TKR Hopefaith's Ups and Downs of Recovery
- Thread starter hopefaith
- Start date
@hopefaith @JustJeff @pumpkin @kneeper
I also am glad to hear from you, Hopefaith! Difficult times are so much easier to go through with the compassion of friends (all of you). I again had another sleepless night and then fell asleep at 5:30 am. I just can't get any night time sleeping and then when I do, I wake up with excruciating pain in my knee. Constantly forgetting to take my pain meds during the night, but they keep me wide awake! I did not get much exercise in today, however, my hubby took me to my office for a trail run. Tomorrow I have to start back for 2 hours a day working upwards to full time. Needless to say, I overdid it again and was crawling back to the ice machine as soon as I got home.
Words cannot express how much each and everyone of you is appreciated! Some people say that social media is a "disconnect " to the real world. Well, I don't buy that! Gid has deeply blessed me with people like all of you on this site that have given of yourselves so unselfishly. Always a kind, thoughtful word. A great amount of awesome advise, and a heaping amount of caring for each other's progress.Wei now, I just call that just plain being blessed!
Thank you all for being my friend during this new experience of major surgery! Have a good night, sleep well and continue to heal!
I also am glad to hear from you, Hopefaith! Difficult times are so much easier to go through with the compassion of friends (all of you). I again had another sleepless night and then fell asleep at 5:30 am. I just can't get any night time sleeping and then when I do, I wake up with excruciating pain in my knee. Constantly forgetting to take my pain meds during the night, but they keep me wide awake! I did not get much exercise in today, however, my hubby took me to my office for a trail run. Tomorrow I have to start back for 2 hours a day working upwards to full time. Needless to say, I overdid it again and was crawling back to the ice machine as soon as I got home.
Words cannot express how much each and everyone of you is appreciated! Some people say that social media is a "disconnect " to the real world. Well, I don't buy that! Gid has deeply blessed me with people like all of you on this site that have given of yourselves so unselfishly. Always a kind, thoughtful word. A great amount of awesome advise, and a heaping amount of caring for each other's progress.Wei now, I just call that just plain being blessed!
Thank you all for being my friend during this new experience of major surgery! Have a good night, sleep well and continue to heal!
Betsy-Knees-7-2014
member
Ah I see you have an ice machine. Would you give us the run down on it. Did you get it right after surgery? What's the brand name? Is there anything about it that would help us going forward...? Thanks Quasi.
@Betsy-Knees-7-2014
I neglected to put your name on this post! I apologize, for you have helped me see the humor in circumstances! May God Bless you!
I
I neglected to put your name on this post! I apologize, for you have helped me see the humor in circumstances! May God Bless you!
I
OP
OP
hopefaith
post-grad
@Quasi I am sorry you are having trouble sleeping. I had no trouble sleeping and had read others had. Now the past 2 weeks I have had more difficulty sleeping than ever. I worry about you going back to work so very soon. I get it too. Lots of pressure to do so. Can you have lots of ice handy, a pillow for under your knee and a great chair for elevating? I know it would not be ideal, but at least it would be a mini B.S. scenario. I don't want your healing to be delayed from jumping out of the gait (pun intended) too soon.
I ice so much. I am now worried about becoming so sedentary, my body won't have any concept of exercise and working out again. :D I do walk some. .....until Madam knee tells me to get back to icing and elevating. She is so picky, but I hear if I listen to her now, I won't regret it later.
I hope I don't come across lecturie (new coined term by MaryJean). I certainly do not mean it to be that way. I just really do care about your healing. I also love that you love C.S. Lewis. I should go back and re-read the Tales of Narnia. So many metaphors, even for adults, or especially for adults.
I wish you the best tomorrow. Let us know how it goes. Oh, I SO remember the feeling of waking up in excruciating pain at night. It does get a lot better. It really does, but it takes time. There is nothing about this
recovery that is fast. I pray for better sleep tonight for you.
~hopefaith
`
I ice so much. I am now worried about becoming so sedentary, my body won't have any concept of exercise and working out again. :D I do walk some. .....until Madam knee tells me to get back to icing and elevating. She is so picky, but I hear if I listen to her now, I won't regret it later.
I hope I don't come across lecturie (new coined term by MaryJean). I certainly do not mean it to be that way. I just really do care about your healing. I also love that you love C.S. Lewis. I should go back and re-read the Tales of Narnia. So many metaphors, even for adults, or especially for adults.
I wish you the best tomorrow. Let us know how it goes. Oh, I SO remember the feeling of waking up in excruciating pain at night. It does get a lot better. It really does, but it takes time. There is nothing about this
recovery that is fast. I pray for better sleep tonight for you.
~hopefaith
`
@Betsy-Knees-7-2014
Oh my! You have got to get personnel with my Mr. Iceman! My OS ordered it for me to take home. Well, the actuall name is DONJOY ICEMAN CLEAR! It is about a 3 gallon square bucket with a tube that attached to a wrap that goes on your knee fastened with Velcro straps . You put what we and ice in it and when you turn it on it constantly is moving cold water into the wrap around your knee and pushing the warm water back into the ice bucket to get cold again. It is truly awesome and has helped me so much. You should be able to get your OS to write you a script for one, I am sure that being in California , they are a amiable there. If you can not find it, let me know and I will find the manufacturer for you.
My ICEMAN is the main thing I look forward to everyday! I use it at least 4 hours a day.
Please let me know if you need some help!
P,S, I love your avatar! My hair was the same style before my last hairdresser got a hold of it!
Oh my! You have got to get personnel with my Mr. Iceman! My OS ordered it for me to take home. Well, the actuall name is DONJOY ICEMAN CLEAR! It is about a 3 gallon square bucket with a tube that attached to a wrap that goes on your knee fastened with Velcro straps . You put what we and ice in it and when you turn it on it constantly is moving cold water into the wrap around your knee and pushing the warm water back into the ice bucket to get cold again. It is truly awesome and has helped me so much. You should be able to get your OS to write you a script for one, I am sure that being in California , they are a amiable there. If you can not find it, let me know and I will find the manufacturer for you.
My ICEMAN is the main thing I look forward to everyday! I use it at least 4 hours a day.
Please let me know if you need some help!
P,S, I love your avatar! My hair was the same style before my last hairdresser got a hold of it!
@hopefaith
Thank you for your concerns about me going back to work, my husband will make sure I am only there foe 2 hours, for he has been so strict with me ( he has to be, I am such a stubborn human )
It is so comforting to know that you know how it feels. But Hopefaith, what bothers ME the most is my thought process. I am neglecting my physical well being due to my fear (probably unfounded ) of losing my job.
Now I know that God already knows my tomorrow's, and I know that He loves me and He wants only the best for me, so my tiny self thinks I know better than my Lord? Oh no, I don't think so..I will be praying for His direction for my immediate future. Please pray that I will listen to Him and obey!
I have already experienced the consequences of not obeying, so I know that He is working on me, molding me into His likeness. I pray that I will become more pliable in His capable hands. Thank you for being my sounding board !
God bless, and I am praying for you as well.
Thank you for your concerns about me going back to work, my husband will make sure I am only there foe 2 hours, for he has been so strict with me ( he has to be, I am such a stubborn human )
It is so comforting to know that you know how it feels. But Hopefaith, what bothers ME the most is my thought process. I am neglecting my physical well being due to my fear (probably unfounded ) of losing my job.
Now I know that God already knows my tomorrow's, and I know that He loves me and He wants only the best for me, so my tiny self thinks I know better than my Lord? Oh no, I don't think so..I will be praying for His direction for my immediate future. Please pray that I will listen to Him and obey!
I have already experienced the consequences of not obeying, so I know that He is working on me, molding me into His likeness. I pray that I will become more pliable in His capable hands. Thank you for being my sounding board !
God bless, and I am praying for you as well.
OP
OP
hopefaith
post-grad
OP
OP
hopefaith
post-grad
So, my report today is......wait for it....stiff knee. I do anything and it becomes stiff within min. Is this typical knee rebellion? Is it bad to try to walk once it is stiffening up? I do all the mantras, of course, but I would like to do a FEW things. I did get a Rx. for Tramadol, so I may start that tonight.
~hopefaith
~hopefaith
OP
OP
hopefaith
post-grad
@JustJeff what is the report on your scar today? I was out for a few min. literally a few min. and within seconds of sunlight hitting my scar, I could feel it.
I have been told by several people that I am walking "better". (whatever that means) I still use a crutch whenever I am out. I limp around the house, but try to be aware of the heel strike.
I have been told by several people that I am walking "better". (whatever that means) I still use a crutch whenever I am out. I limp around the house, but try to be aware of the heel strike.
JustJeff
graduate
The scars are feeling better now that I shaved both knees. I just may be able to sleep with my knees covered!
My daughter kept on telling me preoperative, do anything you can to walk without a limp. Use whatever support you need. This is one of the reasons I'm so glad I had both done at once. As they're healing evenly I have no limp at all. Flashback to before, hobbling all over the place but trying not to limp.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
My daughter kept on telling me preoperative, do anything you can to walk without a limp. Use whatever support you need. This is one of the reasons I'm so glad I had both done at once. As they're healing evenly I have no limp at all. Flashback to before, hobbling all over the place but trying not to limp.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
DogLoverx3
post-grad
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@JustJeff ~ sounds like you have hypersensitive knees right now? I had that whole loveliness (insert sarcasm here) as well - couldn't have anything touching my knees. Try wrapping them in saran wrap. Seriously. It works. I promise - when you have your knees covered with the cling film, they can't feel the other things touching them!
Hiya @hopefaith - just wanted to check in and let you know I was thinking of you and hope you had a good day. Things are crazy around here so i'm not able to check in often, but you're all in my thoughts! xoxoxo
Hiya @hopefaith - just wanted to check in and let you know I was thinking of you and hope you had a good day. Things are crazy around here so i'm not able to check in often, but you're all in my thoughts! xoxoxo
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Hopefaith, Just stopping by to say Hi and see how you are doing, hope you had a good day.
71Beetle
post-grad
@hopefaith just checking in to see how you are doing. Hope everything is going well!
Tamsmom
senior
HopeFaith....the quote of the night, "nothing about this recovery is fast"
That is for darn sure!
Normal? It's just a setting on the dryer, I sure wish I would have appreciated it when I had it.
Take care, I hope your depression and dark place get better soon, I have been there and still struggle so I know I get it and I think many others here can relate.
4/1/2014 TKR
That is for darn sure!
Normal? It's just a setting on the dryer, I sure wish I would have appreciated it when I had it.
Take care, I hope your depression and dark place get better soon, I have been there and still struggle so I know I get it and I think many others here can relate.
4/1/2014 TKR
@Jozilla
I was reading your response to @hopefaith 's comment regarding back pain. After many a fitful, sleepiness night ( still going on ). I wake up not knowing what hurts worse, my knee or back! So I get up plug my heating pad on, get my coffee and bucket of ice and sit in recliner with heating pad on my back and ice on my knee! Oh my, the joy of feeling pain relief in two areas at one time! Two things I will never give up now are my ICEMAN machine, and my heating pad , It doesn't take much to please me!
Take care of yourself and God bless,
I was reading your response to @hopefaith 's comment regarding back pain. After many a fitful, sleepiness night ( still going on ). I wake up not knowing what hurts worse, my knee or back! So I get up plug my heating pad on, get my coffee and bucket of ice and sit in recliner with heating pad on my back and ice on my knee! Oh my, the joy of feeling pain relief in two areas at one time! Two things I will never give up now are my ICEMAN machine, and my heating pad , It doesn't take much to please me!
Take care of yourself and God bless,
@hopefaith and @Betsy-Knees-7-2014 !
Unbelievable , I did NOT go into work yesterday as I did not sleep at all until 6 :15am.I woke upL around 19am and had forgottenen to take my pain medication! On top of that my PT put 21/2 pound weight on my ankles and had.me do leg lifts from a sitting position. I'mresh my, so painful! Mohave not recovered yet from the pain. However, one of my front office employees quit without notice, so off I go into work. I was there almost four hours ( took my ice machine with me) got home Nd Could not wait to elevate my knee with a fresh Mr. Iceman full of ice. My Sunday school class made dinner for us and had it here by 6:15pm..I Ate laying on the couch with leg elevated and promptly fell asleep! Woke up about 10 pm and now am trying to dg get some sleep. Today WIPED ME OUT,I had no IDE how fatigued we all are from this surgery! I have to go in tomorrow bit first thing I am going to take care of is getting a temporary employee in..because I definitely am not ready to go back to work! On this is soo hard!
Unbelievable , I did NOT go into work yesterday as I did not sleep at all until 6 :15am.I woke upL around 19am and had forgottenen to take my pain medication! On top of that my PT put 21/2 pound weight on my ankles and had.me do leg lifts from a sitting position. I'mresh my, so painful! Mohave not recovered yet from the pain. However, one of my front office employees quit without notice, so off I go into work. I was there almost four hours ( took my ice machine with me) got home Nd Could not wait to elevate my knee with a fresh Mr. Iceman full of ice. My Sunday school class made dinner for us and had it here by 6:15pm..I Ate laying on the couch with leg elevated and promptly fell asleep! Woke up about 10 pm and now am trying to dg get some sleep. Today WIPED ME OUT,I had no IDE how fatigued we all are from this surgery! I have to go in tomorrow bit first thing I am going to take care of is getting a temporary employee in..because I definitely am not ready to go back to work! On this is soo hard!
chestnc
big-cheese
Hi @Quasi, I hope you don't mind me answering you in this thread. I guess I am like you in as much as I woke up and cannot sleep. It was a bit stuffy which may be what woke me up. Knee a little sore. I understand exactly what you are talking about with back pain and knee pain Two different pains to deal with. Not pleasant at all!! 
I have RA so I am dealing with pain all over and still having knee pain at times and I will be almost 8 months post op. I still take pain medication mostly due to the RA which causes me a great deal of pain at times all over. I have a heated mattress pad cover for my bed. When my back starts hurting I get in bed elevate my legs and turn on the heated pad and the heat comes from underneath. That may be beneficial for you as well. You just had your knee done Just under a month and you are back to work already..
I wish you well and hope that you are feeling better soon 
I have RA so I am dealing with pain all over and still having knee pain at times and I will be almost 8 months post op. I still take pain medication mostly due to the RA which causes me a great deal of pain at times all over. I have a heated mattress pad cover for my bed. When my back starts hurting I get in bed elevate my legs and turn on the heated pad and the heat comes from underneath. That may be beneficial for you as well. You just had your knee done Just under a month and you are back to work already..I wish you well and hope that you are feeling better soon
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