Counting down til 2nd September

[Bionic woman2]

They're too cute! I see a little bow, but not too bad. I wish I could show you the picture of my chicken cutlet thigh. I had my son take a pic today. I want to send it to Josephine so she can measure my ROM, not sure how to go about that. I'm not about to post it on the World Wide Web though!

 

[ditzy dinah]

I am having my knee replacement on Sept 2nd too !

Hi Mrs C! It's good to know there is another bonesmartie going through this on the same day! We can look out for each other!

I am still worried about the pain factor as I have the most pathetic pain threshold !

Oh yes Me too! I haven't had major surgery before so I just can't imagine how it's going to be...I'm quite scared about that. It was one thing that influenced me to accept the idea of having a spinal as the surgeon said there would be better pain relief for the first 36 hours that way! After that the concern will be making sure we get our pain killing tablets on time. I've learned from reading on this site, that it is very important to take the pain killers on time and not to wait until the pain begins to break through...so I am going to make sure i do that! I think I will try and devise some sort of chart for home, so that I can keep a record of what I am taking and when it is due.
the other thing I am scared of is the physio, and the pain that that might cause!!

Let's just hope the anticipation is worse than the reality...we will see soon enough and we can compare notes!!
How are you getting on with your preparations?

 

[55beachgirl]

I'm getting my new hip the next day (9/3/13)! Best wishes to you on a fast and pain-free recovery!

 

[ditzy dinah]

The only clothes I have with me are a pair of gym shorts, my under garments and a t- shirt for going home.

Hi Jen...The minimalist!! Oh I wish I was like that...I always mean to be...and I am working hard to be more like that...but I always take way more than I ever need, especially when I am anxious! Oh well when I get there, I will just have to give back to my husband whatever will not fit into the bedside locker!

I have spent my few days here in a hospital gown with their grippy socks

well done you! However I have spent too long working on the hospital wards, to want to spend a minute longer than I have to in a hospital gown!, so I have brought in a few nighties....a few because I'm too well aware how accidents can happen! No, not that kind of accident! but spillages from drains and drips taken out by inexperienced hands......I don't think hospitals here have got gripper socks...that would be good! Maybe things have changed? they want me to bring in full slippers with backs, but I don't possess a pair, and who wears those now anyway in early September?? It's still summer!. So i am taking in a pair of slip on sandals...they are Birkenstocks, so they don't slip off....I hope I don't get told off!!

I cant wait to see you on the other sid

Thanks for your good wishes Jen! I'll be there! sooner now than feels comfortable...it'll just be good to get it overwith, and lose this horrible anticipation, and I will continue to follow your progress with interest...go well!

 

[ditzy dinah]

I actually have decided to have two lots so DH can bring the second bag later as required.

Yes, that's a good idea Donna...I could stash a few extra bits in the car...just in case, then he would have them to hand. I am going to stash a duvet and a couple of pillows in the boot, just in case the hospital ones are awful, and/or insufficient...a tip from Patient 99, she did that, the hospital was fine about it, and she was much more comfy. In any case i wanted to have some pillows to support my legs on, on the ride home in the car, as the journey is about one hour 15 mins. I've got a few disabled aids at home, as we looked after my mother until a few months ago, so I have got one of those swivel seats, that helps you to get in and out of the car...so that's going in the boot too!

I have not thought of the clothes to wear home yet, something easy and loose.

Yes I have been thinking about that. I have got a nice t-shirt/jersey type dress. Its very loose, just pops over my head, so I thought I would wear that, to go in with, then just pop it in a bag, give to my husband to put in the boot, and it will be all ready again for me to wear to come home in. I've got a couple of dresses like that, so I might wear them in the early days, just go on over my head, no worries even about stepping into shorts, even more of a problem with 2 sore and stiff legs!!

seem to live in pants or 3/4. NEVER wear shorts with short bowlegs

I wear 3/4 mostly this time of year...but I am comfortable in shorts if we get good enough weather, and this summer has been the best one for years! So if I didn't get my shorts out this year, they would be feeling quite neglected...anyway maybe i will be proud to wear them next year with, hopefully straight legs!!...if we get a decent summer again!!

We are about to go into Spring here so are you summer

Yes summer now, but autumn is fast approaching...often at this time of year, you start to notice the summer waning, and it becomes "back-endish" as they say up here! but this year the summer seems to be sticking around. I'll probably go into hospital in summer and come out into autumn!

 

[ditzy dinah]

Thanks for your good wishes Beachgirl!! Good luck to you too!!

 

[Bionic woman2]

Yes I have been thinking about that. I have got a nice t-shirt/jersey type dress. Its very loose, just pops over my head, so I thought I would wear that, to go in with, then just pop it in a bag, give to my husband to put in the boot, and it will be all ready again for me to wear to come home in. I've got a couple of dresses like that

This sounds like such a great trip! You're almost making me excited! CAN I COME!
Oh yeah, I forgot I will get my turn again soon enough.

I'm glad you are so prepared and your spirits are up. It's gonna be a good thing... a journey, but a good thing nonetheless.

 

[ditzy dinah]

I'm glad you are so prepared and your spirits are up

Yeah well, I'm trying...! Don't know how up they'll be on Sunday!! One more day of work tomorrow..then that's it for 12 weeks! On Friday I have to go to the Unit for a last blood test...that'll make it real!!

a journey, but a good thing nonetheless.

Yeah I sure hope so!!

 

[possum_here]

The hospital I am going to I have my own private room with ensuite bathroom, toilet etc. I also have a sideboard for all my nick nacks and a wardrobe so everything just gets hung up or put in draws. My bathroom stuff will be left in the bathroom so I wont need to take that in each time I go.

I am still to sort the reading and ipad etc but I use my Iphone for being on the net a lot so I hope I will be able to still get onto the site to update when I am recovering.

Yes, keeping a second bag handy is the easiest thing as DH wont bring in the wrong stuff like on previous hospital emergencies.

They told me to expect 7 to 10 days so I need to make sure I am fitted for at least that length of time.

I am yet to pack my bag although I have all the essentials sorted for the hospital and will remember to take ALL xrays and scans with them.

I forgot about pillows for the car I will put them in mine prior to the hospital as DH will be getting me in my car as his car is a 4wd and I just do not think I will be fit enough to jump up into it at that stage lol.

Isn't it funny what you pick up from other peoples comments, I have a list growing by my pc of all the great things to add.

 

[ihurt222]

I have had the second knee done, Two in one year. First on on January 31, 2013 and second July 17, 2013. Glad I only have two legs. I am six weeks PO today and I am feeling pretty good. I am back to my usual schedule and I am done with PT. It does hurt every now and then but not enough for pain pills maybe just some Advil. I noticed two little tiny bumps on the top of my incision that hurt. I thought the were little pimples but they are stitches. I tried to pull on one but it hurt. Has anyone encountered this? I am also still having quite a bit of swelling so I guess I need to ice more. I also need to change my name because I don't hurt anymore. Does anyone know how to do that? I don't know if it is just me but this website is a little confusing.


ihurt222, in your own thread, tag Jamie by putting an @ directly in front of her name and request your name change and what you want it changed to. She will be happy to do it for you. Only admins can make this change.

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Hi Dinah. I'm glad you are just about physically prepped....I know you will get through the mental prep when needed, too. My right knee is awful-I don't know if it's bowlegged or not-I hate to look at it so rarely do. The pic I took the other night was sitting with both legs in front of me on my bed and looking down so as to compare the swelling in the R knee to the normal left knee. I also only wear capris or pants-I hate to show my ugly knee. It will be a long time before I am willing to wear a skirt or dress between the ugliness now and the scar I'll have after...sigh. But it'll be worth it in the long run. I look forward to hearing how you do after. Hugs again, Kim

 

[lovetocookandsew]

Possum-they told you you'd be in the hospital for 7-10 days? That long? They told me 3-5 days on average. I love all the lists here too. I know from previous hospital visits that it's nice to have some of your own things with you, even if you're too groggy or in pain to use them. I, too, always have a private room-I don't like roommates when I'm feeling ill. They have visitors at all hours who tend not be quiet, they snore or cough, etc, keeping me from resting, staff needs to enter the room twice as often, etc. I feel a hospital visit requires rest and recovery and with a roommate you never get that. Because my records are all kept on their computers, it's all there for the docs to see whenever they need to so thankfully I don't ever have to get copies or cart them anywhere. I'm looking forward to hearing how you do, also. I don't have a date yet, but will soon. Kim

 

[muddy paws]

Hi Dinah,
Yes I am a minimalist. Heck I can travel to Europe , stay for a week without much more than a duffle bag so I figured staying in the hospital for a few days wasn't to bad. I think you should take anything that will make your stay as comfortable as possible for you!
It will make you feel so much better knowing you have everything you need or want. I brought some of my favorite snacks with me for comfort and also to eat just before they gave me more pain meds. It Helped to keep my stomach happy when the 2am pain meds came around

My room was very much like Possum Here describes. I had my own private room, with private bath and it was all very nice. In fact it was just a little to nice since I really considered staying on another day just for the peace and quiet. I don't like having to share a room if I'm not feeling well and probably nobody does. You certainly get much more rest if your in a private room.

I just want to give everybody who is going to have surgery, a big (((((hug)))))) . it's scary but it will all be over with soon and can't wait to see you all on the other side. Xoxo

Jen

RTKR. 8/26/13

Meniscus/ MCL 3/ 26th/13

 

[new knee in June]

Dear Dinah,
Just popped over from recovery side to wish you well on your surgery you will do just fine.
Once surgery is done it is a great relief. ( no more pre-surgery jitters )
Can't wait to see your first post....we are all here to help you recover.
Take care,
Diana....June sunbeams (June 3, 2013 )

 

[ditzy dinah]

The hospital I am going to I have my own private room with ensuite bathroom, toilet etc. I also have a sideboard for all my nick nacks and a wardrobe

Wow! That sounds luxurious indeed! My Unit is a private one leased to the NHS and is not very old, so the facilities are good. the rooms are doubles or singles with ensuite...I don't mind having a room mate! Will just have to wait and see what I get. I have had a look round, but I don't remember how much cupboard space there is in the rooms, I'm just judging it on what was available in my nursing days!!

They told me to expect 7 to 10 days

Told me today that as I am having both knees done, to expect to be in for 5 days,one knee and it would have been 3!! 5 days suits me as DH is having the week after off, so this way it looks like I might get out on Friday, and he would have to take off an extra day

Isn't it funny what you pick up from other peoples comments,

Yeah, that's great, so helpful!

 

[ditzy dinah]

to compare the swelling in the R knee to the normal left knee. I also only wear capris or pants-I hate to show my ugly knee. I

Hi Kim! Thanks for checking in! Maybe you think your right knee is so ugly because your left one is ok, and it is therefore the contrast between the two that you notice so much!...because i have a "matching pair" at least they look symmetrical!! Even if misshapen and lumpy. I think also that bandiness (bow-legs) is more obvious when two legs are bowing! So if you've got one straight one, you might not notice the other!! You know I don't mind wearing shorts. We don't often have warm enough weather to wear them, it is so liberating when we do! I have a friend who has such poor circulation in her legs, with varicose veins, and purple patches, that she never exposes her legs. She has an arthritic knee, worse than mine, but because she has a history of thrombo phlebitis, and DVT's , the OS she was referred to wouldn't consider surgery, as he felt she was too big a risk. I really feel for her. I have none of these circulatory problems, so apart from the lumps, and bows, I think my legs are looking not bad for my age, and soon I hope will look even better!

be a long time before I am willing to wear a skirt or dress

How about below the knee? I am only 5'2" so all my skirts and dresses are!! Don't wear them very often but like to sometimes

They have visitors at all hours who tend not be quiet, they snore or cough, etc, keeping me from resting,

Yeah that would be the pits!! Noisy visitors!! Goodness knows what it must have felt like to be a patient on the old Nightingale wards that I used to work on! But they were very good from the point of view of patient observation, and I think we were more attentive to patient needs, because we could always see if something needed doing, a patient looking uncomfortable or what ever. Every bed has a tv, I only hope you can only listen to them via headphones, I would dread someone elses tv droning on...

staff needs to enter the room twice as often,

I don't mind that, I could use that opportunity to talk to them, I don't want to be forever using the nurses call button...

I feel a hospital visit requires rest and recovery

Oh I wish!!! My only previous experience of being a patient in hospital was 10 days after the birth of my first child, there were minor complications...I didn't get any proper rest until I got home!! Where I am going is a stand alone unit not a hospital, so perhaps it will be more restful there!! But visiting is all day from 13.30 so maybe not!!

I don't ever have to get copies or cart them anywhere.

Same over here, never heard of anyone having to take anything in! I have never had copies of x rays to look after, it is all in Medical Records..
Thanks for your good wishes, hope you soon get a date!!

 

[ditzy dinah]

Yes I am a minimalist. Heck I can travel to Europe , stay for a week without much more than a duffle bag

That's just brilliant Jen! especially with what they charge you for baggage these days!! I'm working on it, I Know that that is the best way to be so liberating!..but I do find it hard...I'm getting better at it, but oh so slowly! We have a small motor home, a campervan really, so I can't put much in that, there is no room for clutter! It's good discipline for me!

I brought some of my favorite snacks with me for comfort

That's a good idea Jen! I'm not much of a snacking person, but I do love soft fruit, I'll have to make sure I take in some grapes, and blueberries, those would be nice and refreshing to snack on in the middle of the night, and should freshen up a dry mouth too!...I'll get some fresh ones tomorrow!

a big (((((hug)))))) . it's scary but it will all be over with soon and can't wait to see you all on the other side. Xoxo

Thanks for the hug and encouraging words! Yes it is scary, but it does make it easier knowing I have the support of my Bonesmartie Buddies who have been or are going through the same thing!!

 

[Coppernob]

Hi Alison. I guess the nerves are really kicking in now. That's quite normal at this stage but before you know it, it will all be over and you'll be on the road to recovery. Will be thinking of you on Monday and hoping all goes really well. Linda x

 

[ditzy dinah]

Yes, that's what I'm looking forward to now Linda! Thanks for your kind words Can't believe it's nearly here!

 

[bottomshollow]

on your surgery this Monday. I will be looking for you on the "other side" with your first post. Take care, we care.