cripplenomore
junior member
I am so glad to have found this site! I have LTKR scheduled for June 22nd, less than 2 weeks from now. I have been in agonizing pain with my left knee for over a year now. My ortho surgeon told me I needed a TKR, but I've been putting it off. As of about 2 months ago, I had to give in, due to the horrible pain. Last July, 2008, I had the knee scoped. It did help somewhat since I had a bone spur that was really killing me, but other than that, the knee has gotten worse.
Anyway, as it gets closer to the surgery, I am getting more anxious. I work in the hospital where I am having my surgery, so I hear stories, but of course, the memorable ones are the worst ones! The OR staff and nurses don't remember the easy patients, so I am hearing the bad side. This is causing me a lot of worry, about the pain and other possible issues, like nausea. I almost had a panic attack over it yesterday just thinking about it.
I realize that if I don't do this, the pain will get worse and worse. I can barely walk anymore. I've been able to keep working (by the grace of God, and with the loan of a scooter), but when I get up from sitting, I can barely walk. I have to stand and hold myself up at my desk to get my strength to take a step. So I wonder, how much worse pain could the surgery cause? I also realize that no matter how bad the pain will be, it will get better each day, where as now, it's just getting worse.
I have a new granddaughter (3 months old), and I am really looking forward to being able to actually play with her and take her places as she gets older. Right now, I can't even go to the supermarket, let alone anything fun. So, this is my goal - to be a normal human who can walk without a cane or walker, and to not have to have everyone doing things for me all the time. I named myself "cripple", but I don't want to be a cripple anymore! I am only 54, but I feel like I'm 94.
I really need some encouragement. Thank you all for posting your stories. I've ready many of them already.
Paula
Anyway, as it gets closer to the surgery, I am getting more anxious. I work in the hospital where I am having my surgery, so I hear stories, but of course, the memorable ones are the worst ones! The OR staff and nurses don't remember the easy patients, so I am hearing the bad side. This is causing me a lot of worry, about the pain and other possible issues, like nausea. I almost had a panic attack over it yesterday just thinking about it.
I realize that if I don't do this, the pain will get worse and worse. I can barely walk anymore. I've been able to keep working (by the grace of God, and with the loan of a scooter), but when I get up from sitting, I can barely walk. I have to stand and hold myself up at my desk to get my strength to take a step. So I wonder, how much worse pain could the surgery cause? I also realize that no matter how bad the pain will be, it will get better each day, where as now, it's just getting worse.
I have a new granddaughter (3 months old), and I am really looking forward to being able to actually play with her and take her places as she gets older. Right now, I can't even go to the supermarket, let alone anything fun. So, this is my goal - to be a normal human who can walk without a cane or walker, and to not have to have everyone doing things for me all the time. I named myself "cripple", but I don't want to be a cripple anymore! I am only 54, but I feel like I'm 94.
I really need some encouragement. Thank you all for posting your stories. I've ready many of them already.
Paula