TKR Chinook in recovery

[Chinook]

Thank you for all your good wishes. I was so happy to read your messages.
Op day arrived and everything went to plan arrived at the hospital and went through admissions. Was then taken up to the ward. I no sooner got in the room and the Anesthetist was ready to talk over and explain things. Due to on going back problems he could not do a nerve block or epidural. I did warn him I had terrible veins and he said he would have not problem well he did and finally found a tiny one on top of my thumb . I am not going to draw this out too long so on we go. I was scheduled to go into ICU right after the op.
However when they began bringing me around I had a big seizures lasting over 5 minutes even tho they were pumping in seizure drugs into my neck... yes they found a vein they could use the main artery. I had two more seizures and taken to ICU. I slept in between them doing ob's and by the morning was back to stable.
I had the Physio arrive who did not introduce himself and lifted my knee roughly and said I should be up to at least 69 well I got to 48 and then hit the stop button. I asked the nurse if she could call him as he had left his number with me. When he returned he said "OK lets get it going.. I said the only thing going is "You" and I do not want to see you again. Once he left I burst into tears and the nurse in charge said I had done right thing & was wrong.

Spent the following day recovering and had a nice physio who did a great job and I was up to 58 so happy with that and stood out of bed, walked to the toilet, and with the help of a nurse had a shower I was exhausted but felt more human

I was moved back down to the ward and had a few more hours of the Morphine pump then I was moved onto Endone and panadol a few other meds I take all the time. I slept like a log every night Hope on 8tth day

Last night was a new story with sleeping in hospital I found I was sleeping with the head of the bed raised so I put some pillows in what I thought would be ok..... no no no. I could not get comfortable. I did not know what to do with my knee. Had pain meds and ice b4 bed. Continued like this nearly all night. Early this morning after going to the toilet I manged to scoot down further in the bed and put a pillow close to the bottom to stop my feet rubbing. Finally I dozed into and it felt great. Tonight I am trying the op said again but getting down lower from the start. I cannot sleep on the left side my hips is too sore. It is Sunday here today so will call my GP for a visit re-physio and a top up of meds.

I thought I had seen somewhere on the forum sleeping positions. I have tried to find it but no luck so far. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Over the next few days I will try and catch up with everyone. Take Care and Have a great day!!!

 

[Chinook]

Sorry meant to say Home not hone

 

[Fernie]

Dear chinook, the first night can be a bit fraught as we're away from the hosp where all our needs are being met.

You willbe fine and you'll settle down into a routine soon I'm sure.

Know what you mean about main compuTer, I'm usually on the iPad and the auto correct is fierce and just changes complete words .

Im fine, thx, check out my post for update, "2 straight legs" when you get a chance. PT going well and I've just about sorted my meds to a tolerable level.

Take care, sleep well my friend . Fernie x

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Hi Chinook; how I remember those first few days and sleepless nights . You may find sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees helps.

 

[bottomshollow]

Chinook, I have merged your multiple recovery threads. We prefer that you keep everything about your recovery in one thread as we have all your information in one area. This makes it much easier to answer questions or discuss concerns about your situation. Thanks for your cooperation.

If you'd like a new title, we'll be happy to change it for you. Just be sure it will cover your full recovery.

 

[kneeper]

Hi Chinook--sorry to hear you had a tough time at first, but things sound a bit better now. You will probably find it hard to stay in one position too long to sleep, but yes, a pillow between your legs when you're on your side should help. My first night I had to have the nursing assistant help get me positioned on my side & propped me with some pillows behind me on my side b/c lying on my back so much was giving my back fits.

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Chinook, I am just catching up on your posts. It is lovely to hear from you. Sounds like you have started on the roller coaster ride of recovery right in theatre. Glad you are better now.
I think you were amazingly composed sorting out the physio and giving him his marching orders. Way to go Chinook!
Be kind to yourself and take it very gently, no rush to do anything, hope the sleeping improves soon,
Big hug,
Toothfairy x

 

[Chinook]

Hi SadKnee, Happy to gear from you. Thrilled to bits you made it to the other side .​

Keep us posted on how you are going. Miss your posts so goo to hear from you. ​

​

How did the op go?​

 

[Chinook]

Roller Coaster Ride went Crash bang wallop!! I got up this morning and needed to go to the toilet. Made it to the bathroom and Woosh I was falling in slow motion and had time to move my operated leg out of the way and down a went with a huge bang!!! I was in one big trouble. David woke up and asked "Are you ok" "hmm no not at all:(. It took time to clean up the pee I felt like a fool. Poos David could not lift me so it was the neighbour or ambulance. I cloose the neighbour. Well they lifted me under the arms and I was back on my feet very embarrassed. I had new aches and pains everything :(
Had an appointment at the GP and to cut a long story short we are going to see the nurse that deals with physio I need and hydrotherapy I need, On my way there now. Got more pain meds from the Dr but I am not needing as many as I thought I would but they know I only take when really needed them,,,, More later

 

[RestAssured]

Chinook, I am glad to hear you are home with your hubby and your dogs! My two love me, and my hubby said they cried when he would put me on speakerphone!

 

[RestAssured]

Oh my, just caught your last post, and I am so sorry! Please don't let your pain levels get out of control. Take meds and ice and elevate when you get home!

 

[gami]

O darn Chinook so sorry to hear about your fall...I guess it is a fear we all have...hope the hydro therapy helps with bruised bits and your meds will help take care of any extra pain. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers as we spend our time here in recovery.

 

[Titianlady]

Oh, my goodness Lillian!!!! I'm so glad that fall didn't hurt you!! I sure know about those first nights at home..not being able to get comfortable. Just know that with each day that passes, you will get more comfortable. Please take it easy my dear.

Keep that knee elevated and iced. I had my knee elevated and iced almost 24 hours a day for the first few weeks. Exept for occasional walks to the bathroom, or the kitchen, I took it easy, easy, easy.


Will be watching out for you my dear!!! No more falls in the loo my friend!!!

 

[Jaycey]

Oh dear Chinook! Easy does it my friend! Are you on any blood thinning meds by any chance. I did exactly the same thing post THR. Was always dizzy and didn't realize that it was the meds. Please be very careful and update when you can!

 

[Chinook]

Jaycey, Titanlady, gami, RestAssured. My dogs heard me talk to them on the speaker phone to and I could here them going crazy. I missed them as much as they missed me. I have had a long rest, iced up this afternoon,. I do have new pain in the operated leg from the fall it scares me a little but I go back to see the surgeon on Thursday so will rest like crazy until then but will mention it to him for sure.

Everyone is in my thoughts but I am very tired from the MS I cannot sit here long but love to get on the computer and catch up with your posts

 

[Fernie]

Oh My poor friend, falling like that, I hope you are doing ok noW. you must be extra, totally, seriously, careful, careful, careful. No more slips in the loo at night for you . Big hug . I nearly lost my footing on the stairs 2nd day home and had a half second to grab the rail even tighter and I now watch every step and everywhere I put the crutch before I move. It really scared me.

So, less of the midnight and more of .

Now I have to share sonja's concern with your meds. Don't cut back to soon as if the pain sets in, it's a pickle to get rid of, and that's being polite . I hope you can sort things out with your nurse and physio.

Take good care of Yourself, thinking of you... Fernie x

 

[robynhood]

So sorry to hear of your fall. It was always my greatest fear. Glad you are ok now but I bet the bruising will be very colourful. Take it easy and rest now. This operation is anything but boring a. Unless youve been thru it you could never imagine what a roller coaster ride it really is. Take care.

 

[RestAssured]

Chinook, I will have to look through my thread for how to fall gracefully on cement! It wasn't funny at the time it happened, but when I heard you say your husband call out if you were ok, it brought back memories.....

 

[Toothfairy]

Oh dear Chinook, you poor thing. I am sorry to hear that you fell and hope that your extra aches and pains soon pass.
Let us know how you get on getting your physio and hydrotherapy sorted out.
Take it very gently and take care, big hugs coming your way,
Toothfairy x

 

[Jaycey]

I had major hurt after my fall Chinook. It's a sudden jolt your body wasn't ready for. Ice and rest - and be sure and take those meds. Still early days and with a fall you need that pain management. Take care!