TKR kmak's TKR recovery thread

[kmak81230]

Slept pretty well last night thanks to Advil pm. And seem to have less nervy discomfort this morning. Elevating currently as I took advantage of the "feeling good" to make jam this morning. I had a stool to sit on but still probably a little too much standing in one spot. I sure wish I didn't swell up so much after standing. My back is getting tired from all this lying about.

 

[Polkadot]

I hear you about your back! My left hip Is currently singing a duet with my back. Congrats on sleeping well last night. Maybe I'll try Advil PM. That "nervy discomfort" is keeping me awake most of the night, even though I take extra-strength Tylenol and sometimes Norco. (I've stopped meds during the day now.) I feel a bit embarrassed and "wussy" to admit that it's discomfort and not pain that is keeping me awake at night. But it's true!

Good for you, making jam! That's not one of my fortes, nor is gardening. I do not have a strong cooking gene, nor a green thumb. Reminds me of the old joke my carpal tunnel doc likes to use: "Doctor, will I be able to play the piano after my surgery?" "Certainly." "Good! I've always wanted to play the piano!"

What kind of jam were you making? I hope raspberry!

 

[VW54]

As long as it isn't traffic.
(One of the puns we teach kids learning English)

 

[kmak81230]

Lol @VW54. I made a small batch of peach last night - all I could stand for - ha! Today is raspberry and raspberry rhubarb. I find the Advil pm works better for me than Tylenol pm. Isn't the nervy discomfort annoying? Yesterday I noticed that the knee isn't really hurting anymore when I walk - it's just the nerves, swelling, stiffness, and clicking that remind me that there's something new in there.

 

[SusieShoes]

Yeah, that clicking is always fun. It's great when the knee stops really hurting, and is just kind of stiff and tight. It's still swelling going on in there, but it's mild compared to the pain of earlier. It's a better phase of recovery from that standpoint, though still not quite "all the way."

How wonderful you can make your own jams! My grandmother made raspberry rhubarb jam, and pies. I never did learn how. What a great skill to have!

 

[kmak81230]

Well, it's not really that hard @SusieShoes . I have great raspberry bushes and rhubarb in the yard so that's half of it. Now don't look @Thesoutherncook as you probably have much better recipes, but I just use the lower sugar recipe on the containers of pectin - so it not too involved. You do need to have pots for the water bath and jars, lids, etc. I do a lot of canning and freezing so have all of the supplies - just not the knees for standing in one place for too long

 

[Canada35]

Congrats Kathleen for making jam! I haven't done it for a few years! I still make and can salsa, beets, and dills but I used to do a ton of canning and making things from scratch. However fall when everything veggie is at it's beautiful best was also when I was busiest at work. Since the knees started giving me so much trouble, I have given most of it up! You maybe have inspired me to do something!

 

[Fire wolf]

@kmak81230, I admire your perseverance and preservation of fruit! It may not be *hard* to do, but you are at a disadvantage with tkr, which just seems to make everything harder. I wish there was a way to make that nervy pain go away for good. Mine continues to come and go with no rhyme or reason, and not even a serenade!

 

[kmak81230]

I actually rode my townie bike today. It was a little harder than last Sunday when I went up and down the street a couple times as my knee is a little more swollen today so pedaled more with my midfoot and even heel. I rode about a total of three miles to go watch a soccer game and was not any worse off when I got back home. It was a small victory - had to stop and go at intersections, put my foot down a few times and start up again after each stop. All of these were more mental hurdles than physical.

 

[Fire wolf]

That is fantastic! Glad you were still able to do something you enjoy! I guess the mental hurdles can sometimes be more difficult than the physical ones. I think that is why I have been trying not to think about Spence as much throughout the day while doing day to day activities. I hope the swelling settles down for you!

 

[knit2tog]

Good for you. I am glad you were able to make the soccer match.

 

[jaschembra]

What a mental boost that was... riding your bike to watch something and then riding back. Good for you! Glad you're seeing improvements and less pain.

 

[newlybionic]

Glad to hear you did so well!

 

[Pheebs52]

Oh Kmak81230, "it's just the nerves, swelling, stiffness, and clicking that remind me that there's something new in there." Yeah, *just*, lol!

Look at you cruising around on your *townie* bike! Woot!

 

[Polkadot]

Nervy pain---BOO! Raspberry jam and biking--YAY! (Peach and Raspberry Rhubarb sound good, too.)

I hate to admit this, but I don't get the "traffic" pun. And I used to teach ELL's.

Did you roll away your aches this weekend? How did it go? What worked?

 

[Pheebs52]

@VW54, I too found the *traffic pun* puzzling; can you explain? I think there may be something lost in translation, lol.

I've always enjoyed the idea of making jam or canning in general, but that's where it ends for me, lol. I really dislike anything that occurs in the kitchen other than dining on food prepared by Mistah!

 

[VW54]

As in "traffic jam". Very simple pun ...but as the English language is full of expressions, we start little ones learning English with that pun to give them an example.

In German the word Stau only means blockage.
So many countries have funny words or expressions for the non-moving traffic situation

/ derail

 

[Fire wolf]

Curious as to how you are making out with the rolling pin. Are you noticing any relief?

 

[kmak81230]

HA! I did not even try the rolling pin this weekend . . . too busy making jam, then lying about from all the standing. I did do a few rolls with the roller on the IT bands . . . ouchy as always - not ouchy on the knee, just on the IT band.

 

[Pheebs52]

Thanks for that explanation @VW54!