TKR Leisa's 6 months post TKR update

[kneeper]

Looking forward to further updates.

 

[Leisa]

12 days post surgery, feeling pretty good except after therapy. Trying to do all my at home exercises, eventually it will help my torture sessions at PT. Three times a week for the first 4 wks., then twice a wk. So they say.
Borrowed a Polar Ice machine from a friend and oh my goodness... I may just stay in the bed or on the couch w/this thing all the time. How awesome is this cool water?
I really needed it, I have so much swelling it is impeding my therapy. So, it's a balancing act. Move around at home yet don't be on your feet too much, ice and reduce swelling. Go back to the OS Monday to get staples out. I am feeling better mentally than I thought I would. I actually did a little work on friday.

** OH, our son (30yrs. old, married w/a son of his own) was hospitalized this week w/Viral meningitis. Scared us half to death. Got the 48 hr. culture back this morning and they released him from the hospital. He has to rest for several days before going to work but should be 100% in a couple weeks. Of course, they would not let me anywhere near him. Excruciating for a mother but his sweet little wife took good care of him and we helped with the 2yr. old.
Time to get off the ice and on the exercises today! Have a good weekend everyone.

 

[bottomshollow]

Good to hear from you, Leisa. I expect you're doing too much---and that PT is more aggressive than it should be. But I"m guessing you'll just keep doing it this way no matter what we say. Please do elevate and ice and give that knee a break from so much that it stays swollen.

Happy your son is fine--know it was hard on you not to be able to see him. Take care, try not to overdo it. We care.

 

[Jacky48]

Easy does it with the PT Leisa, there's plenty of time for healing! The cool water is so wonderful and it lasts a long time! the good thing about the ice machine is it keeps you on your butt!

So sorry about your son and so happy that everything turned out well! I don't care old our kids get, they will always be our babies!

Stay well and do alittle less please!

 

[Leisa]

Good to hear from you, Leisa. I expect you're doing too much---and that PT is more aggressive than it should be. But I"m guessing you'll just keep doing it this way no matter what we say. Please do elevate and ice and give that knee a break from so much that it stays swollen.

Happy your son is fine--know it was hard on you not to be able to see him. Take care, try not to overdo it. We care.

bottomshollow, actually I am taking it easier and I appreciate that you all care. I have been on my fanny all day and plan to stay here all weekend : ) You CAN teach this old dog new tricks. What I was doing (PT etc) didn't feel like too much, you know what I mean? But having had the knee problem for many years, I know when you can't bend well its swelling. I honestly didn't realize I was doing too much. I cooked dinner last night (because I felt okay) I know that I have a strong central nervous system, my drs. have been saying that since I was a child. I have such a high tolerance for pain. SO it wasn't hurting a great deal and I've been taking 1 Tylox every 4-5 hrs. Actually, it was my PT (who knows me well) saying, go home and ice that knee for the weekend and rest please. Then I was certain I was overworking.
I work from home so all I need is a laptop in the bed. Rest is on the agenda, maybe a good movie and Take out(no cooking for me) and lot's of this polar cooler time. This thing is flipping awesome.

 

[Leisa]

Easy does it with the PT Leisa, there's plenty of time for healing! The cool water is so wonderful and it lasts a long time! the good thing about the ice machine is it keeps you on your butt!

So sorry about your son and so happy that everything turned out well! I don't care old our kids get, they will always be our babies!

Stay well and do alittle less please!

Thank you Jacky, Yes, I am so relieved about our Patrick.. He may be grown but he is my baby. The CDC was involved and everything, really scary stuff. I replied to bottomshollow, I really am resting now. All weekend on my backside w/my new best friend, Polar Ice machine I've learned my lesson. I want to do this the right way, and get full use of this leg back. Have a good weekend all.

 

[Jacky48]

Smart girl!

 

[KathyH]

What a huge relief for you, Leisa, that your son is on the mend. A worrying time for you that was. Good to hear you are loving your Polar ice machine. Hope I love the Cryo Cuff just as much. Haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

Kathy
xx

 

[Leisa]

Staples came out today, not too bad. I got to see the first xrays, how cool to see my implant and to realize I no longer have arthritis in that leg. I don't know why, but that was a shock to me. I guess I simply never thought of it. I will be able to stop taking advil every day of my life. (at least for a while maybe) So far I had not even asked much about my numbers because I was trying 'not' to worry about them. My OS said my overall goal is 115 degrees on the flexion, but I'm not being pushed on a timeline. yea. The most I have gotten to is 60 degrees. I specifically asked today about swelling and PT and got the answer I expected. Take it easy when you have excessive swelling and be patient, it will happen.

 

[bottomshollow]

I like a smart OS and you've got one. Yeah, you just keep taking it easy---that swelling will come down--but it may take 2 or 3 weeks---took my right knee about 3 weeks to start behaving--I just pampered it---what else was there to do.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[Nyland]

Hi Leisa,
I am so glad that your son is going to be ok. WOW, what a scare for you!!!!
You are doing fantastic. Wow, good for you. Take care, my friend!

 

[PooShay]

Hey Leisa! Glad to see you're settled in and enjoying your knees. I have a pic of my new knees (as seen by Superman, I like to say) and I show it to everyone! I did have a spot of bother with temps. Hovered at 100* a lot at the beginning.

And the swelling of the knees. A blessing in disguise since it kept my knees smooooooth! Now, I'm getting wrinkles again. Argh!

ITA with your statement about your son being your baby. My mother still calls me "little girl" and I call my son "little boy" (he FINALLY got used to it)! Whew on the meningitis! What a scare, hunh?

We're having a Jazzercise workshop in 2 weeks, and I'm going to attend the movement class since I haven't taught the aerobics part in over a year. Wish they had a "stamina class" where I could replenish my reserves. I still tire a lot quicker than pre-op. And it's been 6 months (so imagine what's it's like for you just WEEKS after your op!).

Anyhoo, take care!

 

[Debbie_joints]

Hi Leisa, finally saw your posts, not sure why they only showed up now for me as it is not like I have a ton of stuff that is keeping me too busy and not check out this forum. Oh well, just want to say I am glad to hear your Patrick is doing better. I have a Patrick too, he is 33. I love my old Polar Ice machine too. I had to blow the dust off of it, I had it from a scoping 11 years ago. Glad I am a hoarder. We have found that you can freeze a half gallon milk jug and then a couple water bottles and it will stay cold for hours. You have to move the pump to one side, but it works. Hope we both will keep getting better.

 

[Leisa]

Hey Leisa! Glad to see you're settled in and enjoying your knees. I have a pic of my new knees (as seen by Superman, I like to say) and I show it to everyone! I did have a spot of bother with temps. Hovered at 100* a lot at the beginning.

And the swelling of the knees. A blessing in disguise since it kept my knees smooooooth! Now, I'm getting wrinkles again. Argh!

ITA with your statement about your son being your baby. My mother still calls me "little girl" and I call my son "little boy" (he FINALLY got used to it)! Whew on the meningitis! What a scare, hunh?

We're having a Jazzercise workshop in 2 weeks, and I'm going to attend the movement class since I haven't taught the aerobics part in over a year. Wish they had a "stamina class" where I could replenish my reserves. I still tire a lot quicker than pre-op. And it's been 6 months (so imagine what's it's like for you just WEEKS after your op!).

Anyhoo, take care!

Hi Girl, I am enjoying the new knee.. (I find it hard to realize that I no longer have arthritis) yea!
Yes, I was one terrified Mom for a week or two. Patrick is almost back to normal and it's such a relief.

Workshop! Oh, that would be so much fun. You are a better woman than I am, I'm not sure I could get that energy level back up to do workshop. I don't know what I would have done without my Jazzercise. It kept me mobile, flexible and strong waiting on this surgery. Sept. will be 1yr. since I taught a class (I re-injured it 9/15/11).. I get winded walking across a parking lot now. I will be a back row girl in the a.m. class close to me just as soon as I get this leg well enough.
Good luck with the workshop and enjoy teaching again! I sure miss it.

 

[Leisa]

Hi Leisa, finally saw your posts, not sure why they only showed up now for me as it is not like I have a ton of stuff that is keeping me too busy and not check out this forum. Oh well, just want to say I am glad to hear your Patrick is doing better. I have a Patrick too, he is 33. I love my old Polar Ice machine too. I had to blow the dust off of it, I had it from a scoping 11 years ago. Glad I am a hoarder. We have found that you can freeze a half gallon milk jug and then a couple water bottles and it will stay cold for hours. You have to move the pump to one side, but it works. Hope we both will keep getting better.

Debbie, you have a Patrick too! We saw him yesterday and he said he is finally feeling like himself.
This Polar ice machine has been a lifesaver. I've got it on right now My husband has been freezing water bottles and I can fill it with 3-4 and it's good for hours.
About the posts, I've been looking for a couple posts myself. I haven't seen KathyH posts, I think I saw references to it from someone else but I can't find it. I knew she had surgery and was trying to find the post surgery update. I wonder if my browser needs an update.
How are you doing? Much swelling? I think I've finally turned a corner w/mine. I'm feeling good and therapy is coming along. Having some random pains shooting thru the knee, I got on here tonight to see if anyone else was having them. Take care and update us about your progress

 

[bottomshollow]

Leisa, we're all waiting for KathyH to post---we have not heard from her yet. It was 2 weeks before I posted the first time after surgery. I have only a PC--no laptop or iPhone--so she may be in the same boat--or just may not feel much like posting yet.

I'm now 10 months post op and still have random pains--mostly associated with nerves now, I think. But, yes, there will be random pains throughout the months to come. No need to panic over them. And when you spend too long on your feet and do too much--even at 6 or 7 months, you'll have pains. Just goes with the territory. Glad you're doing so well.

 

[Leisa]

Leisa, we're all waiting for KathyH to post---we have not heard from her yet. It was 2 weeks before I posted the first time after surgery. I have only a PC--no laptop or iPhone--so she may be in the same boat--or just may not feel much like posting yet.

I'm now 10 months post op and still have random pains--mostly associated with nerves now, I think. But, yes, there will be random pains throughout the months to come. No need to panic over them. And when you spend too long on your feet and do too much--even at 6 or 7 months, you'll have pains. Just goes with the territory. Glad you're doing so well.

Okay, so no one here has heard from Kathy.. you are probably right, I know it took me several days to feel like using the computer. I had not even thought of 'bone pain' until I was reading on Michael's blog. I can't believe that never crossed my mind. Live and learn. Not upset over the pains, just wanted to make sure it was normal. I am relieved and pleased to be feeling as well as I do. I know some people don't do as well. Still loving this Polar ice. : ) Thank you!

 

[Jacky48]

Leisa, I'm glad to hear that everything is going well for and your son! I've been looking for Kathy too, so I guess we're all on pins and needles wondering about how she is coping! One thing for sure she must be so glad that part is over, like all of us were.
Every now and then I get shooting pains in the knee too, but for me it's nothing like before I got my new knees! I hope some day my brain will forget that pre-op pain.
It's a wonderful surprise when you're on the post-op side and the recovery is doing so well, especially with all the nightmares we put ourselves through pre-op!
Stay well my friend!

 

[Leisa]

Leisa, I'm glad to hear that everything is going well for and your son! I've been looking for Kathy too, so I guess we're all on pins and needles wondering about how she is coping! One thing for sure she must be so glad that part is over, like all of us were.
Every now and then I get shooting pains in the knee too, but for me it's nothing like before I got my new knees! I hope some day my brain will forget that pre-op pain.
It's a wonderful surprise when you're on the post-op side and the recovery is doing so well, especially with all the nightmares we put ourselves through pre-op!
Stay well my friend!

Yes, agreed.. nothing like the painful knee before surgery. I'm just anxious to hear about Kathy. Hey, even the shooting pains are nothing compared to the arthritis that was there, right? Take care yourself!

 

[bottomshollow]

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