TKR I did it!!

[Cococay]

I know that surgery takes a lot out of a person. But- today for example I’ve felt exhausted all day. Normally always feel hot but off and on chilled today. Except get up to bathroom and my little 7 year old niece painting my nails for me- I’ve slept a lot. I’m still so tired though. My point- is this ok? I feel like I’m being lazy or doing something “wrong “

 

[Jockette]

How nice your niece painted your toenails! I bet it made her feel good to do something for you!

Being exhausted is the energy drain of your body working hard to heal. Rest as much as you can. You are not lazy, or doing anything wrong. By letting your body rest, you are giving it the best opportunity in which to heal. No guilt!

 

[sistersinhim]

Here's an example of what is happening in your body and why you are so tired: Energy drain for TKRs

 

[Cococay]

I was hoping to hear that-thank you. Earlier when I mentioned it my Dad-bless His heart says- well you should be up more- the discharge...... I very crabbily like only an adult daughter having PMS can ( I know would you believe of all times to get it-now cramps- moody-body temp fluctuates)-
I replied- I have still done other stuff though - and I just feel absolutely exhausted-I sleep and I wake up absolutely wiped. He just said I’m “ornery” and I stopped the conversation. So I decided I think I’m good to go home. I have the first pt tomorrow- I will be calling the shots- very nicely- but I’m not over doing it for them. Then I think as much as it’s been great to not have to do things for myself - I don’t know- if might be time.
I’m sorry for whining again. That said - Thank you!

 

[DEL2021Feb-17]

@Cococay

If you think your whining too much read my thread!! You would think as many times as I have been thru this I would be use to it Ha Ha. Pain and me do not exactly get along frankly I hate it!! Hope you do not have this but every once in awhile for no good reason you may have a bad day and its really going to be a bad day I had one yesterday. My guess I've noticed thru the years whenever the weather changes I can tell based on how knee feels here the weather cold wet miserable also had PT that was not too bad except went for 5 minute walk this time just used one crutch longer strides at the end I needed ice pack and to relax. I think the combo was what set the pain into overdrive?? Thank you again for your kind words it helps.
Enough about me isn't recovery fun and exciting?? Add that your family and friends know exactly what you should be doing even though from what you wrote never been through this?? I wish I could tell you give it a couple of weeks you will be fine sorry. Everyday your going to be sore its very important to stay on top of taking pain meds as written falling behind makes it even harder to catch up. Its okay to do daily things around the house but please do not over do it. Its okay to be tired and exhausted no one says your not supposed to be. I think while you claim you whining ( your concerned ) I think based on what you've written your doing great keep it up!!

 

[Birdgirl]

Part of the recovery process for me was to ALLOW myself to lay around during the day. Just not use to it. Sleep was all over the map as well so just gave myself permission to just go with the flow and not hang onto a 'normal' schedule. And especially not feel guilty about anything! At about 6/7 weeks I was gradually getting into a more normal sleep pattern and daily routine. Winter and snow now so don't feel guilty hibernating . Looking forward to spring activities.

 

[Carmencita]

@Cococay thank you so much for your response regarding my new date for surgery. I am very nervous, but the fact I had another bleed yesterday has finally made it clear to me that I NEED TO GET IT DONE!

I hope your recovery is going well, even though your family mean well, it must be so frustrating to have them giving you the benefit of their opinion, even if they do mean well!

I do hope your PT goes well tomorrow, sound like you are well prepared and ready not to let them push you.

Please don’t feel guilty about rest and sleep and exhaustion. Your body has been through major trauma, not just your knee. Rest will help you heal.

Good luck at PT!

 

[djklaugh]

@Cococay Dear Dad Tell him that since (I'm guessing here) he has never had a knee replaced he does NOT get to comment on your recovery! It sounds like he wants you back to full darling helpful sweet ( ) daughter that you were before .... well, Dad, it's going to take time ... lots of time!! Even if you'd had some other kind of major surgery (appendix, gall bladder, etc) you'd need more than 8 days to recover from it! And since a knee is a major weight bearing joint that got royally sliced up and had new hard wear installed .... that is going to take a lot of healing and resting and slow, gentle, patient TLC!!!

 

[Cococay]

My Mom has had both knees replaced (not same time) and my Dad a hip. However- just because they chose a certain way doesn’t make mine “wrong” which is what I repeat often.
I stopped pain meds -Sunday night. I think I will be going home Friday. Otherwise i would need to get my work computer etc over here -I’m ready to go home. I see the PA that morning and plan to drive to my appointment.
So my first PT appt- well- I was surprised actually because she told me that she does not want me pushing at all or doing much due to the amount of swelling- and said that will only make things a lot worse- the surgery did so much to your muscles...... which I know but was very glad she said it. I didn’t measure great. One was 20 and should be zero and the bending was 79 and they want 90. But she even said don’t worry at all about that. She said I’m doing great. I got to sit and use one of there game day ice machines after and it was great.
I am sore though. Tolerable for sure. Doing all that wore me out so I’ve been just sitting here icing on and off. I am so curious if I had a minimally invasive or -what type I had but I guess the op note wasn’t there yet. I’ve seen a few people post pics of X-ray they got either during or after surgery- how did you guys get that and when was it taken? I have my MyChart but here’s no X-ray from the hospital stay.

 

[FCBayern]

I am so curious if I had a minimally invasive or -what type I had but I guess the op note wasn’t there yet.

I've never heard of Minimally invasive knee replacement @Cococay . Your bones were remodeled to accommodate the new hardware that was then attached and everything in the area had to be stretched and moved out of the way to accomplish that. There are some YouTube videos available if you want to watch an actual TKR to see what's involved, I watched one on ankle replace after I had my surgery and might have reconsidered doing it if I had watched the video first. Orthopedic surgery is a whole lot like carpentry, it involves drills, hammers, and saws. I didn't get copies of my knee or hip x-rays, but I could have at my 6 week check when they did fresh ones. Sounds like you got a PT that understands TKR! That's fantastic, you are definitely one of the lucky ones there!

 

[kneeper]

Your PT has the right approach! And 79 bend is not bad this early.

 

[Cococay]

She didn’t make me feel bad at all- she didn’t tell me even I had to ask. A lot of people post about it though.... I know guidelines say your ROM isn’t gone- it’s simply waiting for time and healing. It’s hard though not to compare myself to others.

 

[Pumpkln]

Glad you had an up to date PT, sounds like you are on your way to recovery.

 

[TKRsharon]

@Cococay I am sorry to say this, but it's not good to have anyone around who is not going to be helpful and can refrain from "making helpful comments." I know it's your dad, but it will not help with your recovery. I did not answer the phone or texts because I did not want to get anyone's advice, and mostly because I was crying all the time. I hired around the clock help for the first week and because of Covid had limited visitors. They helped me go to the bathroom and bring me ice and that's about it. I mentioned earlier, I really did not eat. People really mean well, but unless they have been tthrough this, they have NO IDEA!!! Also, do not let the PT push you!! Tired is good -- rest when you can.
Wishing you a good recovery and hope I can help. Take care of yourself!!

 

[FCBayern]

I know guidelines say your ROM isn’t gone- it’s simply waiting for time and healing. It’s hard though not to compare myself to others.

Deep, breath @Cococay all's good and you are doing very well. You have it 100% right the ROM is there, you just need to let your knee recover enough to find it. Compared to my recovery you are ahead of me, and I've had a wonderful result. Your futures so bright you'll need to wear shades!

 

[DEL2021Feb-17]

@Cococay

Not trying to be mean but really who cares?? As myself and others have mentioned do not compare yourself to others there really is no point. It takes some months to get to a certain number but please tell me do you really think all of us heal exactly the same way?? That would be great I could have a book with a checklist of exactly what to expect when. Your ROM will get there if you want to try and over do it go ahead but all that does is cause pain and swelling I personally hate pain. As myself and others have said patience follow the guidelines given here they do work.

 

[DEL2021Feb-17]

I read you had the Game Ready after PT to me its the best thing since sliced bread!! Love it wish I had one. If your into gore look up knee replacement surgery on You Tube. All I can say imagine the absolute blood and guts movie you have ever seen this makes it seem like a family movie. I saw a Hinged Knee Replacement video on You Tube. Since its for medical use different names but a hammer is a hammer a drill is a drill use different bits to widen bone to attach implant in my case even used a chisel. After 9 minutes I had enough it turned my stomach yuck.

 

[Bishop]

So glad you are doing so well!! Wow! How many days is it now after surgery? And your PT sounds great! How did you do sleeping when you 1st got home? Were you in a bed or recliner? If it’s a bed did you need help lifting your leg? My surgery is the 3rd and they have me doing out patient pt on the 8th. How many days after was your 1st appointment. I’m SO GLAD you are doing so well! Every body is telling me I ll get home on the 5th and I’ll be in so much pain I shouldn’t be alone. I need to avoid falls. What did your parents help with; like will I need someone pulling me out of a chair and help up off toilet? I’m sorry I hope this isn’t too personal and if it is just let me know you are not comfortable talking about something.

 

[Cococay]

@Bishop . No these things are the real questions-the ones that helped me prepare.
I have not previously shared this on this site for fear of judgement. I’m in recovery for 12-13 years and as long have been on medication called suboxone. Ultimately the impact it had was my pain was hard to manage because this med blocks opiates. I stopped it 24 hours pre surg and it allowed some of it to get through but they had to just give me more - so the surgeon arranged for a pain specialist to see me the day of surgery-which was the worse pain wise. So it’s hard to know if the pain I dealt with was impacted by all that. What I will say is that between day 4-6 for me was like a total turn around.
in the hospital and at my Parents I have slept in recliner. The biggest help from Them has been them getting me pop and water and ice. The first day I was home (well there house) had them hold the recliner while I stood up which helped. It’s still
Sore and stiff of course but I’m very lucky because the awful pain left me after a few days.
oh also my Parents installed temporary rails on the sides of the toilet-huge help.
I was so out of shape because of how limited I was that I need to make sure I work on getting to a “normal level”.
i know I have times of pain and will have pain. But it’s a different pain.
I’m much more exhausted then expected I noticed too. It’s about 9 days since surgery

 

[FCBayern]

Anyone who would judge you poorly because you have been in successful recovery for 12-13 years is an idiot or a fool. That's a remarkable achievement and one to be proud of. I'm glad you have been able to manage pain successfully, and oh that exhaustion! All a part of the ride @Cococay.