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bsassy

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hi....so glad i found this site...i need to know i'm progressing as best i can....had a total right knee replacement jan.14, 2 weeks ago monday......came home the 18th with all the hope in the world, 2 hours later i was back in the e.r. w/a broken left wrist and more surgery to put a plate and pins in.....i took a tumble probably because i caught my walker on the carpet under the influence of the pain meds......anyway, the wrist is a hinderance but i don't want to complain about that since it was my own stupidity that caused it......what i need to know is yhat i'm on track w/my knee......the pain is so intense during the p.t's visits and whn i try to lift my leg off the bed i can't get it started w/out help. after help i can raise and lower on my own and work through all the other excersises....i know this is a process but i need to know i'm doin ok......i get parinoid i won't get get my life back......i have showered on my own w/ a tad of help from my husband and i'm walking w/a cane (gun shy coz of wrist) we have a multi level home and they told me not to dare go downstairs during the day or until i know how on my own....am i going to be confined to my bedroom for 6-8 weeks or am i just too anxious?? pain is intense after all day but pain med calms it enough to sleep.....please tell me i'm on schedule.....my doc is not one for bedside manor but his reputation is the best........thanks for any encouragement you can lend...i'm goin crazy w/all sorts of hindering thoughts. thanks!! ps.i'm a young 52
 
Yes, you are too anxious!! 2 weeks is NOTHING!! You are still fresh out of surgery and have had a major operation. You will likely have many more weeks of feeling helpless and hopeless but remember EVERYBODY feels like that at the start. You are drained of energy, bereft of positive thinking and dependent upon other people to boot. Not a good state of mind to be in.

But do this for me - get a book and right down a short summary of your progress - or lack thereof - every day. Then in two or three weeks time, when you think you have been in this state forever, you can look back and remind yourself how bad bad really was!!

You're doing fine and have risen phoenix-like from a bad fall and another op. I am impressed!
 
First off, you weren't stupid when you broke your wrist---stuff happens. Secondly, my PT would visit me and make me hurt so badly that I would bite on a towell to keep from cursing. I was happy to see her, as she would help me, but I dreaded her, as I would be in one hour's worth of pain.

I came home on a walker and felt like an invalid (I probably was...) but things did get better, and I am still going to a PT now, and they work me hard...you will get your life back---but it will take time. Arthritis didn't rob you of stuff overnight, and with this type of surgery, you have to climb the ladder one rung at a time, and the climb may be slow and it maybe long, but you will make the climb and reclaim what arthritis took from you! You won't get it back right away, either, but you will get it back!

We heat our house with firewood---we have a really nice woodburning stove---but for the longest time my wife was bringing in all of the wood, cooking the meals, doing the wash, etc. I felt like a real heel. Now things are getting back to normal---and they will for you, too. It is OK to depend on your spouse for help...remember the lines, "in sickness and in health"? My wife was a saint through all of this, and I have no doubt that your husband will be, too.
Count on him.

This was major surgery that you had. You will recover, but it will take time.

Don't worry about your progress. Do not worry about how slow you are going. Look where you have been last week, or two weks ago---don't worry about yesterday. Look ahead; think about how good you will feel when spring comes (I live around the Great Lakes, and we have another winter storm coming...) and how much more you will be able to enjoy life. Acdept the challenge that you will work hard to overcome your adversity.
Hang in there, your life will definitely improve!

Tim C.
 
Bsassy, I never thought I would ever tell anyone that they are right where they are supposed to be right after TKR. I am 6-2, 200 lbs and a Harley-biker that cries when I get a splinter so I know what you me when you speak about the pain. The pain is INTENSE after a TKR. If anyone tells you different, they didnt have a TKR or have been in a coma. I was right in your shoes for quite a while. In time, the pain turned to discomfort, PT became a bit better, and I began to do more. After sitting in my recliner for 6 weeks staring at my walls, I decided to paint my living room and foyer with 3 coats of paint. It took me four days but the therapy was great and it looks good. My Doctor told me, and I quote "do what ever you want or can, let your discomfort be your guide." Since then, I have been out on my bike, raked leaves, refinished my hardwood floor and tend to my animals without any assistance from anyone. I leave you with this..The pain you have will turn to discomfort and eventually to soreness from time to time. The mental state you are in will turn better as time progresses, and you will find that you will be doing more as time progresses. Do not fret, you are not alone and you will only get better. Respects, Chuck W.
 
thank you for your words of encouragement....i read them about 10 times..i am so hard on myself and i'm so afraid i'll never be "normal" again....i know that time heals all wounds and the p.t. just left an hour ago....she told me to think back to last week and then think about next week and the progress i'll make...i was allowd downstairs today for the first time since coming home from the surgery....i never realized how much i missed my home! i'm sure i will read your words 100 more times and when it gets to the point that i feel like painting a room i think i'll pick up the phone and call the painter coz i can't paint to begin with.....lol..... 2 weeks, and 2 days .....i'm on my way! but boy does it hurt getting there!
 
Bsassy.....so how are you doing now? I just joined in this blog last night when I was feeling down and needed some support. Boy, did the folks on this site leap to my assistance! Their posts have been a great spirit lifter for me! I'm sure you got the same feeling from the people who wrote to you. I cannot believe you made such a quick comeback after not only having a TKR but a broken wrist! You are an inspiration to me. My only problem was coping with nausea from my pain med....cannot compare with what you are going through. If you have time, post and let me know how you are these days.
 
bsassy, you type pretty good for a one handed one knee-er Just kidding.. We'll get through it together. normal is still there if that's really what you want.... Best, Jen
 
hi Jamie....I just got your reply, don't know why it wasn't delivered to my e-mail sooner but I'm happy to say that as of today, March 31,2008......I am CAST FREE and CANE FREE!!! woooohoooo........ I'm still doing p.t. and o.t. for both and I still have pain but nothing near as bad as it was .....when my cast came off I was so happy that day until I realized just how tender the bones are and begged them to put it back on!! lol .....today it's pretty good , just weak and that's what o.t. is for..... We are to leave for vacation in 2 weeks and I'm worrying about the airport walking......I do still get wobbly and I do still need my meds....it's a 4 hour flight that I usually sleep through but I'm afraid I'll get so stiff I won't be able to get off the plane..... what a process this has been.....I really don't think I'd have gone through with it had I'd known !!! Stay well and keep in touch.
 
So glad to hear of your wonderful progress. And a vacation in two weeks? Wow!!! I hope it's some place where you can just relax and chill out once you get there. Maybe on the plane you can sit on the aisle and get up and move around every now and then. And take pain pills, of course. Sometimes you can call ahead at an airport and get assistance instead of walking. If they know in advance, they can haul your entire group around in those nifty little carts. You get to go to the front of all the lines. Use this service!!! You deserve the pampering!!!
 
hi jamie
i thought about that whole cart deal for the airport but i'm so fiercly independent it would be such a blow to my ego...but then again, the more i think about it the better it sounds and everyone tells me to do it!! i did call the airline but there is nothing i can do until check-in....i'm supposed to talk to the guy at the gate.....i wasn't thinking when i booked and booked out usual window seats.....i am hoping that if i can't get to the front then they can at least switch me to an aisle........we are headed to Las Vegas!! We try to go 3-4x a year just because we love those darn slot machines!! So as far as relaxing, I know I will not be pushing myself like usual.....just maybe a spa day and some pool time w/a book(no bathing suit tho----wouldn't want to show my battle scar!!) and some awesome resturants to try. I see my o.s. wednesday of this week....i'll talk w/him about the limitations ......meantime , i've got a good 10 days to keep getting stronger......and today in o.t. my wrist was the best it's been.......things are looking up! how is your progress?
 
you've got to let us know if you set off the metal detectors at the airport. what a hoot! You can get a card from your dr I think, or they just wave the wand over your knee when you tell them, so it'll be more interesting than anything. : )
 
Bsassy, take that bathing suit!! Show that battlescar off and be proud!! You've conquered a lot these past months. I was at the pool yesterday, I joined a low impact aquafit class. The freedom I felt in the water was fantastic. I could actually sit on a noodle and cycle, which I can't do yet on my stationary bike. Besides, the sun will do your leg good, and a tan would help mask the scar too (don't forget the sunscreen though).

Check your flight online, you may be able to re book your seat for an aisle seat, there are lots of people like to have a window seat. Most of all, enjoy your vacation!!!!
 
bsassy,
Get the cart, forget the pride. You will be so glad you did, and it saves so much time you won't believe it. Right before I got my fist knee replaced I went to visit my sister in Costa Rica, I was so worried about being able to walk through BWI, I almost didn't go. She convinced me to stop it and when I get there, just ask for a cart, I did and what a difference that made. No worries, no hobbling, no pain, just a swift little ride through the airport, dropped off right where I needed to be and in plenty of time.
For me, better to utilize the tools out there and be pain free and comfortable. Just think about it. Have your husband request it for you. So nice that way.
 
I'm doing really well, I think. Still have the pain, of course. when meds wear off. But I'm getting around so much better. Sometimes even without my cane around the house. I'm in week 5 and it seemed like things got dramatically better after that 4 week point. Like you, I'm independent, but I would certainly do the cart thing at the airport. Think of it as a pre-spa pampering. With the price of travel today....the airlines OWE it to you!!! You DESERVE special treatment and it's time to collect. Since you have to make all the arrangements at the airport, be sure and go early enough to allow for any problems that might arise. Also, early arrival might allow you to change your seats to aisle or you could call to see if that could be done (explain that you just had surgery). The airline counter people have LOTS of latitude in what they can do, so you never know.....they might upgrade you to First Class if they had a vacant seat and you feigned a good "poor me" routine. Remember....you DESERVE special treatment and they OWE you!!! The trip will be great for your mentals and sounds like you have a good plan to pace yourself. Hugs to you and HAVE FUN!!!
 
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