TKR I have a new knee!

[Michael Reed]

I almost feel guilty as charged and part of the reason you are feeling down about your progress because of how well mine is going. I know this isn't the case but I do think that you possibly are comparing our recoveries since we both had surgery at the same time.

Like I have told you I have had my bad days and my days that I just don't feel like myself. I just tend to hide that and keep it to myself more and just post about the positives.

Keep your head up and keep listening to your body. It's going to tell you how you are progressing and don't feel bad when things don't seem to be going like you expected. Remember that everyone is different and that you are a superstar in our eyes for getting this far.

 

[karmigirl]

Nyland,
Something to keep in mind, all those people that have healed and are now living there new knee lives, probably don't or don't want to remember what they felt like at 3 weeks. Use them as a testament that things really do get better nad YES you will be there in the near future too. Now at 14 mos. I haven't forgotten that it was tough in the beginning but I really can't tell you how bad the pain was at 3 weeks, I just know that how I feel now is soooo much better than before the surgery. Keep your chin up and stick with you bonesmart family and we will all do our best to get you thru this.

 

[Nyland]

Awwwww, Michael, thanks. I love that you are doing so well and I love reading your posts! I think that you are definitely right about me, though. I'm an over achiever. That's ok when it comes to academics and work, but not in recovery. I've already decided that tomorrow is going to be a better day. I'm going to enjoy every little thing I can tomorrow. I'm going to try over achieving some positive. God knows I've had enough of funk these past couple of days. I'm really fortunate to have a surgery buddy that is doing so well. It helps and inspires. I'm very proud of you and feel blessed that you are my friend!

 

[Nyland]

Thank you so much, Rose! I know that you are right. Thank you for taking the time to respond with your very wise advice.

 

[Nyland]

Much, much, much better day! Thank you for talking me off the ledge. You're a wonderful bunch!

 

[bottomshollow]

CAN YOU TELL HOW HAPPY WE ARE FOR YOU? SURE, YOU CAN!

 

[Nyland]

I sure can! Thanks, Judy!

 

[KathyH]

That's very good to hear, Nyland. Didn't like to think of you being sad my friend I guess that is something I have to look forward to

Kathy
xx

 

[ladyj]

I went to the physio today, and apparently I am flying. I have a ROM of 115 after two weeks and everything is looking fine.
My X rays are spectacularly good.The physio is a surgical practitioner so was hands on during my op, and is delighted with the result.
Then I came home and slept for the rest of the day because I was so exhausted. In fact I have never felt so exhausted in my life as I do after this operation.
So it is ups and downs.
Signs of ultimate success ahead, also exhaustion, nausea and muscular pain in my upper chest ever since I pulled everything the first night out of bed and using crutches.
Stay with us Nyland. We will get there, it is just going to take a little time.

 

[Nyland]

Thanks, Kathy. I was just in a funk. Today was a great day. I did a bit of laundry, had PT, changed the sheets, did some work by email, and took a little walk with my poodle. I didn't do a lot, but I did enough to make me feel useful and more like myself. You know how a funk can just snowball? I was feeling bad that my husband was taking care of me, and I wanted to take care myself and yes, I admit everyone else, too.

WOW, wow, wow LadyJ! You are a SUPERSTAR! I can get to 100 plus and that is pushing beyond my limit. My PT massaged along y scar today. It is really, really tight along the outside and I still don't have feeling there it all. It helped tremendously. I have been released from home PT and won't be sent to a center until I see my OS on 9/6. He really has been treating my inflammation gently. You are doing so well. Sorry about the chest muscles. Thanks so much for sharing. We can do this together and Kathy will be along next week!

 

[KathyH]

Viv, you and Nyland are both most definitely getting there, with flying colours. Nyland, you're only three weeks out and you done all that today? You are an amazing woman. And I've never heard of the expression 'funk'

This time next week, I expect you both to be carrying me

Kathy
xx

 

[ladyj]

It's Jess, not Viv, Kathy.
I can't wait for you to join us.

I remember a disabled student I taught once, he had cerebral palsy and had been a wheelchair user since birth. He went to watch the football at Arsenal or somewhere, and there was no lift or anything, so he rolled out of his chair and pulled himself up a flight of stairs by his arms.
When I said how brave he was, he said,"Oh no, you just have to work around these things."
So I'll carry you, and you carry me, and we'll see Nyland at the top!

 

[kneeper]

Yeah, I think you just hit the Week 3 funk most of us get, Nyland. Venting here helps. Glad to know you've gotten through it. It can be a roller coaster, all right.

 

[Nyland]

Thanks, kneeper! It really does help knowing how others are doing, have done, and how they got through it.
Kathy, being in a funk such a clinical term, huh? Just a feeling out of sorts.
LadyJ, I think you are going to have to keep coaxing me up the hill with you.
Lastly, don't think I'm amazing...anyone. I did too much today. I need to learn to pace myself. I can't even move right now. I am icing everything, including my un-operated leg and just took 2 pain pills. It was still a good day. A learning day. Tomorrow, I will be satisfied with ONE accomplishment!
Thank goodness I have my BS friends. I'm glad that I found you before my surgery so I was able to build relationships. Those relationships helped me feel safe when I really needed to vent. Anyone that needs to vent, give me a shout out. I'm a good listener. It really helps and I promise to pay it forward.
Much, much love!

 

[ladyj]

I'll only coax you if you coax me!
It is hard to know quite how much to do. I just went to a tea shop with my husband and the friend who is doing my ironing. I only walked from the car, but it was nice, I was reasonably compos mentis and I had a cup of tea and a crumpet without feeling too sick.
That was definitely my best afternoon so far, but time to take the painkiller, do the exercises, and some icing now.
I get beset by doubts all the time though.
I find the hardest thing is getting up and dressed in the morning. It takes me ages, and when I have done it I am a shaking worn out wreck for quite a while.
It will be nice when that gets easier.
Go Nyland........................slowly and with friends.

 

[kneeper]

I find the hardest thing is getting up and dressed in the morning. It takes me ages, and when I have done it I am a shaking worn out wreck for quite a while.
It will be nice when that gets easier.

Yes, at first getting up and dressed is a bit of an event, isn't it? I didn't see your surgery date in a signature, ladyj. Remind me how far out you are...pretty recent iirc.

 

[ladyj]

My op was 30th July, so only 2½ weeks ago really. So doing well on the whole, and hopefully as strength returns, over the worst.

 

[KathyH]

Ooops sorry, Jess, for getting you mixed up with Viv - a senior moment

Good to hear you went on a nice little trip for tea and crumpets - mmmmm 'licking lips'. Hope my recovery is as good as yours.

Nyland, I guess you learn as you go along how much you can do without your knee complaining? Yes, what we do without our Bonesmartie family, aye? Doesn't bear thinking about.

Kathy
xx

 

[Nyland]

Good morning, friends! 3.5 weeks here. This is going to be a tough week. As I posted before my surgery, I am facing a job changed. Yup, right in the middle of my recovery. This Thursday is my retirement date from Umass Medical School. (even though I had 3 years worth of sick and vacation time accumulated.) 8/27 is my start date at University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Even though I worked as a common services employee on both the clinical and academic side for the past 10 million years...I had to reapply for my job the week that I got home and got my official job offer last week. On Wednesday I HAVE to go to A new employee physical and then go sign my contract. The physical is at one location, and the HR office where I must go to is at another campus. The parking and walking is ridiculous. even though I walk well without assistance, I doubt I will be able to make this long journey. My husband just may have to wheel me. Then on Monday I have to go to New Employee orientation. Now mind you, I have my same job, sans the school responsibilities, same email, same, phone, same office, same job and same boss. What am I going to do? I'm not in a position to name my terms.
I hope I have the strength to do all that I need to do.

 

[bottomshollow]

Wow! what a lot of bureaucratic nonsense!

So ridiculous that organizations run by educated adults can come up with such idiocy. I am sure that you will manage--just be prepared to be exhausted by the time you get home--and be ready for pain medication and elevating and icing while you crash. And do make good use of hubby. Given today's economy, I understand why folks have to put up with such stuff--but it still just irritates no end. Keep us posted. We care.