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Bilateral TKR JustJeff 4/9/14

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Just took my first little hike/walk with the family and the dogs. I really don't know what I'm capable of yet so I went a mile up and back and felt fine! 2 miles doubles my walk total from last week. One thing I know now that the knees are normal. I just need to work on strength and endurance. Very happy with the results! Hope all you Americans are enjoying the holiday!

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My temporary handicap parking sticker came today. Late. When I truly needed it, I had to walk more. So, I'll have to figure out where it makes sense to use it.
Ìf there are very few regular parking spaces and a whole bunch of handicap ones, wouldn't I be taking a regular space away from someone? Decisions.

But a word to the wise. Ensure that you apply for it as soon as you possibly can! It doesn't matter that you can't drive yet. Someone, with you along, is going to be driving you somewhere; the store, PT, etc. This way you don't have to walk far when you can't or it isn't advisable.

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Good advice @JustJeff .....after I got my hanging handicap parking permit....I realized I needed it MUCH MORE before my surgery! :yes: But, I do use it as needed!
 
Beautiful photos!! love it! I had thought about my incision getting sunburnt. Not a fun thought. Yes, every step towards independence feels SO good. I had taken so much for granted. Now, just driving to my neighborhood coffee shop feels like I should be in full celebratory swing. (whatever that means.)
So, HOW do you get in and out of the kayak? That blows my mind. I can barely get in and out of a car! I think I may have posted this in the wrong area, if so, so sorry.

~~hopefaith
 
You're in the right area! :) I straddle the very back and inch myself forward keeping my feet touching the bottom (obviously it's very shallow) plop myself into the seat, and then carefully move both feet inside one at a time. Getting out , repeat in reverse. It requires upper body strength to lift the butt out of the cockpit.

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I had to have friend go down to the DMV with my license to get me a permit because I couldn't stand in the line. My 6 month one hasn't arrived yet but they did give me a temporary one good till August. I should have the other one soon.

I agree that whomever is drving you around needs to be able to use it. But I have used the handicap parking when I grocery shop. (I've actually only driven twice sincwe the go ahead) at the grocery store. I figured I have to unload the car once I get home and I'm trying hard to to overdue.

(Rehab facility was suppose to get me one but they forgot) I just got an order for one from my PCP because he was closer.

I'm lucky that my car has automatic seats so I can put the seat back easily before I get in. My friends car was a small Mazda and it was not fun getting into. Like @JustJeff I sit down back as far as possible and put one leg in at a time. First few times were not fun. And my car is bigger (Taurus). Glad I don't have a truck or large SUV.
 
@JustJeff I so wish I had asked for the handicap parking sign. Is it too late? I hardly ever stop somewhere because it is a football field (feels like one) to traverse. I think @Tamsmom had said something about 3 months. Do you know?
 
It depends on the DMV in your state. The form needs to be signed by your doctor. I guess any one will do. With your issues, you might just want to ask for a permanent one, just do you don't have to renew. I'd call the DMV first and ask them for their regs as well as if they can shoot you out a temporary (I never thought of that).
I also needed to get my signature notarized on the form.

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I'm not Jeff but in New Mexico they are good for 6 months. At least that's what my doctor put down. We have our photos on them to prevent misuse. And you had your surgery just 2 days after mine.
 
Mine is good to the end of the year. Won't need it nearly that long! (Knock on wood)

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I never applied for one. I thought the walking would do me some good.
 
I wanted it when I couldn't walk or needed a walker. Oh well. . If any of my older neighbors needs to go shopping. ...

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I had so many problems with my knee I kept having to get the temp one renewed. Plus they have a limit on temp placards, so my doctor finally gave me a permanent one. Soon I won't need it, but it's my permanent license plate now. I'll just park far, far away like I used to before I needed a handicap permit.:)
 
So instead of two percocet tabs near bedtime, I took one the last few days and last night I didn't bother at all with the 2nd mid-night one and I felt fine. That's the good news. The bad news is now, without the full narcotic force, it's hard to fall asleep. When my wife turned in at 9 (she wakes up at 4:15 for work) I waited, downstairs reading until I felt drowsy enough to try the bed. Almost as soon as I lay down, I feel wide awake again. So I toss and turn for a half hour until I give up and is back down to read more.
This is probably why some people get hooked on these things; to get to sleep. Well, I refuse! As long as my pain is controlled, I'll work on weaning myself off of these. At least I don't have to wake up early and click into work. (I'm mostly retired but I'm also self employed so I schedule clients accordingly when I do work. )
Because of now not getting enough sleep at night, I'm getting more tired during the day. Today I took a nap from 1 to 3. But if I'm really sleepy I don't want to fight it.
So (after all that) how do I proceed to get off the heavy meds and get back into a normal sleep pattern?

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Have been reading everyones threads for about five weeks, maybe more but haven't put my experience in a thread, I'll do that this week. Spent most of the time reading the library articles and following the bonesmart mantras.
Decided to pipe in @just jeff and answer his question since I was the same way, actually tonight is one of the later nights I've been up so I just take a benedryl and that will have me snoozing in about fifteen minutes. I had my BTKR on March 18th and stopped the oxy on Mother's Day due to the stomach problems it was giving me. Then the few hours of sleep I was getting while on Oxy disappeared. Benedryl to the rescue and it works. Decided the knees weren't bothering me that much so I tried tylenol. Worked fine, now I take it once a day if I am going to work or just out somewhere. Almost fell back into taking an oxy this weekend since I was in traffic on Sunday for 2.5 hrs on the Belt Parkway going to Long Island and again on Monday but just an hour going to Clinton NJ area for the day. Not use to so much activity yet! Today, my knees needed elevation and ice before work but having some pain that I thought was gone for good so two tylenol tonight as well. I sleep with the ice machine on and during the night will wrap one knee and then the other after about 20 minutes whenever I wake and feel the need.
 
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