MUA My LTKR journey continues to RTKR<

[Fire wolf]

Thrilled for you that you were able to get some much needed sleep!! I hope that it continues for you.

 

[Pheebs52]

Huzzah! The Sleep Fairy did her job last night for you after so much slacking! You probably don't recall the dosage on the Trazodone, but perhaps it was just too high? I took 100 mg, but they came in 50mg doses. I was told to start with 50mg and if that didn't work (it didn't) increase another 50mg. That worked well for the two years I took them. But, it looks like perhaps you've found what works for you, eh? If so, fantastic!

Wow, that was a very busy evening, so now wonder your legs were feeling a bit cranky. It will be great when we no longer have to deal with the crankiness, but I'm sure it's going to be hanging around for several more months in my case. Still better than the awful OA though!

 

[newlybionic]

I'm happy you were able to get some sleep. I hope you were able to sleep last night too.

 

[RadioGal]

@becticu Just picked up your post, reading all the way through to the end, post MUA. Feeling much better now about the scheduled MUA I have for Sep. 7th.

With much reluctance and serious trepidation, I have concurred with my doc that I need it! I have attached a recent pic of my knee (if anyone wants to comment or see why I'm going forward with the MUA) and yes, it's "stuck" in that bent position despite that I'm doing my utmost to straighten it. So, I've made the decision to have it done. The pain is pretty rough most days, but I've read time and time again on here that post MUA pain is not much different. Having said that, I'm a realist and know this can be very difficult and that my outcome and pain may be different.

I just wanted to say thanks for the thoroughness of this post. It definitely gave me some hope.

 

[becticu]

Hi @RadioGal, it is good to hear from you and glad you found my post helpful. This has definitely been an up and down journey for me. I did have a successful MUA. I looked at your picture and it looks like your extension is giving you a problem. What is your flexion? My extension was 0 from day 1 on both my knees. Everyone says extension is the harder of the two to achieve but for me I had that but had to really work for flexion.

I don't have the appropriate knowledge about a MUA to gain extension. I'm sure you've done s lot of reading though! My flexion was stuck at 90 and I was running at of time because I had staged knees. Out of time for return to work that is since I had been out five months. I did go from 90 to 126 flexion in about two weeks. For me the pain wasn't any worse than a bad day before. I did swell after tho and still dealing with swelling.

There is a very fine line to walk afterwards. My OS ordered aggressive PT everyday for 10 days. Thankfully my PT knew exactly what to do. She did very gentle stretching and massage. I don't want to re-write what all you've read though. There is hope for you and for all of us! Each day brings something new on this very long journey we are on. Please keep me updated on when you are having it and your outcomes. Prayers and hugs for you.

 

[Fire wolf]

Becky, not that you don't already know this, but a friendly reminder for going back to work. (Aside from remembering to keep an eye on the gas gauge!) I have found that in general it takes me longer to do things, from getting ready to getting around while at work, even though I think that I am moving at pre-surgery speed. And be the end of the day, well forget it. I might as well be a snail on dry land!

 

[becticu]

Yes, I had wonderful sleep on Saturday night but the sleep fairy pooped on me last night yet again. I did take a two hour nap on Sun afternoon and I haven't been napping at all. A year that kept me from sleeping? I finally got to sleep around 330 and slept til 830.

I find that night after night of little sleep makes me a little emotional. I haven't cried in I don't know how long but I was trying to do some office work in my computer today. A lot of our processes have changed since I have been out five months. All our orders and billing is done through a new app now and I couldn't make it work or see any of my hospitals. I kept trying and finally my solution was to just sit there and cry. I really shocked myself that I was crying over that It makes me a little nervous, what if I get frustrated and cry in front of one of my customers?? Oh well, I will be like Scarlett and worry about it tomorrow

 

[jaschembra]

Beautiful picture! And... fantastic numbers!

 

[becticu]

Thanks @Fire wolf. Thankfully my first week is next week and I only have to be in a hospital one day, Wednesday and it is in Chattanooga. That's rare because I normally drive hours. I know that will take longer because I need to get out and walk.... I can remember just a few weeks ago having to rest after my shower and blowing g my hair dry before putting on makeup. I was envious reading your easy hair and no makeup. I have really curly hour and I straighten it was I blow it dry. I can wear it curly but I feel a little unprofessional with a wild curly mop when at work. What I am going to do if I don't sleep when I go back to work...this could get ugly

 

[Fire wolf]

Becky, I certainly can feel for you. I was, and still am more emotional than ever, which I do attribute in part to sleep issues, although frustration, discomfort, the long recovery, etc all play a role as well. There were also a number of significant changes that took place in my department while I was out. I did cry at some inopportune times, though mostly in my car or office. I found people to be supportive and encouraging, and some are still reminding me to take one step at a time. I guess that applies to many things, not just walking after tkr!

 

[Fire wolf]

What I am going to do if I don't sleep when I go back to work...this could get ugly

Been there, done that, still happening to me. You will do the best that you can, and that will be good enough. I actually have a dr note that gives me permission to take 2-30 min naps a day at work (bc of the narcolepsy, not Spence), not that I ever can, as most days it isn't realistic. But hey, if you need a 10 min power nap, then just count it as one if your breaks.

 

[Happydale]

Aw, Becky, you are carrying a lot of worry burdens! I'll bet when you go back to work you'll be so tired that you'll sleep like a baby. Also about the tears: Naturally you're worried about getting back into the swing of work after such a long absence. Layer that with your lack of sleep, that makes everything harder. The kicker is that worrying about not sleeping can result in...not sleeping. How about a massage in the evening? Anything to help you release your tension.

I also want to mention that I listened to a radio interview with a researcher who studied crying at work. She herself had that as a problem and she wanted to know more about how it was viewed. The wonderful thing is that she discovered that in general crying was viewed as a demonstration of deep feelings, and as a request for support. It wasn't seen as negative or weak. So let those tears flow, and signal to others that you could use a supportive shoulder to lean on while you transition to your full force. I'd equate it to the way carrying a cane tells others that you need some physical space and deference.

Sending hugs and wishes for you to sleep like a baby.

 

[liam2015]

Thanks @Fire wolf. I have really curly hour and I straighten it was I blow it dry.

hi becky...i hope you don't mind me telling you a cute story about my younger sister that has wavy hair. she recently got back from a wonderful vacation on an island off cuba where there are only 5 or 6 resorts, beautiful beaches, good food, etc. she raved about how beautiful it was. i asked her if she would ever go back and she said "no, because my straightening iron wouldn't work there" lol! all kidding aside, you will make out just fine at work. your colleagues will help you with the new computer app and i'm sure they will be empathetic towards you until you really get back on your feet. if you cry at work once in awhile, so be it. it's obvious you are a professional and care about the quality of your work. they are lucky to have you.

 

[becticu]

Thanks @Happydale, please wish me to sleep like a baby every night! I sleep really well last night! I know I have bad habits such as taking my iPad to bed with me and doing BS and FB while I am trying to go to sleep. I do have the lighting turned to the yellow hue instead of bluefin night use but I know electronics aren't good at bedtime. I made myself not look last night whenever I woke up. I'll continue use to try that. I do think worrying about not sleeping makes it worse. I dream going to bed at night cause I know what's likely to happen....

@liam2015 I totally understand your sister! Us curly girls have a special kind of problemMy flat iron is my friend. I went curly for about 6 months last year but felt like I spent more time trying to make my hair look okay curly than I did straightening it! I was able to set an appointment tomorrow to get help with the new work app so feeling a little less frustration with that. Thanks for the encouragement. @Fire wolf i hope you slept last night!

I'm going to sneak in a quick 12 week update on my flexion. That is 12 weeks from surgery and 3 from the MUA. Drumroll please....right knee measured 130 today and lefty was 133! I was a little nervous because yesterday I walked just 3/4 of a mile but was on the mountain. I went really slow and even stopped to pick wild flowers but was really stiff afterwards. I was concerned I might have gone backward. @kmak81230 your beautiful pictures made me want to get out on the mountain! I am attaching a pic of the flowers I picked.

 

[liam2015]

fantastic becky with your r.o.m. excellent on both knees. i'm sure the scenery was gorgeous where you picked those beautiful, colourful wildflowers. i think my daughter is like you in some ways, having her cellphone close to her in bed. i've heard that she answers work emails in the middle of the night! sometimes hubby will have his iPad charging in the bedroom and i will hear a "ding" in the night. he never hears it. hope you'll be tired enough once you start back to work full-time and have a good night's sleep.

 

[kmak81230]

Beautiful wild flowers Becky! So glad you were able to go for a hike! That ROM is spectacular. I probably haven't had flexion like that since I was 12. I started sleeping better once I quit taking my phone to bed and went back to book reading. Hope you can get into a better sleep routine.

 

[SusieShoes]

Those flowers are beautiful, and you're a talented arranger! Your ROM is amazing, too. Looks like your decision to have the MUA has paid off. We're bound to have better and less good days with swelling and soreness and all, but your progress is unlikely to go backward. Your knees are showing you what they can do, and they're doing fine.

 

[KarriB]

Becky, I'm so happy be MUA has helped! It sounds as though you're recovery is moving along nicely!

 

[sandi4213]

Beautiful flowers Becky. Thanks for sharing them and for sharing all your good progress. I think you will be tired, but I think you will do just fine when you get back to work next week. Rest up and enjoy your last few free days.

 

[becticu]

Unfortunately @liam2015 i tend to have those bad habits with work as well. This is a good opportunity to start fresh and reset expectations. I was an answer email in the night as well and kept a note pad on my nightstand to write down things I remembered during the night. I just can't do that anymore. I've had five months of not dealing with it and don't want to start back!

Kathleen, glad you liked the flowers but your photos inspired me to try and get back out on the mountain. I did get in trouble with Monika today because she's got really strict guidelines on what I am to do since a MUA. It must be working tho because my range is doing great.

@SusieShoes welcome back after your brief hiatus! I'm really not a talented arranger I just like to play with them a bit!

@KarriB, yes I am finally making good progress. Thank you for all your encouragement you've given in all these months. It's hard to believe it's been five months since I found BS. I couldn't have recovered without all of you!

Hi @sandi4213, yes I think I'll be tired for a while but hopefully my customers will be understanding. I'm walking so much slower than before so that will be a huge adjustment that I will have to allow more time for! How are you doing??