It has been two years!

[referee54]

Yep, November 8th, 2007, I had a bilateral TKR. For those of you who are relatively new to this and are experiencing some challenging times, I can tell you that it was definitely worth the effort, the amazement, the wonder, and the (at times) agony of PT. I am now basically back to normal and I ride my bike to school whenever the weather is conducive (well, at least for Northeast Ohio.) I umpired my 14th State Baseball Championship this past spring, and I am enjoying life now more than I could have ever imagined back in the gloomy days of arthritis.

You folks that have just had it done, are going through the early dark days post-op and PT, or are contemplating having the TKR...there is indeed hope. It does take months of hard work---a has been stated before, the surgeon does the easy part---the rest is up to you. It surely, without a doubt has turned my life around, and unquestionably, it can do the same to you, as well.

I cannot believe how hard I had to work in PT, but every effort was rewarded. There were times that I began to question---"Would this silly little limp ever go away?" It did. Remember---and I had to learn this, as well---while you have a schedule that you want your body to keep during the PT, etc.---the Good Lord has His own---and that ultimately will be the schedule that will be yours. I was frustrated at times, but in the end, it did work out---it just took a little longer than I expected.

The rest, as they say, is history. If you are down and depressed, and you are frustrated by the therapy sessions and see no progress, it will come. Trust me, your hard work will be rewarded.

Remember, your knees didn't get that way over night, nor will they heal overnight; but ultimately, for a tremendous part of it, your hard work, your attitude, and your dedication to improving all aspects of your life are what counts, and you will be rewarded.

Peace,

Tim C.

 

[Texas]

Hey Tim im so glad you posted that makes me feel so much better...Thanks for that.........Your story is truly insprirational...............thanks.............i hope you continue on your road ............) thank you

 

[Judles]

So glad you are doing so well, Tim! (0). All the best!!!

 

[marquesa]

Hi Tim, thank you for taking the time to post for all of us who have the surgery in front of them, and are having the normal anxiety. I am glad you have persisted with the physical training, and the more people I talk to (I live in a community where people from all over Europe, Canada, The U.S. and Mexico have come to retire, so we have many here, who have had this surgery, and hip replacement surgery .) the difference I see in the ones who have had successful and unsuccessful outcomes has been the physical therapy and rehabilitation.
It gives me more motivation to really keep up with it before and after the surgery.
Did you use a recumbent bike as part of that therapy??
Wishing you the very bet for continued health and happiness.
Marquesa

 

[calling_all_angels]

Tim,
It is so nice to meet you! And yes it can be hard work but when it pays off it is wonderful!!!

 

[1jt@atime]

Hi Tim,

It's great to hear from you! You always write such inspirational posts. Good also, to hear that you are still in the umpiring business and riding your bike. Hey, did you ever make that C&O canal bike trip? New knees and no arthritis are great, aren't they? I've moved on to the hips and will have my left one replaced in about a month. Soon, I will run out of joints to replace.

Take care and write again.

 

[Clunker]

Tim,

Very very nice my man!

I hope your life keeps improving,as that post will for sure help others improve!

Thanks,

 

[abunnybabe]

Thanks for the post Tim, it is especially nice to hear at just 2 weeks out from surgery, when things still are unsure.
feel good!

 

[Josephine]

Ref! How great to see you - how nice of you to come back and post that. And how great to hear how well you are doing.

God bless you, my friend!

 

[cindy88fan]

What a beautiful post! I am 16 weeks out and I love it!!!!! I feel like a new person. I know I have a ways to go but I feel so much better than I did before the surgery!

Thank-you so much! You are a true inspiration!

 

[referee54]

I did use a recumbent bike during PT at the out-patient center. Now I ride a sports fitness type bike, and during the winter I have it mounted to an indoor trainer so I can work on that. I also did many leg extension, leg presses, and leg curls, along with balancing and fine-motor control.

I played football in college a long time ago, and I have been involved in athletics for over 41 years of my life, so therapy was just like going to the weight room and working out for me. It was a challenge that I enjoyed taking.

Two weeks after surgery I was still trying to escape from the walker and move to crutches, and I was struggling with the pain of tearing the adhesions. I would bite into a towel when the PT made her home visits, and my son does a great imitation of me screaming as one of the adhesions ripped---all while we were watching "White Christmas." I teach, and I was out of school from November 8th until after New Years, and I did have sleep issues, as well---that was taken care of by ten days of Ambien

Christmas time saw me trying to throw the cane away (which I did) and walking/hobbling around the local shopping mall---it was good for me mentally and physically to get out.

I found this site and it was a big help---I found out that others had the same issues and that the only normal thing about this is that we are all "abnormal" in a way---nothing, it seems is quite normal---you just ride with it. Josephine, as always, did a remarkable job then---and still does to this day.


I will check more often now; you folks will be just fine...trust me. It will all work out.


TSC

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Tim....welcome back to the BoneSmart family chat-a-thon! I'm so happy to hear you're doing well. I remember your posts when I was in recovery. You certainly helped me and you continue to be an inspiration. I hope you do get a chance to stop by and chat now and then. Some photos would be nice too!!!

 

[stives]

Thanks for popping in. It's always great to hear from folks who are ahead of others in the healing process. I am sure that the key to your recovery is all those exercises. That inspires me to do more than I am doing (virtually nothing!!) in order to get as fit and mobile as possible. I will go and do something physical right now!

 

[Max Wallace]

I agree until you experience the full recovery from this surgery it's hard to explain the effect it has on your life and everyone around you. I am one year post op and it is nothing short of a miracle. I am planning a vacation that includes canoeing, hiking, rafting etc 1 year ago my vacations were much more sedate and I would never would have attempted any of these.

 

[rsmith9915]

Very well stated Ref. I also am a Ref of basketabll and football. I had my replacement June 19, 2009. With alot of hard work I referee 18 football games H.S. and college this year. Our crew is also working our 2nd playoff game this weekend also. My basketaball games have also started, I've worked 5 college games so far. I can't beleive just a little over 4 months ago I was on crutches. I've moved over to the womens side on college basketabll games this season. No matter what you do for fun work hard in PT to have fun at a later date.