TKR luvcats recovery box

[Rather]

Congratulations on getting to the healing side! Sounds like you are getting some good rest. Sleep is more wonderful than any of us ever knew.

 

[luvcats]

@ElanorG I did definitely notice that the last of the nerve block wore off, but I got it sorted out with a little extra tylenol which I hadn't been taking before. And Ice. Ice is my friend.

My surgeon recommended the Game Ready machine, but when I looked it up, the cuff was never going to fit my giant leg, and the extenders dont add to the cold surface, it just adds space to connect to. I've had bad luck getting normal sized things with extenders and expecting them to work. It's never quite right.

I made a bunch of home made gel packs in gallon zip lock bags, and they seem to be working well. It's mostly a matter of changing the out frequently enough.

My insurance provides a bit of home.care nursing and a few visits of homecare PT, so I will use what is provided, but definitely keep to my own pace. Then I will have out patient PT in 2 weeks.

I'm not surprised you blocked out the memories of the last.one. I'm actually taking notes, because I'll be doing this again in September!

 

[luvcats]

@Rather Sleep is the BEST thing. It's also the most important thing we can do towards pain control. I learned that when my restless leg was keeping me from sleeping pre surgery. In days when I slept well, my daily pain was much more manageable.

 

[ElanorG]

I'm getting the Game Ready delivered on Monday. I am hoping the cuff will fit my knee. The guy says it will. I read somewhere that there is a cuff made for backs that one can use on the knee, but I might not be remembering that totally right. If you don't mind my asking, who did your surgery?

 

[luvcats]

My surgeons office hooks patients up with a custom ap they use. It's really handy. They used it to send me to do items, like short educational videos. I get check in questions each morning. And there is a chat function so I can reach out it I need something. Like today when every position makes my leg feel like its falling asleep.

This is apparently normal and caused by swelling. Also exceedingly uncomfortable.

 

[marieltha]

Cat blogs!
theconsciouscat.com
thewayofcats.com
sparklecat.com
catster.com
Moderncatmagazine.com
iheartcatsnewsletter.com
Pretty soon you’ll be marching right along
like this cutie
(Dancing cat comes later)

 

[winemama]

I slept 10 hours, only woke up to take meds, up for 4 hours and back for a 4 hour nap sleep, sleep sleep

 

[marieltha]

Calvin & Hobbes is good as well.

First week was the fuzziest mentally, for me. But focus and retention remained a challenge. Short works.
Short stories rather than novels.
Poems.
Not the time for rereading Proust or delving into philosophy.

I found drawing enjoyable. Seemed to make my mind hold its focus better than reading.

When I got close to the shoulder surgery, because I wouldn’t be able to draw (dominant arm), I got an online course on how to id birds by their songs—beabetterbirder.com (Cornell U) .

LOL. I remember doing it, but I can’t remember any of it! So I’m going to do it again.
And probably again....

 

[luvcats]

I woke up grumpy today. I really hate that. I'm normally a cheerful person and morning is my favorite time. Starting out grumpy just starts things all wrong.

Why is it always Sunday? I need to contact my surgeon's office about my pain meds. The hospital was giving me 2 every 3 hours and we kept that dosage without noticing the bottle actually says 1 or 2 every 4. Meaning that I am nearly out, and also hurting because the lower dose doesnt do the job. We shall see if the fancy ap is truly helpful.

I think I am not sleeping enough. I'm sleeping pretty well at night for 6 or 7 hours, but that isnt enough normally and I cant imagine it is now. Sleep is always a problem for me.

Yesterday I started watching Sex Education on Netflix. I'm finding it hilarious.

 

[Celle]

I think I am not sleeping enough. I'm sleeping pretty well at night for 6 or 7 hours, but that isnt enough normally and I cant imagine it is now. Sleep is always a problem for me.

Actually, you're sleeping very well for such an early stage of recovery. Lots of people here will envy you those 6-7 hours.
Sleep disturbance is inevitable after this surgery, so try not to stress about it:
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

Make up for sleep lost at night by taking daytime naps. Sleep where you can, when you can, and how you can. All those naps add up, so you get the sleep necessary over a 24-hour period.

 

[Bob T]

I've found that a short nap has helped me immensely. And I'm not a nap person at all but it really refreshes me!

 

[luvcats]

I wish I could nap. I have a problem with it.

I'm trapped in the middle of the stupid opioid war. My surgeon authorized a refill, but its 3 days too soon so they require a special explanation on why? Sigh. I only need to manage until Thursday. That's when I see the pain specialist.

Tomorrow I get a home PT evaluation. I'll be interested to see what kind of therapist I get. I've been doing the heel slides and short lifts as recommended by the surgeon and I actually feel a bit better after I do them and the muscles loosen, so that's working well.

No major breakdowns today, but the day is young. Lol

My whole leg is hugely swollen. I know this is normal but wow. I've been keeping it up and iced, but the lounge doctor puts my leg in an uncomfortable position. I suspect it is being under medicated. Nothing to be done on a Sunday evening.

 

[dogwalker2]

Sounds like you are doing very well. Its amazing how quickly the weeks go past, you will soon be over the worst bit. I am now week 5 and feeling life is getting back to normal. Hang in there xx

 

[Jockette]

Sometimes it is uncomfortable to elevate early in recovery. You may very well love the lounge Dr in time. Right now try pillows, or anything that will get your leg up, but comfortable.

I think we are all told to keep our leg totally straight when elevating, but that is painful. It’s perfectly fine to have a slight bend. It will take some pressure off and be more comfortable.

The early days are awful.

 

[Jockette]

These are examples of elevating correctly, with the knee slightly bent:

 

[Bob T]

I've found that doing the PT has helped me too. My leg feels better afterwards. Nothing crazy of course, just easy excercises.

 

[Benay]

Same here, feels like everything gets lubed and loosened.

 

[winemama]

My wife timed my meds so that everyday by 3 o’clock I was getting sleepy, nap here I came. Week 7 I honestly stop napping.

 

[luvcats]

Today was definitely not my favorite day. But I found some fun on Netflix that was at least diverting.

If you enjoyed or related to Revenge of the Nerds, you definitely want to check out Sidney White. The lead character is now an awesome female with a lot of geek characteristics. I enjoyed it enough I'll probably watch it again sometime with Beloved.

Also enjoyed Set It Up.

Its Monday tomorrow. I can't believe I've made it through week 1.

 

[marieltha]

Thinking of you.

My OS told me to rest (ie, do nothing) every day for at least 1 1/2 hours. If you nap then, even better. So I tried this after lunch. Honestly, my body really liked it. I was surprised. Even on the days I did nap then, it didn’t affect my night sleeping. And on the days I skipped it, I felt weaker.

I hope they get your pain meds straightened out, so you will be more comfortable.

My OS didn’t prescribe PT. For the few 2 weeks after surgery, he gave me 10 exercises to do at home 3x a day (okay to work up to the 3x)—and did them with me once to make sure I would do them correctly. At every followup, he added more.

And he said to walk 200 steps a day slowly (okay to work up) with a walker.

He sent a home care RN several times . She checked vitals, etc, and also was trained by his surgery RN to do a set of the exercises with me and walk w me at each visit.

So keep up the healing. Ask your NurseCats to do an extra “laying on of the paws”.