Spingirl
junior member
United StatesHeidi, I live in Maynard, a ten minute or less drive from Emerson! Berlin is closer to U Mass Memorial and I'm closer to Emerson! But, like you, I went there because of my OS. Hopefully, Emerson will renovate.
You sound like you are doing great. I had a pretty decent experience myself. Not something I'd want to do again any time soon, but overall, each day brought slow and steady progress. The first couple of weeks were really hard, and I found myself crying at night, usually after dinner, like many have shared here. My appetite was gone, and I lost quite a few pounds during that time. Sleep was a problem for about 4 weeks in that I'd wake up either from the sweats from my pain meds, or just in need of another dose. Then it might take a while to fall back to sleep. But, my iPad kept me company; and it's amazing who you find awake on Facebook or on this site. My home-based PT had a TKR herself, and was looking at her second one in the near future, so she was amazingly empathic and encouraging. My first trip away from the house after surgery was on election day to vote, and I tried to take advantage of the late fall sunshine to sit outside, or my husband would take me to lunch. It did a world of good to get out of the house. I started to drive after my four week visit to my doctor, to the grocery store, and then to outpatient physical therapy, which started around that same time. I feel like it took me longer to gain full extension; I did not have full extension going into the surgery, and five months post op, I am still diligent about all of my exercises and stretches. I returned to my job (I'm an early childhood school psychologist) on January 2nd, about 11 weeks after my surgery. For me it was perfect timing. The following week, I returned to my indoor spinning classes. I haven't started riding outdoors yet, but it's been too cold, and I've been too busy with work. But that will come too.
You seem like someone with a positive attitude who is motivated; you are going to do great. What are you looking forward to being able to do again? I took my first "real" long walk last weekend in probably over seven years ... a three miler. It feels like a miracle that the bone on bone pain is gone. You have that and so much to look forward to!
You sound like you are doing great. I had a pretty decent experience myself. Not something I'd want to do again any time soon, but overall, each day brought slow and steady progress. The first couple of weeks were really hard, and I found myself crying at night, usually after dinner, like many have shared here. My appetite was gone, and I lost quite a few pounds during that time. Sleep was a problem for about 4 weeks in that I'd wake up either from the sweats from my pain meds, or just in need of another dose. Then it might take a while to fall back to sleep. But, my iPad kept me company; and it's amazing who you find awake on Facebook or on this site. My home-based PT had a TKR herself, and was looking at her second one in the near future, so she was amazingly empathic and encouraging. My first trip away from the house after surgery was on election day to vote, and I tried to take advantage of the late fall sunshine to sit outside, or my husband would take me to lunch. It did a world of good to get out of the house. I started to drive after my four week visit to my doctor, to the grocery store, and then to outpatient physical therapy, which started around that same time. I feel like it took me longer to gain full extension; I did not have full extension going into the surgery, and five months post op, I am still diligent about all of my exercises and stretches. I returned to my job (I'm an early childhood school psychologist) on January 2nd, about 11 weeks after my surgery. For me it was perfect timing. The following week, I returned to my indoor spinning classes. I haven't started riding outdoors yet, but it's been too cold, and I've been too busy with work. But that will come too.
You seem like someone with a positive attitude who is motivated; you are going to do great. What are you looking forward to being able to do again? I took my first "real" long walk last weekend in probably over seven years ... a three miler. It feels like a miracle that the bone on bone pain is gone. You have that and so much to look forward to!
And Martha - you live in one of the prettiest states in the country. We plan to retire to NH and I have a list if day trips I want to take once we do - 90% of them are over to VT! We still had lots of snow last time we were in NH and our lake was still frozen and snow covered. So so ready for spring... And glad too you are getting your ROM back. I keep reminding myself this TKR recovery can be a long process!
i also went to college in PA (Allegheny College) and during my career spent some time in New Brunswick NJ as I worked for J&J. These were business trips as I worked out of Rochester NY and lived south of there for 21 years before retiring on the Cape 3 years ago. 
I considered having mu surgery in Boston, but the Cape Cod Hospital and my Ortho MD were rated higher than some of the Boston hospitals. So far I'm pleased with everything...spent one week at a rehab place and am now home with home PT. Got my staples out today! 
( true story )
I found so many reassuring threads on this forum. It was a nice balance to some of the scary stuff I watched on YouTube! 
