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Revision TKR Complicated RTKR revision 2015, considering LTKR

it is okay, just take some time, rest and slowly go back to activity. When we have a set back, we just have to rest, elevate and ice to get past the problem. Remember that your knee with the bleeding problem is going to be harder to rehab.

Unfortunately, you will have to slow down. (I know how that one goes for sure !!!) So, if your husband has cabin fever send him out to get food or to have lunch with a buddy. And---I used a lot of water exercises in the beginning, they were so less punishing to my joint. Try water aerobics or just walking and even "running" in the water while wearing a buoyancy belt. But, get some good books or movies and take this time to heal your knee---you cannot afford to push too much right now.
 
Good advice. I'll try.

I can't wait to get back into the water.. It is where I am meant to be and where I am happiest always. Of course I can't until the stitches are completely healed. And then there's the problem of transportation. My husband goes back to work next week ( good for both of us at this point methinks ) but until I can drive again I guess I'm landlocked. Seeing the OS on Thursday again to follow up and I'm going to ask about driving, swimming and flying. I know it will probably be another month or so but when I'm given the okay I plan to head down to our little piece of heaven in Florida where I can swim without driving to a pool, and walk outside and soak up lots of Vitamin D.
 
I adore swimming outside and was so excited when my OS gave the OK to swim. Swimming laps felt weird at first and my new knee clicked when I kicked, my natural (bad) clicked too, but it hurt when it clicked. I could only do a few laps at first and built up daily until I was swimming 20 laps a day.

But take it easy now, nothing you do can hurry the process. I think I know all the Law and Order dialogue from resting, icing, and elevating for so long.
 
@KarriB... For me it's old episodes of What Not to Wear ! I'm also , finally, back working on a needlepoint I started about 5 years ago. At least that way I feel like I'm doing something productive ...
 
I'm a reader, but couldn't concentrate on anything. Downloaded all types of books to my kindle, tried reading all of them with no success. FB and tv were how I spent my time.
 
I hope I'm not over using this site but I'm feeling really low today and no one else to lean on right now. My husband is a doc and short of life threatening illness not much else gets his attention though he will help me if I specifically ask, but I do feel like a burden. Everyone else has their own busy lives. And I'm basically stuck in my recliner. I admit it, I let the pain get out of control the last few days and I am paying for it today. My knee feels not just sore but I can't seem to stand on it for more than a few seconds. It's frightening and not doing anything doesn't feel like a great solution right now, though I don't dare exercise or go for a walk longer than to the bathroom or kitchen. And the antibiotics and my stomach don't get along making me feel even more crappy .
Just feeling so sorry for myself and I hate it.
 
I had a pity party yesterday, they happen. This is a rough recovery, we feel better and want to do every thing we have missed, all on one afternoon. This is the place to be, I am sure someone else is having a pity party and may join you.
You cannot use the forum too much, we are here for encouragement and support. Post away!
:console2:


Sent from my iPod touch using BoneSmart®
LTKR Sept 13 2011
Revision April 15 2014
 
Thanks Pumpkin. I think misery does like company ! Still having a hard day but I know it will get better ...eventually:cry:
 
Hugs for you, @Randi ! :console2: :friends:

We've all had our days of feeling down and weepy, so we understand.

Please don't feel guilty about asking your husband for help. Like most men, he possibly needs to be directed with specific requests - i know mine sure did.
This is your time to rest and recover. Do that well and you'll then be able to Help others more, later.
reading this article might make you feel a bit better:
Nurturing mother: how to let go and accept help
 
This recovery takes you on a bumpy bumpy ride with lots of ups and downs. There were days I felt alone and left out, missing holidays, bridal showers and weddings didn't help. But this will pass and in a few months you'll be able to resume a semi-normal life.
 
Thanks @Celle. It's not that I don't know all this its just that my logic seems to have been impaired with this surgery,too.
There are two issues, really. First, I'm finding this recovery much harder than the first and I had thought/ hoped this would go easier. I am kind of worried between the excess bleeding and this feeling of not being able to weight bear.
Second, everyone around me thinks of me as independent and 'strong' and usually I am. But right now I could use a little attention.... It's been a really rough year. Lost my Mom. My sister was really ill and is just now turning a corner, etc. And I've been everybody else's caregiver. So it's a little disappointing that when I could use some help, mostly company and some tissue and listening, it's not there for the most part. My closest friend has been amazing but leaves this week for a huge 3 week adventure, my husband goes back to work Monday, both of my sisters are busy taking care of themselves, my kids are busy , etc. I get it all but it doesn't make me feel any better.
I know it's up to me and I will pull myself up but just for once I am letting myself wallow because I can !
 
@KarriB, you actually made me smile by saying 'semi-normal'. That's the honest, fair expectation. Anyway, nobody who knows me would ever think of me as 'normal'. I pride myself on being strong , feisty and unique and different in what I hope are good ways. And that me will be back, I'm sure
 
@Randi, I love your direct approach to wallowing and talking about it. Go for it. Wallowing always has a bottom point and when you reach it you'll right yourself. I know what you mean about being "the strong one" and then being let down a little when others don't step up the way you would, when YOU need it. Feels isolated. But it's awesome that you are one of the independent strong ones and it's better to be that than the other way (she said, sounding slightly unkind ;-( )

I also read your bleeding story with great interest. My favorite part was when your surgeon showed up and immediately knew what it was and what to do about it, after others hadn't done much. Too bad you had to play a part in a Tarantino movie to get to that point. I love having those competent people around. I hope he is being as reliable for you as you need. (Unfortunately, the really competent ones also tend to attract so much business and so many difficult cases that they aren't as available as they would like to be.)

Finally, about your "brown" bruise. This is a long shot, but ... they painted a coating on parts of my knee that turned a distinct brown, with definite edges. I thought it was a bad bruise until i picked at it and it started to peel off like sunburn.
 
Normal didn't resume for me until month 7-8. I had been back to teaching for 5 months and still got tired at the end of the day. I was swimming at month 7, riding 5 miles on my bike, and shopping.
 
@Randi everyone laughed when I talked about normal also. For one thing there were bets on whether I'd actually go through with the TKR because I had never had anything more than blood work done. Then I had the infection, which required another surgery and I truly wasn't myself for about a month, the joke was that I sure knew how to do it right!
 
@analysta. Yes, the doc has been great. He is extremely busy but has had his secretary call and check on me twice. Nice man. I don't want to have any more problems and disappoint him! And no peeling bruises for me. But with all the bleeding most of the bruising has disappeared...

And @KarriB , thanks for the hope. I did take more meds today and do feel better, just that one area of weakness that concerns me .. I'm hoping the OS reassures me when I see him on Thursday. On this one thing id like to have a 'normal' recovery at least...even if it takes longer than I'd like.
 
Quite the pity party you threw today while you are recovering from your busy day.
:cheers: :beer: :cheers2: :flwrysmile:
 
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