TKR Dewey Did It...#1 AND #2

[bottomshollow]

Dewey, I can understand that you are feeling a lot of concern since you find yourself alone in a facility where you don't feel the staff is caring or concerned. The additional swelling is probably due to the exercising and walking you did today. Heat around the incision is very common the first few weeks after surgery---part of the healing process. The small red area is probably nothing to worry about particularly if it is not oozing pus-like stuff---but see if you can get it checked out tomorrow if it still concerns you.

I think you may be over-reacting, but I also think it is understandable. Why don't you just consider checking out and going home tomorrow. You sound as if you are able to do the absolutely necessary things on your own.

I will tag Jamie and Josephine for you. You may hear from Jamie later to night. Jo is in the UK, so it may be early tomorrow morning before she responds. Take deep, deep breaths and stay calm. I think things will be okay for you through the night.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Dewey]

Wow....what a life line you have thrown me tonight. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your words. What a crappy night for me!

Over reacting?? Yep, I do that real well!

I will look forward to hearing from Josephine or Jamie.

Thanks so much!

 

[bottomshollow]

I had one awful night in the hospital after my second knee was done--just felt alone and abandoned and miserable. The night nurse was competent but not really friendly or comforting---but then came the morning and things seemed much better. So I know where you're coming from---and it ain't no fun. But as Scarlett said in Gone With the Wind, "Tomorrow is another day."

 

[Toothfairy]

Hello Dewey,
Sorry to hear you are unhappy in rehab. It sounds as though knee two is doing really well.
I completely agree with Dewey that the swelling and heat are very likely to be due to the walking and exercises you have been doing today. My knee 1 is six weeks old today but still gets hot and swollen.
I also agree that keeping an eye on the redness is a good plan but hopefully all will be well.
Take it easy, you will be home soon. If you really hate it you should give serious though to going home tomorrow.
Take care, hugs, Toothfairy x

 

[Josephine]

Had quite a crying jag after PT today that lasted 4 hours!!

Why - did they hurt you in PT?

Tonight, though, the swelling seems worse. There was a small red area around one part of the incision when they changed the bandage yesterday. I've been worrying about an infection all day. I have no fever, I feel ok, but it seems more swollen and warm to the touch tonight. I did more exercise and wAlking today....actually lots more. Tell me I'm blowing it all out of proportion. How do I know when to worry about a possible infection?

Well, of course it's going to be more swollen: you were hurt in PT, you've not been able to get your pain meds on time, you've been doing more and you're not in your own comfy home! I bet they haven't been supplying you with ice, either, or the means to elevate. That all adds up to more swelling and more pain. More pain adds up to more swelling, remember?

As for the wound, it's quite common to get superficial stitch infections but they really are only superficial and don't even need antibiotics, just a good clean with antiseptic using proper sterile techniques and an enclosed sterile dressing. It will dry up and heal in a few days. Here's such a couple of examples of infected stitches.

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Dewey....so sorry I didn't see your message last night. I'm glad Judy was here for you with her sterling advice. How are things this morning? You know, if you do feel like you're doing well, maybe you should consider going home and having home heath take over with your therapy.

 

[Ready]

So how was the rest of your night? Way to go Bonesmart Team for getting you some answers, complete with pictures! They are great! Have you decided to stay until Tuesday or head for home? Whatever you decide, I hope you have good pain management and compassion. You're still in my prayers.

 

[jetthugger]

Hi Dewey, just catching up on your thread and OMG you poor thing!!
I don't think we have rehab facilities in the UK, but from what I've read, I'm quite relieved!! They sound like awful places!
Four hours of PT????? No wonder your knee is hot swollen & painful!! Do you pay for this?
Is it compulsory for you to stay there till Tuesday?
You should be in a relaxed environment, where you can elevate your knees, ice when needed, get regular pain medication & do gentle exercise. be kind & gentle to yourself & ask yourself the question, if it was someone dear to you in that facility with the same issues, what advice would you give them?
Big hugs & I hope you get home real soon!!

 

[bottomshollow]

jetthugger, many rehab centers in the US are great facilities with caring staff, lovely accommodations, pretty good food, and excellent PT and OT programs. Usually if they do 3 hours a day of PT, it is broken into two hour and a half sessions---one in the morning and one in the afternoon. At least 1/4 of the time in the session is spent taking rest breaks, so they are not slave drivers. It is never mandatory to go to a rehab facility, and patients and their families can check themselves out if they wish. However, if the facility is not willing to give medical clearance, insurance may not pay for the time already spent there.

I spent 6 days in a very nice facility when I had both my knees done two days apart. I really needed that time to concentrate just on me, get a lot of rest, elevate and ice a lot, and have staff who could assist me if I needed help. I did check it out in advance of my surgery and had input from the family of someone who had spent a couple of weeks there.

But there is, of course, for most of us, no place like home!

 

[Poof]

Dewey,
My doctor told me that it would be extremely red if there was an infection. I had the doc check my knee out at one time for redness that I had. Turned out to be from the swelling and trauma. Take a pic of it with your phone and then you can see if its getting larger or worse.

Sending hugs!

Vickie

 

[Dewey]

Thank you all so much. Internet has been out today so I couldn't update. Things are ok, I guess. I did get 30 minutes of PT today but that's it until Monday. I'm signed out to go home on Tuesday but I think we will leave on Monday evening. I'm really not getting any care here at all. The weekend shift, however, has been much more kind and compassionate. The evening nurse did a good job of calming my fear of infection. She didn't feel like there was anything going on at all. It looks about the same today... No worse. This one, though, is beginning to bruise. I didn't have any bruising with the other one. I wonder why some do and some knees don't? I've read enough here to know its nothing to worry about.

Thanks to all of you for your calming words, I was able to get some sleep last night. It really helped to be able to come here and hear that someone cared! Once my husband left, I just felt so alone.

Knees feel a bit stiffer today but I'm trying to do gentle heal slides and ankle pumps. The area behind my knee is really sore. Walking is actually easier for me this time. I am hoping it will just get better every day.

Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[Grammy59]

Glad you're feeling better. Click the heels of your ruby red shoes together and say "there's no place like home, there's no place like home" and you'll be there before you know it!! (love the Wizard of Oz, would like to see the one that's in theaters now in 3D). Take care and have a nice, restful Sunday.

 

[Ready]

you sound so much better tonight, I am glad for you. Hang on a few more days and you'll be in your own bed. It's exciting to hear how much better walking is going this time around. Have a good night, sleep tight.

 

[pdx]

Make sure you let your OS' office and the hospital and probably your insurer (after they've paid the bill!) know about the "care" you got at rehab -- not as advertised/promised. Also, ask for an itemized copy of your bill, so you know your insurer isn't being charged for PT on Sunday -- assuming you don't get it. Lots of scamming going on, particularly of Medicare, but if they do it for Medicare, they may be in the habit & do it for all.

 

[leejaa]

Dewey, it was great to see a post from you. Almost home, it will feel wonderful and good to hear that walking is easier on this knee. Definitely send a letter to the administration of the rehab facility after you are home and can gather all your thoughts - bad care should not be ignored.

 

[Dewey]

Oh, I am so writing some letters! I am so concerned about the elderly and how they are treated here. You know (and you all do know), really what we need most is someone to tell us we are doing ok and that the things that are happening are normal. Just a little reassurance!! There has been none of that here!!!

I am going home tomorrow instead of Tuesday. I'd go today but I know there's no one here to do the dismissal and we were a bit worried about insurance coverage if we go against the actual dismissal protocol. I can handle one more night.

Knees are ok today. Pain is manageable even though I've cut back just a little on the Percocet. (Every 5 hours instead of every 4). It is beginning to cause the same nausea as before so I have to find the right amount to allow me to work my knee gently but not be really nauseous. There's nothing worse than a continual upset stomach!

Thank you all, once again. What on Earth would I do without the wonderful people on this site?????

 

[Toothfairy]

Hi Dewey, great to hear you sounding better.
Not long to go before you are home sweet home.
I understand now why it isn't as easy as just going home. Because we don't have to think about medical insurance here in UK I didn't initially understand but with yours'and Bottomshollow's helpful explanation I now get it.
Great news that walking is easier this time.
I am pleased that you have had some nicer staff caring for you.
Hang on in there and before you know it you will be in the car going home. Take care, you are doing really well,
Hugs, Toothfairy x

 

[Ready]

Good to hear you have a plan both leaving your "care" facility and working through the nausea. Writing a good letter will not only be therapeutic, giving you something else to focus on, but may be the impetus for some policy changes there. Hopefully, you can use your voice to help others. Just think, 24 hours and you'll be home.

 

[forevergimpy]

Dewey I'm so glad to hear that you have an exit strategy! I truly hope that your letters will help those in that facility that do not have the option of checking themselves out to the wonderful care of family.
I am sorry to hear that your nausea has started to return as well. Is there any kind of food that sounds appealing to you at all? You stated that you don't have much appetite, maybe you're system is upset at not getting enough on top of the heavy medication. I know that all I seemed to want for a few days was a piece of soft bread or applesauce so that's what I ate. I didn't see the point to choking down food that didn't sound appealing when my stomach was already unsettled.
I hope your evening is a good one and that you can dream of being in the comfort of your own home tomorrow! Glad to hear that knee #2 had a fairly good start, remember you'll have good and then bad days and not to get too worried about it all but look at the whole very big picture.
Wishing you well friend, please check in if you need us - you're never alone!

 

[leejaa]

Dewey, Thinking of you and looking forward to seeing your post once you are home. Take care.