PKR Oops, I did it again...Round 2 complete!

[Bionic woman2]

 

[new knee in June]

Dear b.w 2,
What at terrible, horrible, day you had I only work p.t. So no pay for me, but I knew ahead
Of time. I had to take out a loan from my credit union to keep-up on the bills.
I'm hoping to be back to work August 19
But, yes this must be a financial stretch for most working folks.
If you thought you would be getting paid, you have to wait until Monday & call h.r
Hopefully it is all a mistake.
Wishing you a better day
Diana

 

[Bionic woman2]

Thank you Diana, you lifted my spirits a wittle.

The HR woman actually called and left a message on my voicemail early this morning, while I was in LaLa-land. She said something like "they have to have continued updates to keep my benefits going, they don't just keep on paying leave." huh? What part of Knee Replacement Surgery do they not understand and I'm sure "keeping on paying" my short term disability premiums. MY paperwork from the DR has a return date in Nov. because I'm getting my other knee done in September. The FMLA paperwork has me out until the end of October. Even without the second surgery, I am not by any stretch of the imagination healed enough to go back to work now, nor was a released to go back to work. This must be something new. I had surgery on my "toe" before and didn't have this problem while I was on leave. Maybe my Dr at the time sent in the updates, but I was never required to have that leave re-approved while I was on it.

I left a message for my Dr's assistant to fax her an update. I really don't know what they need, it's confusing. They granted the leave and now that I've had the surgery I have to be approved throughout my healing process to keep it. Turns out they only had me approved for 28 days of paid leave, Isn't there a movie with that title? I think it's a scary one too, just like my situation. lol

Have a great weekend, I'm taking a Knee-cation today!

Bionic Woman2... We can rebuild her, but it's gonna cost!

 

[Travlingirl04]

Love the "knee-cation" idea...I think I'll join you:

 

[Bionic woman2]

I saw it on a thread. I don't know who started it but...

 

[new knee in June]

Dear b.w 2,
Seems like h.r has things moving along whatever they need I'm sure your doctors office can fax
The info &you will keep getting paid
I hope everything works out for you.....enjoy your knee-cation
Take care,
Diana

 

[Bionic woman2]

First day of school starts tomorrow and I won't be there. I'm truly going to miss my Kindergarten kids even though I haven't met this bunch. Unfortunately, when you're out on disability you're not even allowed in the building. I know there's a liability issue here, but it sucks just the same. My school is a big part of my life, I worked on and off the clock. With the upcoming surgery of my left knee, it's going to be several months before I can get a whiff of a school lunch again. Hmmm, that could be a plus.

I did get my short term disability pay shorted out for now, so that's a plus. I just feel so sad sometimes. In addition to the pain there's the loneliness. Plus, I worry if I'm doing all I can to heal. I move so slow, and cry a lot when no one's looking. I'm use to multi-tasking and getting it done! I wonder when will this be over with... AND if that's not enough, my crazy behind is doing it again next month. So, It would be nice to at least meet my kiddies tomorrow, to lift my spirits.

Oh well, I do have two "big kiddies" who do their fair share of occupying my mind with their lives. One of them starts his senior year of H.S. tomorrow, and that's a big deal around here. One more year and he's off to college! We BOTH better get to bed because 5:30 am comes EARLY. Considering both of our sleep schedules over the summer, tomorrow morning is gonna be a struggle. Hope he doesn't miss the bus, cause mum's legs don't work well that early in the morning.

Good night all

Bionic Woman2... We can rebuild her, but it's gonna cost!

 

[Bionic woman2]

The first day of school started without me. This is hard.

 

[Bionic woman2]

Feeling like I should be further along. I have days when I feel I'm progressing and days that seem like I've regressed. I have surgery coming up on my other knee on 9/18 and I'm worried.

I sure would like to hear from somebody. I could use some encouragement and insight.

 

[daughter stalker]

Hi Bionic woman2,

It will be okay. Everyone progresses at different rates. Some of us don't admit that we need help or that we need anything. You seem to be a really strong person. I wouldn't know how to deal with having to do both knees. The decision to do one was an extremely hard thing to do. You have already made the hard decision. You can handle it!

 

[Bionic woman2]

Thanks Daughter Stalker, I probably can handle it but I DON'T WANT TO! Said in my Kindergarten voice.

Went for a little walk, tried to do my step exercises. Since my good knee will be my bad knee in 5 weeks, I'm trying to get to the point where I can go up like a "big girl"... Not today... I did a couple of steps and realized I was doing more damage than good. There were real tears with sound as I climbed back up in defeat. I know everyone's healing is different, I just want to see a difference in mine (for the good that is.)

icing right now and sipping a glass of mine... I tried.
I appreciate your timely reply.

 

[Brithael]

Have you had a frank discussion with your OS about your pain in your right knee? I can't think that having another surgery without better healing is a good idea. I know it would depress me to no end. Maybe you need more time in between. Hope you're doing better! I'm a former teacher - so I understand you're feeling about your classroom; however, I'm retired, so I don't miss it anymore.

 

[Bionic woman2]

Hi Brithael, thanks for your response. It's not so much the pain in the right knee, as it is the progress, or lack of. I have a lot of stiffness, especially in the morning. I'm so use to pain, that I wouldn't know what it would feel like to be without it. This surgery has been a looooong time coming. To be honest my right leg in comparison to my left one is much stronger.

It's just that... "IT'S TAKING TOO LONG!" Said in my Kindergarten voice. I think that phrase is from a kids book or show. Did mention I have the spirit of a 5 year old? So, this resting/taking it easy and not being able to get out and do the things I use to is getting old. I know it comes with the territory, and from what I've gathered from the other KR folks on here, it's a normal part of recovery. Sigh...

As far as waiting longer, it's not an option financially as I need to get it done within this calendar year. Besides, the left knee is showing it's true colors. I guess it's tired of being the "good" knee. I started icing it as well. I figure if folks can do bilaterals, I can wait 90 days and do the other one. My OS timeline is no sooner than 90 days, so actually it's me that wants/needs it done this early. Besides, I don't know if this will be a partial or full. We went into the first surgery w/the hopes of partial but he would do a full if necessary (once he got inside.) I really can't afford to be out of work past the end of November, and I'd rather have both knees recovering sooner, since I don't know what to expect from the left one. I have 5 weeks before my surgery, so I still have that time for the right knee to get stronger. The key is not to under or overdo it. That's what I'm concerned about.

The upcoming surgery, and not being able to see my kids is what brought more of an antsy feeling. Being a retired teacher I'm sure you can relate. Imagine right after you retired, not being able to visit. I also think the perimenopausal roller coaster is playing a part here as well. Great timing huh, what a combo... knee surgery and menopause! Yay! Oh well, let's get it over with!

My knee's doing okay today. Usual morning stiffness, but it loosened up after my stretches/exercise. I think I may go to the pool and walk around. I just hope I don't do to much. I like to do squats in the water, since I can't do them on dry land. Think I'll leave the Russian Kozachok dance out of my routine for now.

Thanks for listening.

Enjoy your day

 

[Dabber]

Hi BW2, your voice came out to me from another thread, your humour and knee struggles. My thread is a bit like....see the tumble-weed too. So here in the UK, I'm thinking about you. Once I was a teacher of little ones, for a short time and I have 5 grandchildren, 3 come home today and I can't wait to see them and hear their (enviable) tales of 3 weeks in France during my knee-cation. We also have a 22 year old recent Uni graduate who came home from Scout camp yesterday (you'd never know he was a leader!) The house is bursting with tripping accidents waiting to happen....to me....tent, mats, sleeping bag, wash bucket, dirty clothes, boots.....
Anyway, if you want to tag Jo to ask a question you need to put @ followed by her name to make sure she reads it. Keep going, keep posting and I'll keep reading.
Hoping the finances get sorted out. We don't know how lucky we are in the UK with our NHS. I know it's often not ideal and for many it's been awful but on the whole it is the best thing since sliced bread.
Sue.

 

[Bionic woman2]

Hi Sue, you made my day with your reply. I was beginning to think I was writing a very public diary.
I woke up this morning (or should I say afternoon since I went to bed this morning) feeling good. This in spite of the fact that I stayed up WAY past my bed time catching up on a TV series on the web. Yep, Netflix and Hulu are now my new BFF (best friend forever.) Aaah, the perks of recovery.

What I wouldn't do have ONE of your grand-babies to hug and play with right now. Notice i said one of YOURS. My eldest is 24 and he's not ready for that yet and neither am I, although the new nicknames I've chosen for myself are; Broke Back Granny (that was in the beginning stage when I was hunched over) Hobble Granny, is the norm now and Big Granny Cane (after a rapper in the US) when I'm feeling feisty!

Oh, and YES! I'm thinking of relocating to either Australia for the drugs. We have miser doctors over here and UK for NHS, seems like every time I even think about going to the Dr there's a copay. That's enough gripping over here. I appear to be having a good Knee day, so I'm going to go walk around in the pool. Gotta take it easy though, I like to do squats in the water because I can't do them on dry land (not yet anyway.) So, I'll leave the Russian Kozachok dance for when I have two working knees.

How are your knee doing today? Hope you're having a great day. Oh, watch out for the obstacle course. Kids... you gotta love'em.


Type to you later

RaQia

 

[Dabber]

Hi, I'm sending little notes to one little person who is learning to read and write, now you've given me a choice of sigs! I was going to call myself bionic granny as guess what, I need a pacemaker too. I am so looking forward to those alarms!
You asked about stairs....I'm 10 weeks post op, nah! One at a time going up and down. Sleeping? some nights now I can! Some nights it's 5am before I drop off after wandering the house, reading, watching TV, drinking tea, eating chocolate, looking at BoneSmart!
My recovery has been OK so far, very roller coasterish and maybe a bit behind. I was away with the fairies at first on pain meds, talking to invisible people. It took me 4 phone calls to my surgery, they were so patient, to get what I needed; such pain, little men with knives attacking my knee from all angles day and night. Eventually they gave up and went home and now I mostly just have ache and "that tight band feeling."
I dare not walk outside without sticks, I can but I'm so afraid of tripping and they said in the hospital use them so other people give you more consideration, hmm sometimes they do!
It is really difficult that you need your other knee doing so soon. I'm full of admiration for those with B before their TKR. It sounds as though it will be best though to get it over and done with and get back to those shoe laces, little chairs and crayons rolling across the floor!!
Well, it's getting late here and it's coffee time so I'll say bye for now.
Keep smiling through the tears, I've shed plenty too.
Sue

 

[Bionic woman2]

Hi Sue, had a kinda :l Blah day. Tryna figure out why I thought it would be a good idea to do this in the middle of a "mid-life crisis" lol This is gonna be a brief post because I'm on my son's IPad and it likes to let you type a whole page and then you lose it by pressing some random key.

Hope your knee's being kind to you. I did get a lot of sleep today. Yay!

You've given me an idea to help me with my "missing the kids syndrome." Maybe I can find some kids to help with their homework. Hmmm.. I'll look into that very carefully because once I go back to work, I don't do kids in the house after school . I'm just too exhausted from "all my children" and I then have to put on my mommy hat and go to work again.

Good idea about you got from the hospital you got from the hospital about the cane. People can be preoccupied, a few times I had to just stand there and tap my cane to let them know to "work around me."

Gonna post now while I'm ahead.. So far so good.

Hope you're catching some zzzz's


Type to you later,

RaQia

 

[Bionic woman2]

Has anyone noticed that one of their legs is slightly shorter/longer than the other, after having one knee done?

 

[Pumpkin]

My TKR leg was shorter before surgery, it still is.
There is another thread posted today on this subject today by Whimsy3.

 

[Bionic woman2]

Thanks Pumpkin I'll chime in on the other thread.