BTKR in 12 days time

[cotton1958]

I have posted a couple of times, and haven't figured out, in this forum, how to introduce myself until now. I live in Atlanta..and I am having bilateral TKA in 12 days now. I am 51 years old (female), and up until May, worked up to 30 hours a week doing retail merchandising.

When the rains came this spring, so did the pain, along with our drought! My first ortho told me to move, move, move, keep working, no pain pills....two injections, and come back as needed! Well that lasted about 3 weeks, and I had to sadly walk away from my job. Then I just sat around and suffered.

A lady I hardly know that I ran into who does the medical billing for many MD's, told me about a particular Dr. At this time, I was really worried what was going on and it had become a problem in that now I was unemployed and couldn't hardly walk. So, in July, I saw this Dr. and he looked at me square in the face, and said I needed 2 new knees. I couldn't speak to anyone for 2 days. I was in shock. I have also been a little bit irked at Dr. #1, as she didn't tell me I had spurs, bowlegs, a messed up kneecap. etc.

Anyway, my surgery is in 12 days, and I am really afraid. I am afraid of the pain, somewhat afraid of the surgery itself, and having to keep depending on other people and loss of control. From this site, I have seen many many brave people, and thank you all very much for sharing your stories.

Helen

 

[Texas]

Re: Newbie here...

Hey Helen you got it !! WELCOME... Wow a double huh.... Keep reading it is scary. We have all been thru it......I agree it is very hard to have other people do things for you, but if you let it go and not fight it, it will be much better. Everything will be fine. Do as the Dr tels you, take your medicine and ice ice ice and that will help alot. Please post anytime.....get alot of TV dinners or make some food and freeze it makes it real easy.....Good Luck to you.......We will all be here for you when you get back and any other time you need help.........hang in there, sounds like you have been thru enough and this is the best ting for you.....look at all you can look forward to .....A great life, new knees and no pain,........Blessings.....

 

[Jamie]

Re: Newbie here...

Helen, so glad you figured out how to post your own thread that tells your story. If I didn't welcome you before, let me do so now! I'm glad you are part of the BoneSmart family.

Believe me, we all had those concerns before surgery. You are not alone...you've got us!! We understand and will be there for you both before and after surgery.

Don't fear the recovery pain. It does hurt, but you instinctively know it's a "healing" pain that will improve. And once you stand on those new, strong knees....you'll feel the difference! God bless your surgeon...he told you the truth instead of putting you through many, many of the temporary options that are out there. Sometimes it's just better to bite the bullet and go for it.

You are brave too. It takes a lot of courage to have this ELECTIVE surgery. Even with the pain, it's not like an emergency where you have to take action at this moment. Joint replacement is a "when you're ready" type thing and it takes a strong person to go forward. You won't regret it.

 

[cotton1958]

Re: Newbie here...

Thanks very much. I'm in tears. Guess it hasn't been the best day, but I do feel much better! : )

 

[Motherofmany]

Re: Newbie here...

Welcome Cotton,

It's okay to be afraid, we all were. Mostly the fear comes from the unknown. You will do fine and be thankful when it is all said and done and living painfree! Read as many posts as you can and you will get encouragement and education. My best to you!

 

[Josephine]

Hello, Helen, welcome to BoneSmart! I think you'll find this a great resource of information but also of support and encouragement. And I'll be here to answer any specific questions you have - though I am sure the others will all chime in! They have been well trained!

To help you get through the next 2 days, there's a lot of preparation you can do. Have you got all your tools and aids to make life easier when you get home? Have you prepared your home? No slip mats, space to get around with your walker and/or crutches? Some meals prepared in the freezer so you don't have to stand and cook? Ice packs - preferrably those gel things. They're great and get a handful if you can manage it.

Will you have someone at home with you or will you be alone when you get back from hospital? There's a lot you can do to organise and I'm sure people will soon chime in with their suggestions - though you may have seen much of it already of you've been reading around.

As for the pain, it won't really be any much worse than what you have now except you'll know it is going to be temporary. Just don't be scared of taking the pills on time and enough. That pain will be a lot more controllable than what you have now. While you're in the hospital, of course, the nurses should make sure you have proper pain meds and if they don't, you just hammer the heck out of that buzzer until they bring you some!

You'll do fine, I feel. Heck, you made the first right step deciding to have this done and the second in joining BoneSmart!!

btw, I changed the title of your thread as almost every other new member has something similar for a title and it makes it difficult for folks when they are doing searches for BTKR!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Helen,
I think Jo and Jamie have covered everything. So I will just say WELCOME!!!!!
It is so nice to meet you!!!! You know this is a great place. Great people!!!
They helped me through both of my TKR"s. You can ask us anything you might
want to know. We all will be happy to give you our opinions. LOL

 

[cindy88fan]

Helen,
Welcome! You have come to the right place. I just had BTLR July 20. It was the best thing I could have done. Yes, I have bad days...who doesn't? But you will feel so much better and you will be glad you did it.

Best Wishes!!!


_____________
BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy

 

[cotton1958]

Having a better day today, thanks again for your kind posts/words. I have a question. Bowleggedness I found out I had when I saw Dr. #2. Is this part of the diseased knee? I mean does it go away when the knee is removed or is it another bone? If not..do I need to ask my Dr. about doing something about it?

 

[cotton1958]

Josephine, to answer your questions/suggestions. Dr. said I would be going to a rehab place....but the PA seemed to think I could very possibly be going home. So at first I was preparing to pack to go somewhere, now I'm preparing to be home (getting the potty seat and ice machine...insurance does not cover any of this). I love to cook but that's really one of the harder things to do right now....I have a husband, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of care...but he does need his sleep. So as long as I can get to the bathroom from the recliner in my basement I should be ok.

My darling daughter bought me a refrigerator for my birthday 2 weeks ago and I can open it from the recliner and pull out emergency snack food like fat-free jello to have food in my stomach when taking pain pills.

My husband is getting to know my recliner a little bit too well and I will have to spring him from it.

I still need to get to a store and get some shorts and tee-shirts for PT...and some shoes.

Oh, and I opened my front door the other day and the potty chair was in a HUGE box that said COMMMODE on it. I almost fell over. I have no idea how long that box was out there. I live in a townhouse community.

 

[Motherofmany]

Sounds like you are almost prepared. You will probably need some fresh fruit, veggies and crackers on hand for easy to reach food items. Grapes, apples, bananas and cut up melon were very tasty during recovery. Also had popsicles ready for after pt when you can break a sweat doing minimal things. :p

Yes, get hubby out of that recliner. He may need to assist the first few weeks with standing and bathroom duties as you may tend to get a little dizzy at first. Make sure you wait a little bit before you start to walk.

Also stock up on those gel ice packs if you can or do you have a cryo cuff ice machine? I ordered one off ebay and it should be here next week in plenty of time for LTKR. Can't wait to try it as Jo swears by hers.

Hope all goes well for you with your surgery. Will be praying.

Blessings,

 

[cotton1958]

Thanks, I splurged on the ice machine....figuring it was a drop in the bucket with what's predicted. That's something easy I can ask people to do....bring freshly washed fruit!! Thanks for the idea!

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi Helen, and welcome!

As you already know BoneSmart is a wonderful site, with simply outstanding people. I'm glad you found it.

I had BTKR in May. It's painful and lots of hard work to recover, but sooo worth it. Every day you will see improvement.

You are doing a great job preparing for your surgery. If you haven't done any exercises yet, there are some sugestions in other threads that are helpful. Upper body stuff really helps you to move your body in bed after surgery.

BTW--I did go to an intensive rehab center after my surgery and found that it gave me a super start in recovery. I came home 8 days after surgery and I could care for myself except for putting on the TED stockings. Hubby did great with that and I've paid him back by helping him with his since his surgery last week! We are a pair this summer!

Blessings,
Irene

 

[Linda2]

Welcome to our family. I am so excited for you! Life is much better after you get new knees. Yes, it will be rough for a bit, but it is worth it. Your pain should be taken care of by the doctors, and if it isn't enough, tell them! There are good drugs for this and you should take them as you need them. Some of us need more than others, and that has nothing to do with our ultimate recoveries. I know; I am one of those people. :p Even so, my ability to move is now excellent with my first knee and very good for the second. I wish my doctor did bilaterals; it would be good to just "get "er done".

When you get your new knees, your OS will make adjustments to your ligaments to straighten things out. Plus that, the prostheses straighten out those bowed legs because there will be plastic spacer material where the cartilage used to be. When it wears away on the inside of your knees, you become bowlegged.

Try not to be any more scared than you must. It is normal to be scared; we all were. Then we were relieved.

What is your surgery date?

 

[cotton1958]

Re: BTKR in 2 days time

Hi again. Just popping in after re-reading your nice posts. 2 days now for my bilaterals. I've packed, paid my bills, done laundry. Today has been an okay day pretty much. I think those around me are more aware that this is going to really happen.

Allergy disc is still on and I do not see any reaction. So I feel like a space shuttle, waiting for the countdown!

 

[Oldie]

Wow, so you are having surgery the same day I am. Well wishing that all goes well and will remember you in my prayers.,

 

[cindy88fan]

Oldie and Cotton,
Best wishes to both of you. Your surgeries will be fine and you will feel like new people after the surgery...I sure did!

Cotton,
You had asked if bowlegged is caused from your knee problem. Have somebody take a picture of your legs before surgery and when you get home have them take one of your legs again and you will see the difference. I sure did. People told me for years how bowlegged I was and I thought they were full of it. Come to find out, they were right. You won't believe how much your legs will straighten out. It's great!!!

Take care both of you and make sure you post when you can to let us know how you are both doing!

_____________
BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy

 

[calling_all_angels]

Cindy,
Do we get to see your before and after pictures.

 

[cotton1958]

I will do that about the bow leggedness. Just never knew I had it until July, so not even sure how to spell it. My project tomorrow for sure!!

Thanks again for your good wishes. The clock has turned and it's tomorrow. I'm just continuing to pick up and keep on(literally, physcially and mostly around the house)!! Thanks everyone. And good luck to all those upcoming surgeries and those recuperating. Couldn't do it without you.

Hope to be back soon!!!!!

 

[Max Wallace]

Cotton.

I am glad you were brave enough for this surgery. It will be no cake walk for about 2 weeks and then a miracle will happen and you will see improvement every day. i am 9 months post op and still can't believe the results, nothing short of life changing. One thing I would like to suggest is to remember exactly what the pain before surgery feels like and then when they stand you up the day after surgery remember that pain that is gone but replaced by another type and realize that in a short time that will be gone as well. it really helped me to recognize the different pain and understand the difference.

Max