presurgery advice, how to stay calm,stay resoved

[lissa]

So after postponing right knee full replacement (no cartiledge left anywhere) from January to March 2, I'd like to know your thoughts out there that have had this time frame "wait"..what did you find to keep yourself OFF worrying, playing worse case senerios..etc? I'm physically wearing myself out with swimming, leg presses and stationary bikinb 3x a week...then a good ten-fifteen set of home exercises on non swimming days. Exercising certainly keeps you "in the moment"...belong to book clubs, so have to read and recently began theater appreciation classes with City College. We read plays, discuss them and go at our own to see many of the ones we are reading. Great crowd of 60-70ish people, very interactive, fun. Take ambien to sleep..so can manage to avoid dreaming about the impending cutting. What do you otheres do? Have you practiced with your walker around the house, tried out you tub sitting chair, adjusting to the elevated potty? There must be little "tweaks" that will get me sanely to March 2nd. Suggestions?

Secondly, what has your Dr. sdsaid his "pain management" was going to be for you? They usually have their preference...what choices are out there? Those who are through the cutting and can manage to communicate at all with the grueling physical therapy...what woudl you do differently, if you could? Appreciate all your ideas!

Lissa

 

[Josephine]

Hi there, Lissa. You and me in the same boat then, eh?

Personally, I tend to work on two levels

~ knowing that there is very little difference between anxiety/fear and excitement! Truly! It's all the same adrenaline-driven 'fight or flight' thing.
~ constantly reminding myself of the pain I am in and the things I now cannot do.

It erks me no-end to find myself having to think twice before I gather up stuff to do a laundry session, to wait until I'm absolutely desperate before I go shopping and then have to complain to myself about the amount of stuff I bring home! To look at my garden and remember the absolute joy and satisfaction I used to get pottering around it. Last night I even had to make myself go to bed because it hurts so much more in bed and I've just bought a 3" memory foam topper as well!

So, as I say, I tend to think more about those things than the actual operation but then, I do have an advantage as I have intimate acquaitance with the procedure and all it's attendant problems. It's a bit like a bungee or parachute jump - jumpers must be almost paralysed with fear before they go but they go anyway.

In short, we're all human beings and we're all prey to this kind of thing. As the day draws nearer, I'm sure I shall be a gibbering idiot just like everbody else. It's human nature. Try not to worry about it.

 

[JenniferG]

Pain management will be based on your medical issues,IE allergies if any and docs usual way of doing it. They usually start big and bring you down as you go. What I got in the hospital started with dilaudid & I think percocet. Dilaudid made me sick soI was switched to percs and tylox. Went home with percs & ultram scripts. Think I also had ibuprophen right along.
Distractions, posted here alot.

 

[Nursepair]

Welcome Lissa, sounds as if you are as busy as a bee, how do you find time to worry? Time will fly, try and feel excited that you will get a painfree life back when it is all over. We all worried and cried and whined, it's good to get it out and not bottle it up. Good luck.

Jo, get yourself a body pillow and drape your bad leg along it, it may help. Certainly helped me after surgery (thanks to Skeet for that). ((((HUGS))))) Sue

 

[Troweltalk]

I focused on all of the things I wanted to do after I rehab'd. I even planned, in detail, a family trip to Glacier and Yellowstone National parks for this summer. I found day dreaming about walking the trails in these beautiful places kept my mind from dwelling too long on things like infections, blood clotting, and second guessing...

Concentrate more on what you WANT to happen, not what you DON'T want to happen!

 

[Josephine]

Jo, get yourself a body pillow and drape your bad leg along it, it may help. Certainly helped me after surgery (thanks to Skeet for that). ((((HUGS))))) Sue

Been using an ordinary pillow but a big thick one. Doesn't help. Is a body pillow better?

 

[richfriz]

Hi Lissa

Try not to stress. Its not actualy that bad. Just think that when you wake up you will have turned a major corner in your life.

As for the pain. Modern painkillers are wonderful. My advice is dont try and be a hero. If you are in ANY pain tell someone!

I am glad I am on the other side. You will be to when you get here. It is worth it

 

[Linda2]

I found the body pillow was a big help for me after surgery because I could position it under the whole leg and buttock when I was on my back. I don't know why it was a big help, but it was. Mine is not super thick--just average loft. I don't use it any more, but I am saving it for the other knee. It doesn't hurt in bed now, but I know it will need extra support some day.

 

[Nursepair]

Yes Jo, the body pillow is much better. More supportive and stable. It is about 5 ft long I guess. It goes foot to chest, depending how tall you are. Think of it as David Soul, you can cuddle right up to it LOL..

 

[Josephine]

SUE!!

Mind, if you saw him now, you wouldn't say that! Poor ol' feller!

 

[Lou-B]

Hi Lisa

While you are waiting.....get books, magazines and things for your recuperation.

Also, get laxatives and stool softeners for when you come home. I didn't know I'd need them!

Something that really help me once I came home was getting two walkers. One for upstairs and one for downstairs. That way I [we] didn't have to carry the walker down the steps each time I wanted to go downstairs. I was able to borrow one from a friend. Search around now to borrow one.

All the best~