TKR Debbie1954

[Debbie_joints]

Oh man, I feel so bad. Nothing to do with my LTKR. My baby, he is 30 years old just found out one of his really, really good friends got killed in a ATV roll over accident. The parents of my son's friend called him this morning. My son was suppose to leave for Maine on Thursday for another friends wedding. I asked him what he was going to do and he told me he would be here for that funeral. The poor parents, this guy was an only child too. So sad. It will put into prospective for me dealing with the little bit of pain from the surgery.

 

[Nyland]

Debbie,
I'm so sorry for your the loss of your son's friend. How very, very sad.

 

[Janet2012]

Debbie, I'm sorry to hear about your son's friend! It's always hard to lose a friend, but especially so for young people. So sad! I know you hurt for your son, his friend and his family.

 

[sheryl7]

Prayers will be with your son's family, for strength and comfort.

 

[kneeper]

You can also mix the prune juice with another juice (like apple I think) to lighten the flavor.

 

[Debbie_joints]

Great accomplishment last night. I slept in bed all night. I used my Foot Smart leg wedge pillow and got myself nice and comfy. Had my husband put on a pair of socks for me and I grabbed an extra sheet and blanket to cover myself. You see I don't like the blankets coming over my feet and then pressing down on my toes which is what happens if you put that big wedge pillow on your bed. I only got up once to pee. I have to say that is the longest I have slept in many many months.

 

[Dhare63]

Awesome Debbie, congrats on the sleep! It sure does feel good! I hope you found a solution to get and keep you on track!

Sorry to hear about your sons friend. It's so hard to see them struggle with grief at such a young age. I'm sure you're being there for support is exactly what he needs. Hoping for peace and comfort for all of you.

Be well,

Dawn

 

[bottomshollow]

Nothing beats a good night's sleep, Deb or makes everything seem so much better. And it really helps with the healing and feeling of general well being. So fingers and toes crossed for you that this is continues for you. Take care.

 

[Debbie_joints]

Had my first outpatient PT today. First time with this guy and he seemed nice. Doesn't look like the kind that will hurt me. He said I was doing really well for it being only 5 days. I only go twice a week, but then have all the homework that I am sure you all have to do too. It is weird though. I have been told by EVERYONE, that knee replacements are harder then hip replacements. So I was very prepared to have a lot a pain with this LTKR. I know it is early in the game, but so far the hip for me was much worse. Maybe it was because I was an advocate for myself. I asked lots of questions and found out the medications that make me sick, and I told them that I didn't want to go near them. All my workouts before surgery were very helpful too, at least so far. So when I get to therapy and he measures me right away and I only went to 80, so I said I was better at the hospital. Then he had me go over all the exercises and then measured again and I was at 95. I am hoping everything keeps rolling along now.

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

Wow, Debbie, you are doing AWESOMELY well! Everyone likes to warn us that post-TKR rehab is "two weeks of hell," but for me it was one day of la-la-land, two days of hell, and eleven days of heck. :ha:

So good that you can manage at home so soon. Ah, for a ramp rather than a staircase up to the front door, and for a first-floor bedroom! (Advantages of being out in the country and building a home to your own specs, rather than buying what some urban developer decided to build >100 years ago). I needed rehab because of that (and because I didn't have someone with me at home 24/7). Fortunately, I have a daybed in my front room; and a raised toilet seat, shower transfer bench and handheld showerhead in the first-floor bathroom. If I tried using the kitchen sink sprayer to shampoo my hair, either my knees or back or both would give way!

I hear you about hating having your feet hemmed in by blankets: first thing I do when I check into a hotel room is "liberate" the bed linens from their tucked-in corners. Finally got that Foot Smart leg pillow, but have to prop the thicker end up to get enough elevation. (It looks taller in the photo). But my cat decided it was a perfectly shaped pedestal for himself. Good thing I don't really need it at this point!

You will know you've really turned a corner when after having walked or stood around a bit more than is optimal, you notice your sore feet and back--not your knees!

But slow and steady is the way to go. And do stay ahead of the pain. For these first few weeks at least (when you needn't and shouldn't drive), take the Vicodin before the pain breaks through. It's easier to prevent than relieve pain.

 

[Debbie_joints]

Well, catching up on some recorded shows tonight. Woke up 3 1/2 hours after going to sleep and my knee felt like it was going to explode. I don't know why it would be angry with me. It was my first outpatient PT session and the therapist was really nice, and went through with the gentle stretches so no real reasons that my knee should be behaving badly. OK, maybe after PT my husband took me to the grocery store as I wasn't about to let him pick out my fruit...LOL Most of the groceries have been bought ahead of time. I am in my recliner most of the time and icing so I am trying here. OK, I am rambling and in my drug haze and I should try to go back to sleep.

Oh, for those of you that responded to my post about my son's good friend that got killed in a 4 wheeler roll over. Well my son went over to the parents house for several hours. The found out that he was suppose to be going on vacation in Maine and then told my son that their son would want him to still go It has to be so hardl

 

[Dhare63]

Hi Debbie,

Good to hear you got off on good footing with PT. I think you are right in being your advocate sets the tone with all healthcare providers you encounter. Stick to your guns and let your knee do the talking.

Most likely the reason for your angry knee was the grocery shopping. Being on your feet for any length of time over the next 6-8 weeks may cause a similar reaction. You just have to ease into things and most of all realize it's trial and error. I went out yesterday to run a couple of errands and was surprised at how week my TKR leg was. I feel pretty good overall, but have to remind myself that these are very early days and I must take it easy.

It was nice that your son went to visit with the parents of his friend that died. Unfortunately, I have some experience with this. The best advice I can give you and your son is to keep talking with these parents. They need to keep their son alive and not "buried", not spoken of often. Sometimes people are so unsure of what to say, that they say nothing. Please share memories with them, send pictures of your kids together if you have any, they will greatly appreciate it. My friend who lost her son told me it helped her so much that I spoke about him, that he wasn't forgotten.

Sorry to ramble on, just hope this may help in some small way.

Be well,

Dawn

 

[reetpteet]

So glad you are making good progress & so very sad for your son & his friend's family. The fragility of life never fails to surprise us. Keep strong.

 

[RestAssured]

Debbie, I have just caught up with your post and I am so very sorry to hear about your son's friend! When one of my former student's was killed in Afganastan, people rallied around the parents and honored his life! They even planted a living memorial tree at the high school that he attended. The parents said it really helped them with all the stories and pictures that were brought to talk about his life. He was and will always remain an outstanding person!

Congratulations on your progress also! You are super!

 

[Debbie_joints]

Any thoughts from my Bonesmart friends? Yes I did call into my orthopedic office, but no call back yet. The prescription I got is for Hydrocodone, or Vicodin and it says 5/325 and it says to take one or two every 3 hours. Well in the hospital they would only give it to me every 4 hours. I stayed on that schedule. Seems to be helping pretty good with the pain, but today my tummy is starting to act up. Not throwing up, but a little upset, and they only gave me enough pills that will last until tomorrow evening. So I am wondering I have my prescription for Tramadal that I have set aside. I am not taking them while taking the Vicodin. I don't react to the Tramadol at all. Do you think I should try substituting the Tramadol for the Vicodin? I know they aren't as strong. I am also ok with Tylenol 3 with Codine. Before surgery I took 2 of them at bedtime. I know that the totals of anything I take with Tylenol can't go over 4000mg. I know they are saying 3000, but that is because they are afraid people don't know what is in their pills. Any thoughts while I wait for the orthopedic office to call?

 

[Debbie_joints]

Today must be my day. It will be one week tomorrow and I thought this isn't so bad. I could do the exercises and I was icing and elevating. Sure there was pain, but was managing it. I do the books for our farm and I was up in the office (one flight of stairs) and I took my ice pack along and put my foot up on a pillow. Not elevated properly, but I don't think any of us has our foot up 24/7. Worked up there for 2 1/2 hours. Nice change of pace really. Came down and reclined with foot elevated properly and tried weaning down to one vicodin. Guess that isn't going to cut it. Now I am trying to last another half hour so I can take two and get back on track. Usually it feels better when I recline with leg way up in air, now this afternoon it doesn't. Waiting for 5:30............

 

[bottomshollow]

Deb, could you please put what day this month you had your surgery--it will be a big help. Thanks!

 

[Debbie_joints]

Sorry, surgery was Aug 16th. Finally got to take my two Vicodin, 5/325 and feeling soooo much better. I needed to do our farms office bookwork this morning and didn't want to feel foggy and make big mistakes. Made myself as comfy as I could with icing and a little elevated, but only taking one of my vicodin for two of my pain pill times was the WRONG thing to do. Husband talked to the pharmacist and he told my husband to tell me that now is not the time to wean myself off the drugs. I guess I worry about doing the books. I think the help would complain if they didn't get paid and also the companies we do business with. My son usually takes over for me when we are gone, but he is gone out east to a wedding. So if I pay someone an extra thousand they won't complain, and if I short change them, I think I will hear from them...LOL Learned my lesson, I just needed a place to cry for a few minutes until I got my head on straight.

 

[bottomshollow]

Forgive me, Deb, I meant for you to put the date in your signature---that way it's always there. Should have said what I meant---

Well, take your meds and do the books slowly and carefully and check them over about time for more meds where you have a window of not so under the influence. I took percoset and it did not cause me fuzzy thinking for which I was thankful.

 

[Dhare63]

Hi Debbie,

This is just the place to air your concerns. It's okay to do it and will never be interpreted as crying or whining. I know I have done my fair share of it and always felt a little better just to get it out of my head and in writing.

I'm sure your book work will be fine. Taking your time and double checking will ensure there will be few if any errors.

Glad you got the meds figured out. The pharmacist is right, this is not the time to cut back. The meds will help you work through stretching and exercise that might otherwise be painful. It also allows you to rest which you need so much of right now.

How are you feeling overall? How is your swelling?

Keep us posted!

Dawn