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BTKR - the Bee's Knees for Maggie

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Tim said it so well...I'm personally sick to death of thinking and speaking of my knee as a separate, highly unsavory, entity! I'll be happy to go back to ignoring it like I do all the rest of the fully functional body parts. :-)
 
I used ice, ---after a college basketball game, there were times that I drove hours with ice bags on both knees---and there were plane flights home with ice bags on both knees.

I used braces at times, and those wonderful neoprene sleeves, too--and I routinely popped 3 or 4 Advil before a game.
My knees kept me up at night. My knees were the focus of attention for quite some time.

Now, they simply do what they are supposed to do---no fuss--no muss---and they are quiet---no aches or pains. That is what they are meant to do--sort of like "stealth-mode." You do not notice them at all

That is the way that they are meant to perform.
 
TT I understand where you are at... seems every time I open my mouth is is about knees, my preps, or what I read on this forum... Its getting so that I am boring myself stupid:dubious: I realise that it is HUGE focus for the next while so I just rationalise that "one day, my knees and I will be normal". I figure this is a good filter for friends - those that stay around and ask are real friends - those that shy away...well perhaps the need to be relegated to the "acquaintance" category for a little bit.

I guess the bottom line for me is what I am going to do is mega (Vinny & Tim BTDT and come out the other side - Texas Tee you are in the boat with me) so I figure it is just part of the journey. Relax and go with the flow. An analogy - pregnant women - what else do they talk about - I rest my case:yes!:

Take care all - Maggie x
 
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Maggie94 said:
I guess the bottom line for me is what I am going to do is mega (Vinny & Tim BTDT and come out the other side - Texas Tee you are in the boat with me) so I figure it is just part of the journey. Relax and go with the flow. An analogy - pregnant women - what else do they talk about - I rest my cas
Click to expand...
That ia a great analogy. But someday, when you are all recovered and have moved on from this, you will be able to forget about the knee or knees for days---for days at a time.

You will get there---and you will discover what functional knees mean---you just get up and do what you want, when you want, how you want, without thinking about pain or the consequences down the road.
 
It is MEGA Maggie and so will your results...your life will be back..:yes!:
 
Well another step closer to K-day... general Dr visit to go thru all tests - all good no problems so green light from her. @kaw205 the "down under" test was all clear - no nasties lurking - LOL (horrid thing was that you were not allowed to shower - best is shower at night and do test first thing in the morning so that if any nasties are there they have had time to grow - kinda creepy!!!)

@TexasTee , @butterflydancer Karen @Sudibar @treypops and others with K-day this month, I spoke to Leslie (Dr) re pain mgt and access to drugs - ever mindful of @Drachenschwanz 's horrid experience of running out.... I told her of this latter Smartie experience and told her I wanted 5 - 7 days of meds up my sleeve. She is fine with this as she knows I am not an abuser and said she would write what I needed and my buddies could just drop by and collect and get it filled for me. Bottom line...she was in total agreement with having a reserve. Just though that I would put it out there as I have read a number of comments from mainly US Smarties that the docs over your way are very cautious with meds.

Well other preps... the top draw of the freezer is full of "dinners". I have a shopping list of things to stack up on.... mineral water, tea, coffee, ginger ale... all really essential to a normal life IMHO.

Pre op clinic on Wednesday for 4.5 hours... then is is a 2 week wait to K-day. Hope everyone is keeping well - those preparing are moving along and those in recovery are healing and managing pain. @vinny you get a special mention 'cause of your awesome recovery and putting me onto Bill n Ben (my Duro Kold men) - cheers all Maggie x
 
@Maggie94 it will fly by and you'll be recovering Before you know it. My piece of advice for right now is get lots of sleep going in. It can be a real pain sleeping the night away with these two fussy additions. But some seem to be able to sleep. Kind of like having twins. I got fussy ones but I still love them to death. Good luck Maggie
 
thanks @oldrugbyprop for your kind words - love the twins analogy :loll:Little ones keeping your up at night and all :giggle:

Harry a question - did your knees recover together or was one "better" than the other? I have been wondering about this of late and also pondering how people cope with the differences..... any insights?

By my calendar here in Sydney it is your 1 month anniversary today - 12 Jan - congratulations!! Hope you have had a comfortable day - cheers Maggie x
 
@Maggie94 my twins recovered just like my twin Grandchildren..one is the perfect child(like I was) and the other has a little mind of its own....the left knee was not in as bad shape as the right and was straight and the OS said it took him 42 minutes on the left and 50 on the right which was bowed out and constantly painful...I referred to my left as the "Good leg"..I would say my "Bad leg" is slightly behind the good in terms of ROM but 1000% better than pre surgery with no pain and perfectly straight....I just focus on that one a little more...how about you? do you have a good leg and it's evil twin?:tantrum2:

Vinny
 
Definitely a difference between the two. Similar to Vinnie's my left is the good son and my right is the prodigal son. I think it has a lot to do with which was bad longer. My right was bad for about 12 years and I've got to overcome years of stiffness and loss of ROM. But as for four weeks out it is really great. Both are better than they were pre-op. Sleep is difficult and I still take a pill every four hour or five hours at night to help. I use the pills for that and physio or if I over do it. Big thing I can say is keep them moving. Foot slides on the floor to help with rom. More rom better walk better stairs. The quad pain has been the worst part for me. Massage helps with that, stretching. And of course Rest Ice Elevation and pain meds. Everyday you will find improvements. Keep peeping and stay positive everyone here will help with what they can.
 
Harry and @Maggie94 I think that is the key as Harry says now at 8 weeks out and I never stop moving when I am awake ....foot slides,quad tightening ,leg raises and anything else I can do while in my recliner.....I really believe that my quad focus pre op helped with the loss of strength post op making it easier to catch up......sleep was difficult until about week 5 and then it got easier......first time in many years that I can walk pain free and not even realize I am doing it......what makes this board great is that everyone wants to help if they can.....

Vinny
 
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Good afternoon. This is my first attempt to join a thread. I've been reading everything I can since I decided to go forward with a BTKR. My surgeon said he will do one knee and the second 3 days later. Does this sound right? Needless to say I am anxious and worried about recovery too. You folks have answered so many of my questions already.
 
Welcome...I am sure the moderators will give you a great deal of information....I have not heard anyone do them 3 days apart that would be 2 anesthesias in a short period of time and a longer hospital stay seems like it is either both at one time for at least a few weeks in between...I would be curious as to the 3 day separation if there are any other health related issues..@Jaime or @referee54 may be able to offer some guidance.....Best Wishes and trust that all the information you would need is on this site..

Vinny
 
jhcompliance said:
Good afternoon. This is my first attempt to join a thread. I've been reading everything I can since I decided to go forward with a BTKR. My surgeon said he will do one knee and the second 3 days later. Does this sound right? Needless to say I am anxious and worried about recovery too. You folks have answered so many of my questions already.
Click to expand...

You may also want to start your own thread under the pre op section......
 
Thanks Vinnie. Lovely Island, Bermuda. I was there in 1966. Met the singing group "The Angels." I will ask more about the 3 days when I see him. This site has helped me in so many ways. I keep re reading all the threads. I copied a list of question for his doctor another guy posted so I can ask my Dr. 'I'm most worried about returning to work. I will have 4 weeks maximum off. I will go to a rehab center after the hospital. Work is 99% desk work.
 
I don't want to interfere with Maggie's thread but you may want to look at my thread to see what is possible under the best of circumstances as I was back to work 17 days post op....very lucky and played golf 29'days post op. ..as you can see from others it is prudent to plan for longer....
 
Hi @jhcompliance welcome to BoneSmart - thanks for taking the time to read my thread - I hope you found it helpful. For me the Smarties experience so far has been fabulous - I have learned so much and am prepared on the domestic front and in mind and body for my 2 new babies:yes!::flwrysmile: I have not heard of a bilatera lbeing done 3 days apart but these surgeons all have their own way of doing things and I am sure yours has good reasons for this approach - if you want to know more ask him (assume is a male cause there are only a handful of girlies in this speciality) It is your right as a patient to be fully informed.

In the mean time I am going to "follow" you - If you want to follow me, or @vinny or @oldrugbyprop click on my (their) name under the avatar pic and a box comes up... click "follow" and you will then receive alerts abut any posts I (they) make - that should keep you distracted :dubious: (respectfully sarcastic) BUT more seriously you will learn a lot from these 2 about recovery. Both guys have been great with my questions answering honestly and candidly - something I really appreciate - thanks U2 xx.

Vincent & Harry - mmm don't know that I like the idea of twins - LOL - but I get your meaning - each is an individual event with its own foibles. Yes I do have a "worst knee" - my left. My right could probably go another couple of years but that would still hobble me and this girl ain't going to be hobbled:yikes: hence my decision to do the double:yahoo:

Ok - off to walk the dog - love doing this:dogwalk: - see you all soon in the cyber world - cheers Maggie x
 
Hi All -k today was the pre admission clinic day. At the hospital early (that just me) - waited 5 minutes then called to chat to the admissions clerk... easy. They measured and weighed - (I think tall and comfortably cuddly covers that), then in to another RN to get BP done and discuss med history and current meds; discussed what to expect and how to shower on the 3 days prior to, and morning of admission and gave me a bottle of the antibacterial wash stuff... then back to the waiting room. All going smoothly:SUNsmile:

Next was the Anesthetist - well one of the registrars. All good with her except she thinks I wil nave a general instead of a block and twilight... she said that the spinal may not last to do both knees.... she noted my pref for the anesthetist that will be there on the day and said that they all have their preferences for which approach for what surgeries. I will get to speak to him/her before we go into the OR but I guess I just have to get my mind around the possibility of a GA.... not what I really want.

last 2 ports of call were bloods (for matching in case a transfusion is needed) and the PT. MMMMM not so sure about this one - she asked what I had prepared so far and I mentioned chocking me bed up by about 4 inches - she didn't like that preferring to make the knees bend... she backed out gracefully conceding that as I was tall (5'9.5") it probably was not an issue. I told her about BoneSmart - I hope she has a read cause I am going to follow the mantra here backed by the experience of 100's of kneesies - guess it just flags that I may have to be a bit forceful with how I want my recovery to proceed:skep:. I'm all for the rest elevation and ice ununderpinned by meds. Gentle movements in bed and gradual move to vertical and other excitement.

Well that's me for the day. Off to buy a walking stick - they want their knee patients to bring one in???? go figure - so being a good little vegimite (there's a saying that will throw the non Aussie Smarties) I am off to get one. Take care all - Maggie x
 
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