TKR GrandyGirl's Recovery Story 1/14/12

[GrandyGirl]

I want to share some great news! I figured out a way to replenish the icing unit without compromising my recovery:

I carefully lifted the container which was full of water once all the ice was gone. I discovered that it really wasn't all that heavy. So I carried it into the bathroom, using one crutch. I emptied about 1/3 of the water into the sink and walked the container back into the bedroom. No problem.

Then I walked into the kitchen and filled a plastic bowl with ice and emptied the ice into the container. I added a little more water to fill it up to the desired water line.

I placed the motor/pump back into position and VOILA!

Where there's a will, there's a way! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[GrandyGirl]

Today is 4 weeks post-op!! I can barely believe that it's been a whole month. My progress is measurable and I am so happy to have made it this far without any major setbacks. I know I have a long way to go but I am confident that I will make a full recovery.

I posted about being able to fill my icing unit "all by myself" earlier. This is an indication of the progress I have made. Today was the first day I felt lucid enough to actually made a couple of business calls which I did successfully. Yesterday I actually cooked a chicken soup. I've increased my oveall exercise time and the number of reps and sets in my physical therapy on some of the exercises. I prepare my own breakfast and lunch. I'm able to sleep on my tummy for an hour or so (thank goodness!), I'm spending more time up with the family and sharing some meal times with them and watching tv for a few minutes. Just countless things that tell me I am getting stronger everyday. I am very grateful....very optimistic.

So much has to do with the advise and support I have received from BoneSmart. You have been excellent mentors. My BODY has also been a wonderful guide, instructing me on what I can and cannot do and what I should and should not try. It's been a very beautiful, spiritual recovery.

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[bottomshollow]

And so happy for you that everything has been going well. Those first few weeks can be a bear! Just keep on doing what you've been doing and things will just get better and better.:hapydancsmil: Judy

 

[Randi]

Good for you ! Keep it up !!:biggrin:

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Dori

That is a great report and I am so pleased for you. Steady progress is the best way with this surgery - well that's my opinion reading how others have coped. It is great Dori that we are making it - it's so exciting isn't it

 

[aretha]

Way to go Dori, keep up the great start, and it will all fall into place.

 

[Lori]

Dori,
Thanks for such an encouraging update! It is good to know that recovery can be, "a very beautiful, spiritual recovery." That's the perspective I am hoping to have. So happy for you & your recovery.:yes 4:

 

[GrandyGirl]

I agree with all of you. Oh yes indeed...Those first few days can most definitely be described as A BEAR....whoa!! I am so glad that I slept most of the time. How I managed to suit up and show up for physical therapy every morning at 9 am and then again at 2 pm is really beyond me. But I did it and after a few days, I really began to look forward to it. Today this serves as the basis of my discipline to "get up" and do my physical therapy exercises and walk around the house every morning when I wake up...then a second time in the afternoon. Im not gung-ho about it, and some days are better than others, but it keeps me focused on doing MY PART. There is no one checking on me to make sure I am doing anything and it would be easy to just blow it off, but I really want to get better so I have continued with the routine that was introduced to me in the hospital...and I take weekends off, for the most part.

It has taken a while for my body to "wake up". My apetite was just non-existant, but gradually, it is returning to normal, along with my other bodily functions. Taking a shower is once again a real pleasure, rather than just a necessity. I'm feeling more alive again. Today I rode with my son to pick the Grands up from school and it felt so good to feel the cool breeze blowing thru my hair. This morning after everyone had left, I sat by a window and enjoyed a cup of tea and watched the rainfall. It was so tranquil and I felt so blessed to be in that moment. Then I put my ipod on Beyonce and did my exercises to music. Until this morning, I hadn't felt like listening to music. So little by little, I am returning to "myself." And the best part is that once my knee is healed up, I will be better than ever.

My knee still hurts sometimes. There is an ocassional shooting pain and sometimes I am very aware of that rubber band sensation that everyone else describes. I know that my body is healing and this will just take time. I am continuing to rest, ice, elevate, and medicate. And the beat goes on)

Dori
aka GrandyGirl

 

[karmigirl]

Dori,

What a bright and cheery report. You are doing very well so keep up the great work you have been doing. You have probably been thru the worst of times now. So only upward and onward we go.

 

[Jazyb]

Loving your reports Dori - keep them coming

 

[aretha]

Great report Dori, you sound like a very positive person, and loving that you are doing the exercises to music, I did the same, guess its a habit after doing aquafit for so many years, and I love the beat to the Abba tracks!! Old I know, but soooo good.

Hope you contnue to get better and better, and soon be back to "normal". Take care and keep us posted.

 

[GrandyGirl]

How long are we supposed to wear the aniti-embolism stockings. When I was discharged they said could take them off an hour at a time but I forgot to ask when I could discontinue altogether.

This morning in the shower I notice i spec of blood on my incision line. Probably a piece of scab came off too soon. It only bled for a few seconds and then clotted and now it is ok but I am concerned about bending my knee. I don't want to start bleeding again. So I'm in bed with it elevated. Any suggestions or comments about this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Dori

Dori

 

[GrandyGirl]

Dori,

You have probably been thru the worst of times now. So only upward and onward we go.

Oh wow Karmigirl....I pray that that is true!

 

[GrandyGirl]

Loving your reports Dori - keep them coming

Jo,

You know you went in one week ahead of me, so I'm following you progress regularly. You seem to be doing very well and are having a peaceful recovery with the loving support of your husband

My grandson fell asleep while watching a tv show last night so we let him just sleep thru the night in my bed. A couple of times I had to roll him back over on his side of the bed because he was thrashing about and I was concerned about my knee. I'd forgotten how bad those kids sleep. And his little sister is worse than he is. That won't happen again.

Keep up the good work with your recovery and keep posting your progress. It is very encouraging to me.

Dori

 

[Josephine]

Your surgeon will tell you how long you wear the dreaded TEDs. They all have their own ideas about it. Generally though it's about six weeks.

 

[luvtocamp]

Dori, I had the same thing happen yesterday morning with my incision....my PT had put one steri strip on a weak looking spot last Tuesday. Yesterday after my shower the strip came off... I was very gently cleaning around the spot when one spot of blood appeared. I used some neosporin with a small bandaid. Just hoping and praying everything is okay....my greatest fear is infection....do you have any trouble with swelling behind your knee? I just don't know what to do about this Baker's Cyst, it is really causing me pain right now. I sure do enjoy your posts, hope you have had a good day today.

 

[GrandyGirl]

Your surgeon will tell you how long you wear the dreaded TEDs. They all have their own ideas about it. Generally though it's about six weeks.

What???? That's a looong time!:cry4:

 

[GrandyGirl]

Dori, I had the same thing happen yesterday morning with my incision....my PT had put one steri strip on a weak looking spot last Tuesday. Yesterday after my shower the strip came off... I was very gently cleaning around the spot when one spot of blood appeared. I used some neosporin with a small bandaid. Just hoping and praying everything is okay....my greatest fear is infection....do you have any trouble with swelling behind your knee? I just don't know what to do about this Baker's Cyst, it is really causing me pain right now. I sure do enjoy your posts, hope you have had a good day today.

Hi there Luvtocamp,

Thanks so much for your input. I think there is a tube of bacitracin around here and i might put a little bit in that area because I really do not want to get an infection either.

I can't really say that I have had any abnormal swelling behind my knee but a couple of weeks ago, that area seemed unusually tender and I attributed it to "roaming swelling" (my own terminology)...you know how the swelling just seems to seek its own level sometimes and that area feels tender.

I don't know wht a Baker's cyst is but I hope you are doing ok.


JOSEPHINE, do you think I should put some bacitracin on that little spot or just leave it alone or cover it with a bandage or what?? The bleeding stopped but I am concerned abut what will happen when I resume my heel slides etc Monday morning.

Dori

 

[Jamie]

Dori, your knee is going to be just fine. It is common to have a spot that drains slightly as you're healing. This is just the external part of the incision....don't worry about "breaking anything loose" with heel slides. Trust me....the insides are very well sutured together! Take a look at this thread from the BoneSmart Library:

How Do They Close Wounds?

 

[GrandyGirl]

Hi Jamie,

Thank you very much for the reassurance and the information.

Dori