TKR GrandyGirl's Recovery Story 1/14/12

[GrandyGirl]

G'Morning Everybody,

I am all packed up and ready to go. My son should arrive in an hour or so and we are moving me back home today. I am ready emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

I honestly had no idea that the initial phase of recovering from a knee replacement would be so challenging. I can handle a LOT and I just assumed that it would be similar to how I felt when I had my hip replacements. But the knee is quite different, much painful, more tedious.
I am so glad that I listened to others who suggested that IF I could arrange to have someone help me, it would be a good idea. With my second hip replacement, I came home from the hospital and did it all by myself and I was just fine. But I seriously doubt that I could have done it that way with my new knee.

So the next time I log in, I should be back in my own house. Thank you all so much for your TREMENDOUS support during this leg of recovery...no pun intended.

I look forward to talking to you very soon.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[Pumpkin]

Safe travels back to home sweet home!

 

[aretha]

Hi Dori,.

Going home is the best therapy I can think of, and I am sure that you will go from strength to strength with your family and friends around to visit and cheer up any gripy moments!!

Take care Dori, thinking of you..........

 

[GrandyGirl]

I made it home!!!!

I am so happy to be in my own bed. I am looking forward to sleeping without any interruptions. Since January 13th, the day of my surgery, my sleep has been interrupted by nurses taking my temperature or drawing my blood, hospital people coming and going 24/7, grandkids, etc. etc...
OMG...I am so excited and so happy to be home again.

Let the healing continue....

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[bottomshollow]

Hi! Dori,

I know what you mean about being home. Somehow there's just nothing like it. And your own bed! :yes 4:

When I finally got home after a week in the hospital and a week in in-patient rehab, it was like a switch had been turned on and I just felt so much better.

Haven't posted you before, but I've been keeping up. And yes, let the healing continue.....

Keep us posted. We care. :cat-kittyandsmiley: Judy

 

[Jazyb]

Well done Dori you are home :yes 4:. What a lovely feeling to be back with all your home comforts - you enjoy my friend

 

[GrandyGirl]

Yes! I got up this morning and made myself a little breakfast, took my pain med, and am icing and elevating for a while before I begin physical therapy. A friend came by last night and brought dinner. Then we went upstairs and watched a little tv. We were both amazed at how easily I navigated the stairs. Clearly my PT is working!

I'm so glad I took time to get everything organized before going into the hospital. I have everything I need now and it's nice and tidy. There is no place like home

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[kneeper]

Congratulations on being home!

 

[Larosser]

Welcome home! Nothing like having your own bed and your own stuff. Congrats on managing the stairs! Good job.

La

 

[karmigirl]

Dori,

So glad to hear that being home is going so well for you.

 

[GrandyGirl]

Well, I may have overdone it a wee bit today...

I was curious about driving so I timed my med dosage and drove myself to the store in my neighborhood and picked up some non-perishable food items and a bag of ice. Actually I am glad I did because I hadn't started my car up in 5 weeks and the battery was almost drained...barely turned over. I also went to a gas station and pumped some gas into my car.

When I got home I cooked some mustard greens (I'd been craving them for weeks) and a small pan of cornbread. That was dinner. I feel good tonight as i ice and elevate my knee. It may swell some tomorrow because of all the activity I did today. But I hope not too much....we'll see.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[CLaudia]

Hi Dori, you are really making progress, home and driving, bet it feels so wonderful. I'm wide awake in the middle of the night so catching up with everyone. Keep up the great recovery!

 

[Randi]

Dori - Sounds like it was a great day ---maybe a little swelling is worth it though somebody here will probably disagree ! Have another good one -with many more to come!

 

[Jazyb]

Sounds like a good day Dori, I bet your knee will be fine. Keep us posted.

 

[RestAssured]

Hi Dori!

Welcome home! I am so glad that you are able to get out and do a little shopping. Cabin fever is no fun! I remember those days... wanted to rip my hair out It sounds like things are going well for you! When you go to PT take music with you, put the ear buds in, and the time will fly by! :biggrin:

 

[GrandyGirl]

Hi Everybody,

I am so pleased to report that I'm doing fine today and my knee didn''t swell up because of yesterday's activities. I find that I am staying up most of the day now, in 6 hours stretches. Then I will lie down for a while and rest, ice, elevate.

I'm still taking my pain medications but not 'round the clock. I take one percocet when I need it. It usually takes about 30-40 minutes for the effect of the meds to kick in and during that time, the discomfort is not unbearable. I'd rather take the medication that way rather than every few hours, whether I need it or not. I usually take one pill before my exercise and I may take another at night if I feel that my knee is hurting and might keep me awake.

I'm a little concerned about beginning the stationary bike. I will probably go look at some this week. I'm thinking I'd prefer a recumbant bike. My concern is that first revolution. I'm not sure I am able to do it yet and I'm afraid that it's going to hurt like a new pair of shoes. I'll just do the "rock back & forth" thing until I am able to go all the way around. It's probably going to hurt, right??:hate-shocked:

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[bottomshollow]

Dori---if you just keep doing the rock back and forth, eventually you will be able to go all way round and it won't hurt. :biggrin:

I found that the rocking back and forth was good--only if I let it go a little too far in the beginning did it hurt---and I learned pretty quickly not to do that any more.

So don't be scared of it.:hate-shocked: I have a recumbent which I really like--much more comfortable to me than an upright--but I am not a biker so that may be why. We have both and the upright just collects dust right now.

Please keep us posted. We care. :cat-kittyandsmiley: Judy

 

[GrandyGirl]

Thank you Judy! That's exactly what I will do and I am so relieved to hear that it won't hurt. I'll take it easy.

Dori

 

[Campervan]

Hi Dori, I have an upright but it seems the recumbant works better for our recovery (from reading other's posts). I just went back and forth for 10 minutes. First from quarter past to quarter to, then slowly I managed to come closer to o'clock from quarter to, until eventually I could get all the way round backwards. It wasn't many minutes longer and I could go forwards. So slowly slowly and you'll get there.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

I'm a little concerned about beginning the stationary bike. ... My concern is that first revolution. ...It's probably going to hurt, right??:hate-shocked:

It is entirely under your control, that's the good bit. Rocking back and forth is the ticket, a bit more every day. No bother