TKR From Difficult Moment to Some Positive Moments

[referee54]

Can some of you also give me a "sample day"....meaning I think I am over doing it and that awful tightness that feels like metal is pushing through my knee cap is back. I do not think I realize how much I am standing because I will feel better, then do laundry, make some food, run an errand, etc.

So how long is too long to stand at 6 weeks, I need to manage my days better.....

Ouch! I went back at eight weeks to the classroom---and that was much too early.

That being said, though I will tell you that I woke up most of the days feeling pretty good, but, about two-three hours into my class schedule, the tightening and the stiffness set in.

I would tell you that standing is a cumulative thing, and once you are up, you tend to walk and move---and then, even when you sit down, you begin to stiffen up. I tried to ice/elevate/rest when I could at school, but I still would return home stiff and sore at the end of the day.

One thing that worked for me, though, is to set aside one day on the weekend and DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. ICE/ELEVATE/REST THE WHOLE DAY.

 

[Jamie]

For you guys who are feeling a lot of pain and discomfort, I suggest that you look at your pain med schedule and be sure you are taking enough. When you feel that bad, you may need to up your meds a bit temporarily until things level out. Otherwise if you never get ahead of the pain, you'll never get true relief. Also make sure you are icing non-stop day and night.

 

[speccybecky]

Karen when I was at 6 weeks the same happened to me. One day I felt great and thought brilliant and walked further than usual, still felt fine. Next day I felt like I'd been hit by a brick! It IS normal, don't despair.

 

[Onestepatatime]

Thanks, Nancy. So after that "setback" when did you start to feel better?

 

[Onestepatatime]

So, I had my 6 week follow up with the surgeon. He seemed relatively pleased with my progress and was happy to see me without a cane. But when I told him I felt like I relapsed the past week, he said I have overdone things with trying to do basic errands, etc. He said he strongly did not recommend I return to work for a few more weeks, and then part time at that.

I left my boss a message to call me, so give them an update at work. I am stressed because I do not get full pay, and the bills roll in. I dont know what the policy is on allowing me to work remote soon, so I can have 100% of my pay back. Or if I can opt to use vacation pay at some point. But then I think I have to go off disability and take a week of vacation pay.

I have felt sssssooooo drained the past few days.
But OH! on a more fun note, after postponing with this nice guy for two dates, I agreed last week to meet him tomorrow night. I only wish I felt human, but I will go. Not sure what kind of first impression I will make....and I am sure it will be a quick meet and greet because I really am in no shape to be on a date.

 

[Jamie]

Hope the date is fun, Karen. You'll work things out with your employer....start on it soon so it won't weigh you down. Your health is more important than anything and things always have a way of working out.

 

[Dawnmit]

Hi Karen, I know how hard it is when you don't get your full pay, I am struggling too. I had a knee revision last august and off work for 4 months. That was ok, I was allowed that at full pay, but things have gone wrong and I am off work again and waiting for more surgery. This means I will drop to half pay! But the bills won't drop by half. I am getting stressed but there isn't anything we can do. If we don't rest, chill and get better we won't ever be healed enough to work. I'm just dealing with things one day at a time. Calling companys and telling them I'm struggling and they make an arrangement with you.
Good luck with everything and try not to worry! Xx

 

[Onestepatatime]

Hi, thanks for the support. To start with something fun, the date was so much better than expected. It is really not easy to get back in the swing of things socially. I was laughing to myself and only someone who has gone through this would understand...I have been so constipated I drank too much prune juice the other day, I was just so glad I made it through the date without running to the rest room! He was so cute, and we got along well. Not sure when I will see him again, but one day at a time. The surgery has taught me nothing else, except patience!
My talk with my boss went well. She said she misses me there, and needs to look into how disability pay works and how to handle phasing me back into work. I told her in two weeks I can begin to come into work on a phased in approach but I want to be put back on payroll and work the rest remote until I am 100% ok to be there 40/plus hours a week. So we will see.....
Hope you all are doing ok!

 

[jancat]

Karen, Wishing you the best of luck with phasing back to work and with the new guy. Remember to treat yourself well-you are still healing!

 

[AussieBill1962]

Hi Karen,
Sorry your having it so tough. I'm on my own too during the day, but have my wife and kids 7, 9, and 12 in the evening. We need to look to the future and how we will be able to do things with our kids. Your making sacrifices for a better life. Your son knows this, and your friend sounds like they have the best of intentions, but you will have limitations and finding out what they are is part of the Journey. The future is bright, we just need to have patience, I have been going at it way to hard from what I have been reading here. Your not alone in this, we all want you to be pain free with a good life all ahead of you now.

 

[1ELISEA]

It's always good when your boss misses you.
And that is so great your are getting out and living your life. Kudos to you!

 

[Onestepatatime]

Seems two steps forward then two steps back. I seem to have overdid it again, and my knee is throbbing, and burning. I was up all night. Only thing that helps is keeping it elevated, and ice (like EVERYONE says, lol). I seem to not be able to keep it in a 90 degree sitting position for more than an hour, otherwise that pressure from within kicks in and it takes like 12 hours for it to settle down. I want to be in a better place, but my knee is not there yet......
Very discouraging today, and I am so tired....

 

[jancat]

Yes, this Bonesmart forum and the wonderful folks who comprise it really know their stuff, don't they!

 

[Mimi]

Karen a.k.a. Onestepatatime, love the name! Sounds like you are doing very well, even if you don't think so. The swelling and stiffness is so normal. And the more you do the more you get. :hissyfit: The tiredness is all part of recovery from a very stressful surgery on your body.

I felt much like you for almost 6 months. It gets much better but you have to listen to your body. I had a different recovery with an infection and swelling beyond belief!:cry4:
But with TIME and PATIENCE and learning that less is more, all is well.

Wishing you a good recovery and remember that this is going to be slower than you want.:rolleyespink:

 

[Onestepatatime]

So true. I think this is slower than any of us want.
My mom wants to fly me down to Florida next week to see my grandma who is not doing well. And she said all I have to do is get there and she will take care of me. My question is, if sitting in a restaurant for more than an hour sends me into pain for 12 hours, is it feasible to fly? Is 7 weeks too soon?

 

[Ditzzeechick]

I'm at 7 weeks and it can be uncomfortable if I sit too long. You can take pain meds, maybe increase them slightly prior to boarding, pay for/request bulk head seating so you can do leg raises. It's a 3.5 hour flight tops and just think, when you get there, she'll wait on you! Then again, do you really want to go or are you looking for a good reason to stay home? :wink1:

 

[Mimi]

That is a decision you will have to make yourself. If you can elevate your leg in flight, and ice your knee ( zip lock bags with ice), you may be more comfortable.
I see you are in NJ, so the flight is 1 1/2 to 2 hours to Fla. But there is walking thru terminals on both ends with luggage and delays??

I know that at 8 weeks I went out to dinner with friends and had to leave with my meal in a box as soon as the food came because the old pain monster set in. I could not even feel my leg and foot. Such a lovely sight getting up and out of the restaurant.:th_heehee:

Sometimes what we want to do and what we can do aren't the same thing.

 

[Onestepatatime]

Yeah that is exactly where I am at. I really want to go to Fla and thought initially it was a great idea. Then a day went by, and I started to feel additional exhaustion set in, and the pain started up again. Truth is, I am nervous about taking the trip, I am supposed to phase into work in two weeks and if I get a relapse because I pushed myself that would just stink. I cannot afford to continue on disability.
On the other hand, Grandma is not doing well and Mom's house is really nice. Need to decide in the next day or so. Might just book tickets a month from now and play it safe, I don't know. Last night I went out for dinner with my friend, and also had to leave early and was up until 3:00 a.m. with my throbbing leg.

 

[jancat]

Karen, Are you still on blood thinners?

 

[Onestepatatime]

No