Oh, Dawni, thank you. I'm so glad to know your second was easier.
MamaZ-- free brain time
. I hope to be right there with you, working til I'm 75.
Ok. The countdown's on. They will call me today to tell me surgery time, but I think it is 1 PM.
I'm going to summarize what I learned from the first go round (and most of it, if not all, came from you all and this wonderful site)
1. Be honest about anxiety in preop and take the meds they offer.
2. Stay ahead of pain - take the meds on a schedule at max dose ordered.
3. Knee will feel great when I get home. Don't be fooled into over exercising or climbing stairs. The local anesthesia will wear off and it does not prevent extra soft tissue damage.
4. Ice continuously and keep toes above nose.
5. Heel pumps every hour and up to bathroom - plenty of exercise.
6. Use the walker. Discarding too early is unsafe and will cause gait problems.
7. Eat something at meal time, even if not hungry. Cracker and soup on day 1, then high protein . Prune juice and cranberry juice twice a day.
8. Brain fog is normal. Avoid texting/online shopping while under the influence of narcotics (see the hot pink halter-dress in closet if you have doubts).
9. It's OK to let phone go to voicemail.
10. I am in charge of PT. remind them of BS way and what I will and will not do.
11. Expect to have a meltdown or two. Don't hide it-- crying releases endorphins!
12. Weird or unusual pains/symptoms come and go. It is highly unlikely for me to develop rabies, TB or post zombie-bite syndrome.
13. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Slow and easy will pay me back in the long term.
14. EVERY single time I deviated from BS way and tried to rush recovery or please a PT, it set me back 2-3 days. Don't go there.
15. When in doubt/fear/feeling like I'm the only one, log on here and read. The stories, hope, generosity, and kindness of my fellow knee-warriors will inspire and calm me.
Ok. That's that. I may add more later or if anybody wants to add, please do
. I've got a busy day ahead. I'm in that "dead calm-- what will be will be" mode right now. But I'm sure I'll have my freak out moments today and will be around here a lot. And I promise not to be such a long-winded blabber once Knee 2 is up and running
Shelia
RTKR - 8/23/16
LTKR - 9/20/2016