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Bilateral TKR Day 6 post bilateral TKR

Wow, Freya! Just wow. You're doing so well. I've been following your journey and have learned so much, so keep posting about your successes. :flwrysmile:
 
Susieshoes... thanks for your kind words. I have according to my physical therapist broken records in my recovery. The only thing I can say to explain it is; my going to the gym since November; the pain I had before has been significantly diminished since surgery; losing 40 pounds; my single minded determination to get better as soon as I was able; a GREAT surgeon; and my not having a general anesthetic; but rather an epidural,which I believe sped things up. I'd be lying if I said it's been easy; but I have grit is spades, and that helps. Freya.
 
Certainly, having muscles and other soft tissues in a good condition before surgery helps, and having a good surgeon is essential.
 
Agreed, @Freya . I'm also having a surprisingly ahead of the curve recovery, according to the therapists and rehab doctor. The main reasons they give are 1) excellent surgeon (they actually call him "the gold standard" for this region), 2) my positive attitude, and 3) that I did the pre-surgical excercises ordered by the doctor.

I think you did the last part in the best way. You lost more weight, did your exercises at the gym, etc.. Now your body is paying you back with a easier recovery. Yay you!
 
Susieshoes ... yay us. We're very lucky to know ahead that we were going to have surgery, and then took action. Not everyone has that option of time, tolerance to pain while exercising etc. if anyone takes anything away from us it's that. Get prepared. Freya.
 
Hi everyone! Still recovering well,doing my exercises, and going to physical therapy. There is one weird seemingly side effect that I've noticed. I can't seem to get my internal thermostat regulated. I'm through menopause, so it's not about that. I have NEVER been "too cold", I've always been "too hot", sweating at my desk at work etc. Now, I can't seem to get warm enough. My feet are like blocks of ice, and I'm actually shivering trying to get warm under a wool blanket?!? I can't figure it out? It's very unnerving from how I've always been. Freya
 
Freya, I had my BTKR on the 24th of April. I had a wonderful surgeon as well. I do have swelling, heat, and numbness on both knees and down the medial side of both legs. I do everything for myself now, except for mowing the lawn. I shop alone, clean my own house and do laundry. Several of my grandchildren come over and I do end up cooking for them most of the time. I ice twice a day, elevate often, and take one nap usually before noon. Finding a comfortable position at night is sometimes hard, but I do get at least 8 hours of sleep. Sound like we are almost similar, except you are not in pain. I would say I'm seldom in pain, it's more discomfort, stiffness, and bone ache. The only time I get cold is when I ice. Isn't it wonderful to find encouragement and comfort at Bonesmart? God bless all!
 
Yes, Alaska it is nice. I have numbness about the size of my hand down/around my outer aspect of my right knee; but that's it. It's strange to shave it and not feel anything when I do. I'm doing everything on my own as well. I am still going to physical therapy 2x a week and have about 128 bending my knees back, and 0 bending forward. I'm putting 5 pound weight x 10 minutes 2x a day on my R leg when I extend it (lying on my tummy on the bed). My right leg was worse off than my left thus it needs a bit more work than the L. I'm only using Tylenol 2x a day but am going to stop that soon as I probably don't need it. Sleeping like the dead (finally) now at night. I take it easy in the morning; but then get doing things in the afternoon. I didn't take any pain medication pre surgery, so now not having pain at all is such a relief, from the constant agony of before surgery! Yes it's nice to have the support of this site. Keep in touch.
 
Freya, I too get the shivers, though mostly when I ice. I have to wrap myself in a warm blanket every time, even if the temps are in the 90s. Right after surgery and for the first couple of weeks, I couldn't stay warm for the life of me. Now it's just during icing, but I know the feeling well of just being cold. Maybe it's the stress of surgery and healing, that knocks our usual bodily thermostat out of whack!
 
Wow, Freya, what a stunning recovery you've had so far! Is it ok if I dislike you and your fellow bi-lateral superstars just a smidge? Nothing personal, you understand, lol! Just kidding, of course, but I am green with envy!


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Freya said:
Now, I can't seem to get warm enough. My feet are like blocks of ice, and I'm actually shivering trying to get warm under a wool blanket?
Click to expand...
I had the same problem and I had just one knee done. Here I was, in the middle of summer, freezing. I believe it is caused because of the blood loss and icing almost constantly. I was wrapped up in a blanket with thick socks on. I'd go outside, where it was in the 90s, to get warm. KarriB said she got an electric throw when she had hers done. I plan on doing that myself for my next one.
 
I was always the one who was too hot!!! Drove my husband crazy as I always turned the air down and was freezing him out. Now I'm cold all the time. Wrapped in blankets while I'm in the house.

It was in the mid 90's here last week and I was in heaven sitting out on my patio with my ice pack on my leg. My husband kept coming out and telling me to come in because it was too hot out. I sat there all day long!

Wonder if this will reverse itself someday?
 
@flyaway79, unfortunately, it does reverse itself. Now, I get just as hot as I did before. I dislike hot weather, so I'm not happy about that.
 
Freya - I just read your thread. What a great recovery and inspiration!

I was always cold before, but now am even colder. I wear a sweatshirt around the house most of the time, or am curled up under a quilt.


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@Freya can you send some of that grit my way?!? From reading your story just now, I'd say you've got some to spare! Continued success to you!
 
Thank you all for your kind words. And yes Pheebs it's okay to be a bit jealous. I laughed when I read your post. The only thing that I can say is that the 7 weeks thus far have not been a walk in the park; but I've been blessed with good genes, and frankly sheer focused determination. I have survived widowhood, "the dating scene", and MS. I try to control my stress and realize things can only get better I just have to be patient (not my strong suit). I'm very positive, and as Margaret Thatcher always said "I'm very patient as long as I get my own way in the end." Life has been like that for me ~ "charmed" as my husband would say. Stay strong, don't give up, soon you'll walk straight and the pain (like childbirth ) will be a distant memory. Freya
 
@Freya. I had bilateral 1/10/17. I was never one to be cold.. I was wearing long sleeve shirts up to one week ago! It was like someone upset my internal thermostat
 
Thought I'd share a picture of my legs at almost 8 weeks post surgery they look pretty good I think Freya
[Bonesmart.org] Day 6 post bilateral TKR
 
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