Dhare63
post-grad
United StatesHang in there Debbie and give in to the nap fairy, she will be your best friend!
TKR Debbie1954
- Thread starter Debbie_joints
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bottomshollow
Former BoneSmart staff member
We make allowances for misspelled words the first few days after surgery---later on we lower your grade.
Seems to me you're doing pretty well. We've even had a few post that were almost unreadable---but fun! Take care, post you later. We care.
![[Bonesmart.org] Debbie1954](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/hugsmile1-gif.3644/ "[Bonesmart.org] Debbie1954")
Seems to me you're doing pretty well. We've even had a few post that were almost unreadable---but fun! Take care, post you later. We care.
karmigirl
post-grad
Debbie, did you not have to take the mispelled word and bad typing test before you joined the group,?
The rest of us all did. Have a good day sounds like you are doing very well, and keep napping while you can.
The rest of us all did. Have a good day sounds like you are doing very well, and keep napping while you can.
OP
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Debbie_joints
post-grad
I really like this hospital here, so close to home and it makes it easier for my husband to pop in. One weird thing though, they like to get you up at 4:30am to get you dressed before the morning shift comes on and so that being said the day shift has to get us ready for bed at 6:00pm.
Nanners
post-grad
Hey Debbie glad to hear the surgery is over and you are recovering. Rest up when you can! Thats ridiculous that they get you up so early. I would not be a happy camper, my tummy hates early like that! Hugs!
OP
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Debbie_joints
post-grad
I think I might be going home this afternoon. Had therapy this morning and I still have on the big ace bandage and the therapist said I wouldn't be able to bend as well and without the bandage on. But I got the knee to 92 and -2. So he said that was pretty good. I need to be able to get my medicine before I go home too as I don't think they will send any home with me. Our pharmacy closes around noon.
Dhare63
post-grad
Wow Debbie, congrats, that was fast! I hope you can get home where you will be more at ease, and on your own schedule.
Your numbers are great so far, you should be pleased. Keep working that Bonesmart way and you will keep getting good results!
Make sure to keep us posted and send questions out if they come up.
All the best,
Dawn
Your numbers are great so far, you should be pleased. Keep working that Bonesmart way and you will keep getting good results!
Make sure to keep us posted and send questions out if they come up.
All the best,
Dawn
OP
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Debbie_joints
post-grad
Anyone on Vicoden? They have been working pretty good here in the hospital. They would let me take two of them every 4 hours. My husband just went to pick up my prescriptions and he said I can take one or two every 3 hours. Does that sound right? I know that last hour here was more painful, so it would be nice if I can take them every three hours.
bottomshollow
Former BoneSmart staff member
If your OS wrote the prescription that way, of course, you can take them every 3 hours---and if you need to---do! You won't be taking that much for that long in the overall scheme of things. So please don't worry about it. It is very important to have the pain managed so you can get the rest you need to heal. Take care and keep us posted. We care.
![[Bonesmart.org] Debbie1954](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/1hugsmile-gif.3670/ "[Bonesmart.org] Debbie1954")
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Debbie_joints
post-grad
just got home and I had to do this, I washed my hair in the kitchen sink... Don't like when I can't wash it every day. Now that I am home maybe I can work on this bloated feeling that I have in my belly.
CherylK
junior member
Good for you! I was not confident enough to stand at the sink the first few times. I sat on the bath bench we borrowed from a friend and poured a cup of water over my head or bent down to get under the tub faucet. The sink was much preferable, but I found that bathing so exhausted me that I had to take a bath one day and wash my hair on alternate days. Sounds like your are not having those fatigue issues. Good!
Dhare63
post-grad
It is so nice to get back to those things we do everyday, like washing your hair! Enjoy and keep trying to add things slowly as you go.
I know that bloated feeling well. Make sure you keep your system as regular as possible, as some pain meds can make you constipated. I have been drinking prune juice today in an effort to get back on track. It's actually full of vitamins and isn't too bad if you drink it very cold.
What else are you excited about getting back to?
I know that bloated feeling well. Make sure you keep your system as regular as possible, as some pain meds can make you constipated. I have been drinking prune juice today in an effort to get back on track. It's actually full of vitamins and isn't too bad if you drink it very cold.
What else are you excited about getting back to?
OP
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Debbie_joints
post-grad
Dhare63, my husband drinks prune juice every day, but there is no way I am going to drink that. I did find Miralax to be very helpful. I started it a few weeks before my surgery and have not been constipated since. They didn't give it to me in the hospital, but they did give me a stool softener. My husband said I am not going because I didn't eat enough food while in the hospital. So I did start back on the MiraLax and hope I till be back to normal soon. As to what am I looking forward to doing is to be able to walk and not look stupid. Could not straighten my leg at all. Of course to be able to play with my grandson.
CherylK
junior member
The pain meds also cause constipation. Try the recipe for bran muffins found in the library. Thnk it's in the article on constipation. I added frozen blueberries and walnuts and they are very tasty. My nephew, who was visiting my first week home, ate three and commented they were very effective about 6 hours later ;-). Since I'm on the meds, I did not have exactly the same response, but I didn't eat three. They do help. My hospital recommended something like Senna plus as a more natural stool softener. I'm pretty much off them now, but if I go a day without,you know, I eat a muffin or take a Senna.
Dhare63
post-grad
It took me 3 days to have a BM in hospital, even with stool softener. I started on the prune juice and a few hours later, finally went. Sweet relief! When I got home I forgot that my system needed a boost and went back to prune juice. Whatever it takes, do it. I feel so much better when my system is on track.
I know what you mean about being able to walk without looking stupid. I had a severe muscle contracture from walking on my tip toes for years, missing extension. My OS said I had adapted very well, but of course it impacts other parts of your body. The first PT had me walking in front of a mirror which helped me see where my posture needed improvement. At this point, my knee is still pretty swollen, so I have to keep reminding myself to stand up straight. I stopped using crutches already but that might be a mistake. I have been told to use the crutches until my gait normalized.
Although I don't have any grand kids yet, I too want to be able to play on the floor with them, once they arrive. My main goals are to have strength and stamina enough to go hiking,not long hikes but just get out there. I also want to be able to kayak, which requires I have more flexion and strength to be able to get into and out of the boat. My idea of success is next summer to be back on the water.
Hope you are doing well. Keep us posted!!
Dawn
I know what you mean about being able to walk without looking stupid. I had a severe muscle contracture from walking on my tip toes for years, missing extension. My OS said I had adapted very well, but of course it impacts other parts of your body. The first PT had me walking in front of a mirror which helped me see where my posture needed improvement. At this point, my knee is still pretty swollen, so I have to keep reminding myself to stand up straight. I stopped using crutches already but that might be a mistake. I have been told to use the crutches until my gait normalized.
Although I don't have any grand kids yet, I too want to be able to play on the floor with them, once they arrive. My main goals are to have strength and stamina enough to go hiking,not long hikes but just get out there. I also want to be able to kayak, which requires I have more flexion and strength to be able to get into and out of the boat. My idea of success is next summer to be back on the water.
Hope you are doing well. Keep us posted!!
Dawn
Welcome home!!! Take things easy and don't worry if it takes a while to get the range of motion you're looking for. Steps forward and backward are all part of the recovery roller coaster ride.
Be sure to use actual "stool softeners" and not a stimulant laxative like Senna. They are better for your system as they work without the artificial stimulant. Products like Senna are meant to be taken once or twice, but not for any length of time. Stool softeners can be taken as much as needed for a long period of time.
Be sure to use actual "stool softeners" and not a stimulant laxative like Senna. They are better for your system as they work without the artificial stimulant. Products like Senna are meant to be taken once or twice, but not for any length of time. Stool softeners can be taken as much as needed for a long period of time.
CherylK
junior member
Ohhh. Good to know about the Senna. The hospital told us to get them but was not specific about any length of time to take them (or not). Glad you all are here!
KathyH
post-grad
Good to see you are home, Debbie and doing well 
Kathy
xx
Kathy
xx
OP
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Debbie_joints
post-grad
So nice outside today, been held hostage in the house or hospital long enough. So I am lucky that I don't have a bunch of steps to go outside. When we built this house, we never knew that building it handicap accessible would come in real handy. Neither my husband or I have had to use a wheelchair, but having the hallways and doors wider really help when you are using a walker. So I headed out the door alone. Not sure if I should have, but was feeling so good wanted to get out to some fresh air. I slept in the recliner last night, but warned my husband I was going to try the bed tonight. Kind of saw his nose wrinkle. Guess since I was in the hospital, he noticed how good he was sleeping. Not that I wake him up, but my tossing and turning must not let him get into a good REM sleep.
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