Feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all

[TC15]

Thanks for answering. I am getting scared thinking about what is to come. I have a 7 hour car ride home so I think stoping and buying ice on the way home is the only option I have. Ice packs are not going to stay cold that long. I will buy some ice packs when I get home if the hospital does not send me home with some.

 

[sunbunny]

@TC15 hugs and I really know how you are feeling. The hospital will probably use disposable ice packs...snag a couple they last for about 30 times. When you get ready to leave have them fill several up for you. They will give you a list of things to call about, fever, wound oozing etc.. Try not to worry. My OS has a patient portal that you can email questions to him and he answers quickly. Check to see if he has one. I have not seen my OS since the hospital six weeks ago. I had one check up with PA.. Ask about in home PT care. An in -home nurse came twice to check on me as well. Initial visit and then to take staples out. Do you have a thermometer to take your temperature? My battery had died so I had to get a new one. I am sending you calming thoughts, hugs, and caring hands to take care of you. Oh one more thing might be helpful...throw a couple of pillows in your car to make yourself comfy on the ride. You may need one to sit on. Remember you have lots of support here too.

 

[KarriB]

Pillows to keep the knee elevated also. I had an ice machine sent home with me from the hospital. @Kansas Teacher drove a few hours for surgery also and she got a power plug for her vehicle so she could easily ice in the car.

 

[Kansas Teacher]

I plugged that iceman machine in and ran it all the way home. You will have to get out every hour or so and walk a bit to prevent blood clots. That was a bit of a pain because it wasn't easy to get in and out of the car. But I slid in the back seat backwards with my TKR leg on the seat elevated on pillows and my other leg on the floor supported enough by pillows to be comfortable. Not the most comfortable trip I ever made but very doable!

Roxie

 

[kneeper]

Is there any way you can divide the trip over two days going home and stay in a motel where you can ice and elevate? People have done long trips before but I can tell you I had only a 15 minute drive home and was sure glad to get out of the car.

 

[Angel1978]

You could get a cooler and put them in. I know on here some one said how to do a home aid gel ice pack. That may help


FaithMitchmommy
PKR December.1,2014
TKREV MARCH.2,2015

 

[TC15]

I plan to take a cooler for ice. I would love to make the trip shorter by stoping,but there is a whole lot of nothing between here and there, just farm land no hotels. I am going to want to come home as soon as I can anyway.

 

[Angel1978]

Sounds like beautiful and relaxing. Well not under coming home to recover. I don't know kind vehicle u have. But u know you prob could take some pillows and put them in the seat and set long ways. That way leg is not dangle. Wish you the best luck!!!


FaithMitchmommy
PKR December.1,2014
TKREV MARCH.2,2015

 

[Angel1978]

Maybe @Jamie @pumpkin @ski girl can give u some answeres and some helpful info. Xxx best reguards.


FaithMitchmommy
PKR December.1,2014
TKREV MARCH.2,2015

 

[Celle]

I bought gel packs before surgery. I had four or five. When I did 6-hour car journey at 3+ weeks post op, I took all the gel packs (frozen) in a cooler and was able to change them each time we stopped for a little walk, so that I always had one really cold.

I started the journey sitting crossways on the back seat, with my legs elevated, but I soon found that I was more comfortable sitting in the front passenger seat (as far back as it could go) with my legs elevated on pillows that my husband put in front of the seat.

 

[celynda]

@TC15,

Good luck with your surgery on the 8th. I have surgery at Mayo (in Florida) before and know you are in good hands.

I'm just about ready for my Jun 8 date. It can't come soon enough for me.


RTKA scheduled for 8 June

 

[referee54]

I am really getting nervous and scared the wait is starting to get to me.

One thing that helped me out was to focus on the positive---all of the things that I would be able to do---and to do it pain-free---that I could not do with my two bad knees.

Ironically, the BTKR surgery,not only for me, but for many others, was really no big deal. All of that apprehension and then---it just happened and I was on the "Other Side"!

 

[TC15]

I am looking forward to taking a walk with my husband, something I haven' t been able to do in years. I have to finish packing today. My house is clean, my freezer is full of good home cooked meals, and I have a walker, shower chair, and toilet riser. I made the homemade ice packs with 2 cups rubbing alcohol and 5 cups water and double bagged them. It worked good. I have pillows to take with me for the ride home I am going to sit in the backseat and lay the front seat all the way down to put my legs up. It is very difficult to get in place but it will work. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me over the past few weeks, it has helped. I have a good feeling that everything will be alright, I guess I am ready. Since I have a 7 hour ride home next week I thought of a good name for my post op thread. Are we there yet ! See ya on the other side. TC

 

[sunbunny]

Good thoughts, hugs, and caring hands to take care of you.

 

[KayeKaye]

From reading on this forum many people have had their surgery dates moved, so it may not be just due to your specific leg problems. My friend that went to Mayo and had BTKR stayed there a couple days afterwards but then hopped on a plane for a 4 hour flight to her daughter's home! She did great. That surprised me. Mayo told me to stop every hour, no matter where we were and get out and walk for around for 10 minutes or so. We are under 2 hours away depending on metro traffic, coming from St. Paul area so I only have stop once. Might stop twice though. I plan on being in the backseat with the ice machine if I can swing it. Heck I already sit sideways in the back when we go to Mankato to visit daughter at college. Put many pillows behind your back to cover up the handles and give you a bit of an incline or it gets hard on the back. I have been thinking about renting a bigger car or SUV to make it roomier than my Accord.

I have my earphones and phone loaded with my favorite music plus I can get youtube on it while traveling so my playlist is available for music too.

Are you coming from the bottom of Iowa? Too bad they don't have Mississippi cruises up the river, you could go in style with plenty of room and relax the whole way!