Ready to get rid of the pain

[carolinagirl]

Well, we made it back! Had a great weekend. We went up to see my hubby's sister and her hubby. I walked into their house Friday evening, and I did not come out again until we left this morning. I am now using a walker because it is just too painful to walk without assistance.
I am finding myself wishing the surgery was this week!
Thanks for the tidbits about the vehicles.

 

[Josephine]

Good - glad it all went ok.

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Hang in there Carolinagirl. I know what you mean. I just got back from NY and spent 24 hours on planes in a 5 day period. OWWIE. It just gets harder and harder as the time draws near. My pre op is scheduled for the Friday b4 the Monday I have surgery. Up here they keep it as tight as possible. Ughh. Hopefully your next few days will pass quickly and without too much pain.
Marianne

 

[carolinagirl]

Had a cervical epidural injection today for my slightly bulging disc.
Not too bad, had a couple of issues with my b/p. I think it was to do with the fact that I was nervous. Did not feel anything, but could hear it going into my neck. (sorry for the graphics).

My family doc cleared me today for the TKR. So things are moving right along.
I can't get over some of the post op people stating that they are up and walking without assistance several days or a week after surgery. I guess I am just used to the surgeries I have had where you are down and out for awhile. ALthough after my knee scopes I was walking with crutches right after surgery. My emotions are running on the high side right now. I know it is just pre-op jitters.
Well, my hubby just said dinner is ready so I better run. He is taking good care of me. I am truely blessed!!
Hope all of you have a good evening.

 

[carolinagirl]

I feel like I need to clarify something from my previous post.
I know that this is going to be totally different than anything I have had before. But I am just coming off of a foot surgery where I had to spend six weeks totally non-weightbearing on my right foot! So when I read about all those who are up and walking without assistance in their homes at a couple of weeks or sooner it throws me. It just still amazes me how ( and I work in a hospital!) the day after a total replacement you are up and walking, when having a spur removed from your heel, has you down for 6 weeks! I know that you have to get that knee back to working, moving and all of that, it is
just the mental aspect of it all. I know what I am in for, and I plan to work very hard to get my life back. Just felt I needed to clarify.

 

[JenniferG]

Not the day after CG, the day of. crazy huh? But you have to get those muscles moving and stretching so the don't heal short and tight.

 

[Josephine]

Well, I'm sure you figured it out - you have to stand on a heel - the knee just takes weight and it's metal anyway!

But you're right, it's not only a puzzle it's unfair!

 

[carolinagirl]

9 DAYS AND COUNTING! Getting anxious and excited.
I plan on spending this weekend getting our house "ready" for when I get home. My daughter is coming over tomorrow to get a head start for me.
I told my hubby we should go to the grocery store also and stock up so that will be one less thing for him to have to do. Our washer and dryer are downstairs off of our sunporch, so he has been doing the laundry then bringing the clothes up to me to fold and put away. We have a pretty good routine going so all will be fine. I think the thing I am most nervous about is the femoral block. But hey! what ever it takes to help with the post op pain, right?!?

 

[Josephine]

cg, please tell me what worries you so about the block? Is it the needle? The procedure? The aftermath?

 

[carolinagirl]

Hi Josephine,

I guess the reason I am so leary of the block is because it is unknown to me.
I am a difficult stick as it is. Blood draws have taken as many as 4 sticks.

IV sticks are awful!! For one of my surgeries it took 6 sticks! 2 by one nurse,
2 by the nurse anesthes. 1 by another nurse before they just gave up and got the Anestheologist to come and do it. So ever since that, the same anestheologist just comes in (I ask to be scheduled when he is on) and starts the IV. He has done that for the past 3 surgeries.

I don't like needles because of this. Yeah, I guess I am just a big chicken
I know that the block is different, but I am not a big fan of being poked on.
But all will be ok. My knees have been really painful today, yesterday was pretty good. But today has been rough, so I am quickly getting to the point I don't care what they need to do, just GET RID OF THIS PAIN!!!

 

[carolinagirl]

Just got back from my pre-op visit with my OS. Boy am I glad I went to him. The other OS (who did my scopes) for some reason thinks I am too young for TKR. Glad I switched back. This OS had operated on my son's knee years ago and he pinned my dad's hip when he broke it back in the 90's. So I am familiar with him and really like him. Don't ask me why I went to another OS to begin with, guess I just thought I'd give the new guy in town a chance. Oh well......
ANYWAY.... Everything is set up. I got my TKR card today!! So I guess I am now a member of the card carrying club!!

He went thru every detail of the operation and what to expect in the hospital. He told me that I would be getting the CPM machine at home as well. He said "you can just chill out and read or watch t.v. while it works".
Come to find out my leg has bowed out some. On my long x-ray the line
that should have hung down the center of my knee/leg, was towards the inside of my knee.
I am ready for this. I am so tired of hurting. But there is now a light at the end of this tunnel! YAHOO!!

 

[AlaskanTKR]

Carolina-
I will be watching for your posts after you get home! I will be out of town - but will be home around the time you get back from the hospital and you are on the other side! If I don't get a chance b4 7/3 - remember I will be thinking of you and hoping all goes well. I am soooo glad you found someone you trust.
Marianne

 

[Nursepair]

Do you have a date yet Carolina Girl? Good luck, it is womderful to walk without the pain!! Sue

 

[carolinagirl]

Hi Sue!

My RTKR is scheduled for Thursday July 3rd. Only 6 days to go.
I am nervous but excited! To tell you the truth the pain has been getting worse each day so I am more excited than anything. I told my hubby this morning, well this time next week I'll have my new knee!

Since I will be in the hospital for the 4th of July, our kids have planned a early celebration. We have one daughter who is 31, and a son who will be 27 in September. Those two and their spouses got together and so on the night before my surgery (Wednesday the 2nd) we are getting together at our son and daughter-in-laws house for a cook-out and fireworks. At first our two grandsons were upset that Noni and Papa were not going to be able to celebrate with them, but this works out well! The oldest grandson will be 9 in August and the "baby" will be 4 in October.

I remember trying to convince my dad years ago to have his knee replaced. He had degenerative arthritis in his right knee really bad. He never would do it. I would tell him, daddy, it will help you so much, if I had arthritis that bad I would do it. Well, here I am in the same boat. Funny how life goes sometimes huh? Daddy was in his 70's when I tried to convince him, here I am only 49!!

 

[Josephine]

All the best for your big day, CG. We'll all be thinking of you.

 

[carolinagirl]

Thanks Josephine! You are a wealth of knowledge! I always enjoy reading your posts! I just read on another post where bumleg said he could not raise his leg and the doc said they had cut his quad! WOW!
So now I have a question..............
My OS told me yesterday that I would have to wear a leg brace anytime I was up so that my knee would not buckle. However, once I was able to do 10straight leg raises in a row I would not have to wear the brace. He also showed me on my leg that he starts the incision 3 fingers from the top of my knee and goes to the "knot" below my knee. I have not a clue what is the norm, so does that sound "normal" to you? He is putting a DePuy rotating platform knee in. I have been reading some of the older threads and am learning alot.

 

[Josephine]

Yes, that sounds about right. No worries there.

Did you read my reply to bumleg's post, though?

 

[carolinagirl]

Yeah. From your reaction I take it that is not normal.
My hairstylist showed me her knee today where she fell in her shower about 12 years ago. I have never seen a cut like this one. She shattered her kneecap and was taken to the ER. The ortho on call was getting ready to retire and she thinks he just did not care. First off, he pieced her patella back together. But instead of cutting her "top to bottom" he cut her from one side of her knee all the way to the other side. It was a really bad scar. She said the CPM machine almost did her in.
When she went back to have the wire removed (holding her patella together)
the incision was already opening up.
Is it normal for a surgeon to make a complete side to side cut for a shattered patella? Most I have seen have been top to bottom. Every surgeon has his/her own way of doing things. But WOW!
To change the subject, I am thinking about going and buying a chair like those found in waiting rooms to sit in. Everything we have is low or does not have arms. Thought it might make P.T. easier also. I have also entertained the idea of just buying a recliner to put in the bedroom, but most of those sit kinda low also.
Looks like it is gonna be a busy weekend!!!

 

[Nursepair]

CG, good luck on the 3rd July (my 32nd wedding anniversary). Happy 4th of July in more ways than one!! It is Canada Day here on Tuesday 1st. We are off up North to our trailer this weekend.

 

[Josephine]

Yeah. From your reaction I take it that is not normal.
My hairstylist showed me her knee today where she fell in her shower about 12 years ago. I have never seen a cut like this one. She shattered her kneecap and was taken to the ER. The ortho on call was getting ready to retire and she thinks he just did not care. First off, he pieced her patella back together. But instead of cutting her "top to bottom" he cut her from one side of her knee all the way to the other side. It was a really bad scar. She said the CPM machine almost did her in.
When she went back to have the wire removed (holding her patella together)
the incision was already opening up.
Is it normal for a surgeon to make a complete side to side cut for a shattered patella? Most I have seen have been top to bottom. Every surgeon has his/her own way of doing things. But WOW!

NO, it is NOT! Crikey! I'd sue a surgeon who did that to me! Any book of orthopaedic surgery I have read has always explained in detail why the incision should be longtitudinal!