Revision TKR Chocolate at midnight<

[Dabber]

Oooh lovely, when I have a brain I shall have to look in detail at the USA, @pumpkin, @tashia, @leejaa
I think we're going to go to a convalescent hotel in Devon when I emerge from my regime, for a week or two of pampering.
@robynhood Pat, let me know how the evening goes. I see they're doing a custom made knee at the Nuffield.
@patient 99 Carol custard and @turtle68 Dorothy, @Toothfairy chemo 6 went OK thanks. I had a really low dip in the middle of last week; I think my body is now finding it hard to recover from the depletion of white blood cells following chemo.
On Monday I see the cardiologist to see whether they can suggest why I'm so dizzy. I had a shoulder X-Ray and it came back with mild degenerative disease, although the chemo isn't supposed to affect joints, something seems to be going on as they're much more painful and swollen the second week so maybe it's the lack of white blood cells or the growth factor injections to promote stem cell production.
I've been enjoying watching the Winter Olympics, I'll have to find something simple to do when they finish, I can't even read a book because my very short term memory is badly effected.
I must say every time they stretcher another young athlete off with an ACL problem I worry....

 

[patient 99]

when I have a brain

You have tons more brain than the average bear, so a bit of it being sluggish wont be a problem. Now if that were happening to me there really would be cause for concern

The convalescent hotel in Devon sounds interesting. How does it differ from an ordinary hotel?

 

[Dabber]

I'm not sure, I think they have nursing staff on duty, it's a railway convalescent place but not limited to retired rail staff.
Good luck for tomorrow.

 

[patient 99]

it's a railway convalescent place

Hi Dabs You never told me you used to drive a train <chuckle>. I'll be quick 'cause I know you have Mr Selfridge coming up shortly.

I did some gentle exercises today and my knee/leg is now stiffer and tighter than ever. I thought exercises were supposed to loosen things up?? I will be at the surgery door at 8am tomorrow morning. I do hope my GP is understanding - don't have the energy for a fight.

BTW do you happen to know if us TKR people can have MRI scans? I wondered if the metal knee would interfere with the magnets. xx Carol

 

[Dabber]

I know I can't have an MRI with my pacemaker but not sure about the TKR.....Mr Selfridge calls....

 

[Pumpkin]

I had a MRI for torn ankle tendons 6 weeks after my TKR. I could feel a little magnetism around my knee.

 

[leejaa]

The convalescent hotel sounds lovely as a reward at the end of this road. You are so remarkable short term memory issues or not and I hope all turn out well. Yes, you can have a MRI as long as it is not right after surgery.

Take care of yourself. Have a good week. Lee

 

[Dabber]

I've now had osteoarthritis confirmed in my shoulder, it's very painful and "catches" when I move my arm. The GP said it's in an awkward place but I had a message to say they can do a steriod injection to help with the pain after my treatment ends and when my bloods are normal, here's hoping!
My TKR is also painful, still good ROM but painful and I do virtually nothing except a short daily walk and a little pottering about the house. It's a bit better when I use the compression hose.
Today I'm going to ice and elevate.

 

[Pumpkin]

It is always something, take care of youself. Ice and Elevate sounds like an excellent way to spend the day.

 

[patient 99]

I've now had osteoarthritis confirmed in my shoulder,

I am betting its in the right shoulder? The same side as your TKR. Its interesting to hear that a steroid injection might help. I've got pain in my neck and shoulder. The Xray shows bone degeneration, but the doctor said there was nothing for it but painkillers.

It's a bit better when I use the compression hose.

Same for me, although I use an elastic sleeve rather than a stocking. I used to worry I was becoming too dependent on it, but I decided if its helps so what.

Thinking of you. xx Carol

 

[Dabber]

How did you tear your tendons @pumpkin ? That must have been painful and so soon after your TKR.

Carol @patient 99 It's the opposite side, left shoulder. I broke the right one 3 years ago and that's OK. The left has always been troublesome, and that knee was the worse one for most of my life although the R overtook it. What do you take for your neck and shoulder? Mine has a bone spur I think that's catching, I couldn't hear very well what the GP was saying but I'll be able to ask as and when they can do an injection. Oh the joys of getting older!

I don't like the compression hose, it's so tight, I thought you bought some hold-ups.

7th chemo next week, I'm feeling a bit more perky and the weather is nice and mild for the moment.
xx

 

[Pumpkin]

Hi Sue,
I almost fell, and while regaining my balance my tendons tore, setting me way back. I suspect that this injury is why I need a revision, and why my ligaments are no longer balanced. Up until the injury my recovery was unremarkable, I expected a good outcome.
As you know things can change really fast, frustrating to say the least.
I hope your knee is feeling better with rest, ice and elevation today.
@patient 99 , you can receive trigger point injections or epidurals in your neck, and injections into your shoulder for pain, in the US you would see a Physiatrist‎.

 

[patient 99]

Hi Sue, I had a theory that if your TKR was on the left, it would set up a chain reaction giving you pain in other places on your left side (ditto for right TKRs). Clearly my theory is incorrect. All I take for my neck/shoulder pain is paracetamol. The pain is much worse when I sit on my sofa. So long as I am standing and on the go, its not too bad. Also when I am in bed its OK. I asked my GP about this. She said (much the same as I would have said). Its all to do with alignment. The obvious thing to try is to change my sofa. I have been down this route - no joy.

I couldn't get on with compression hose - like you too tight. That's why I tried firm holdups. But after several washes they started to fall down - I felt like Nora Batty (Last of the Summer Wine). What I have now is an elastic sleeve. It has the advantage of giving me support where I need it, but leaving my ankle, foot and leg above my knee free.

7th chemo. Is this the last? I do hope so.

you can receive trigger point injections or epidurals in your neck, and injections into your shoulder for pain,

Chris, Thanks for this info. Now why didn't my GP suggest this????? Presumably the trigger point injections and epidurals only last for a limited time, meaning you have to keep having them?

I hope when you see your counsellor that she can help with your stress. The sooner you have this revision and it is behind you the better. Do you have any techniques of your own for managing your stress? Its a very personal thing, but I find talking about it helps. Other people I know find yoga, meditation etc useful. Its probably goes against all the rules but the odd glass of wine can help too.

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Sue,
I am pleased to hear that you have bounced back after treatment 6. Good luck next week with number 7. I hope it goes well and you don't have too hard a time after. It's so hard on your body but hopefully it is doing its magic and banishing the lymphoma.
Take care of yourself. The hotel trip to Devon sounds like something to really look forward to, you really deserve it.
Hugs, Toothfairy x

 

[robynhood]

Hi Sue. Hope you are feeling well today. Chemo 7 coming soon which is a bit daunting. Hopefully you won't feel too bad. I cant imagine having so many medical issues apart from the TKR. I must admit my knee op took over my complete life for a long time. You are so brave. I am looking forward to seeing Mr Banim on Saturday. The back of knee pain is driving me crazy. It stopped my shopping day with the girls on Sunday which brought back memories pre TKR Tonight I am going to Manchester Arena with my daughter to see (swoon) Michael Buble I am beyond excited and am resting and icing my knee today and hoping for a good evening. I am positive Michael will make it perfect. how are you coping with the shoulder pain. Sending you healing thoughts and hugs. Take Care.

 

[Dabber]

Pat @robynhood Oooh have a lovely evening

Thanks for your wishes and thoughts.

I sometimes think my haematology team think I'm mad because I end up talking knees and joints at almost every meeting! I started the meeting yesterday by saying, actually my joints were causing me more problems than the chemo!

I've got some peripheral neuropathy that's now causing great tenderness in the toes of the foot of the operated leg. I've already had the offending chemo drug halved and we discussed the merits of stopping it but decided maybe for the last chemo. I tried knitting yesterday but my hands went into cramp spasms. It's a fine line because the PN can be permanent.

I'm looking forward to getting an injection in my shoulder when the present treatment for Lymphoma goes onto maintenance therapy.

I've just been for a pacemaker interrogation, they found an incident and fitted me with a week's heart monitor. I continue to have dizzyness.

My knee continues to clunk and click and grate, I hope when it gets the exercise it deserves the muscles supporting it strengthen. I still have good ROM but tried to tentatively kneel on a soft surface one day....bad idea!

Let me know how your appointment goes. I do love that hospital.

 

[Dabber]

It looks as though America may be off my holiday list....it was suggested to me that I should holiday in Europe, America might be prohibitively expensive for insurance.....£1,500 was quoted!

 

[patient 99]

Hi Sue, came to your thread to ask how you were doing, then read your post above. So sorry to hear that it is still all so incredibly tough going. Fingers crossed that it gets easier once you move to maintenance therapy.

I know how much you wanted to go to America, but Europe is full of interesting places. Have you been to Venice? Its nice and compact - great for our knees. Is there any where you particularly fancy in Europe? Carol

 

[Dabber]

Well I've had chemo cycle 7. It went fine, a faster infusion so in for about 4 1/2 hours, I felt the affects more strongly and had a very bad day yesterday but feel much better today. Apart from digestion (bowel) problems, peripheral neuropathy and well the oesteoarthritis, TKR and pacemaker (there's another tale....I went for a pacemaker interrogation on Tuesday and came out with a week's recorder attached as something unexpected happened in January.) Where was I, oh yes and apart from chemo brain I actually feel better in myself than I've done for a very long while.
I have hope!!
Holidays I veer towards Eastern Europe mostly. I love cities, architecture, museums, art galleries, theatre, ballet and opera but not crowds, not keen on beaches.
I would love to go dancing, @patient 99 our very own Dancing Queen. I'd love a little drink of alcohol, long time since I said that....I went off alcohol a while before the cancer was diagnosed, which is a rare but documented side-effect of having the cancer. I'd love some nice prawns, blue cheese, soft French Brie de Meaux, and natural yoghurt....all banned foods for now.
I'll be down next week as in low blood count so I'll have no energy and feel ill for a few days as I do the growth factor injections....this too shall pass.
Hugs,
Sue.

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Sue, I am so please that chemo 7 is done. I hope the side effects pass quickly for you.
You have earned a lovely holiday filled with all the delicious treats you can manage.
Enjoy the sunshine,
Hugs Toothfairy x