Bilateral TKR Luisa's road to recovery June 10th, 2013

[Jacky48]

Luisa, welcome to the other side my friend! You are doing great, and don't let anyone bully you! Your extension is far better than what I had in the hospital, so don't let anyone make you feel like a loser, because you are a total winner kiddo! For a while you will have lots of swelling and stiffness and that is normal, also that is the very reason your knees will have difficulty bending and straightening, not to worry! Just go slow, and you will win in this game of BTKR, and be all the more happy for it I promise!

Stay well and stay positive, and most of all believe in yourself my BTKR friend! Welcome to the club!

 

[Lmarshall]

Omg I actually stood with walker and took a few pivot steps to sit it a high chair. Of course being the baby Ii am, I cried, thencalled hubby abd cried, then called friend and cried. LOL I know I have a long way to go but I am so happy this very minute!!!! YAY ME!!!!!

 

[Jacky48]

I cried too Luisa! It was such an awesome feeling to stand and not feel that bone on bone pain! That's not being a baby kiddo, that's being so happy that tears of happiness came a rush'n or I should say, a gush'n! YAY YOU!!!!!

 

[gazelle7777]

Lusia each day we are closer to our goal. I have to tell myself that on the days I feel like I am moving backward. I started crying today out of frustration that I could not do what I wanted to do...simple things are so hard when you can not walk without the walker. I am not in control right now...and I have ALWAYS been in control. I just have to surrender .. And go with the flow.

 

[new knee in June]

Luisa,
You are doing great You have a close support group Family & friends are the best Don't
forget you also have all of us too So happy for your tears of happiness Remember the "mantra"
ice, elevate, pain pills on time.
Will talk
soon,
Diana

 

[scaredinCA]

See I told you that you weren't a loser.

 

[gidem]

That is fantastic- you are walking

 

[Lmarshall]

Well not really walking...more like a cpl of shuffles. My knees sgill buckle and I have ver limited muscle control. But it is progress and I will take it! Im still fighting on that extension range. Everyone and I do mean EVERYONE is insisting on keeping the bed straight. And of course do not allow elevation wedges. I will be having one waiting for me at home, but for now, will be going to rehab...I think...will know more by tomorrow.

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

HA I LOVE the name Zim!! I will have to think of 2 names...I am so not good at that. BUT I will have plenty of down time to think of them LOL I had an epidural when I gave birth to my second child. I couldnt really tell what I was feeling sicne contractions were so bad. Cant be any worse than that! And I was bent over a hospital table..no hug for me then. I guess they were scared off by my screaming

I call my knees Thelma (R) and Louise (L).
And welcome to the bright side! I'm about to catch some zzzzzs ahead of tomorrow's walking and PT.

 

[Lmarshall]

Hi everyone yesterday wasnt so great. Had a ver good PT session...was able to sort of waddle pivot to sit in chair but then I think PT§ let me sit too long and got ssollen and stiff. Staff was less than good yesterday...not encouraging...in fact depressing...making stupid statements like oh you should walk around a few dayx.....REALLY? SO YOU THINK IM CONFINING MYSELF TO BED AND BEDPAN ON PUROSE?. PLUS MY COCERN IS MY WHOLE KNEE SECTION FEELS NUMBISH OR PIN AND NEEDLISH......AND I HAVE REALLY POOR muscle control. Dr sjays its normal but its so upsetting. I feel like each passing day is getting me feeling sadder and sadder :(

 

[referee54]

Dr sjays its normal but its so upsetting. I feel like each passing day is getting me feeling sadder and sadder :(

I understand exactly how yo feel---these BTKR recoveries can be boogers---do not listen at all to what I would certainly term the unprofessional comments by the staff..

Dr sjays its normal but its so upsetting.

Remember, these things take time, and one needs to be patient. I understand that it is easier said than done, but things will progress, slower than we would like it to, but you will begin to walk easier.

I feel like each passing day is getting me feeling sadder and sadder :(

Remember, the pain meds also have a huge effect on our emotions, too. What would be normally sad and frustrating becomes a very large emotionally negative subject.
You will get there. I had some really down days---others on this forum have wept. Yo are among friends who understand exactly what yo are going through, an we will be there for you.

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Can someone please tell me if its normal to NOT get 0 extension on day 2.

100% normal

It literally HURTS to put my left leg straight.

Yes, of course it does -- and if it hurts, don't do it!

I feel like each passing day is getting me feeling sadder and sadder :(

Remember how you felt just after surgery( "Wheeeee this is easy"), now you are in a downhill path as your body reacts ("WHAT was THAT??") to the serious assault that's been done to you.

But once you realise there's a downhill path before it gets better, you can deal with it. You should let it flow over you; fighting it - as you're finding - leads to frustration, tears, pain.

Don't worry about ROM or extension. Please, don't. There's plenty of time.

 

[gazelle7777]

Lmarshall , sending cyber ((hugs)) your way I am sorry you are feeling so bad. You have been through a lot and to not have caring people around you makes it so much harder. These next few weeks are going to be challenging for both of us. Make sure you are getting enough meds to control the pain. The numbness etc is normal. I have it as well . We will listen to you here---

 

[Jacky48]

Great words of wisdom above Luisa! Stupid people say stupid things, so try to have it roll off your back!
The next time someone says a stupid thing like (You should be doing this. Or, You should be doing that.) just ask them, When did you have your BTKR, because you seem to know so much as to what I should be doing at this time?, if that doesn't shut them up, just turn your head and ignore them! They are not worth your time and tears my friend!

 

[referee54]

I might consider talking to the PT's supervisor.

making stupid statements like oh you should walk around a few dayx

IF they are making sarcastic or comments that are even close to negative, they are out of line.

 

[Lmarshall]

Thank you ladies. Im hopingto get into rehab today. Fingers crossed it happens today. I think a change in environmeny would help me

 

[Lmarshall]

I definitely get the feeling meds are playing a role. Ive tried a few changes but they didnt help with pain as much so im back to oxycodone and oxycontin.

 

[referee54]

I would stay with what is working for you---keep that pain down to the minimum!

I also was on Oxycontin, and I understand how you feel---I was in a haze and felt rather depressed---it has that effect.

However, it did deal well with my pain, which was a trade-off that I was willing to make.

 

[Jacky48]

Not a good time to play with the meds hon! And yes I think a change in environment will make a difference! When I first went into my rehab facility I immediately told my PT guy, okay this is the way it is, I will work hard for my rehab, BUT, I will NOT allow pain beyond my endurance so when I say stop, I mean STOP!, and he complied for the whole 10 days and I did really well! Actually he was really surprised how well I did, then I told him our mantra "No Pain, More Gain"! He liked it and asked about the BoneSmart website, I think he learned something during my stay. When I visited him after 6 months he said he tells all his TKR patients about BoneSmart! So let your rehab place know what you expect from them right upfront so there is no misunderstanding!

 

[Jesse for the Fight]

Hi Luisa
I had only one hip done and it took me 3 days to simply stand up. The swelling and 'sea-legs' just wouldn't let me. I read all about people walking with a cane after only 2 weeks and everyone said " you're so young, you'll fly through this!" but I did not fly, I Wriggled and wrestled with sheets in a bed ( at times the hospital can feel like torture despite a kind staff) then I waddled, cried, screamed in frustration a few times .... it took me a full three months to walk without a walker and progress to a cane.
I am getting bilateral knees in August- but I see
soooo many new knees as I continue physio for my three month old hip- they seem to progress weekly and after the swelling subsides the scars minimize and you can barely notice them. I found looking at them pretty encouraging - so I thought I'd share. I see about 10 ladies and 2 gents weekly working on getting to 0 extension .... they are all 1 - 4ish months in and getting there slowly but surely. None of them made it to zero in week 1!
I am a bit envious of your new kness- I know that sick-hospital- feeling will wear off for you in a few days.... and then you'll progress to the waddle stage.... and up and up from there
Keep the hope alive!
( also, people are mentioning your ability to post so soon after surgery. If you don't know why, let me tell you: after my hip surgery I tried to type an email on my phone... the act made me vomit- the light from the screen gave me a splitting head ache.... that you have your wits about you to do this is a BIG deal!)

You go girl