Holding off on the manipulation

[AlaskanTKR]

Greetings from the Far North where the snow has crept halfway down the mountains that surround the valley!

I had a strange week with the knee wo I have been icing and sleeping a lot! Monday we added the treadmill in for 20 minutes - well - Monday night and Tuesday I had tremendous swelling which impacted Wednesdays ROM - 85 and the pt wouldn't go any further - way too tight and too swollen. We thought it might have just been the weather or lack of icinng that morning - didn't catch the treadmill tie in till today when I am way swollen again and guess what we did yesterday - the treadmill for 15 minutes. hmmmmm maybe a connection.

Well anyway - saw the OS on Thursday afternoon. very happy that when he pushes the knee down to the table for extention there is no pain - I felt like we had finally accomplished something positive - he kept asking if it hurt - well it was uncomfy but it didn't hurt - he was pleased - me too.

Then we moved to the flesion - well...... that we knew from PT was a problem - and yes he agreed. We sat and he explained that we could go with a manipulation - he explained pros and cons but in the end he really wished I could get the ROM on my own - and with the history of swelling he isn't sure how much more I could get - but it is definitely an option to consider - and oh---- by the way he is out of town for the whole month of October - ughhh - Then we talked about any other alternatives - that may not cause me to swell up - He talked about a JAS Brace. It sounded like a possibility to try before we commit to the manipulation. So... I was a chicken and opten for this instead. I have another appointment with him this Thursday so that we can finalize things b4 he goes. I have no problem seeing any of his partners - one has actually scoped my knee, my husband's knee and set my kids arm.

So PT ordered the JAS brace and I will try that first - if no progress then off for the manipulation.\

So that's my story - Hopefully I can avoid the manipulation but if necessary he is all for it - I think he would have done it this week if I hadn't asked about alternatives. He is happy that I am willing to try an alternative first - even with winter approaching. PT was thrilled with my decision- The PT said save that if this doesn't work - the manipulation will definitely swell my knee worse than it is right now and he doesn't know how we can get through it all again. But if it doesn't work then we will do it!

Enjoy the weekend!
Marianne

 

[Rowdy66]

Alaska, you are certainly a trooper and a very brave one at that, considering all the problems you have had with swelling in the leg. I wish you the very best and will keep you in my prayers. Rowdy

 

[Josephine]

Isn't she just!

 

[AlaskanTKR]

The good thing is it is only swelling - not pain so it isn't nearly as bad as others have it with pain or problems with their implants. Not really a trooper - just a whiner! But its great to have people to turn to for support! My hubby and lil one are up in the "village" this weekend (Noatak, AK - 60 miles above the Arctic Circle - village of 400 on the Noatak river in NW Alaska) so I am enjoying using the computer, hanging with my puppies (no brushing - just sitting and sleeping) and catching up on some paperwork. Looking forward to trying this JAS thing with fairly high expectations. Hopefully I have made the right choice -

My end goals are what keep me from getting to blue - I recommend choosing them for anyone who is struggling - mine are getting back on the treadmill (accomplished) - loosing all the weight I packed on this winter and skiing the lower mountain - probably NEXT season. Its a bunny /beginner hill the OS said it will be ok if I promise to stay upright!

Have a good evening!
Marianne

 

[JudyS]

Marianne,
Glad you are trying the JAS thingy!! I pray that it works. I know the swelling is no fun.
Alaska sounds beautiful. This must be an awesome time of year before the negative temps kick in.
Glad you are resting.
Judy

 

[nin]

what an amazing place to live,.
And out of curiosity what sort of puppies?.....
Nin

 

[Rowdy66]

Have to second what the others said about Alaska having to be a beautiful place but just living there makes you a trooper in my eyes. Hon, you are far from a whiner and believe me I do know the difference. I would love it if you would post some pictures of the surroundings where you live so we could actually see. I have this vision in my head when you talk about it and I would love to know if it is anything like the reality. And I second Nin, what kind of puppies or are you like me and my husband, our 10 year old lab is still a pup to us. We have 6 dogs and all are like our children, we sleep with the four little ones although since getting Rocket while I was in the hospital having my knees done Spike my 40 pound teacup Chihuahua has moved into one of the really tiny dogs carriers that we keep in the bedroom for emergencies. So funny to watch him get settled, it is way to small for him yet he insists on going in and turning around and going through all the rituals he would normally go through. The other day I lost him and Rocket our really tiny new guy and they were both in this small carrier taking a nap. As you can tell they are the most interesting thing in my life. Could be worse though I am not complaining. Hope you are having a great weekend boners. Rowdy

 

[AlaskanTKR]

No knee stuff - only AK info for those who asked (I love it here and ramble on way too much)

Yes - the place where we live is really awesome and where I met my hubby was pristine. I spent 7 years in a little place called Noatak along the Noatak River - the only village on this beautiful river close to the tree line. Just south of the Brooks range. No roads - accessible by boat, snowmachine or small plane.
Now we live on the road system. We are like a suburb of Anchorage - 45 miles north on the only road that can get you here. You may have seen the now infamous "Wasilla, Alaska" on the news. Palmer is the adjoining town. We are the heart of a school district that is the size of West Virginia. We are in a valley nestled between the Chucach Mountains and the mountains surranding Mount McKinley (Denali National Park). I will try to post some pics later this week. My hubby is the pro at that and he should be back late Monday. Unfortunately some of the news reports (and SNL) makes us sound really odd. Oh.. and I have seen RUSSIA from a place called Kivalina (next village over from Noatak - sometimes the planes lasn there on the way to Noatak) on a crystal clear winter day 10 years ago! Its even closer from some of the islands off the nw coast. If you got a chance to watch some of the FOX news coverage with Greta VS she was basically down the road from where we live - same backround - but now we have had a bunch of rain which has translated to snow in the upper elevations - 3200 feet. We had an inservice presenter on Friday who was staying at the hotel where all the secret service are hold up and he kept being confused for one - he wears a hearing aid. We don't have the greatest accommodations out here - ANchorage is more the touristy area!

My Puppies are an Alaskan Huskey who turned 2 in July- He is so scrawny. We call him our adhd anorexic pup. He is from one of the local mushers. He is built for speed not weight. Very smart and very loyal - but very very busy! He loves to cuddle. He tops the scales at about 55 pounds these days. My other 2 are a brother and sister pair of Giant Alaskan Malemutes. They are bred to be slightly brawnier than standard mals. They are 18 months old. SHe weighed in at 117 pounds and he was a whooping 127 at our last weigh in. I am sure he has grown since July. We usually get them weighed once a month but since the knee I haven't taken them - A bit worried if they see something small they might pull a bit too hard. They are big pussycats. I gave up trying to keep them off the furniture - it became a game - so I have great covers for my furniture and happy dogs.

OK - I have rambled on way to much. I will work on the pics and see what I can do!

Hang in there - you all will soon have the turning leaves and crisp scent of the fall- Ill send it your way!
Marianne

 

[nin]

Sounds amazing and you ramble on aqs much as you like,
As for your puppy! I have a japanese akita,mad as a march hare,soft as they come,we have only ever had snow once in his young life and he ran a mile! so guessing he is a climate change Akita...lol
Just looking forward to him taking me for a walk again...it has been to long
Nin

 

[Rowdy66]

Marianne, I love your posts, ramble on lady. Here in Tucson we are in a valley, desert and cactus and rattle snakes and Colorado River toads and scorpions and tarantulas, all part of the desert but surrounded by mountain ranges on almost all sides. We don't get fall, maybe half a day on a good year. I moved here about twenty years ago in the middle of winter and swore I would never miss the snow but after a while you do miss it but not driving in it. I think you have the most amazing life and are a true adventurer. As for your dogs, good for you. We have six dogs, our children. One is a black lab that is 10 years old and weighs 130 pounds, a four year old pit bull who is the sweetest dog I have ever owned just about. She only weighs 75 pounds. Then we get into the really red zone dogs, the little tyrants. We have one that we paid for that was supposed to be half chihuahua and had Pomeranian and top out at no more than 6 pounds. Slept in my husbands slipper when we got him but something went wrong, he weighs 40 pounds and the Pomeranian ended up being a bull dog. Shyest animal I have ever owned, have to give him a Valium when it rains, he thinks the sky is falling. First thing he does every morning is look up to see if there is rain and if there are clouds he is quick taking care of his business. Then we have three little guys that weigh around 9 pounds each. The last one we got the day after my knee surgery. My son and husband were driving down the freeway and someone had put him out of their car and he was chasing cars and 18 wheelers down the road. They pulled over and my son got out of the truck and called him and he ran and jumped into his arms. He weighed 5 pounds and was literally starving, didn't think we would ever get him full. Now he weighs 10 pounds barely and when my son comes over he sits and looks at him like he was worshiping him, and they say dogs don't remember. Anyway you can see our lives down here at the other end of the States is a lot less exciting than up your way. You just can't tell me too much about where you live, I can picture what you are describing. I just wish you were feeling better so you could get out and do more of the things I know you love to do. Your children are so lucky, do they just love it there? Well, I have rambled on too long. Be looking forward to you posting those pictures. Hope you are feeling better, try not to over do on the treadmill. Rowdy

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Thanks all for letting me ramble on. I totally know what you mean about getting the dog out for a walk. I spent last fall and early winter walking my big boy - Vander. I wouldn't dare do it now. He weighedin this weekend at 134 - and actually is trim. Vet is thrilled that he is not heavy and could actually add a few more pounds and it wouldn't hurt. He is truly my gentle giant. But.... walking him is tricky - we use the gentle leader and a leash with an extra handle lower to the base. He generally heals pretty good for a sled puller but has a tendenacy to get very happy when he sees birds or other small critters. I am afraid he may take me for a drag instead of walk.

Anyway - I saw the OS today. He is off to Buhtan (spelling???) for a month to teach and do some clinic work - he is sooooo neat. He was disappointed that the JAS hadn't gotten here yet - the joys of living in a state where next day air usually means 3 days later - for the same cost. He wants me to see one of the other partners in 2 weeks. I asked him what he would do in my shoes (I asked him that about the TKR back when we decided to do it). He hedged a bit but said to go with the advice in 2 weeks and he is comfortable letting the other guy do the manipulation if its recommended. I could also wait if we think there is enough of progress to warrant it. It was a quick apt. but he managed to give me the confidence to continue to putter along. He said he really wants to see me get the full benefit of the surgery and get back to where I was prior to last winters spills. He made me feel like he really will go all out to get the ROM as long as I hold up my end. He was sweet - on the way out of the room - he watched me walke to the end of the corridor and actually kinda shouted - The walk looks sooo much better - scared the begebers outta me - didn't realize he was watching. I really think he will stick with me till we get it where it needs to be.

Oh - the mountains are 3/4 covered to the 750 foot level and they are forecasting out first ground snow for Monday - UGHHHHH. My kid is doing the happy dance and I am more determined than ever to get the ROM - She loves to ski and maybe just maybe I may be able to do a slow slide down the bunny hill in the spring if the OS says I could!

Better get going - Enjoy that Arizona sunshine! And 6 pups - wow! We can't keep up with 3. Enjoy them ni the sunshine. Mine are camped out on the living room couches like one of the family (Vander takes up the whole loveseat!)

Marianne