Nervous but anticipating TKR

[suzzee2000]

I love my OS....he is such a kind man. He also has the best bedside manner of any Dr. I have ever seen. I told him I had researched him and knew everything about him lol... he just smiled. I told him how I joined Bonesmart and was trying to understand everything I could about this surgery, he said that was good! I told him his assistant had already scheduled my surgery for March 10th and then told him all my fears...
He took the time to go through every single step from the time I get to the hospital on the day of surgery to rehab ~ to going home ~ to out patient rehab and beyond.
He said I know you are afraid and you should be because it is a major surgery and long recovery and I am basically asking you to jump off a cliff blindfolded in a leap of faith to trust me to take the best care of you. And I promise I am going to do that for you.

After he told me the whole procedure..and I think he told me a time frame but I can't remember because he talked about 18 minutes for the cement to set....and as it was setting he would move to the next knee so who knows....

Here were the
questions that concerned me....

Q #1 I have bowed legs now because of my knees so I asked him... if my legs would straighten out after surgery...
A. Yes and he would make sure they were nice and straight

Q #2. I have experienced horrible leg and muscle cramps over the past year. Would I be ok
A. Yes he would make sure I have medication for that in case

Q #3 Any Classes for info
A. Yes Hospital will go over everything when I go for pre-op tests

Q #4 Do you believe in an Ice Machine and can I get one
A. YES

Q #5 A CPM ?
A. YES

Q #6 Can I have enough pain meds so I will be ok
A. Yes he will make sure of it

Q #5 What do you expect for ROM
A. He would love to see 90

Q #6 IF I am the model patient for BTKR ....how long before I can drive?
A. 6 weeks is what he thinks is the best

Q # 7 What about everything I will need at Rehab and then home?
A He said the "team" will be with me to help me every step of the way from the beginning until the end of my recovery!!

It felt good to know I only have 16 more days until I begin a new life on the "other side"....but when I left I started crying.....just because of the stress of it all....but I know that is normal and that everything will be ok....

I wanted to share my information with all of you in the hopes it might help you in some way too!
GOOD LUCK TO US ALL as we face our fears and go for it!!!

 

[kneeper]

Great!

 

[Derby]

@suzzee2000 Isn't it great to have an OS that you can talk to?! I really like the one I found. I'm scheduled next week for my tests/lab work. Someone forgot to tell me about the TKR class at the hospital. Oh well. I used to set up CPMs on patients so I've had a bit of experience with joint replacements. Plus I have learned a great deal from all of you without having to leave my couch! It is so exciting to hear about your new straight knees!!! I bet that was so wonderful to hear!

 

[referee54]

Sounds like you have all your duck in the proverbial row!

We will be here for you as you approach the day and then afterward, as well! You are ready!!

 

[suzzee2000]

It is so exciting to hear about your new straight knees!!! I bet that was so wonderful to hear!

Derby I think it was one of the best things I heard! After my Chiropractor telling me it was my L-3 out of whack....which was causing the pain in the knee...and the Podiatrist telling me I was born that way and it was just now showing and all my knee problems were caused from my feet and etc.....it really was great news!!

Sounds like you have all your duck in the proverbial row

Yes I guess I do referee54!!! Thanks to you and this awesome Bonesmart group!! THANKS!!!

 

[suzzee2000]

I love my OS....he is such a kind man. I told him I had researched him and knew everything about him lol he just smiled. I told him all my fears and he understood me completely. He took the time to go through every single step from the time I get to the hospital on the day of surgery to rehab ~ to going home ~ to out patient rehab and beyond. He said I know you are afraid and you should be because it is a major surgery and long recovery and I am asking you to jump off a cliff blindfolded in a leap of faith to trust me to take the best care of you. And I promise I am going to do that for you.

After he told me the whole procedure..
Here were the
questions that concerned me....

Q #1 I have bowed legs from my knees now so I asked him... if my legs would straighten out after surgery...
A. Yes and he would make sure they were nice and straight

Q #2. I have experienced horrible leg and muscle cramps over the past year. Would I be ok
A. Yes he would make sure I have medication for that in case

Q #3 Any Classes for info
A. Yes Hospital will go over everything when I go for pre-op tests

Q #4 Do you believe in an Ice Machine and can I get one
A. YES

Q #5 A CPM ?
A. YES

Q #6 Can I have enough pain meds so I will be ok
A. Yes he will make sure of it

Q #5 What do you expect for ROM
A. He would love to see 90

Q #6 IF I am the model patient for BTKR ....how long before I can drive?
A. 6 weeks is what he thinks is the best

Q # 7 What about everything I will need at home?
A He said the "team" will be with me to help me every step of the way from the beginning until the end of my recovery!!

 

[suzzee2000]

Just realized I posted this here too!! Hahahaha! Guess I STILL do NOT have the hang of this yet!!

 

[BigBend]

@suzzee2000
Thanks for posting - wherever! ;-). You had good questions and the best result: confidence in your OS! I think I'll ask mine why all of a sudden I'm two inches shorter than I used to be and will I get taller!

Still trying to navigate this forum. I've been following the bilaterals first..am most of the way through @Roy Gardiner 's very inspirational journal of recovery.

Let's plan on doing just as well!!!!!!!!!

 

[Roy Gardiner]

Glad you like it. BTKR has certainly improved my life beyond description!

 

[Karringtyn]

Great questions! I was full of them too! Ask Ask Ask!!! It will relieve your mind as you head in!!

 

[suzzee2000]

https://bonesmart.org/forum/members/jaycey.3045/
@Jaycey @Josephine is there a way to merge this post with my original thread "Nervous but anticipating TKR"or just delete it altogether for me? I'm sorry I don't know how to delete it ...THANKS!!!

 

[suzzee2000]

am most of the way through @Roy Gardiner 's very inspirational journal of recovery.

I will go read that since you've mentioned it!!! THANKS

Great questions! I was full of them too!

Thanks Karrigtyn!! I will and when I see him on the 10th I might have a few more!

 

[gazelle7777]

All I can tell you is, you can worry all you want, nothing can or will prepare you for it. And it is NOT as bad as you could ever worry about! It is So worth it and I too got straight legs on top of new knees ! I was terribly bowed legged, in fact, for years I dreaded the looks people gave me at work when they saw my bowed legs( customers) and I even had mean joking make fun of me comments about my bowed legs. I would go in the bathroom and cry..... I am SO THANKFUL for this surgery and give thanks everyday. I am out of pain now and I can wear pants proudly with no worries of people saying things that are hurtful. Best to you in your up coming surgery and do not worry!

 

[suzzee2000]

@gazelle7777 ((((((HUG)))))) you are so sweet!!! Thanks for your kind words of wisdom!!! I am going to look at this as my new beginning!

And it is NOT as bad as you could ever worry about! It is So worth it and I too got straight legs on top of new knees

AWESOME!! I can't wait!!!

 

[Josephine]

threads merged as requested

 

[gazelle7777]

@gazelle7777 ((((((HUG)))))) you are so sweet!!! Thanks for your kind words of wisdom!!! I am going to look at this as my new beginning!


AWESOME!! I can't wait!!!

Suzzee- I call June 4, 2013 my NEW BIRTHDAY! It was the day that gave me back the life I lost for over 10 years. It will be a new beginning to a new pain free( straight legs) life!

 

[Karringtyn]

@gazelle7777 I like that way of looking at your replacement day!

 

[suzzee2000]

Suzzee- I call June 4, 2013 my NEW BIRTHDAY!

What a great way of looking at it! Great idea for another day to "celebrate" too! You give me lots of hope! Thanks again!!

 

[suzzee2000]

Got my telephone call to come to the hospital Wednesday for "classes" and all the pre-op tests they need. So thankful my husband is home to go with me! The nurse was so nice and gave me all the information I needed....so one step closer to my BTKR....still nervous but not as much...it's getting better by the day!

 

[suzzee2000]

It is getting increasingly difficult to walk. I can't believe how painful this has become! It seems like everything is starting to wear on my nerves. I will be so glad when I am on the "other side" and finally beginning to recover!! I have been going to College early every morning and working like crazy to get ahead with my courses! I just want to go into surgery knowing if I can't do my work I already and have it ready to submit as soon as I am able!! All my teachers are working with me! I am so thankful for that too!!