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TKR Finally made it

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Hi newnee....sounds like you are doing much better than me. I can hardly do more than get out of bed and walk to the bathroom as required. My surgery was originally scheduled for the 19th but go pushed to the 21st. I had several setbacks in the hospital so I'm behind in progress. Today I had a terrible case of lightheadedness so I had to cancel PT. Hubby was not happy about that. He thinks I should be doing more than I am and PT is the key. Keep up the good work.
 
Hi Mary, It's good to read you are doing so well and you have some lovely little helpers! I had that tight IT band for a week or so but you will find it will gradually disappear and ease up. Keep up the good work!
 
hi Lynne I am so sorry that your hubby does not understand all that goes into recovery. My boss put me on the scedule for 1 May I told her don't count on me being back in 6 weeks. Right now I can't even imagine going to work that early People dont understand that this surgery is more that removal of worn out painful parts being replaced with painless metal parts. There were a whole lot of other body parts that were effected by this surgery.Muscles and nerves and tendons have a lot of healing to do. I would much rather be up and running around than sitting on my backside watching tv. I had a co worker trying to be supportive sayin I know you are enjoying the time off to heal properly. I am greatful for the time off bit I am far from enjoying it. People just dont realize what a major suirgery this is.

Oh well time to sleep PT tomorrow
 
Mary....I'm relieved now. When you said "grand BABY" I was taking you quite literally and thinking it might be a baby or toddler you were babysitting. A seven-year-old is old enough to be a good little helper for you, so that's cool. I was concerned about the safety of you and a toddler knowing how they can get into things and cause one to chase after them at warp speed. Whew!!! Relief!!!!
 
Mary, I had the same response from several coworkers, telling me to enjoy my vacation from work. Some vacation, huh. You are right, most folks have no clue what the recovery is like from a TKR. My disability vendor called yesterday to tell me they had confirmed my surgery and I was approved for disability thru April 17th. When I heard that date I thought to myself, who can be ready to go back to work by then? I am sure that date will have to be extended. There is no way I will be ready to go back by then. As you pointed out, even May 1st seems a stretch. I wish you the best in your recovery process.
 
Just reading the post - vacation - HA. I know what you mean - people at work are like "so when will you be back - two weeks?" When I tell them the doctor sent an excuse for 12 weeks - they don't believe it at all. They have no idea what we are going through right now.

I will most likely start working from home next week (waiting to hear back from our Benefits Specialist at work - they are looking at changing our short term disability policy - hopefully for the better).

I hate being away from work for some reasons - even though I have a backup, it seems that all of my written materials are too much for him to handle and read through. I take care of our speciality software and our telephone/voicemail services - they had a move of 14 people the weekend after my surgery - I asked them to move it to the weekend before (even though it would have hurt BAD to do all of the moves) but they said no. Found out my backup tried for about 2 hours and gave up - good thing I had called my local vendor to be out that Monday morning to take care of any items he couldn't get to. That is just one thing. Just easier to do my job then have others do it for me - they can't seem to remember how to do it, but when I'm their backup - I'm expected to - sorry just venting here!
 
I am sorry I have not been that active on this site but it seems like all I want to do is sleep. I am able to get up and down stairs with no problem as long as i take it one step at a time. Last week when I got off the bus that the VA sends me for PT I stepped off one step and instead of stepping down to the same step I stepped down to the next step and forced the left knee to bend more that it had before. My knee reminded me to pay attention to it my sending shooting pain through the knee. I am now very attentive to where I am puttng my feet.

I have pain in the shin and calf area which I expected but i have pain in the ankle. I don't know what is causing that. I had one of my partners in PT say his hurts too and was told it was from how the leg was held in a place during the surgery and took the brunt of the force of the pounding during surgery. Having trouble staying awake will check in when I can
 
Quote from Mary: "I have pain in the shin and calf area which I expected but i have pain in the ankle."​

Mary: me too; only the right ankle. Also the outside of the heel feels raw and hurts, but the area is not swollen, not red and the skin is not broken. Feels like nerve pain. I have to put something under the shin so the foot doesn't touch anything.
 
Had a decent weekend. I am going a bit stir crazy but this too will pass. Looking forward to being able to get out a bit more and do a bit more but will let that come when my knee says it is ready to do more.

My friend who is going through chemo went for a walk with me since we both need to get out and walk. She has a doctor's appointment Thursday and has no one to go with her so I told her if I was up to it I would ride along. I was going to suggest that we go out and get something to eat on the way back but after reading some other posts I think I will save going out to eat until I am further along in my recovery. good night all the ZZZZZZZZZZZZmonster has taken me hostage again
 
Hi Mary
Sleeping is so good for your recovery - you deserve it and enjoy it :thumb: Have a good day!
 
Had a rough night and day my leg is stiff and sore from my hip to my ankle no matter how I turn I cant get comfortable. My knee is throbbing and is starting to itch I can't wait to get the staples out. I might have overdone it a bit I am getting stir crazy and made seceral trips outside which means I have to go up and down about 4 steps each trip and two steps at my friends house. I must remember to tell myself patience soon I will be running around again.

On the good side I am still getting around well and can lift my leg off the bed without assistance. I have PT tomorrow they have not been pushing me too hard and were happy with my 88 ROM Monday. I am not trying to worry about the numbers too much but it appears my OS is of the school that if you don't get good ROM within the first several weeks you will end up needing a MUA. I am avoiding that at all costs. I hate to just pop in and pop out but I am sleepy and at least when I am asleep I don't ache night all
 
Mary....I can't find a comfortable position for sleeping either. I am a side sleeper which is impossible right now. Interesting that you still have your staples, they took mine out before I left the hospital. ??? I think my OS is like yours, all about the ROM. But I do what I can in PT and don't allow myself to hurt as advised by all the bonesmarties.
Hit the constipation wall today. Boy that's not fun. Sending hubby to the store for prune juice tomorrow.
Wishing you sweet dreams and fast healing....
 
Mary -

Do not let the therapist push you. My staples were removed at two weeks. MUA? I thought i read that shouldnt be an option for months. Don't let them stress you. I let them stress me out and then came back here and began reading how many of our smartie friends didn't reach 95, 100 or better until 6 months to one year. Step back and take control, remember this is your recovery, your decisions. Hope tomorrow is a better day ! SIT DOWN, RELAX! :thumb:
 
Well I am a klutz i was getting dressed this morning for PT and I bent down too far and heard and felt a pop on the backside of my knee then felt immediate pain. I went to PT adn at first they thought it was my hamstring but when they started stretching me out and I told them the pain was coming from my butt area they determined that it was the muscle or tendon that comes from the siatica area. They gave me some stretching exercises and i have spent the day taking my pain meds, icing elevating the leg and sleeping this is the longest i have been up all day.
 
I saw the PA yesterday and he took out my staples:yay:. Said everything looked good and set me up with a follow up appointment on 4 May I need to get xrays prior to the appoinment. He told me to make sure I work on extension because it is more important than the ROM. My extension has been great i am almost 0. My PT has been impressed said everyone they have worked with had more problems with extension than ROM I am the opposite I have no trouble with extension but am slowly regaining ROM but that is fine the ROM will come I will not stress over it I am only about 3 weeks out from surgery.

Today I am really sore and the muscle I pulled is yelling at me so I will baby my knee today since it is telling me too. All I have to do is a load of laundry so wil take my time doing it. My family is out at the lake camping out. They asked me if I wanted to go but i felt it might be best not to go out where I will be waling on uneven terrain. So nana had to send some Easter presents and treats out with my family for my grandbabies. Will try to catch up on some posts as long as my knee lets me. It seems as soon as I elevate the leg, ice the leg and take my pain meds the sleep monster comes to get me:sleepz:.
 
Mary, I am so happy for you. Everything seems to be going very well in these early days.

Too bad you couldn't make the trip with the family, but probably better that you stay home and pamper that knee. Plenty of time ahead for fun and games with family.

Take care, keep us posted, we care. Judy
 
Hi Mary!
I so enjoyed your recovery diary. Thank you so much for posting each day. Congratulations for being such a champ and good nana! I look forward to following your daily journey.
 
Well sleep alludes me tonight. My knee is yelling and the swelling increased. I may have done too much walking with the cane only PT said I could use the cane around the house and I did. My good knee is starting to hurt which is getting frustrating. So I am trhying to keep both elevated and iced. Hoping my good knee hangs in there till the new knee gets stronger. My family/friends haven't stopped by or called to check on me in a long while. I know they, as am I, are concerned about my dear friend who is going through chemo but I feel they have forgotten about me. I know they know I will call if i need anything but I still feel forgotten. I think I am just having a bout of post surgery depression and am feeling sorry for myself. I have started to wonder why I put myself through this whole procedure. I know it was the right choice and if I could go back in time I would make the same decision. I just want my new life to get her faster. Patience is not my strong suit. Oh well just needed a chance to whine. These feelings to will pass
 
Mary....I can totally relate to how you are feeling, it's exactly the same for me. I have heard this will pass, I'm counting on that being true. Until then, we have each other to lean on. My problem with family and friends is that they don't understand what a long recovery process it is from a TKA and I'm getting frustrated with their attitude about it. They don't mean to be unkind but they just don't get it and when we talk, it seems like I'm always justifying my condition. I am laying in bed waiting for sleep to come but so far no luck. Its hard when I can't find a comfortable position.
I wish you the best. Today is a good day for me but tomorrow will be difficult. PT day is always hard. I come home exhausted and in pain. Take care and know that I am here for ya. PS I'm not a patient person either and it seems that this recovery process requires alot of patience and tolerance.
 
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