Bilateral TKR Journey Continuing June 4th, 2012

[KayeKaye]

Janet, are you still in the hospital or are you in a rehab? I reread the thread and couldn't tell. How long were you in the hospital before you went to rehab, if you did...?

 

[BLAKQUEEN]

Janet, I do need a break! I am at my mother's house, everything on one floor!!!! Had issues getting my pain meds 2hrs at hospital pharmacy, still I believe that shorted me on my oxycodone; giving me 60 tabs for 1 to2 every 4 hrs not enough for sixty days. Nurse came, will get therapist together, so I did minimum. No exercises, tomorrow I will exercise. My lovely granddaughters have arrived to help mom mom. YES they want to know when can we go to the pool. I guess when I feel up to it, I will get someone to take us and I will supervise till I am able to get in the water. Steps just take your time!!!!Time
Kim

 

[AussieBill1962]

Hi Janet,
You will do well when you get home for sure. Long Journey with lots of positives, and some not so positives. Healing is paramount then comes strength. My knee is still swollen 9 weeks out, but the pain has diminished and ROM increasing. My OS would only give scripts of 16 Oxycodone tablets at a time, so constantly calling office to send me scripts in the first 4 weeks. Then stopped taking them in week 6 so I could go back to work with a clear mind. Could not concentrate on the drug.

 

[Organist]

Thanks so much. No I haven't even picked the surgeon yet. I'm seeing a 4th doctor on the 24th. The 3rd doctor was the one that said I need both TKR but to wait 10 years till I was 70. :hissyfit: Can't imagine doing that. I'm down to doing nothing already.
But it is so encoraging to read your recovery, I'm really scared of surgery.

KayeKaye,

I'm glad that you're seeing another surgeon. There's NO excuse for telling you that you have to wait until you're 70. I was hoping to wait another few years, but my knee decided otherwise. I'm 63, and I'm sooooo glad that I had the RTKR, and am on the other side now. It's much better.

You'll be able to walk again, and that's something that needs to be done now -- not in a few years. Let us know how it's going.

 

[Organist]

Janet, going home on Monday sounds great ! It's soooo much better being in your own home and in your own bed. You're making good progress with PT. The naps and the "ice-elevate-pain meds" routine definitely help too. Hope that you have a good weekend.

 

[Janet2012]

I'm not figuring this out. When I try to reply, it tells me I have to be logged in, but I already am. Maybe this is different, posting at the bottom. Let's see what happens.

 

[Janet2012]

Okay, I guess that works. I don't know how to get the newest posts to come up first. I guess I can't reply to the individual posts.

KayeKaye, i've been in rehab since a week ago yesterday (Friday).

I did steps today and they were a piece of cake. I'll try them tomorrow with my forearm crutch and one rail. I put my socks and tennis shoes on myself today. Things are getting better every day! I realized today that I feel younger. It's such a lift to be reversing the decline of the last five years!

 

[bottomshollow]

Things are a bit different with the forum since the change, and there are still a few glitches to be worked out. And even when things may be better, we all really prefer what we're used to. We'll all get the hang of it sooner or later.

Everything sound so good for you. You're just starting to zip along now. You are noting these little milestones---putting on socks and tennis shoes yourself! aren't you----just in case you have one of those "down" days and need a pick me up!

Take care, keep us posted, we care.

 

[Dog Lover]

Janet sounds like you are doing just awesome. I can't believe you said that steps are a POC. I was thinking that would e really hard. Good for you.

 

[Janet2012]

DL Maybe they seemed like a POC compared to what I was expecting, but no, I think they really were a POC. Not that I'd want to do a Lot of them.

This is my last full day here. I'll see the PT I first saw here today. The last time I saw him I was still lightheaded trying to walk and just starting to use the bedside commode. Today I took myself to the batroom, went to the sink to brush my teeth and splash my face. Got a wet wash cloth and towel to take back to the bed to finish freshening up, got my clean underwear and shirt out of the cupboard, cleaned up, got dressed and fixed my hair. I took a shower on my own yesterday. So that's how much I've progressed since I saw the PT on Monday. Not that there won't be bumps in th road but progress will happen.

 

[Dog Lover]

Wow Janet. What a great progression. Yahoooooooo. Have fun going home I can't wait until I'm home and I didn't even go yet. Sleep in your own bed and relax.

Lots of love
Lisa

 

[Jacky48]

Wow Janet, You are doing great! You even took a shower on your own! What a blessing that must be. I have not taken a shower except once in rehab because Minnie started leaking some clear fluids in two small spots after PT one day last week so I thought it was best not to shower until I see my OS tomorrow! Don't want to take any chances for infection. I must say though that I do wash myself really good, we wouldn't want the flies following me around!
You are so ready for home! Aren't things like the stairs so intimidating until you do them? You will sleep so much better without interruption, not to leave out being so cozy in your own evironment! Good luck on your trip home!

 

[Janet2012]

Oh, there you are! Yes, the fear of the unknown. I do believe pre-surgery was worse than post-surgery for that very reason! I have been enjoying my showers. I haven't had any draining from the incisions thus far. Elmo is starting to lose some of the scabbing, so is looking a little nicer than Cookie Monster.

 

[bottomshollow]

we wouldn't want the flies following me around!

Jacky, I nearly fell out of my chair laughing!! Again, the mental picture is just soooo funny!

And you, Janet, just continue to improve after having a rough start. Got your high spirits back---I like that a lot.

Both you gals are great role models for the newbies out there. So both of you take care, don't overdo, keep us posted, we care.

 

[referee54]

You are doing quite well! you hung tough after a rough start, but you are doing great! You are indeed role models for other people who are about to go through this or who are going through some dark days! Please keep coming back and let us know how you gals are doing!

 

[speccybecky]

Janet, I am pleased to see you are on the right road! Now it's the patience thing

 

[Janet2012]

Thanks everyone! As I'm preparing to go home tomorrow, I went back and read all my posts from my first post following surgery. Was I on drugs or what? but reading through the progression from then to now was good for me to see as well. And I had forgotten about the lullabies for the babies! It's good to have all this documented. Tomorrow will be a transition day, and then the early home phase will start. I'll just be doing what I know to do, resting and icing, but moving as well, until I see the OS on Thursday to see what, if anything is next.

 

[Jacky48]

Janet, It sounds like you have a fine plan! And I thInk you're going to do great at home in your own comfort zone! I must admit the first day back home is a bit of a learning curve, but a good learning curve!
Enjoy your ride home with great anticipation of good things to come!

 

[skigirl]

Janet, great to see that you are doing so well. K

 

[Janet2012]

Enjoying a last leisurly morning in rehab with no rushing to get ready for PT. I'm giving myself until after lunch to check out. Hubby still has to scramble about a bit to get the house ready.