Greetings from Alaska

[AlaskanTKR]

Ok - So I was prepared to deal with a partial knee replacement when I went in to see the surgeon this morning. We had discussed that 2 years ago when he did the last arthroscpy. So off I go. New Xrays and ughhh. Now we have moved to TKR. I am 42. We have tried putting this off for several years and at this point we are moving forward. I am a special ed teacher up here. I am scheduled for 7/14/08 - I have had 5 other knee ops on same knee - but nothing quite this ummmm..... serious. I am supposed to be back at work around 8/15 (something like that). Based on my past history we think it is reasonable. Not sure. Other issue - my hubby works a 2 weeks on and 1 off out of town. He will need to leave to head back to work 7/23. I have a 9 year old who is fabulous but....
Am I biting off more than I can chew??? Doc seemed to think (again based on past history) I should be ok with all. After reading some of the posts here I am starting to think twice.

Any advice - suggestions - etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, Alaskan! Each person is different, but it sounds like you are getting prepared for your recovery period. Everyone faces challenges, but you can make it work. It is good that your husband will be there for the first week. That is usually the period when you may need assistance most. We'll be here to help you through the times when you need extra support! Don't hesitate to post often!!

 

[JenniferG]

Welcome ALASKAN, TKR recovery is hard work but totally worth it. Like Jamie said, it is good your hubby's home time coincides with your first week after surgery. My hubby went to work during the day as soon as I came home, but he was home nights. Kids love to help at your 9 year old age. Ofcourse they wont be bearing all the burden of caring for you, but they can help with little things. And thelonger you can rest from work the better to get back in the swing. Just know that recovery pain in not the same as what you feel now and gets better while what you're dealing with now will only get worse.

 

[Josephine]

Hi there, Alaskan. I think your plan sounds just about doable but do have a fall back plan just in case. Don't give your plan to your boss cast in tablets of stone.

Hope all goes well and you know we will all be here to bolster you up when you need it!

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Thanks for all your words of encouragement. The TKR really took me off guard. Fortunately I have a boss (principal) who is tremendously easy to work with and many other teachers who are super supportive. My daughter attends the same school with me and plays with lots of the teacher's kids so she will have her own little environment. Withe the way schedules play I actually won't see large groups of kiddos till right around Labor Day - I have to be ready to really be "on" at that time - well at least make it throught the day. I work with 4th and 5th graders so - once again- they will be super helpful. Many have gone through the numerous athroscopies and are neat and caring.

A question about the pain thing. My goal (yes I am setting goals already) is to be home after the 3rd day. I know a lot has to do with things that are beyond my control - so I will not be upset if it doesn't work out that way. For all the ladies out there - how does this compare to child birth. I had 3 days of decent labor b4 going to the hospital - then with the right combination of epidural stuff - just about no pain through what was supposed to be the worst and just pushing - which really wasn't that bad and out she came. I was prepared for agonizing labor. The doc told me I had a very high pain tolerance - as does the ortho I see. He can't believe some of the things I have been doing and why it took me so long to come in and see him again. I was ready to see him back in March when I could no longer carry things up the stairs (this has always been my measure of when I need to go see him) but my daughter broke her wrist a - so she took priority. I know the pain level is different for each person but I am just trying to mentally prepare myself. The good thing is this pain will go away - YEAHHHHH and I can get back on with activities in my life that I can't currently do or without being a mess for several days afterward or sucking down enough of Ibuprofen to drug several large elephants (he won't do cortizone, etc at this time because I have a reputation of then going out and forgeting my knee is totally screwed up - smart guy - yikes).

Thanks for listening to me -
Marianne

 

[Josephine]

Seems to me that most people get home on day 3 or 4, so that's not so 'out there' as a target!

Difference between this and childbirth, so far as I can see, is that the pain only really begins when you're trying to get out of bed! But you sound like you are gearing yourself up for it ok. Best thing about preparing for the worst is that then you're not going to be disappointed.

 

[northman22]

Greetings to a fellow Alaskan! Where do you live? I'm from Homer and had BTKR 2/29/08. I had the surgery done in Anchorage with Dr. Kavanaugh. I returned to work this Monday, so I think Sept. is a very realistic goal. I was released from the hospital on the 5th day and was the last TKR patient to go. The others went from 3 to 4 days, and I think I was the only bilat that week.

Steve

 

[JenniferG]

First, they give you lots of drugs you don't get with child birth/nursing. I would say hospital compared to L&D, TKR in hospital easier. Afterwards, same. Either way, both pains lessen and bring you wonderful joy.

 

[1jt@atime]

Hi Alaskan, The only thing that I've not seen mentioned above is...do you have someone to take you to physical therapy after your husband leaves? Your daughter will be able to help around the house but she won't be able to drive you.

Pain compared to childbirth? It's a completely different thing. The initial pain from the surgery is not what's bad. It's the ongoing recovery period that gets you. It goes on and on when you think you should be healed and you just aren't. It's a very long and frustrating recovery with periods of no progression with spurts of accomplishments. You have to be willing to push yourself right through pain that will stop if you don't push so hard. You don't want to stop because then you won't recoup. With childbirth, you don't have an option.... It's just there and you have to deal with it. There is no stopping the pain to rest.

Don't get me wrong. Once recovered all is great and you will be very happy you did it so don't let me scare you off. I'm getting ready to have my second on Monday and trust me, I wouldn't go through it again if it weren't worth it. Welcome! Karen

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Again - all your support is AWESOME!
Northman - I am up in the valley in Palmer to be precise. I have been dealing with Anchorage Fracture since 2001/McEvoy and now Vasileff (McEvoy was activated during 2002-2003). Having right knee tkr on 7/14 at Prov. I have had 4 of 5 scopes done there and am very pleased. Also had the gallbladder and my baby girl there as well. SUPER Neat staff! Glad to hear you are back at work. My job does not require any type of strain - I can make it work. Hope the fishing is great done there. We love staying out on the spit when we can get down there. Haven't been since last summer and this summer is already slipping away from me! UGHHHHHHHHHHHH I can't even imagine doing both knees at the same time. Fortunately my left is in decent shape and has no issues. Hopefully this will help prevent that.


Jennifer - Thanks for the comparison. L&D was not bad so that is a relief and I love your statement about how the pain form both will lessen and bring joy - I can't wait to get back out there again. My 9 year old is the best thing I have ever done and hopefully this tkr wil be close to the top as well.

1jt - The physical therapy is going to be a bit tricky to schedule. I have some really supportive friends close to here that may be able to pitch in. My sister-in-law is about 30 miles away and is actually getting ready to deliver her 2nd child as I type (dilated at 5/effaced 90%). She is also willing to make the drive. She comes out this way all the time. She is a stay at home mom and she and I are very close (they didn't keep her at the hospital - needless to say I am probably going to have a new neice in the next 24-36 hours).

I am honestly hoping to be able to drive at the 2 week mark so I won't have to trouble anyone. My really good neighbor is out of town during the month of July so I am bummed about that - but I am fortunate to work with some really neat people.

I I am kinda looking at this whole thing as a sort of "re-birth". After my last scope I was able to drop 110 pounds and was "skinny" for the first time in about 20 years. I held it off until I was knocked down at puppy play by a dog who clipped my right knee. OUCH. That began the slow decline AGAIN. Slid on some ice and then fell - when the ice had melted-SPLAT on my face - well actually my knee and elbow. Packed 1/2 of that weight back on because I can no longer walk for more that 15 minutes on the treadmill and the eliptical is totally out. Stationary bike is a pain as well. and weights - ughhhhhhhh. The Treadmill had become my best friend and basic savior - now - ohhhh it is so frustrating. But.... this will all be better. My goal is to get back to work on time and at 6 weeks start back on my treadmill for 15 minute increments and build up SLOWLY. Eventually I want to go back to skiing the lower mountain at Aleyesk (glorified bunny hill). I skied until the dog wiped me out this winter.

Sorry for the long winded replies but it is WONDERFUL to have people to share with and to listen/read their insights on all of this -

Karen, Jaime and Josephine - THANK YOU for all your words of encouragement. They are truly appreciated!

Marianne

 

[northman22]

I've had my left knee scoped by Vasillef 3 times 20+ years ago when I lived in Anchorage. I didn't even know he was still around. I haven't fished yet.....soon! I didn't feel like the rocking boat would be a good thing. Had to choose between fun and work, and made the conservative decision. We have the fishing here but you have the great gardening weather in the valley, and I'm jealous!

I'm glad to hear you are comfortable and familiar with Providence. That will make things easier I'm sure.

Steve

 

[JenniferG]

Two weeks will probably be the earliest for driving. Alot of folk don't drive til 3 or 4 weeks. But everyone is different. Also depends on type of car and which leg. Plus the suggestion is to take a max dose of pain meds before PT so pain doesn't prevent you from pushing and working. Meds and driving don't mix. Just a heads up on that. Maybe to look for a back up plan for a week or two with the rides to PT.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Life is sometimes funny. My sister-in-law has always been my number one help since I met her brother 14 years ago - and vice -versa. Someone up high is looking out for both of us! Her original due date was 6/24 (sandwiched between a wedding I have to be at in NY and a family vacation in southern AK). Helping me out would have been tough 3 weeks after delivery - Well - she delivered a healthy 7.2 lb baby girl at 4 this am. I ran in an picked up her 3 year old at 7 last night and she and her other half rode in to the hospital. Regular delivery and she is a healthy 25 year old so she is already bouncing back! She will be ready to give me a few rides to PT after my honey goes back up to work (6 weeks or so from now - 10 days post knee). It is strange how things seem to work out. I just have to book them later in the day so it won't mess her up to bad.

Hope all are having relaxing days. Again thanks for all the support.

(Northman - Vasileff is still around and taking care of knees. He is going out on vacation the week after my knee but since the practice is large and McEvoy has also been in my knee we are covered in case there are any problems. - I really like him - he has been extremely conservative with tratment and we have gone through all the other options prior to finally deciding this is the option that is necessary for quality of life. Were you done at Prov or AK regional? I have been spoiled and all my medical since moving up here 15 years ago has been at Prov. - Sorry about the fishing - but I totally understand!)