TKR My Shiny Happy New Knees

[Morgaine]

Warning, a Vent, Rant, and Rave, follows! Three things before my first cup of coffee. So here I am 13 days post-op. I am annoyed, angry, and my tongue hurts from biting it, so I don't say something I will regret later. It stormed most of the night, and I hurt. Different hurt than before, but still hurt. I mentioned it must have been the storm. Hubby (normally very thoughtful) made the comment that it couldn't have been the storm, since the arthritis in my knees was gone, so it was all in my head. I didn't mention that his hand still hurt during storms, even though the arthritis had been removed from it.
My sister called this morning, complaining because I wasn't visiting her as often as I had before my first TKR. I mentioned that she knew it would take some time to recover, and now with the second TKR, it would be a while yet. She played a guilt card, that she moved here 4 years ago so we could see each other more often. I sighed and said that once I was healed, I would get back to our regular weekly outings and lunches, rather than the once a month that I could handle now. She started talking about a lady that she knew that had told my sister she had both her knees replaced and was back to "normal" in less than 3 weeks. I responded that that was wonderful, and wished I had been so blessed. My sister then told me that her friend had told her that I was just milking this for the sympathy. I just said "whatever" and hung up. Then sent a text message to my sister to let her know that I loved her, this was major surgery, and everyone healed on a different time schedule.
Then after taking my meds, my husband mentioned that it might be time to start tapering off on the MS Contin 30 because it seems all I want to do is sleep. He said I did just fine with other knee with Extra Strength Tylenol, and now I was taking a lot of pain pills. My response was that last time without the good pain control, I hurt almost all the time, and I would decide, along with the Dr, when it was time to cut back. I also told him I would sleep whenever I felt like it. He didn't say anything else, just made me a cup of coffee. Which is a good thing, because I wanted to cry and go back to bed.
Sigh.
But now I have coffee, am sitting comfortably looking out the window at the beautiful day, watching the birds at the feeder, the squirrel that lives in the tree has scampered down to peek in and say hello.
The day will get better. Hubby has even apologized.
Thanks for letting me vent, rant, and rave.

 

[Morgaine]

This is a roller coaster ride. Yesterday morning, I woke up feeling good, but as I walked to my chair from the bathroom, I noticed the bottom part of the dressing on my incision was bloody, and blood was dripping down my leg. My husband called the home nurse, who came out right away. She removed the dressing and cleaned it. It was oozing blood from the lower three staples, the area was red and slghtly warm to the touch. Technlogy being wonderful, she took a picture and emailed it to my regular Dr. He ordered antibiotics. The nurse put another dressing on it, told me to rest and elevate it. My husband has had to change the dressing three times, because it gets full of blood and runs out. I spent most of today laying in bed, trying not to cry, afraid of the horror stories I have heard about infections in the knee joint. The nurse came out again today, checked everything again, took another picture. She said it looked much better today. The Dr sent back that the blood (based on the color and texture) was from the bruising (hemotoma?)from the surgery, not really bleeding, and not to worry about it. the antibiotics (Cipro) were just a precaution.
So of course, I listened to his advice, and still going to worry anyway.

 

[fiberlady]

Morgaine, hope you are doing okay, I have been reading your thread and see that you have been having a time of it. Hope things are improving for you. I am interested in how you are doing with having both knees done so soon. I had my hip replaced in December, my Right knee on May 23rd and my husband thinks I should have the other one done within the next 6 months. I am not so certain I want to put myself through more surgery this year.

I understand about break downs, I think with what we have been through we deserve to have one now and then. I do hope though that you are doing okay, I know I would have been very nervous if that happened to me even though they said it was okay.

 

[referee54]

You have had a trying few days haven't you? It is great to hear that the Dr.'s diagnosis is not real cause for worry!
I would not worry at all about the pain meds---you are still early in recovery and need to take them. Some need to take them longer than others.

 

[Morgaine]

Cindy fiberlady and Tim referee54 thank you. Isn't Bonesmart a wonderful place to come to vent, cry, learn and laugh? Cindy, I admire you for having a hip and knee done on the same leg. But like you, I am not sure I would want another surgery so soon. That is a hard decision to make. I am glad I that I have had both my knees done, because before I had the first one done, I had not been able to walk without agony for several years. I admit, I whine and cry and complain a lot, but I am doing better.
As for how I am doing, today is a decent day. My incision isn't bleeding anymore and my pain levels are low. I stopped taking the MS Contin because of the side effect of constipation. I have set myself up (with my regular Dr's permission) on a schedule of Ibuprofen/Tylenol that seems to be working (two Ibuprofen in the morning, three hours later Tylenol and so on through the day). I have Loracet for heavy pain, but know that I can't take it within 4 hrs of taking the Tylenol. I still can't get out of my recliner without help, but once I am up, I can do a fair amount of things. Although last night my foot got caught in the blanket, I had to get to the bathroom, but it took me forever to wake up enough to figure out why my leg wasn't moving like I expected. So, I ended up crying later in frustration. But today both the PT and home nurse came. I was able to get through all my exercises and my therapist said I was doing so much better this time. The nurse took out half the staples and put on Steri-strips. My Dr wants to leave the rest of the staples in for a while.
While I am glad things seem to be going well. I still fight wanting to cry because there are are so many silly things I can't do that frustrate me.

Morgaine

 

[fiberlady]

So glad to hear you are doing okay. I wasn't feeling very well the last couple of days and went to my primary doctor, he is doing a series of blood tests just to rule out that something else is not going on. He said it probably is the hydrocodon that is making me feel sick. He told me to stop taking it and just take the Ibuprofen instead. So I was experiencing some pain, took 800 mg and actually feel better.

I understand about the pain, last year I did nothing but sit, I could not walk for more than a few feet and then have to sit down, between the hip and the knees I was miserable. The hip was bone on bone and had spurs, it only took one year for it to go from somewhat bad to really bad. The knees have been bad for the last 15 years, it will be nice to be able to go to a restaurant and be able to get out of a booth or up from a chair without struggling with pain.

During this time I have been home we have been having construction done on our house, we had decided to remodel the master bathroom. Well, I have not had a day of quiet the whole time I have been home. The workers will now be gone for about 4 days and I plan on trying to get some rest. I started to cry the other day because all I wanted to do was lay down and take a nap, but I did not feel comfortable doing that with people I didn't know in the house.

I hope things settle down for you and that you start feeling better as we know, it will get better and we will be walking around next year at this time like we have brand new knees.

 

[Morgaine]

Cindy fiberlady metal bionic knees! and for you a metal bionic hip! Wonder if we will be as good as Lee Majors was in The Six Million Dollar Man, remember that show?

 

[Morgaine]

had to share this laugh I just had! Hubby is fixing supper. He just walked over to me and asked "Tell me why I looked in the trash can when the microwave beeper went off? I know the meat was in the microwave." I started laughing and told him that he was getting loopy from the drugs I was taking.
Of course, I would never do something so silly

 

[Morgaine]

Now 18 days post op on my left knee. Going much better than the right knee did. Home PT is very gentle, non-aggressive, love my therapist. She keeps encouraging me, but never forces me past what I can handle. Extenstion is 0, flex at 90. She is more interested in getting me to where I can do things, than the numbers though. I love my recliner, but am still not able to stand up out of it without hubby's help. That is one of my goals this week, along with the front steps. I walk around the house several times a day, plus at least twice a night (bathroom is on the other side of the house). I am still on a walker (PT wants me to stay on it a while still), although my cane stands in the corner looking at me, mocking me. I think it even mumbles things at times.
Every knee is different, with this one, it seems much more difficult to get comfortable at night and then once I am, my leg will itch, twitch, or some other odd thing. So while at first I could sleep consecutive 4-5 hours a night, now I hope for 2. Then I hide under the blanket with a flashlight and a book, until I can get back to sleep. I nap regularly off and on all day. I know what time things come on TV and can quote the schedule. Based on the Saturday TV schedule, I know church is the next day. I am going to try to go tomorrow.
Although I have had a fair amount of problems with both knee surgeries, I don't regret having my knees done, because I can walk again without that bone on bone pain. (am also going to copy this to my thread).

Morgaine

 

[referee54]

me PT is very gentle, non-aggressive, love my therapist. She keeps encouraging me, but never forces me past what I can handle.

That is great news!

Every knee is different,

So very, very true! Every TKR is different.

So while at first I could sleep consecutive 4-5 hours a night, now I hope for 2.

I certainly feel your pain!

Based on the Saturday TV schedule, I know church is the next day.

That is how I lived my life, too---by either the TV remote or the TV schedule. If Gunsmoke was on it must be around 2:00 PM.

 

[Morgaine]

LOL referee54 Gunsmoke is on my list too! (it comes on at noon here). I tell hubby that if it wasn't for the cowboy shows, I wouldn't know what time to take a nap!

 

[Brownie51]

Wow Morgaine just read your thread. If I was you I'd still be mad at my sister! You are a sweetie not focusing on it. But use this as a learning tool and have your response prepared when the next yoyo comes along and tells you that you should be doing better "by now" and the "I have a friend that..." garbage! One PT told me that if a person has a TKR and no pain that means they have DEMENTIA.
I think your hubby is probably a little worn out and those words came out due to his own exhaustion. It is not an easy job caring for us! And he is doing it all. So I am glad you quickly forgave him...but Sis, well you are an Angel!
I am so sorry you went through such an awful time. I am not a big believer but when you are all done with this, maybe you will feel up to writing a letter to the old hospital and let them know they need to provide better more compassionate care and that will help others in the long run. It amazing how different dr offices and hospitals react to patients who need more care than others. Finding health care providers who share the goal of making patients comfortable and helping them heal is often done the hard way, ending up with lousy care. You have been in such good hands now. Be sure and let the hospital know how good your care has been. And when you go back to out patient PT please do not let that awful guy you had come near you. There are plenty out there who can help you reach the same goal without hurting or demeaning you like he did. Awful awful. Oh just ignore hubby on the meds. If your Tylenol is not cutting it, you will not be able to do your exercises as well. So talk to your doctor about this, he seemed to believe you require the meds he ordered! Also I read your notes about taking Ibuprofen and naproxen and aspirin, not sure if this was all in the same day or what. Josephine could you please go over the meds with Morgaine? You cannot take more than 4000 mg per day of acetaminophen/Tylenol products. They even recommend only 3000 mg per day now because so many OTC meds include Tylenol. Maybe your bleeding is from your aspirin and taking ibuprofen and naprosyn or some combination? Are you still taking the aspirin? Can you stop that or is that your anti-clotting med?
You are so brave Morgaine! You doing such a good job and have been able to keep up your spirits! I don't know you but I am so proud of you for going through with both your surgeries. Before you know it your weight will naturally come down as you are able to walk better and gradually the pain gets better. You will be able to enjoy life again with your sis and hubby and the world out there is going to belong to you again.
Please keep posting for us, your issues are so common and it helps others to read how you managed to overcome. Good job brave one!!!

 

[speccybecky]

Don't let anyone tell you how you should be feeling and take pills if you need them . My hubby once asked me how could my knee still be sore as it isn't there anymore? His head is still on his shoulders but it was a close run thing!

 

[Morgaine]

Brownie51 thank you for taking the time to read my thread. My meds have changed some since my LTKR. I was on MS Contin (morphine), but stopped it because it stopped me up so much. I am very careful about the amount of Acetaminophen that I take. I make sure it is no more than the 4000. I am taking Ibuprofen every six hours, and Tylenol every six hours, alternate them every three hours, so I can keep a control on my pain. The exception being that my evening dose of Acetaminophen is replaced with Lorcet 10 (which has 650 Acetaminophen). No Aleve, no Asprin. I keep a list of times I take each med, so I don't make a mistake. I find rest, ice, and elevating works so well. And yes, I agree, hubby is probably tired of taking care of me, just as I got tired of taking care of him during his multiple surgeries last year. We have to keep reminding each other that this time next year, we will be doing all the things we love again.
On the out patient PT, I am NOT going back to the same clinic, and have already started talking (interviewing) other places. If they don't meet MY standards and the non-aggressive attitude...well there is always the gym membership my insurance includes.
On a side note, I grew up in San Diego and when hubby and I drove an 18-wheeler we were in SO CA (LA area) about twice a week. I sure don't miss the traffic.
speccybecky LOL, my hubby asked me the same thing!

Morgaine

 

[referee54]

LOL referee54 Gunsmoke is on my list too! (it comes on at noon here). I tell hubby that if it wasn't for the cowboy shows, I wouldn't know what time to take a nap!

I made it an afternoon of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Wild, Wild West. I also watched many, many Law and Order episodes!

 

[Morgaine]

referee54 starting at 11 am Judge Joe Brown, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Big Valley, Dragnet, Adam-12, Emergancy, Rifleman, MASH, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie.
And streaming Netflix!

 

[robynhood]

Morgaine. Im with Marianne. I think you are very very brave having two knees done so close. And you tell us your really bad bits with a hint of humour. Well done. The tears are a close companion in the early weeks. I cried if i thought my husband was mithering me too much I cried when i thought he wasnt giving me enough attention etc etc i made all the ladies giggle when he left me one day without a cup of tea for six hours and I said i had a voodoo doll of him under my pillow and was wondering where to stick the needle next. I really hope you are on an upward road now as regards recovery. Mariannes comment about this magic person who has tkr and feels no pain after 3 weeks yes they MUST have dementia cos it just dont happen. I havent got sisters. Just three brothers. They sort of ignored it all really apart from one saying isnt that keyhole surgery?????? Nothing to worry about then. Still think your sister was a little harsh. Send me her details, one voodoo doll coming up. NO NOT REALLY but peoples comments should be made into a bonesmartie book so we can all have a good laugh. So keep on doing what you're doing. Ignore the cane. His time will come. Youve had TWO TKRs done and you are managing really really well. Take Care x

 

[Morgaine]

Pat robynhood
My sister was just feeling neglected is all. She doesn't understand, I forgive her. No voodoo doll necessary, my sister found out she is going to need her left hip replaced and her right knee. Since I am the only one she really has here, to help her as a caretaker, we have discussed then when (after I recover, sometime next year). She isn't online, so when the time comes, I will be haunting the hippie side and quoting the Bonesmart Mantra to her. This is one Karma I don't wish on anyone though.

 

[robynhood]

referee54 starting at 11 am Judge Joe Brown, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Big Valley, Dragnet, Adam-12, Emergancy, Rifleman, MASH, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie.
And streaming Netflix!

Well my aftn viewing is all about housewives. Real Housewives of OC, real housewives of Atlanta, Real Housewives of New York. I love them all. The only I havent seen is Miami and havent seen the New Jersey ones for a long time.

 

[Morgaine]

Shhhhhhh! Don't anyone tell my physical therapist (or my cane) that I went down the four steps without a death grip on the railing this morning, and went back up them. My comment when I got outside was, wow, my garden is going to need a lot of work this fall, but my glads are sure blooming with all the rain.