Bilateral TKR I Wanta Put on My,My,My,My,My Boogie Shoes

[Dulcimer Diva]

I had the taping last year--a delicate lattice pattern. It really helped the edema. For the sore hands on the walker, I was able to get some fake shearling handgrips (also for crutches) back in '96 when I had my tibial plateau repair. They also make memory-foam grips. For the constipation issues, I take a couple of FiberWell gummies (Target has an identical "Up & Up" brand for much cheaper); Schiff Digestive Advantage gummy bears, and sometimes Activia Greek yogurt. I've also found in the course of a low-carb diet that maltitol-sweetened candies tend to loosen things up a bit but can also make you a bit too, uh, "musical" if you don't go to the loo soon enough.

Where in TN is Minor Hill? My son just got back from Bonnaroo in Manchester; I stayed in Knoxville three times in three years (most recently, last month), been to Memphis five times and Nashville four, and will be playing at Guitarfest in Humboldt this Sept.

 

[scaredinCA]

Wish I had thought of that before I developed these callouses on both hands from using walker. Too late now.

 

[Grammy59]

Sandy, I live about 15 miles South of Pulaski and Pulaski is appx. 75 miles from Manchester.

That was a good idea for the walker handles, wish I had thought to get something like that before I started using one, but my time with the walker is almost over now.

I went for outpatient therapy today, intense workout. I have been having pain in the backside of my knee, and the therapist massaged it today. She's thinking it may be a pocket of fluid, so hopefully it will go down soon because doing certain exercises is very painful.

 

[maddoxsmama]

Deb So glad you are moving right along in this recovery. Seems like every day is a new adventure. I did the same thing with my pain pills. Decrease and increase until you get the right amount. Sounds like you are doing really well--keep it up!!

 

[Ready]

Hi Deb. I am glad you are at home-sweet-home. Things sound like they are going well for you. I am not surprised with your positive attitude. Keep up the good work.

 

[Grammy59]

Hi Ready, good to see you. Yes, there is no place like home, but the first day, I was really anxious-leaving a place where there are always people to help then coming home where you are pretty much on your own. But as I move around more and more, I'm getting more comfortable. I am also converting from using a walker to using a cane and that's scary, too. But I'm getting there.

I'm still catching on all the threads-how are you doing? I forgot your surgery was so soon-is everything going as well as it can? Are you in rehab or did you go home and doing your rehab there? Let me hear how you are. Take care!

 

[Ready]

Good Morning, Deb. Although it's hard to be "on your own," you can handle it. And as Dorothy said, "There's no place like home." Just wish I could click my heels together. Impressive that you are moving to a cane.

Thanks for asking about my surgery. I came home after my surgery as I only had one done. I was anemic again, so they kept me an extra day to watch that and my low BP. As crazy-low as both of those were, I can't say that I felt woozy or even light headed. I have everything I need here at home on one floor, and 2 teens who are on summer vacation to help me out. They have divided household and yard jobs I typically do and it keeps them plenty busy. It's nice to know it takes 2 people to replace me, and a wonderful learning opportunity for them to run a home. I see my hubby right around bed time these days as he needs to get the fields planted. Otherwise, things are going OK. I am not doing well staying ahead of the pain and have committed to working on that. My new PT is incredible. She should be cloned!

Keep up the good work and the positive spirits.

 

[Morgaine]

Deb! I am very impressed with your progress! Keep up the GREAT work!

Morgaine

 

[Grammy59]

Hi Morgaine, thanks for stopping by. I see you have recently had surgery, too. Hope you are doing well. Bet it feels great to have 2 good knees again, huh? Take care!

 

[Lori-M]

What great progress Deb! So good to hear how well you're doing. Your positive attitude will go a long way to help you through the different stages of recovery/rehab. Take care!

 

[NightQuilter]

I've been catching up with your thread Deb. Hope your recovery is going well. I, too, have Smith & Nephew Oxiniums - had to get them because of a severe nickel allergy.

 

[Grammy59]

Hi Lynn, nice to meet you. I'm doing OK but seems like my progress has slowed down so much. I've finished PT and am doing my exercises here at home. I have good ROM and extension, but I'm only 6 weeks post op so I know I still have a long way to go. How are you doing? You're almost a year post op-how is your recovery? Are you where you had hoped to be? I'm just anxious to reach the point when I am really glad that I had both done at the same time. Thanks so much for stopping by, I am going to read your recovery thread, too. Isn't this forum wonderful? Everyone is so encouraging and that's what we all need, huh? Check back anytime, I enjoy talking to everyone. Take care, Lynn.

 

[bottomshollow]

And this is the essence of total knee replacement in a nut shell. Six weeks is still very, very early. Another six and you'll be feeling much more positive about having both knees done; and after another 3 months, you'll know without doubt that it was THE thing to do!

Keep that positive attitude and keep on truckin'----the end is in sight, although barely at the moment.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Ready]

Wow, dismissed from PT after only 6 weeks. You must be doing well. Congrats. How is your pain? And, have you been disciplining yourself not to do too much? That's an issue for me....

Keep up the good work!

 

[Grammy59]

Thank you Judy, I needed that. Patience is not my best virtue although I try really hard. I need that in a larger form so I can print it out and put it where I can see it all through the day. If you can do that, that would be wonderful. If you need my email to send it to, just let me know. You guys are great!!

Ready, my pain is minimal. I take 2 percocets per day, sometimes I wonder if I can do without them, but even though the pain itself is minimal, I have what I describe as discomfort in both knees and the percocets help with that. My husband can tell you that I have not been overdoing. I think he's getting aggravated with me and it's hard to make him understand that all is not well yet. He thinks because I can walk and get around, I am back to normal. Oh well. . .

 

[Ready]

Glad you can manage your pain so well. Your activity level seems to be appropriate to help you recover, so your hubby should be thankful for his wise and prudent wife! My best to you.

 

[maddoxsmama]

Hang in the Deb!! The worst is behind you and each day will get you closer and closer to being glad you have a new set of knees!!! You will have those boogey shoes on before you know it!!!

 

[Grammy59]

Thanks, Cathy.

 

[eastside85]

Hi Deb - finally had a chance to catch up with your recovery, and so glad to see how well you're doing! I am staying busy, and feeling pretty good, too. Still waiting for my grandbaby to arrive, he is taking his sweet time.

I will let you know as soon as he's here. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!

Big hugs, and keep up the good work!

Barb

 

[Grammy59]

Hi all, hope this Monday is a good day for you. I'm 7 weeks post op and doing good. Right knee is a little behind the left as far as stiffness and soreness. But I get around OK, no limp except when I first stand up after sitting. My big problem right now is my back-it's giving me a fit. And I'm also afraid I have done something to the shoulder I had surgery on last September. All the tugging and pulling and pushing early on has made it really sore and seems like it's popping more than usual. I know I am going to have surgery on other shoulder, so I guess I'll have to get the OS to check this one and pray that there is nothing going on except maybe a little strain. Anyway, back to the knees-each day I find that I can stand up a little easier from a sitting position, can walk a little further, stand a little longer-and that would all be better if my back would calm down. Swelling seems to be about gone in left knee, but still some in right knee. And still feel that band of tightness around both knees. All in all, I think I'm progressing nicely, have to see OS on the 30th and will probably be released to return to work, darn it. I'm kind of getting used to being home and have thought quite a bit about not going back, but the job is easy and it's just a few days a week, so guess I'll work a couple more years.