her the Wonderful Bonesmart site. @louie today is the start of my 3rd week and I cant image how my improvment will be by end of 3week, but you sounds like doing very well and I am so happy for you. @Pescara thanks for your wonderful best wishes and I m sure it did give me some luck and strength to sort out what best for me. I love our Bonesmart TKR club, and can't imagine how much lonely and sad if I don,t have your support. Love you all.

 

[Birdy]

History didn,t repeat itself. Pain kept me awake every 2-3 hours.

 

[Skippy]

Will the Hydro pool be open before you leave as a lot of people find it very good to relax and exercise in ? I found it a bit of a struggle to get into the swim gear with a stiff leg, let alone two of them as you have, but it was worthwhile. Hope you are sleeping as I write as it is late, your nurses should bring you meds to help you sleep.
Another lovely day out in the real world, spring flowers are waiting for your return with

 

[Skippy]

Waiting for your return with pain free knees!!
When I was in rehab a fellow recoverer asked if I had been in MUH because of the honeycomb dressing too. Seems to be a trademark. I was there in March and back in April so just missed Prince Harry! He might have helped to get us skipping a bit quicker!

 

[Birdy]

Post op 13 days yesterday, I was still occasional nauseous, so I wrote down all Endone I took as I think it is the main med cause my nausea, and here at rehab, they gave Endone on request as long as it is min. 3 hour interval to boost physio performance , I had physio 11:30 am yesterday and I didn,t request my Endone b4 I go. Man my knee felt like log, completely stiff. It was so stiff afterwards, I can really see the power of Endone now. Last night was good sleep night, though woke up few times, I managed to only request 2 Endone at midnight, and 2 Panadal at 6:30 this morning. Hv physio 11:30 and pool 16:00' will write about my first hydro experience later when done @Skippy, wish you a wonderful day too, and pls let us know how your knee recovering.

 

[Pansy727]

You doing like you are doing great.. So sorry about the nausea... I've had that since I went home.. I find I do have to eat a little when I take my meds .. Keep us updated

Sent from my SCH-R950 using Tapatalk

 

[Pescara]

Hope you are starting to feel better. Maybe it's the meds? I know I felt that way for the first week and ginger ale and crackers helped. Feel better soon.

 

[Birdy]

Yes one day nurse asked kitchen gave me one ginger beer can, but I m not sure if it worked or Maxolon worked. Few days seems nausea managed ok. Thanks God and fellow Bonesmarties. Now I usually have each half hour of physio and hydro daily in rehab, and will go home Saturday, then probably as 2 days 4 week outpatient. The outpatient program will be 1 physio 2 hydro. I gave thumbs up to my rehab experience. I now move around my single room without crutches, and feels good after each session.

 

[Birdy]

16 days Post Op, I listed the pain med I currently taken below, would appreciate advice/comments if it is ok to take so much Oxycodone derivative medicine. Plus more.

Endone 2tablet each time, min 3hour interval, daily max 10 tablet (total 50 mg), I managed to take 2tablets four time daily. I tried to scheduled it so that coincided with my PT session. And try to take 4 times instead maximum.

Targin, 1tablet each time, slow released 12hour interval, daily limit 2tablets. I takes 2tablets.

Panadol, 2tablets each time, 4hour interval, daily limit 8 tablets. I takes 8 tablets.

Celebrex 1 tablet daily.

plus I takes Maxolon (for nausea) 1each at 3meal times.

And a shoot in tummy for blood thinning.

How long should I keep taking these dosage? From when should I try to cut down?

Thank you.

 

[Birdy]

Thanks @NightQuilter, I can't agree you more that we can always find wisdom, encouragement and vent our little sadness or heartache without fear on any threads here at Bonesmart. I remember read someone,s thread before my surgery that said " your family will be there for you along every step of recovery---- wrong, your family loves you, but the recovery is a long process and only Bonesmarties will always be faithfully there for you". AGREE!

 

[Skippy]

Hello Birdie, you sound much better already after a week of rehab and getting your meds balanced. I realized after I went home how much I gained from my time in rehab, partly because I didn't have to ask my family for everything, you just concentrate on getting better and resting. I went back each week until two weeks ago but I had a few set backs on my recovery. I had a MUA at six weeks which was not a problem and certainly helped me.
I developed lymphodaema too which has not gone away YET and have had massage sessions to help relieve the swelling which does hinder bending and stretching. On the other hand I am now walking, driving and generally moving well. My problem now is the other Knee which is yelling "fix me, fix me" it will need a bit more memory loss before I return.
My new knee is pain free but not fully healed as it is still tender and warm in places but soooooo much better now. Oh, I take Panadol for all my other aches each day , the other,stronger pills just drop off as you recover.
Another thing has happened too! I am regaining energy and my mind is coming out of the big fog of major surgery and two. Steps forward, one step back recovery. It is difficult because we are impatient with ourselves and expect to recover full function fast. My grandson broke his collarbone at soccer two Saturday's ago and it is almost healed.....how good to be 12 !!
You must be excited to be going home at the weekend, just take it easy and enjoy,you have done the worst bit !

 

[Birdy]

Hi @Skippy i am so glad you are doing much better and it was encouraging you are considering on other knee operation. I believe you will soon be able to forget the early pain of recovery and have the improvement your other knee deserves. I am not sure I understands what is MUA and lymphodaema? Was that related to the operated knee? But I wish your speedy recovery very soon. Yes I knew the value of my stay in Mt Wilga, as after daily visit from my husband for the past 19 days, he was so exhausted that he used massager on his back, and fall asleep, his back has a infection because the skin was broken as he pressed his weight on massager too long. Home is a balanced small world, we need to be healthy for the benefit of all family members. Sending my best wishes and hug.

 

[Skippy]

Thanks Birdie