TKR New Year, New Knee - Jan. 3, 2017<

[jaschembra]

Good Afternoon
PT just left, she got me on the cane for the first time. My hand/arm was shaking like a leaf when I first walked across the living room.
I went down 14 steps and back up. By the time we were done I was using the cane much easier. She left me sitting in the bed - cane was across the room and walker was in the other room lol. When she was gone, I politely asked my brother to bring me the walker. I'm supposed to start using the cane 50% of the time.

My extension finally changed from 7-8 (it hadn't changed since day 1). It was a 5. My bend went from 95 Monday to 102. I was shocked. I'm making good strides and I'm not doing half of what they have asked of me, maybe 1/4. If I did all the hours on the CPM and PT, I would be swollen and unable to do anything.

16 days out and that's my story. Boy how time flies!

 

[RMasano]

You are doing great!!!!

 

[KarriB]

Exactly! How swollen would you be and not able to bend your knee. Just stay on course!

 

[newlybionic]

You're doing great! Don't worry about your extension. That seems to be slower to attain for some people.

 

[sistersinhim]

My extension was slow coming, too. You are doing fantastic and working nice and easy is working for you. You are another BS believer!

 

[jaschembra]

@sistersinhim Yes, I am very much a BS believer and I really believe in PT as well especially for folks who don't have a source of info to pull from. But I bet, without having read as much as I have on BS and without all the comments I've received, I would be overdoing it with PT and I would be sore and swollen and disappointed. And... all PT is different. I know where I am going for outpatient, they believe, if it hurts, don't do it!

 

[Grammy211]

@jaschembra I was thinking about you last night! Glad to read that you are doing well and having a great recovery!! I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my first shower today!!!!


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[L.I.T]

You are doing so well! At 4 weeks, I was still at 5 extension! Finally made zero yesterday, but I'm sure it was only because of my new addiction, the ultrasound at PT

Congrats on graduating to the cane... I'm sure you'll be wielding it like a champ in no time! I admit I'm a bit green (that whole envy thing), because I was never offered a cane. Here in southern Utah, they tell you to use your hiking poles LOL. I really wanted a cane so I could go outside and harass young kids "pick that up off the grounds you young whipped snapper!"

Seriously, ya dun good!

 

[jaschembra]

@Grammy211 You WILL enjoy that first shower! It's wonderful. I still have to keep my glue dry in the shower but today I fully prepared for and took a shower all by myself. (I read your thread this morning. Don't get discouraged - this is a marathon not a race or a sprint. Just keep the end in mind).

 

[jaschembra]

@L.I.T I love the ultrasound at PT. I love the wet heat, the TENs unit and the the cold pack after! Oh darn, I have to do exercise in order to get those things.

 

[jaschembra]

My husband picked me up from my mom's house today where I have been rehabbing while she's in Florida. I am in my new nest which is a hospital bed in our living room. Ah!!! Loving it.

I will say - working on the cane Thur. afternoon and Fri. morning, really caught up with me by Friday evening and 3:30 a.m. this morning. I switched my Tylenol/Tramadol dosage chart to equal Josephine's 4 hour chart at 4 a.m. So far it's working well.

Looking forward to Chinese tonight as a thank you to my brother for staying with me at my mom's. I have retired siblings that split their time with me while my husband worked and took care of animals. I have never lost my appetite. I am grateful for several things so far during this recovery.

 

[highlander]

@jaschembra I am enjoying you recovery thread and getting good tips for all of you. I am 2 weeks behind you. This is Day 3 for me post op. Looking forward to learning more and recovering!

 

[KarriB]

It seems that you're doing a good job balancing recovery. Keep it up, jaschremba!

 

[jaschembra]

First day in my own house yesterday was wonderful. I slept so sound for 8 hours and only awoke at midnight for meds and 4am for meds and new frozen bottles for my polar cube!
I've been alternating the walker and cane during the day. After the cane, the walker is a breeze and feels like my safety blanket.
Starting outpatient PT tomorrow.

 

[sistersinhim]

I know you know what to not do, but don't let them talk you into anything you know not to do!

 

[Red's Mom]

Julie, JULIE, JULIE!!! I just went backwards and read your thread as I was icing! Have you done that? Your honesty and humor shine. Your recovery should be called BALANCED. It sounds as you approach your threekneeaniversary that your on the road to recovery and are through the dark days. You have managed your early recovery beautifully! Is your tiny little puppy glad your home? All is well here. My ROM s staring to really show itself and I'm only using the Tramadol once a day usually during the night. Keep up the great recovery diary.

 

[RMasano]

You seem to be doing great!!! Keep it up!!!!

 

[jaschembra]

So...my first outpatient PT was today. I set the stage with Chris very well from the start. One example was the leg lifts. He asked, how many are you doing? Well, my paper says 1 set of 10, 2 x daily, but I have only been doing 10 (i have enough times that my leg gets lifted getting in/out of bed or on/off my pillow stack). So I tell him, 10, 2x. He says do 15, after that rest, then do another 15. So I had to clarify the math and said that's 30! I've never done more than 10 at one time. Chris says, oh, okay never mind then.

All in all it was okay. My brother went with me but I handled my walker and cane, driving and everything by myself because that's how it is going to be going forward. I passed with flying colors, but holy moly I was tired when it was all over. I was even just a tad bit nauseous. My brother and his wife left for home, I grabbed my walker ready lunch, water and ice packs and was down for the count. Nothing hurt, but I'll have to see how my baby knee reacts to this 1st day.

 

[highlander]

Great job! Had my evaluation with outpatient PT today as well- I start Thursday. It looks like you will be able to "manage" your PT and do only what makes sense. Hope your night goes well!

 

[NightQuilter]

So glad you are doing so wonderfully. What a terrific family to support you in all the ways they have. Can appreciate the freedom (and reservations) about driving already - a little easier for me with the left knee a than the right. Keep with the mantra!!