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TKR FlaGranny 2nd Knee 9/26/16

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Awesome news @FlaGranny! Yes MIRALAX works very well- I also needed it when I was still on the Dilaudid - stay safe with the incoming weather Floridians!!


Mercedes Z - RTKR Aug 15th
 
Day #15. Pretty good day. Did the recumbent bike, back and forth without being able to do the full rotation but I got past 90 degrees, perhaps 110. I think about 120 degrees would make a full rotation. Didn't do much of anything. Just puttering around a bit. Took the dog out for the first time - requires going down and then up 3 steps. He was so happy. He's a one-person dog and my husband has been taking him out. He won't let my husband put his leash on when I'm around so I've had to do it so he could go out. Then he kept looking back at me "Aren't you coming Mom?"

Have some soreness when I bend, nothing too bad. I can see ROM improving day by day. I started back on my oxycontin (2 at bedtime, 1 about 12 hours later), taking Metamucil, Dulcolax, and Senakot. I don't want a repeat of yesterday's "childbirth."
 
Yup, definitely childbirth. With no sweet little baby to show for it. Every few days.
 
The combination of 2 Dulcolax, 2 Senakot, and a heaping tablespoon of Metamucil had done the trick - back to normal. Yay!.
 
It feels so good, doesn't it!? I'm still on the Miralax since some days I have to have something for pain besides Tylenol.
 
I think I'm going to have to try your laxative cocktail. Thanks for posting it. :)


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016
 
Enjoyed the dog story. And great news about the rom improving day by day.
 
I just had to report that your cocktail worked for me already. I never thought a BM would be a cause for joy and celebration . Thank you. :)


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016
 
Day #17 PT came yesterday and also the nurse. I was discharged by the nurse. The PT was very pleased with my progress. He measured my extension and said it was about 1 or 2. Flexion without pain about 100. Any further hurts so we don't try. Knee still stiff feeling and sore, still 2 inches bigger than the right. Woke up this morning aching everywhere, both thighs, both knees, and my back. Ughh! It's better since I've been up and taken my meds. I'm not using any walking aid now, but my walk is a bit stiff legged. Once in a while my right knee (unoperated) hurts more than the left. I have 3-1/2 weeks to go for the right knee. I hope the left is recovered enough to take over.

@sheliac Glad my cocktail worked for you. I just added Bran Buds cereal to my cocktail.
 
I'm amazed at your progress. I hate you awoke with the aches and pains, but glad you feel better now.

I'm following you closely :) I'm starting to wonder about having the second knee done so soon. I'm just trying to look at it as a very long bilateral procedure. It's scary to think of going back to surgery in a debilitated condition. It takes all my energy to do my ADL's and light housework. Surely they wouldn't let us go back to surgery so soon if we were not healthy enough? In one way I want to get it over with and recover them both, but on the other side -- I don't feel like I have my sea legs yet with the first. Do you ever doubt the decision to go back so soon?


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016
 
You are doing great. My knee is consistently two inches bigger than my other knee. I expect it to remain that way for several more months. It's an interesting curiosity to measure periodically, though. You'll be (in some ways) fascinated by the way the pain and discomfort migrates through your leg and knee as you heal. It's as if your body says, "We're going to work on repairing this today."

You should be fine in time for your second knee. Consider continuing to use a cane or a crutch for another week or two. I carried a cane on my walks for several weeks. I didn't use it, but I had it with me. I know you're not doing a lot of walking yet, but a cane can help support your back, too. You'll know what feels best for you.
 
Yes, I've had my doubts, especially the first week or week and a half. But I'm doing quite a bit better at 2-1/2 weeks and getting steadily stronger on the left. So I'm certainly hoping that it won't be too bad. I originally wanted both done at once, but honestly don't know how I could have ever managed that. Now I am hopeful that recovery will be well enough along that I'll be able to manage.

As you are having your knees done in only a month it might be a little tougher, but look at all the people who have had bilaterals and others at 4 or 6 weeks. Everyone manages to get through it somehow.

If you were healthy enough to have #1 done, you will most likely be healthy enough for #2. I think the only problem would be your hemoglobin and hematocrit and whether you might get a cold or something.

I told my husband when deciding to get this done that I wouldn't be much good for anything until next year. I hope then to be able to get back to bowling and walks, etc., in other words - life. To tell the truth the thing that bothers me most sometimes is the arthritis I have in other joints. I can get my knee comfortable - there is no arthritis in it any more - not so much the other joints.
 
Thanks, FG. I love your attitude. You are right-- people get thru it and do well. I'm pretty healthy except for being overweight. My hemoglobin had dropped from 13 to 9 after surgery , I'll have it rechecked on the 6th. I'm a little worried about nutritional status-- I haven't been able to force myself to eat much. I've added protein shakes. I've lost 8 pounds since surgery, and that's not taking into account the leg edema.

I am so sorry you have arthritis in your other joints. I am blessed with it being limited to my knees. Are you able to take NSAIDS again, yet? I miss my ibuprofen!

Thank you for the encouragement . I know I'm doing just fine and should be very thankful for my blessings today.


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016
 
I haven't been able to take NSAIDs, not until I am off all blood thinners (6 weeks after surgery). Since I am 3-1/2 weeks away from my next surgery, I guess it will be 9-1/2 weeks before I can take Advil or Aleve or get some Depo-Medrol (that helps the most). I'm on 2 regular aspirin a day now for blood thinner so maybe that will help some with the arthritis. I can't wait until I can get some Depo-Medrol into my back. I will feel better all over when that happens.

I'm taking Tylenol but find it does little for the arthritis. Lately, before surgery, I had been taking Aleve (naproxen) as it is supposed to be a little safer than ibuprofen. It seems to work just as well for me.

I've lost 6 pounds so far since the last time I weighed - 3 days ago. It is kind of nice not to be hungry all the time. Just eating 3 square meals a day, no snacking. I get full pretty quickly and food just doesn't seem to taste as good.

Edit: "I lost 6 pounds since the last time I weighed" That doesn't sound right. I meant to say Last time I weighed was 3 days ago and I had lost 6 pounds.
 
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@FlaGranny you are doing really well, your numbers are great, and your positive attitude really helps in a successful recovery, I believe that totally.

@sheliac did your OS give you iron supplements? I took them for one month after surgery, that may help.
 
This afternoon my hubby and I went to a furniture store and bought another recliner. I'm using my hubby's chair and he misses it, so away we went to get one for me. It is so cushy and comfy I can't wait to get into it. It will be delivered tomorrow. It works the same way, so it doesn't quite go flat, but the footrest comes up high for elevation. I'm walking pretty well now, but I did take the cane to walk around in the store.

Clara, I bought some iron pills to take between surgeries but I'm not sure I should use them as my post surgery hemoglobin was 14. Maybe I should begin taking them to be sure it hasn't dropped since then.

@Josephine I have a question. I have a lump on the side of my leg about 4 or 4-1/2 inches down from the joint line and about 2 inches lateral to my tibia. It is sore to the touch and maybe an inch in circumference. There is no warmth and I can't see it, but I can feel it. Do you have any idea what could have caused it? I really only notice it when I have my ice machine on and lying on that side and there is extra pressure on the spot.
 
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My OS prescribed an iron supplement that I took for about 3 weeks after the TKR. It did number on my stomach though. I felt much better when I was done with the iron.
 
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