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TKR GrandyGirl's Recovery Story 1/14/12

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Hi Dori, hang in there, we are both early in the process and this forum gives me faith that we WILLL get there! Is it just me or does it seem like we American bonesmarties are given unrealistic expectations? I know we are always told "no pain, no gain". I hear that all the time. My doctor told me "you can drive in 4 weeks", and when I wasn't, I felt like a failure.

Be kind to yourself today, if you feel like staying in bed all day, do it! No feeling guilty. ICE, ELEVATE, have a good snooze, watch tv. I was given the same advice on this forum and it worked wonders for me.
 
CLaudia said:
...Is it just me or does it seem like we American bonesmarties are given unrealistic expectations? I know we are always told "no pain, no gain". I hear that all the time. My doctor told me "you can drive in 4 weeks", and when I wasn't, I felt like a failure.
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Yes, I do think you come under much more pressure than we do in the UK.

I went to PT thirty days after surgery. The young woman kinda marveled at my progress (don't get lots of gooey-eyed young women, it was great, I had to keep reminding myself, "She's talking to her Dad, don't get worked up") and told me to go away, I didn't need them. And it's not as if it was NHS either, it was private and fee-paying. Doesn't seem to happen that way in the USA.
 
Hi Dori

Please don't beat yourself up about how you are doing -you are doing great! The ROM will come. I felt the same as you about 10 days ago then all of a sudden my knee swelling started to go down and my ROM started to make improvements. I was thinking it will never get going, it seemed stuck. I promise you will get a breakthrough with it. If you get a bike that will really help with the stiffness and it's fun! Remember, your knee is in charge and it will all fall into place when it's ready. Have a restful day my friend xxx
 
yes but...ultimately we are the only ones who can put pressure on ourselves - it's up to each of us to find our own reality. This forum has been a great reminder for me that each of us is an individual and our progress will be our own. As long as you're moving forward be proud of yourself !:thumb:
 
Randi said:
yes but...ultimately we are the only ones who can put pressure on ourselves - it's up to each of us to find our own reality. This forum has been a great reminder for me that each of us is an individual and our progress will be our own. As long as you're moving forward be proud of yourself !:thumb:
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A very excellent point! progress is moving forward---it may be slower than we would like it to be, but it is progress all the same!

Each person does heal and recover---move forward---at his or her own pace.
 
I spent most of yesterday in bed, resting, icing, elevating, and i intend to take it very easy today. I woke up this morning feeling a lot better and my knee seems to have settled down. I really don't want to wake it up with my physical therapy but I suppose I need to:)

I have read these supportive comments from each of you. Thanks so much!

Dori
 
Hi Everybody,

My plan was to go shopping for a recumbent bike today but my knee is saying otherwise. It felt great when I woke up, nice and loose, but has stiffened up and is painful again. So I'm icing and elevating. For the time being, it's easy does it. The bike will still there another day.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
Quite right Dori, take it easy today. My knee always seem to be loose in the morning but at about 4pm it stiffens up - very annoying! The knee is definitely in charge!
 
Hi Jo,

You're so right. Today has been "easy does it." I've done some gentle stretches, some physical therapy exercises, walking around the house, and watching the tv....actually the tv is watching me because I'm really not paying much attention. This is the week the the TED hose come off. I'm kinda excited about that:)
 
Hi Dori, At 5 weeks I felt things were just never going to improve. I drove at 6 weeks and that felt great. The exercycle I think is great. If you can't get out to buy one, have you thought of buying online and having it delivered? And the TEDs, ahhhhhh - thats the sound you'll make the day they go in the BIN!
 
Hi Margaret,

Thank you for reminding me about the option of ordering online. That is a wonderful idea and I had not thought of it. :thumb:

Dori
 
Hi Everybody,

I am happy to report that I found a wonderful recumbent bicycle today on Craig's list. My son picked it up and delivered it to me this evening. It's all set up and ready for me to start rocking back and forth until I make that remarkable first revolution.

Tomorrow is 6 weeks post-op and goodbye TED hose:))

It's been a good week so far.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl
 
Good news about the bike!!!! Let us know when you do your first test drive.
 
Hi Dori,

Thats great news about the bike, there's no stopping you now. Looking forward to hearing about that first revolution when it comes.

Take care of yourself. :friends:
 
Hi Dori,
I am glad you found a bike...I bought one about 3 weeks ago, I can make revolutions both directions after rocking for a little while. I was riding up to 15 min. while I was still in PT, but not so much here at home. Yesterday when I got up I felt so good, thought I was turning that corner...then during the afternoon pain, stiffness, and swelling came right back....so discouraging when that happens. I really thought I would be doing so much better by 6 weeks, but didn't happen. I have to work hard to stay positive. I think my family thinks this should be over and I should be back to "normal"....I wish. Just rocking on the bike will stretch your leg and it will feel good......hang in there...this has to get better!!!
 
Luvtocamp, don't forget it's sometimes two steps forward, one step back; or even one step forward, two steps back. Keep on at it, gently and persistently, you'll get there.
 
luvtocamp said:
Hi Dori,
I think my family thinks this should be over and I should be back to "normal"....
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Many of us have experienced this too...What do they know ?:hissyfit: It's not their knee that was pummelled ! :biggrin:

Good reason to come to this forum for support !!:friends::yahoo:
 
Hi Dori, Great news that you found a bike. And the TEDs are gone too! All wonderful news. Have fun riding.
 
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