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TKR Poetry Chef's Epic Recovery

My pain is under control. My mother has hardly left my side. She is asleep in the recliner right next to me. My father will come over to cover for her so she can go across the parking lot to the Marriott where they have a suite reserved for the week. She will shower, change clothes, and take a nap. My father and I will watch the Alabama game on television.

They say today is a big day. Earlier they removed the nasal cannula for O2 and a little later I get to say goodbye to the catheter which has been in place since my first surgery. I will receive a shower and be shown how to fully dress on my own. Then of course, physical therapy. I am surely watching the clock for meds. 31 minutes until I have usage of the ice machine.
 
Hope you have a good day today - sounds like a busy one! Perhaps the Alabama game will keep you preoccupied.
 
As far as getting meds on schedule---I had to ask for them, but they would write down the next time I could have a dose on the whiteboard in the room. So I knew when I could call for them.
 
Kneeper has given you good advice there. I suggest you ring for your medications about 15 minutes before they're due, to give the staff time to get them, so that you stay on schedule.
 
Sounds like things went well with your surgery. God is good. Lately, I have really seen that no matter what- Gods got this! Sounds like you have good support with your parents there.
Keep the ice going! :)
 
Sounds like your knees are doing well after surgery. Yay! For pain meds, yes, ask early (it takes them time to get them to you) and if the nurse asks how much pain you are feeling... tell them you are in lots of pain even if you aren’t. Sometimes your knees will be impressively pain-free at rest, but they are going to hurt like the devil when you get up to stand or go to the bathroom. That’s why keeping to a schedule matters so much! If they ask you while you’re resting, and you answer truthfully, they might just decide a couple Tylenols will do the trick. Um... no. Make sure they give you the strong pain meds because sooner or later you will need to pee.
 
Thanks, Susieshoes. I am back in Raleigh thankfully on my own turf again. I am so happy to be post surgery. The Nurse Practitioner who assists my OS said she didn't know how I was even working on my old knees. Her description was bone on bone, no cartilage and that I had worn a groove in my bones. No wonder I was in such horrible pain.

I am also incredibly happy to be in my own space without people drawing blood in the middle of the night.

Right now the knees are stiff. I rented a lift recliner and am able to get to the bathroom on my own. I am just going to pace myself and take this journey one day at a time.


My best,
Sherry
 
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Welcome home! :flwrysmile:
 
Yippee! Home is the best place, both mentally and physically! Now, you know what to do: ice, elevate, take your meds on schedule, and sleep when and where you can!
 
Oh, home is the best. Much more restful, and you have help dedicated just to you, and you have complete control over all the things: medication, elevation, icing, and bathroom breaks. At last your recovery is your own. Enjoy! And though the first weeks are no picnic, you’re in the best possible place.
 
Welcome "home" Sherry! I am glad you're doing well and able to get around by yourself right now. That's a good thing. Just remember not to over do it! I hope you're icing and resting a lot, I've been thinking a lot about you and praying for a swift recovery. :flwrysmile::flwrysmile:
 
Thanks to you all. I am mostly up for potty breaks and every once in a while I will lower the footrest on my recliner to allow for a bit of bending.

I am pretty sure the hospital staff burned the motor up in the ice machine I borrowed from a friend. We are trying to figure out what is wrong with it. The PT guy filled it with ice only and no water.

I am keeping a tight reign on my meds making sure to take them as prescribed. I had a nightmare day in the hospital which was of course after PT and a shower with OT. The pain was out of control and required a shot of demerol to settle it. I was never so happy to get out of a place.
 
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Good Morning Sherry!
Did the ice machine get back to working? Definitely stay on top of the meds, that is going to be a big factor for me too. How did you sleep last night?
 
Sounds to me like the PT guy fritzed your machine. :sorry: I hope you can get this one fixed, or get another. In an emergency between icing methods, you can always buy big bags of frozen veggies for temporary relief (work better than bags of ice unless the ice is crushed).

Sorry you had the episode of breakout pain. It seems everyone ends up having that happen at least once, even when trying their best to stay on top of it. Once it happens, though, we never want it again!
 
Hello, Ladies
I have actually been sleeping very well through the night. I set an alarm for each time a medication is due so that I don't miss any doses.

I have been using the ice packs the hospital sent home with me. They actually last for several hours.

I will check back in later today. Nap time.
 
Good morning to all. I am settling in to recovery at home. There was a stumble with inhome physical therapy but I certainly don't mind the extra time before they start messing with me. Apparently my out of state OS must work with my in state PP to place an order for PT and OT. I spend a great deal of time in the lift recliner I rented as it is impossible to get comfortable in the hospital bed. It felt as if my legs were hyperextended there. The lift chair allows me a comfortable position for sleep. I set two alarms on my cell phone four hours apart to take one of my short acting pain meds and a potty break. I think I am doing well. Today marks one week for my RTKR and five days for my left.

My mother has been amazing. She sleeps on the hospital bed beside me and has every night since my first surgery. I can clearly see she must have been an excellent critical care nurse at Duke. I am so fortunate to have such a great support system.
 
I'm so glad you found your sleep happy place. It's one of the hardest things for some people. Recliners are a top choice for the first few months.

Your mother sounds wonderful! Something tells me she'll keep you on a good schedule and make sure your recovery runs smoothly. :loveshwr:
 
It sounds like you have a very good routine going and a very loving mother!
 
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