TKR Puffin is soaring into the sky

[puffin]

Sorry not to check in last night but I was really tired after PT and spent most of the evening dozing - of course that meant that I did not sleep so well and night.

It was good that I went to see my PT Eva - she was not at all impressed by the hospital PT that I saw last week and did not think he had taken enough consideration to the history of my injury. She was also VERY unimpressed that he had not written up any notes yet from my appointment last Tuesday as she tried to access my computerized journal but there was nothing there.

She did not have the same concerns that the other PT had - she thinks he might have made the mistake of trying to line up my knees against each other without taking account of the fact that I have hypermobility and that my good knee has a ROM of minus 10-15. She thought that I should back off from the new exercises for a few days to let the knee settle and then try them again using few reps that the Hospital PT had written up. She gave me some new exercises but they are mainly different stretches.

She also thinks that I should get back into the warm water pool when it opens again in mid august

So all in all a good and gentle appointment

 

[puffin]

Still a bit unsure about the Ireland trip for the family wedding - the PT was also unsure that I would be up to it but recommended that I wait a few weeks before making a final decision.

The main issue is whether my knee will be able to manage to the travel as it will require me to sit with my knee bent for around 8+ hours.

 

[new knee in June]

Dear puffin,
It sounds like Eva is wonderful please do what you can with gentle stretches...your surgery was
A bit more complicated than most. Treat your knee kindly & you will see better days ahead I don't
Know about the wedding.....you will know when the time comes if you are up to it.
Have a wonderful relaxing evening,
Diana

 

[Titianlady]

Hi Puffin! You sound like you have a wonderful PT in Eva! It also sounds like your knee is coming along just great. I hope you'll be able to go on your trip to Ireland! But if you don't feel up to it, I think your family will understand. You have made such great progress to get your mobility back after years of Drs stalling your replacement. Just think!! This time next year, you will be doing things you have not been able to do for such a long time!!

I'm happy to know that you are on your way to such a reopening of life Puffin. You have come so far, and the journey is just beginning.
I can't wait to hear of all the places you will go, and things you will be doing in the months to come!!

 

[My way]

Hi, How is your day today? Not too bad I hope.
I was thinking about the little puffins you see here nesting on the cliffs and I remember seeing them with their belly's so full of fish that they would have a hard time getting aloft. They would get a few feet off the sea and fall back down. They keep trying and make a little more progress each time.The next thing you know they really are soaring away.
I think you are truly like those adorable birds. You are gaining ground all the time and one day you'll be off.
Wanda

 

[puffin]

Still struggling to get the swelling and pain down even though I have only done gentle stretching for the past couple of days

My way
Puffins are such cute little birds - they seem so improbably when you see them on dry land but when they are flying and diving into water they are so graceful. I saw them for the first time on Iceland when I met my husband and am hoping to go and see them in the near future once my knee is recovered

 

[puffin]

Hmmm - my daughter has just pointed out that my "new bruise" is now spreading over my swollen kneecap. So tis explains why it is so hard to stand up today

It must be the revenge of Johan the hospital PT

 

[puffin]

Knee is very painful today - I even slept with ice on it last night but the swelling is still there - but everytime I try and move it I get shooting nerve pains accross the knee cap. I think it is inflammation caused by the new exercises (which I have stopped doing). Unfortunately my OS is out of the office for another 2-3 weeks so I cannot get it checked

 

[HorseyLady]

Sorry to hear you're in pain. Hope things improve now you've stopped the new exercises

Just do gentle stretching and pamper yourself for a few days

 

[new knee in June]

Dearest puffin,
So sorry you are having so much does your os have other doctors to cover for him ?
I am sure he does....give his office a call, someone will be there for you to talk to you were suppose
To see him before he left, they screwed up.....
Demand to speak with someone
I am so sorry you are in so much pain,
I am thinking of you always.....please call his office.
Diana

 

[My way]

Hi, There isn't much I can add too what Diana has said. I hope things get better with rest and I'll pop in tomorrow. sending you wishes that you feel better soon.
Wanda

 

[new knee in June]

Good morning puffin,
Did you get to call the doctors office ? I your pain & swelling is better today, it' so
Hard to go forward when you have pain
Wishing you only my best,
Have a peaceful relaxing weekend
I love how you & my way were talking about the puffins..what a wonderful creature.
Diana

 

[puffin]

Well a major step forward today
It will not sound a lot to a many here but I actually walked unaided to the toilet last night - all 10 steps
It is the first time I have been able to walk without the walker since the surgery. The fact that I needed the walker has been a source of huge frustration in recent weeks as the walker does not fit through the door meaning that for weeks I have had to have the toilet door open with the walker outside.
So it feels like I am starting to improve a little even if I cannot walk there myself every time as certain times it is too painful so I cannot balance - but I am probably managing 8 out of 10 trips alone. Eva the PT would not be happy with my gait so I won't try longer distances just yet.

Today I am having to manage without my husband as he is working a 24 hour shift so I cannot go downstairs. My 15 year old daughter is cooking dinner so we will see how that turns out.

I have been icing and elevating for 2 days and the knee feels a lot better. I have just been doing gentle stretches and Eva the PT's new stretches - amazing how hard standing on tippy toes is when you haven't used these muscles for several years

I decided to wait until my OS is back in a couple of weeks as none of the OSes working at the moment have any experience of operations such as mine (some are summer rentadoc locums) so I think I prefer to wait for his expertise

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend

 

[My way]

puffin Happy news indeed!You must be so pleased to see progress. I won't even try to compare my knees to yours but every little bit of independence means so much and as time goes on we will gain more and more confidence.
Always thinking of you
Wanda

 

[puffin]

It sounds such a stupid thing to be exited about but you are right every bit of independence is so important.

It is a big (future) aim for me to be able to shower by myself without husband having to help - something I have not been able to do for almost 3 years

 

[new knee in June]

Dear puffin,
walking unattended is big news...bravo !!!!
I am so happy to hear your pain & swelling is better
Thinking of you,
Diana

 

[tashia]

puffin, I thought I would drop by and see how you are doing? Are you better? Nothing like walking without help. I felt like I could fly when I walked without aid. I do hope that you take a easy and not overdue it like I did. Your time will come when walking will be like before, all day without thinking about it. This is a sooo great. Tashia

 

[HorseyLady]

Well done Puffin! I think this is a fabulous step forward for you - independence indeed. So glad you are feeling better too.

I think you are doing the right thing in waiting for your OS. The last thing you need is someone else not understanding the complexities of your operation and maybe giving you incorrect information. I don't even like seeing my OS's Registrar - I only want to see the man himself

Hope your dinner turns out well - well done to your daughter

 

[Plexiburg]

I had the same problem with my walker until I realized that all you have to do is swivel the wheels so they are on the inside of the walker instead of the outside. This will give you at least two more inches of clearance.

 

[My way]

Hi, Just wondering how your day is going. I hope your daughters dinner turned out well. Bless our families. This recovery and in your case the wait before surgery is hard on them as well.
Wanda