I'm new -- but got to jump in

[dar]

I'm been reading for several weeks, but just want to jump on in. I'm at four weeks from my TKR. I have ups and downs. I had this crazy idea that I could get back to work in two weeks. -- That had something to do with a co-working giving notice two days before my surgery and being offered her job. It was a killer watching the others in the office scramble for a replacement, plus cover me. Even though I had to say "not now" to the job, I still wanted to prove something. Two weeks came and went. While, I was up and around fast and trying as hard as I could, I still was a far cry from being worth much. I spent the third week depressed at my failure and not progressing at all. It took an old dear friend reminding me that if it could have been done in two they would say two. So, this last week I've put all expectations aside from myself and others and have just focused on the immediate task and it has gone much better. I have my bend at 107, I no longer wish to slug my PT and I finally got that bike peddle to go all the way around. My energy is returning for longer periods and as of today I can safely say I'm back to progressing. It sure has helped reading these posts every day.

 

[Jamie]

Welcome, DAR!!! So glad you decided to post! And I'm glad to hear you have figured out that this was really and truly MAJOR surgery that is not gonna go away in two weeks. It sounds to me like you are doing very well in your recovery and, you know, that is the MOST important thing in your life right now. Keep up the great work and you'll be back to doing the things you want to do very soon.

 

[referee54]

Hey---Dar, I had a bilateral TKR and I didn't get back to teaching until almost 8 weeks. You just had major, major surgery, and your body is still healing; you need to work hard on the PT side, but also rest your body accordingly. The harder you can work on PT, the more that you will get back into your life; however, you need to give yourself a chance to adapt and to heal. I was still at times stiff on and off for 12-16 weeks---remember, it takes a year to be able to forget that your knee is not your own.

Hang in there, and listen to your body; during PT, when your body says, "I have done enough" you answer, "NOT YET@#@$$!!!."

When the body says, "OK> I need to rest," you say, "Now is the time for that."

Keep up the great work!

Tim C.

 

[Josephine]

It took an old dear friend reminding me that if it could have been done in two they would say two.

Best quote of the day bar none!

Welcome to the forum, dar. Glad you are learning to be more realistic in your expectations. It never benefits to be over ambitious where these things are concerned.

You know, when I was a student nurse, (back in 1900 and blankety blank!) people who had had their appendix out or a hernia repaired, weren't allowed to even put their feet out of bed until they'd had their stitches out on the 10th day! Makes you think, huh?

 

[JenniferG]

Hi Dar, welcome. Be sure to let yourself heal and keep reading and posting. Jen

 

[*gmac*]

Best quote of the day bar none!

Welcome to the forum, dar. Glad you are learning to be more realistic in your expectations. It never benefits to be over ambitious where these things are concerned.

You know, when I was a student nurse, (back in 1900 and blankety blank!) people who had had their appendix out or a hernia repaired, weren't allowed to even put their feet out of bed until they'd had their stitches out on the 10th day! Makes you think, huh?

(now they take the stitches out on the way to the recovery room)

 

[Cathie]

With my first TKR my doc said I could go back to work after 4 weeks and that is what I told my employer - FAT CHANCE!! Even 4 weeks was not long enough. I knew better the second time around. So this time I told the boss 6 weeks and if I felt like it, it would be sooner. But ya know what, even tho I am doing well with the second one, my energy level and my walking are not there yet. So I am taking the full 6 weeks. I really wish they would educate folks better on this end of the surgery. There is no way anyone should be back at work with this type of surgery - and it is major - like someone said, before 6 weeks, minimum.....
Cathie

 

[Josephine]

Too right, Cathie!

 

[VikingFan]

With my first TKR my doc said I could go back to work after 4 weeks and that is what I told my employer - FAT CHANCE!! Even 4 weeks was not long enough. I knew better the second time around. So this time I told the boss 6 weeks and if I felt like it, it would be sooner. But ya know what, even tho I am doing well with the second one, my energy level and my walking are not there yet. So I am taking the full 6 weeks. I really wish they would educate folks better on this end of the surgery. There is no way anyone should be back at work with this type of surgery - and it is major - like someone said, before 6 weeks, minimum.....
Cathie

Hmmm. I work in Information Technology and am basically almost tied to my desk all day. I told my manager that I would be out full time for 3 weeks and part time for another 2. Sounds like that was a little optimistic.

 

[Vjklander]

I set up with my office to work from home and was at it the end of the week following my surgery. I'm kinda getting addicted to working from home .....

 

[Cathie]

Yes, it is addicting and wonderful working from home. I enjoy it too. I am hoping in the future, this will be something I can do more of. One never knows......
Cathie

 

[dar]

I started working from home some also recently. There was some busy kind of work that I could put my mind to and it gave me a goal for the day. I like it a lot also. I get much more done in a short amount of time. I'm beginning to miss the fellowship of others and so I return next week to part time office, part time home. The real world awaits me - six weeks later and not the unrealistic two. Thanks for all your encouragement guys!

 

[Rowdy66]

I Have To Say I Too Think The Doctors Are Mistaken In Giving The Best Case Scenario To People Concerning Goiong Back To Work And What To Expect. According To The Book My Os Put Together For His Patients I Should Be Ready To Go Dancing This Week. Like Was Said Earlier, Fat Chance! I Feel 100% Better Than Last Week And 100% Better Than The Week Before That, Etc., Etc., But There Is No Way That I Could Go Back To Work At Four Weeks Post Surgery. Between Exercises And My Afternoon Nap Wouldn't Be Getting Much Done And With The Added Stress Of Being At Work I Would Be Even Further Behind. Granted I Am Retired And Don't Have To Return To Work But Just Saying I Would Not Be Able To Do It. Rowdy

 

[beachcomber]

I really agree with you Rowdy. My OS said I could go back to work 2 weeks after my PKR!--- but then said that with my job (which he really does not understand how demanding it is physically) maybe I might need to work my way up to full time.
Even on my recent 'scope he said I could go back to work on Monday after a Friday 'scope. That was 3 weeks ago and I am still struggling to walk normally and without pain. I guess I am just a slow healer..... maybe it has to do with my autoimmune disease--- plus the constantly-on-my-feet kind of job I have. It does make me feel like I am just a wuss.....and should be doing better. They should be more realistic and realize how much it really wipes you out.

Two more days--- then summer break! We leave for Mexico one week from tomorrow!

 

[lgobrien]

Where are you going in Mexico? That will be the BEST kind of therapy! Water and sunshine and relaxation! Enjoy!

We went to Cancun a couple years ago and I was so in AWE with the color of the water. It REALLY does look like blue koolaid!

 

[JenniferG]

Hey Carolyn, don't for get the sunscreen for your scars... Have fun and relax.

 

[beachcomber]

Yes, 2 weeks of sun and relaxation on the beach with that incredibly blue water...I've earned this one!

Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel. All-inclusive resorts... just can't wait to be pampered and enjoy. I might even manage to get my aqua therapy done too..... wonder if I can do all those exercises with a drink in my hand? LOL

I have my sunscreen.... I've been using it in the tanning bed too.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Mexico sounds wonderful!

Dar & Co. -

Ok - I may have asked this question b4 but I have been reading here and other places and I am becoming a bit concerned. I am a resource room teacher with an abnormally large caseload of energetic 4th and 5th graders (possibly 3rd as well). We start back to school Aug. 13th and then the kiddos start back the following Monday. At first I thought I wouldn't actually have kids till Labor Day, but reality hit that I actually have a crud load of evals to do the first 2 weeks of school. UGHHHHHH My TKR (just the right knee) is scheduled for 7/14. I have alsways gotten back to work within 5 days of scopes on the same knee but have had teacher assistants and basically sat there stoned and really was just a physical presence (did Emotionally disturbed kiddos prior to resource room). I am 42 and had been in the best shape of my life up till this winter. Downhill rapidly since a wipe out. Am I being too optimistic. Dr. nurse says no problem with 8/13 work. I am active with my kids and realize I will be much slower in the beginning. I know the saying that we all heal at our own rate - but .... Reality check please!

Thanks -
Marianne
(I do have a great boss but not too sure how stoned (Vicodin gives me the appearance of being VERY ADD) he would allow me to be in the classroom - and gee whiz - fire drills will not be my forte for a while!)

 

[dar]

I'll let those with more experience than me comment on your expectations. All I know is that I wasn't ready. I'm 43 and like you have returned to worked from the scopes okay. I thought for sure I could have done it in 4 weeks because I'm healthy and young-- but I'm at just over 5 weeks and yesterday they begged me to come in for a little while to help. I was toast in two hours and needed my daily nap.

 

[Skeet]

I started back to work at 9 weeks - 100% from home. That was in March... I'm still working 100% from home. My boss is in Idaho and there is no real reason to be in the office, plus gas is pricey. I love working from home. Really helped my rehab as I could ice, ride the bike, take pain meds, whatever I needed. Hope you can make it work as long as you need to.