Doug
alpha
United StatesIt hit me this morning that it was one year ago today that I had my right knee replaced..
I woke up after surgery, looked at my heavily bandaged leg. I could see my foot so I was comforted that they had at least reattached the bottom half.
Then I wondered who was pinching my crotch so hard...Turned out that they snuck a catheter in on me. It hurt like crazy so they pulled it out. I ended up having five catheters because it had irritated my prostate so much that it became swollen and closed things off. I got so comfortable with a nurse standing between my legs that when one walked in the room, I automatically threw the blanket off and snatched my hospital gown up.....But then they had just come in to take my temperature and B.P.
The day after the surgery, her comes the therapist. A little bitty young lady who made me get out of bed and walk with a walker. My greatest concern was catching the catheter hose on a door knob. But I survived.
I was in for four days and released to go home...
To all of you folks about to have TKR being afraid is normal..You'd be crazy if you weren't. It's a major operation..
But, it is the opportunity to regain your life.
The greatest recommendation I can make is to stay with this forum. I have gotten the best advice from Nurse Jo, and made friends with folks from all over the world.
There will be cycles in your recovery. You don't get well in a few weeks. You might get depressed about 3 or four weeks out. You have to deal with constipation, and many worry about becoming drug addicts...(which to my knowledge and experience isn't an issue).
You will have to work hard in therapy.
My Dr. told me he used to say it takes one year to recover fully. He has since revised it to 1 1/2 years. It just takes time.
But just think about getting up and walking. Stepping out of the car and not worrying about where you can stop and rest..
So folks, if you're worried about having it, go for it.
Reach out and grab your life back.
I woke up after surgery, looked at my heavily bandaged leg. I could see my foot so I was comforted that they had at least reattached the bottom half.
Then I wondered who was pinching my crotch so hard...Turned out that they snuck a catheter in on me. It hurt like crazy so they pulled it out. I ended up having five catheters because it had irritated my prostate so much that it became swollen and closed things off. I got so comfortable with a nurse standing between my legs that when one walked in the room, I automatically threw the blanket off and snatched my hospital gown up.....But then they had just come in to take my temperature and B.P.
The day after the surgery, her comes the therapist. A little bitty young lady who made me get out of bed and walk with a walker. My greatest concern was catching the catheter hose on a door knob. But I survived.
I was in for four days and released to go home...
To all of you folks about to have TKR being afraid is normal..You'd be crazy if you weren't. It's a major operation..
But, it is the opportunity to regain your life.
The greatest recommendation I can make is to stay with this forum. I have gotten the best advice from Nurse Jo, and made friends with folks from all over the world.
There will be cycles in your recovery. You don't get well in a few weeks. You might get depressed about 3 or four weeks out. You have to deal with constipation, and many worry about becoming drug addicts...(which to my knowledge and experience isn't an issue).
You will have to work hard in therapy.
My Dr. told me he used to say it takes one year to recover fully. He has since revised it to 1 1/2 years. It just takes time.
But just think about getting up and walking. Stepping out of the car and not worrying about where you can stop and rest..
So folks, if you're worried about having it, go for it.
Reach out and grab your life back.
