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TKR Knees 1 AND 2 up and running

I am sitting here crying with relief at being understood and for your advice and support. Thank you, thank you. It is just what I needed.




Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
It's so good you shared your worries with all of us so that we can support you. I was so fatigued a month ago from my June knee's surgery that I asked my PCP to check my bloodwork, which came out normal. He said simply that I am still healing. I rest every day and my husband still does most everything. Your second knee doesn't hurt like mine (be thankful!!!) but maybe you can think of next week's surgery in a different way: you're getting the second knee fixed before the debilitating pain sets in that can make other areas hurt, like the leg bowing (the bowing brings me daily to tears), your hip, your back, etc. You'll be going in stronger than me. You can do quad sets and straight leg raises to prepare the muscles, which will help recovery post-op. I am in excruciating pain now when I try to do them, so I have to hope they're strong enough. My surgery is one week after yours and then we can both not only rehab our knees but focus on our entire body adjusting to the miracle of two perfectly aligned knees and legs and no more osteoarthritis. We are blessed! I am here for you. :SUNsmile:
 
@TML I didn't realize just how much pain you were in. I'm so sorry, but soon you will be able to begin healing. You and Sheila will be good recovery buddies.

Sheila, I'm glad you shared your fears with us. I hope some of the burden is lifted.
:friends:
 
I can't thank you all enough. The burden was surely lifted by putting it out there. It's all about the lens we view things through, right? I am blessed to have good insurance, all the time I need off work, a husband who cares deeply and is a wonderful support, and a top notch surgeon. I also have the gift of having this surgery in a dedicated knee/hip surgicenter and can come home same day (23 hour stay). I know what to expect. I'm in good health. And God is good.

Hopefully yesterday was the nadir of moods. Today I feel more stable emotionally thanks to you all.

Miracle of the day -- I am able to walk up and down the stairs, leading with baby knee. I can take normal steps down the stairs. I haven't been able to do that for years. I couldn't do it YESTERDAY -- but today, it was like a switch flipped, and I can do the stairs with ease.

Again, thank you all. I will get to your journals now -- I don't dread going upstairs to get to my desktop. :)


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
Shelia, your worries and fears are the same ones we all have and BS is the only place where we can voice them and not sound crazy, my TKR foot started to hurt last Saturday and it was swollen, my cousin offered to take me to a doctor, but I really did not want to experience the Cuban healthcare system, in the back of my mind I was scared that I may have a blood clot, with the plane ride and all, but I did not voice it, because my husband is very understanding but he would tell me that I was being negative and worrying for no good reason.

I had an appointment yesterday at 5:00 p.m., with my orthopedic doctor that treats my back, and he was concerned that I may have a clot so he have me a script for an ultrasound of both legs and x-ray of my foot to be done STAT, I had to go to the ER at the hospital, well it turned out that it was only a sprain, thank goodness, so I totally understand how you feel, we no longer look at things the same way, we automatically think every ache, pain, discomfort out of the ordinary is related to our knee. I am sure as time passes we will be more confident and relax, I really hope it does not take too long to get there.
 
Thank God @uva55! What an awful scare! It seems the norm to be looking at the worst case that could happen after this surgery. You aren't the only one that's doing that! Now, your thyroid is OK and no blood clot and your knee is doing wonderfully. Sit back and enjoy your new life!
 
Keeping you in my thots & prayers with each of your concerns! You do have such a positive outlook and that helps. You're always so encouraging to all of us here & I'm thankful to return the favor of praying for you that the Lord calms your fears and if there is an area that should be looked into, that He guides you to a direct answer. :loveshwr: Soon you'll be on your way to a pain free life with 2 brand new bionic knees! Wishing you the best!
 
@uva55 Wow, that's a saga for sure! But it all turned out ok. Yes, we have a new lens through which we view every sensation, swelling, pain. I think it may be our new normal for awhile. Glad you are ok.

Sheila, sooo glad to hear your stair news! And your improved mood today. It does help to give voice to our fears. In the light of day they sometimes aren't as scary.
 
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So happy to hear about your knee taking the stairs!:yay:
 
Wonderful about the stairs, and what perfect timing with the next one coming up.
 
I am glad you are in a better frame of mind. I think we all have those days where we are just so overwhelmed by it all, but as you said, God is good, and He will get us through one day at a time.
 
Thanks, RG. I'm staying busy and following my worry time rule. I've been practicing letting baby knee be in charge, and it is holding up nicely. Amazing how strong it feels compared to other knee. It's easy to forget the preop pain I was in. I don't want to forget. Getting off that last flight and praying I could greet my husband without crying. Arranging my entire life around how many steps it would take. Having my world get smaller and smaller.

The left knee is in worse shape than the baby was. The OS was surprised I could walk on it. It's not hurting so badly these days because I think baby knee has really been doing most of the work, plus I'm not on my feet very much. I have been given the incredible gift of having the option to have new knees and getting my life back. I know there will be some dark days ahead -- but they are days that lead to healing instead of the downward decline to immobility and an early death due to a forced sedentary lifestyle.

Please pray for the people of Haiti. I finally spoke to someone at the clinic I work in there. The situation is so very dire. The news does nothing to show/describe how horrible things really are. It breaks my heart not to be able to go. Another reason to get my knees up and running-- the opportunity to pay it forward.


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
Sheila. Haiti breaks my heart as well. Sure dire, dire need there, all the time and now more than ever. I got an email from midwives for Haiti an org I do support, asking for financial help, which I plan to send. And wondering about other humanitarian orgs. to support. I think MSF is there and I donate to them monthly. I didn't realize you'd been there. If I were younger, stronger, that's where my heart would take me.
You must get better, stronger, and go back to Haiti. They need you.
 
I'm so sorry about the impact of the hurricane, and honor you for what you have done to help.

You are so right about this being a great gift. You describe it exactly when you say our worlds were getting smaller and smaller. I was resigned to mostly watching the world go by, and now I'm just starting to realize that the possibilities are limitless. Every day now I'm doing something that I hadn't done in years, even the smallest things, like parking in the parking lot across the street to go to the store, instead of circling endlessly to get a front row parking spot. Hard thing at this point, is recognizing that I still do need a lot of downtime and rest. Today I was out doing errands, having lunch, visiting my parents, and suddenly just got hit with a wave of tiredness. Happily, my schedule is flexible enough, that when this happens I just drop everything and go home. Now I'm resting, and smiling at my life. But we're working our way up and out! It's wonderful. And a good reminder to pass on our good fortune.
 
MamaZ-- I'm so happy you support efforts in Haiti. Don't ever rule out going to help because of age. New knees make us young! MSF is always a reliable org. Otherwise, I encourage people to be very careful selecting where they send their money. I've seen first-hand how money is diverted. Good in doubt, the Red Cross is a sure thing. I can't name specific NGO's -- but be careful . If you get a cute blanket or a picture of a child you are sponsoring, do more research. This is not the place for me to go into this.

I'm doing well staying busy. Husband is safe and sound in Chicago. This is my first night alone since surgery. I miss him, of course, but I'm glad he's free to be "normal" for a couple of days (and I get the whole bed to kick around in). :)




Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
Sending you strength and peace as you prepare for knee #2!
 
Thanks for your reply Sheila. I am very careful about whom I donate to. I research and try to ensure the money goes to services, no admin, etc. And no fancy pictures for sure.
My heart has been broken for Haiti for a very long time.

Well, this should be a test to see how well you can manage while hubby is away having his "me" time. And you can have your "me" time, as well. I'm sure you will be just fine. You have all of your bonesmart friends and someone is always awake and online somewhere in the world.

Take care and don't do anything heroic, like standing on a ladder, etc.
 
Oh thank you, MamaZ!

Here's a kneeper's version of heaven:
Ice pack to front, ice pack to pack, elevation on a wonder-foam elevator, wrapped in a fleece blanket hot from dryer, the smell of Downy-Snuggle surrounding and a bottle of sparkling water and dark chocolate within arm's reach. Life is good. :)


Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 10/11/16
 
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