TKR luvcats recovery box

[Rather]

Congratulations on gaining some independence by getting behind the wheel! I didn't have any trouble with the driving, but getting in and out of the car remained a challenge for longer than I expected.

 

[Benay]

So interesting following your journey.

 

[luvcats]

I didn't have any trouble with the driving, but getting in and out of the car remained a challenge for longer than I expected.

I am fortunate. Slow and careful to start, but I expect after a week, I won't be slowed down a bit in that. In theory I might soon be able to get out of the car without having to put both feet on the ground first! And even better, I should be able to ride with other people who have low, regular cars. I have a Tuscon which is what I think they call a 'mini-SUV'. It isn't really longer than a regular car, but it sits much higher. For which I have been very grateful while my knees were so bad. That's likely why I'm not having any trouble getting in and out now. Limited bending.

Does your PT do TENS at the end? And/or Ultrasound(US) ? And icing last?

For whatever reason, my body does not react well to TENS. It always feels great in the moment and helps, but about 2 hours later everything rebounds and is suddenly twice as tight as it was to start. I do my PT, and then I go home and make lunch, and then I settle in with food and ice. I don't take the time to ice there. It seems a waste of time since I'll keep moving for the next 20 minutes, and then I can ice at home.

How about PT today and groceries tomorrow, or the day after?

I'm not perfectly certain I wouldn't rather spend a day in the ODIC than go to the grocery store on a Saturday morning. lol In my very urban area the stores are a nightmare on weekends. Too crowded for me.

But it all worked out to be unnecessary. My PT was cancelled because my insurance hasn't decided if I need more PT. I'm wondering if they bothered to read my chart and notice I had a SECOND operation? sigh. Insurance. sigh. I will likely get a few more sessions. Now that I can drive and am not tied to what is most convenient for Beloved, I will cancel my Friday appointments and only go on Wednesdays. I'm just going once per week to stretch out the therapy. He evaluates what has changed and where my problems are as the healing progresses and I go home with new exercises to do based on the progress. I'm mostly doing 'squats', but what that means is, he's elevated a table to a little higher than a chair, and I practice standing and sitting with good posture not using my arms or momentum. It's helping a lot. Last time he got out the training steps and I tried doing steps up with Newbie. That was all quite easy, as I expected, since she handled all stairs for about 4 years. It's sore, but there is no weakness.

Going to the store was actually fun. Not only was it just lovely to be out on my own doing anything, but for years the store has been a major social activity for me. I've become quite friendly with several of the employees and will spend 5 or 10 minutes chatting with a few of them as time and their time allows. Since I prefer to go mid morning on a work day, it doesn't disrupt things very much. It felt great to just be doing something normal.

 

[Macknit]

Sounds like you are on your way!!! There are lights at the end of this tunnel!

This past week I experimented with my ODIC membership and found that if I take the chance to ice and elevate immediately, then use the next 24 hours away from ODIC (including resting, icing, and elevating) I rebound more quickly and actually have built up the ability to extend my endurance/stamina. I've definitely hit that stage of recovery where I have to have something to do, but must moderate regularly....and I must rehab (rest, ice, & elevate) any overexertion.

My driving practice begins tomorrow...as I return to work on Wednesday and it is a 35 minute commute! I've been a passenger 2-3x each week, so the ride is fine, I'm just not sure how the knee will be while driving!?

Are you doing the Disney cruise or Disney World? I must have missed your posting on this adventure! I have a coworker (My children's age) who is headed out on one of the Disney cruises at the end of November! I can't believe how elaborate the planning is and there are groups to join that leave gifts for your child and in turn you can leave gifts for their children....all in an effort to connect people before the trip so it is even more enjoyable. I am fascinated by this, because the connect-ability is very savvy marketing and didn't exist when I was raising children in the 80's & 90's!!

 

[luvcats]

There are lights at the end of this tunnel!

It doesn't seem to be a train, but I'm getting the feeling its dozens of people on bicycles with headlamps. Dodging is quite the challenge!

My personality makes moderation a challenge, but I find as I get older, that gets easier. I'm just trying to keep it top of mind and I'll get the hang of it. eventually.

I'm just not sure how the knee will be while driving!?

Hmm. It's about 15 minutes to the store for me, and then I spent 1.5 hours in a cart, which is different than driving, but I find that my biggest annoyance is that Newbie (and July really) don't like to be firmly on the floor for more than about 30 minutes. Do you have a foot rest of some sort at your work place? An empty tote you can take along and leave? Just a little something to give you more positions. I hope practice all goes well.

We are headed to Disney World in what should be a bit of a dip in attendance between the insanity that is the Thanksgiving Holiday and the insanity that is the Christmas Holiday. lol Historically it's been a great time to go, both for lower attendance, and because everything is all decorated for Christmas. We are literally counting the days.

I have heard excellent things about Disney cruises, and we are huge fans of cruising. The thing is, Beloved really dislikes children. Really. To date only our young nieces have charmed him, and he only met them once, on a great day. People who don't like children have no business going on a cruise specifically designed for them to have a great time. So, we don't go there. When we cruise, we tend to like Holland America, which is designed around an older market and they have very few children aboard.

 

[Macknit]

Ha, ha, ha...no judgment on Beloved, what do you think it is about children your Beloved doesn't like? They are changing so quickly most complaints of their behavior are just a phase and they are out of it about the time you figure out how to handle it!!

When we first got married (1977) I was the one who really didn't know if I wanted children, I was the oldest of 4, did a lot of babysitting and really wasn't interested! After I decided well maybe one, my husband and I chose to have 6 children....Crazy huh!? Then I worked for 30 years in the PK-8th grades and so, my life has been inundated with children.

At this point though all of our children are adults and we see our 4 grandchildren every 2-3 weeks, so I've become accustomed to the "other side", which is very pleasant! I will say there are some children ...ARGH!!! We would never choose a cruise or any entertainment that has a lot of children only because we don't have the energy to put up with some of the antics we have seen. (Of course you can just give them your phone and it will keep them quiet for hours! )

My husband and I do have a goal of an Alaskan cruise in the next few years (retirement in 14 months!!) and really just short RV trips, as we are now so happy living in the mountains of Oregon. We were military and traveled a ton in our first 20 years. My guess is my Left knee will need this surgery and I hope to use that surgery to morph into retirement (if I can make it that long, it does act up periodically now!) So, my point being we will not be around large amounts of children in our travels...we have paid our dues!

 

[Carole4815]

Going to the store was actually fun. Not only was it just lovely to be out on my own doing anything, but for years the store has been a major social activity for me. I've become quite friendly with several of the employees and will spend 5 or 10 minutes chatting with a few of them as time and their time allows. Since I prefer to go mid morning on a work day, it doesn't disrupt things very much. It felt great to just be doing something normal.

I am so happy for you! I was thinking about you yesterday, and it is great to read that your grocery adventure worked out so nicely.

 

[Jockette]

It doesn't seem to be a train, but I'm getting the feeling its dozens of people on bicycles with headlamps. Dodging is quite the challenge!

I love this!

 

[luvcats]

what do you think it is about children your Beloved doesn't like?

Mostly everything. lol. With the very small ones, he has a real problem with the sound of a baby crying. He's appalled by spit ups, and baby diapers are Right Out. You know that piercing shriek of a happy baby? He hates that too. With the older ones, so many are not being raised well. Not enough adult attention and not enough social training. He has no patience to speak of.

You'd never know it in public of course. He's always put a good face on in the past when we had friends with children. He just doesn't enjoy their company and prefers not to interact with them. So we avoid places that encourage children. I knew going in that he didn't want kids. We chose to be childfree when we married. I'm ok with that. It allows me to be a truly spectacular Auntie when the occasion arises.

My husband and I do have a goal of an Alaskan cruise in the next few years

We adored our Alaskan cruise! We have been told that there pretty much are no bad Alaskan cruises, and I think that would prove correct because Mother Nature really can't be improved upon and that's what Alaska offers. We did the inside passage for ours. Eventually I want to go back and do a cruise that includes a side trip to Denali.

My grandparents and my inlaws both did the RV life for a while. They all had the best adventures. My parents are retiring in the next year and I'm encouraging them to do some RV travel. My stepmother is from South Africa and she's never seen a lot of the most interesting parts of the US

 

[luvcats]

I've been doing so much better, I'm starting to want to try walking new places. Friday evening we both got excited to go out and do something. We planned to go out to lunch on Saturday to enjoy the lovely weather. So of course, Saturday was blustery and overcast and it lost its appeal. So we had a quiet day at home instead.

I did get a lovely big box of more knitting supplies. My knitting mentor originally helped me pick out yarn for 2 projects and just enough supplies to see if I liked it. Which I do. She also picked out a pattern she thought looked nice and was suitable for beginners. I used up all the yarn for my first sampler scarf project, but it was too short, so I ordered 2 more skeins of the same color. Then I ordered a bunch more in fun colors because they were on good sale and cheap to start with.

While I was waiting for the new order to finish my first project, I pulled out the pattern and started the second project. Which is actually too hard for me yet. The stitches aren't the problem, but I have a lot of trouble reading the pattern and keeping track of the rows. Although it is working up to be lovely. Now I have my yarn to finish the original project which is about practicing stitches and tension. And I've picked another project that I think will be simpler for the next round.

I'm really glad I thought of this to help me stay occupied. Being bored makes me very crotchety.

Huge milestone! Yesterday when getting out of my recliner, I didn't say 'Ow' as I stood up! It's still a bit uncomfortable, but now the muscles feel like I worked too hard at the gym, not like they were sliced and diced. Very, very exciting. I love not hurting. I'd truly forgotten what it was like, it's been so many years.

 

[Jockette]

I'd truly forgotten what it was like, it's been so many years

I’m so glad you’re healing away from that now.

 

[Macknit]

Huge milestone! Yesterday when getting out of my recliner, I didn't say 'Ow' as I stood up! It's still a bit uncomfortable, but now the muscles feel like I worked too hard at the gym, not like they were sliced and diced. Very, very exciting. I love not hurting. I'd truly forgotten what it was like, it's been so many years.

What a joyous event!! I've had a few also, where I temporarily forget that I had knee pain. Granted it is only minutes long, but it's like a quick reminder that those bikes with headlamps are at the end of this tunnel!

 

[Macknit]

Do you have a foot rest of some sort at your work place? An empty tote you can take along and leave? Just a little something to give you more positions. I hope practice all goes well.

Yes, I have a few options for elevating the leg and a freezer in the break room for ice. So I'll just use the gel packs at work. Also I have an upside down recycle bin or a cubicle-mate has an ottoman, I have to see which is taller and then I'll bring extra pillows to get the knee above my hip, while sitting.

 

[marieltha]

How nice you got to enjoy an outing to the grocery store. Simple pleasures.
Thanks for the reply about the tens, &/or ultrasound, &/or icing.
I have so-so results w the small tens unit I was issued 5 years ago after PT. The exact placement back then was prescribed by the dr and the physical therapist and helped. On recent injuries, I have guessed at the placement. My OS did, at my request, show me where to place the stickies for the ligament sprain, but he isn’t a strong promoter of using it—thinks it may help w pain, but has no therapeutic/healing properties as some think. It was better with his placements. And I don’t think it works on aggravated bursas.
Disney just added 400 vegan items to WDW food offerings, so getting your veggies should be easy.
And we are not cruise people, but I read that Disney offers adults only cruises. I don’t know if Mickey and Minnie et al are onboard.

 

[marieltha]

PS My knee just hurts at the medial bursa which affects the bend which affects.....everything it seems.
It was @winemama who mentioned swinging her leg out —in Lithuania (how exotic)

Did some of your half steps forward and back in the pool. Too soon to tell. Felt good in the water.

 

[Rather]

Woot!!! You’re driving. You’re ready to walk in new places. Disneyland is on the horizon. Your knitting is getting better. And most importantly, you didn’t need to say “ow” when you got out of the recliner.

So much positivity - you deserve all of it!

 

[luvcats]

I read that Disney offers adults only cruises.

Now that is something to look into for the future.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm and encouragement.

Monday was very productive. I spent longer in my office chair than I have since surgery doing some paperwork things I've been ignoring. I also continued my task of cleaning and organizing things that have been neglected. Generally that is picking up a thing that got left somewhere and putting it in an actual place. I have so many little nests all over the house, plus a major dumping ground where things that come up stairs sit in a spot in my office until I put them away. There's quite a few things there, so now that walking isn't a draining agony I'm trying to put away one or two things every day.

I also hit the rec center for 10 minutes on my favorite seated elliptical. I have it set one notch lower than optimal for me in order to get the extra bend. Slow and sore to start, but certainly possible, and by the end of 10 minutes without trying or paying attention I was going a bit faster than I ever could pre-tkr. That felt pretty great.

Yesterday was about 15% too busy, but it was a very pleasant day. The weather was just lovely so it was great to be out. Mid morning I drove over to the rec center for my 10 minutes, which accidentally turned into 13 when someone I've known for a while came over to chat. I stopped as soon as I noticed.

Home again after that and back to elevating my feet. At lunch time, I went out and found my first IRL knitting group. It was a very pleasant experience. They were very welcoming and one of them told me my tension was very consistent, a nice compliment. The only issue was sitting up at a table for 2 hours and I think it would have been ok except I had my feet tucked a little under the chair, and that got old.

The overdoing part came next when I needed to duck to the store. My knees would have preferred going home, and suggested it, but the trip was really necessary.

Once I got home, I got out my ice and spent the rest of the day icing in the recliner. Then in the evening it was time for our regular Weight Watchers meeting and we went to that. I wanted to skip, but I really go to support Beloved, and he has missed having me there, so I made the decision to go. It was nice to see the friends I've made there.

Bed time wasn't great, but not terrible and I saw it coming, so it was all my choice.

Today will be quieter. I have a chiro appointment scheduled right after I drop Beloved at the metro. He's going back to working at his office, so back to our usual schedule. Then I have PT over lunch. Insurance approved my final 6 visits for the year. That will use up my therapy benefits entirely, but that's fine because it's October.

I should have a nice relaxing afternoon of elevating and resting.

The only downside right now is that at 6 weeks, it's time to start getting back to my usual official diet instead of my current relaxed eating. sigh.

But it's all for Disney, and that gives me strength.

 

[marieltha]

This is a wonderful report of your continued and continual progress!

Include an ice pack in your knitting bag next time? Sounds like a nice activity, both social and right brain-left brain.

And how selfless to go to the meeting for your Beloved’s sake. Expect a karma delivery for that from the Universe today. And remember, the karma return is always in an unexpected form, which adds to the delight.

Thanks for your compliment and for updating.

 

[Macknit]

It sounds like a very very productive time! I didn't do anything...other than rest, ice and elevate (and pack up a few extras for work!)

 

[luvcats]

It has felt like such a busy week!

Beloved has started going back into the office, which requires an earlier start all around. I make his eggs and drive him to the metro so I can keep the car and he doesn't have to fuss with the parking. That cuts in to my posting time.

I did have my chiropractor appointment and he fixed the hip issue that has been bothering me since I woke up after surgery! They tweaked an on going problem and I needed to wait until I was up for laying on the table to get it fixed. Life is better now that it has been adjusted. Now that I am moving more easily and building up muscles in the proper configuration, more balanced strength in the hips should eventually stop that happening.

PT was excellent as always. The only downside is we realized that Newbie is moving much better than July and already has a better bend. I expect that has to do with pre-surgery flexibility. I need to do a lot more stretching. July is much more reluctant to bend further even though most of her swelling and general discomfort is gone.

The rest of Wednesday was the recliner with ice.

Yesterday was my appointment with my pain specialist. She confirmed that the worsening restless leg and inability to sleep with the fidgets is withdrawal. Good to know. Taking just a little more tramadol was a good solution, and that is also good to know. We went over what I'm taking now, and she explained how she wants me to taper, but she gave me more than enough meds to cover taking it slow and going with my own schedule. We don't know how much I may or may not still need the pain control of what I'm still taking. The goal is to be off it all by Disney, but she reminded me there isn't a prize for rushing.

Yesterday was also an appointment with my primary care doctor. That was mostly about catching up with what has been going on, showing off my new knees, and getting my flu shot.

It doesn't seem like that much, but with taking and picking up Beloved, and 2 side trips to the pharmacy for dropping off and picking up, it felt very busy.

I also spent some time with a friend who is a complete novice knitter doing some hands on very basic teaching. He's been having trouble with just the cast on and getting the beginning stitches, so we spent almost 2 hours getting that straight. He comes from a no-craft background, so he's having more trouble than usual.

It doesn't seem like very much when I run it through my head, but my legs feel that I have done quite enough thank you, and yesterday I was over done achy, but I did manage to get to sleep. Today is just groceries and then a quiet afternoon of knitting and maybe a nap. I am very ready for it.

As I suspected, now that I am able to drive, I feel there is so much to be done, I'm not doing a great job with self limiting. There are many fewer to-dos on my calendar for next week.