TKR Knees 1 AND 2 up and running

[KarriB]

I think it must be hard to go back to GO without collecting $200 with the 2nd knee and be patient all over again. But you need to give the new knee everything the first one got. You can do this!

 

[Tabbycat]

Great to hear that you are feeling calmer and able to rest comfortably. The dust can definitely wait, I always say, you can look at the dust but please don't write in it
Sweet dreams tonight.
Tabby xxx

 

[Majella]

Hi Sheila,
I never had ted hose when I left the hospital, OS said I didn't need them as long as I took one 81 mg coated aspirin 2 times a day (DVT protection)
I'm glad you are doing better and take it easy on yourself...stop dusting
The steps will get easier as your leg muscles become stronger. I'm at week 4 and I'm finally getting more comfortable going up and down the stairs but still double stepping...but I'm okay with that

 

[mamazipp]

I'm glad you allowed yourself the rest day. See how much better you feel? Of course, the dusting can wait! There is nothing in the dust that can hurt you. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

 

[DodgyKnee]

Don't worry about the anti embolism stockings. I took mine off twice in the hospital (only there for 3 days) cos they felt like they were going to cut my leg in two. My nurse was besides herself because I was being"none compliant". I lived.

I also spent well over a week in bed when I came home from my single TKR - goodness knows how long I'd have between there after 2! Be a patient, not a nurse!

On a lighter note I feel I must translate @Tabbycat comments for our friends over the pond.

. Cwtch up and rest,

Cwtch is not a typo. It is a peculiarly Welsh word for snuggle. It is a thing of joy and indulgence and most of all to be enjoyed. If you have to do it again, then do it in this spirit.

 

[dianehelen]

Cwtch is not a typo. It is a peculiarly Welsh word for snuggle.

that is so cool! Thanks for sharing that

 

[birdinger]

Love reading your threads. You a way of verbalizing what I feel. Thank you!

 

[greatlakes]

Sheila, in my thread I quoted a wise lady who posted here in 2012, "sometimes we are warriors, sometimes we are worriers." I love that! You are both, our brave warrior and our worrier for our collective knees. Now you need to put both aside for a while and just rest and heal. You did it before and you can do it again, to paraphrase the WWII song.

 

[mamazipp]

So, as @DodgyKnee kindly explained tabby's phrase, I concur....cwtch up and rest.

 

[Tabbycat]

 

[sheliac]

Cwtch. Thank you, thank you. I love that. You guys always know how to settle/comfort me. Thank you.

So, yesterday my incision started bleeding from one little area. It appears to be a superficial irritation (I have glue and a small scab). I cleaned it with soap and water, dried it and put a loose dressing back on it. It was red blood, no serous fluid or pus. Total, it was slight bleeding, maybe 1 teaspoon. I can't really see where it's coming from due to scab. I did call the OS nurse and she wants me to do what I'm doing, come in immediately if I get a fever. She scheduled me to see my OS on Tuesday, but if I need to be seen before then, I can see one of his partners.

Of course, I am freaking out. Totally overboard freaking out. Is this the beginning of an infection? Shouldn't I be started on prophylactic antibiotics? Should I clean the wound up good with soap and water or let it be-- it's dry and scabbed over again.

I really hate being such a nervous nelly. I know I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but here I go. I will post a pic and see what you all think.




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

 

[sheliac]

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

 

[Ronsgirl]

I had some bleeding also. The OS called it oozing. I had quite a bit more than what you described. It seemed to be coming from the little holes where the staples went in and came from three different areas at different times. It would stop in one place then start in another. It was still oozing when they took the staples out, but it quit as soon as I stopped the lovenox shots. I never thought it might be an infection, because it was pure blood, but it did concern me that it might not be healing well. The nurses in the rehab place just changed the dressing on it as needed, no washing or anything, just clean dry pads. I was fine, and I am sure you are too. You are probably seeping because of the blood thinners. They may have to change you to aspirin like they did me. Try not to worry. Hugs...

 

[mamazipp]

Well, I can't really tell from the photo, but I know you'll be checking your temp to monitor yourself, and I would guess that blood indicates just a pull on the superficial incision site. But surely ask Jo's opinion, and if you are anxious, go in tomorrow, if possible, to ease your worry. Nothing looks infected/red/swollen to me.

 

[Tabbycat]

Yes, I'm sure Josephine would be able to reassure you, or get the OS nurse to have a look. I know how you feel though it's hard not to worry, and keep things in proportion.
Tabby xxx

 

[dianehelen]

If its blood or bleeding, I would not think infection. If yellowish with blood id think maybe a superficial infection. I totally get your worry. But at this point just watch and see what the doc says. Try, I know its hard, but try to stay calm, keep resting, dont exercise or DUST. Keep us up to date. We care

 

[sheliac]

Thanks! It's just blood and I really think it's just an irritation at incision line. I'm just going to watch it and keep it covered lightly with dry dressing. If I get a fever or any definite signs of infection, I'll go in. It really would be ridiculous for me to insist on seeing an OS today. In perspective, it's a little bleeding from an incision that wasn't yet healed anyway. I probably scraped it on the covers.

It is so humbling to experience the patient side of things. I never imagined what stress such tiny things can cause. My rational brain tells me, slap a band aid on it and carry on. But my post op crazed brain has me on the way to surgery with a limb threatening infection. My poor husband saw me cry for an hour last night, not a thing he could do to help.
He kept trying to be helpful - saying, "My God, Shelia, you worked with ebola patients and never seemed to worry. Now you're freaking out over a drop of blood". While that's true, it is not helpful. I think with ebola, i was scared, but I was taking care of others. And I was in control of the situations, as much as we could control it. Now, I'm scared and struggling to take care of myself. And feel very out of control, being dependent on others.

The psychological impact of these surgeries has been much, much harder on me than the physical part. I know I need to get a therapist or maybe anxiety meds.


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

 

[uva55]

Sheilia, I totally understand how you feel, I think all of us are so terrified of injections that we over analyze every little thing we see that doesn't look perfect with the knees.

If I wear jeans or tighter fitting pants that rub on the scar a couple of days in a row, the incision feels sensitive and I get a slight rash, I know what it is but I still get nervous every time it happens.

There should be a diagnosis for Post Traumatic TKR craziness.

 

[DodgyKnee]

No diagnosis required Clara - it comes as part of the op I think!

 

[mamazipp]

Sheila, there is such a difference, as a nurse, between taking care of others and experiencing it ourselves. As a nurse we are in control and learn to keep our feelings on the side. We busy ourselves with tasks and the many details of the care. When we are the patient we have to give up control, body integrity, and are at the mercy of our feelings, other people for the first time. Surgery touches us at our most vulnerable self.

I was completely unprepared for that myself, and was a mess....helpless, crying, sure things would never be whole again. Of all people, my cardiologist suggested that it was a temporary feeling and would soon pass so why add any more Meds (antidepressants) the the mix.
Of course I did have ativan for occasional anxiety, and it helped, but he was right. The awful feelings did pass.

It does make us much more aware of how traumatic surgery is to the body and soul. It challenges us in ways we couldn't ever imagine.


That said, know that your irrational brain will be emerging a lot these early days and when it does, check in with us. We understand.