TKR Chugging Down the Track to Recovery

[Jebsw]

I was thinking of you and Paul today. Great that he'll finally be home tomorrow. A year or more is such a long haul, but every day spent thinking about how long it is, is also a day closer to the goal. Please don't fret about posting. Look after yourself and Paul first.

Best wishes.

 

[Jacky48]

Happy Thanksgiving Paul and Judy! I hope all is going well for both of you!

 

[Poppet]

Hi Judy & Paul

So good for you to have Paul home Judy.. I am sure the milestones of recovery are going to be smoother now..

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" and I am sure you and Paul will get there together

Judy hon, There is nothing for you to feel guilty about regarding BS.. We will be here when you are ready hon.

Make sure you get some rest!

Hugs and much love to both of you xxx

 

[Jebsw]

Judy,
Glad you're back for all of us, but how are you two doing? Remember we miss you, but take care of you first.

 

[Titianlady]

Judy, I've thinking of you both. Please check in when you have some time

 

[bottomshollow]

Update on Paul's recovery 9 1/2 weeks post op. Paul is still unable to stand on his own. When you spend two or more years mostly sitting, your muscles simply stop doing their job. And rehabing muscles is a long, tedious process that cannot be rushed. Paul's leg muscles (quads & hamstrings) are now in pretty good condition. His arms and shoulders are also in good shape. His main problem now is his hips. There is just no strength there. So using our sit to stand patient lift, PT and OT will be working with him by standing him with the life allowing him to put more weight on his legs and to develop his hip muscles.

He takes pain meds before PT and at bedtime and that's about it most of the time now. He is sleeping well and has a good appetite. He can roll over in bed and get himself into a sitting position on the side of the bed. He can on his own move from the bed to his wheel chair using a transfer board that he slides from one to the other on while using his feet and legs to push himself sideways. This is how he gets into and out of the car. The board cannot be used with a chair with arms, so we use the sit to stand patient lift to move him from the wheel chair to the recliner.

This is a picture of the sit to stand patient lift we purchased so Paul could come home.

It was pretty pricey, but it has been worth every penny, and we can sell it later when we no longer need it.

It's likely to be another 2 or 3 months before he is standing and taking steps, but we will get there and being at home has made it easier in so many ways for both of us. And the kitties are really happy they aren't being put outside all the time.

Paul and I both appreciate all your care and concern.

 

[Janet2012]

My most sincere hope that he will get there and that this will all have been worth it. Meanwhile, it sounds like you've both found work arounds at home.

 

[Jacky48]

Thanks so much for the update Judy! You and Paul must be so happy that he's home now, in your own space and environment. As they say "There's no place like home", and the "transfer board" and the "sit to stand patient life" will allow Paul to be home for the Christmas. That is absolutely fantastic!

Stay well you two and let us know how things are going when you have a chance, we care!

 

[Motorcycle Meemaw]

Glad you are both home and progressing! There's no place like home.

 

[Nanners]

Glad to hear Paul is home and recovering well. Will pray he is able to start walking soon. Hugs!

 

[Titianlady]

Judy, I'm so glad Paul is home. That sit to stand lift is quite a piece of equipment!! It's good to know Paul's leg muscles are getting strong, and that the therapy for his hips will eventually get him up on his own. You two have been through it my dears. In a few months, you will be posting pics of Paul standing tall on two straight, strong legs!!!

Please tell Paul that we are all rooting for him, and sending you strength and love.

 

[bottomshollow]

UPDATE ON PAUL. Things are progressing--even if slowly. The home health nurse and OT are signing off on Paul next week. He will continue to have PT two to three times a week. He is able with the assistance of the sit to stand, to stand with 90% weight on his legs for two and a half minutes at a time. Total of 5 1/2 minutes combined. His goal is to stand for 5 minutes total all at one time.

His legs continue to get stronger, still has to work on quad strength. But it's his hips that really need strengthening---so there will be a lot of work on that the next month or two.

Saw his OS on Tuesday---getting him up and out of the house and then into the doctor's office was not too difficult. Other than going to church (which is across the street) twice, this is the first time he's been out of the house and taken a trip in the car. Has an appointment with his GP on Monday--so another trip out. The OS was quite pleased with his progress and will see him again in June when he will sign off on him. He is leaving our area the end of June---so glad we got our knees done before he made his move.

Paul sleeps pretty well for the most part but does suffer from energy drain by the end of the day. His right knee gives him those sudden shocky nerve pains frequently while his left behaves itself for the most part. But the right was the most damaged and had the most work done on it. Still is not taking all the prescribed pain meds---mostly before bed and during the night. Constipation is still the gorilla in the room for him in spite of two stool softeners everyday and a shot of Miralax every third day if he has not gone.

Paul is feeling much more optimistic now than he was when he first got home. He can tell that he is getting stronger and has accepted that this is a long term recovery for him.

More later.

 

[Titianlady]

Oh, I am so glad Paul is going well. This time next year I think he will be happy with his new knees!!
Now as far as the constipation, have him take the Miralax every day. It is not habit forming and he will not develop
a physical dependency on it like other laxative type products. My Dr said it can be taken long term too unlike the others!!

I had terrible constipation after my replacement.. Lasted for a couple of months because of the pain meds. In Paul's case, it can also be because he is not physically active yet, and,that really slows down intestinal transit. My Dr is the one who told me to take it every day
and I did. It was the only thing that kept me regular those two months or so. My Dr said that stool softeners soften the stool, but don't really help with the slow intestinal transit that pain meds and immobility cause, so to stop them. They also contain sodium which isn't good for you on a regular basis. The active ingredient in Miralax is also used in some food products and candies! Believe it or not!!

The Miralax EVERY DAY, will not give him diarrhea or cramping either. If in doubt, just give him half a dose every day. It takes a couple of days for Miralax to work so taking a half dose every day will keep things regular.
It worked wonders for me..

If he is having an immediate problem, try the cocktail the nurse gave me!! She said they use it in the hospital for people that are very bound up after surgeries and such.. It is 4-5 ounces of a prune juice, one dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia, and some 7-up all mixed in a glass. If a patient coudn't stand the taste, then just take the ingredient one right after the other..the Phillips MO, then drink down the prune juice, and follow it with the 7-up to kind of clear the taste.

I almost had to go to the ER after I got home from the hospital because of the constipation.. When she told me about this cocktail, my,husband went straight to the store while she was here visiting me and bought all the ingredients. She mixed it in a glass for me, I drank it, and within a few hours, it worked wonders!!!

 

[bottomshollow]

Thanks for the info, Toni. We'll try the daily Miralax and see how that goes--will keep the cocktail in mind if we run into problems.

 

[Janet2012]

Judy, thanks for the update. I'm always wondering how you and Paul are doing! These are the days, weeks and months that will pay off in the future!

 

[speccybecky]

So happy things are progressing in the right direction!

 

[skigirl]

Good news, Judy. I am glad.:merrychr::xmasdance:

 

[robynhood]

What a lovely post on Pauls progress. Slow and steady as you keep saying seems to be working for him. So glad he is home for christmas but I hope you take care of yourself too. Wishing you both a Happy Christmas and hope 2013 will be your year for health, progress and happiness. :merrychristmas: :reindeer:

 

[Nanners]

Glad to hear Paul is doing relatively well. Big hugs on the constipation, I am one of the few that had things going the "other" direction. Hugs!

 

[kneeper]

Keep up the good work, Paul!