Ready to get rid of the pain

[knee]

I am sooo happy I found this forum! The information has been so helpful.
I am 49 years old and have degenerative arthritis. I am scheduled for a total knee replacement of my right knee July 3rd 2008. This year I will celebrate my independence from pain! I am nervous, but excited. I need both knees replaced, but my orthopedic surgeon recommended that I not have them both done at the same time. I was diagnosed with arthritis when I was in my thirties. My father suffered from the same. I tried for years to get him to get his knee replaced but he would not. Now here I am sitting in the same boat.
The last 5 or so years, I would have my good days and my bad days, but
for the last 8 months it has been all bad days. The pain has become unbearable. I had arthroscopic knee surgery in November 07 and January 08 due to torn meniscus. I think those surgeries kicked my arthritis into high gear.
I have been doing the pre-surgery exercises to get a jump start on the Post op PT. I am just getting over surgery for a heel spur on my right foot on April 4th 08!!! I want my life back! Even walking outside to get my mail is too painful. I work at the hospital where my surgery is to be, but I sit at a computer all day, and getting up and moving around is soooo painful. I have two precious grandsons who are 9 and 4 that I want to be able to play with again. Right now all I do is come home from work and go straight to bed.
My husband has been such a blessing! He takes such good care of me. He is so excited about me getting my new knees! He really helps me to keep my spirits up. When our grandsons asked me what I wished for my birthday wish this year (it was in March) I told them I wished for a new pair of knees!
I have a question, since I sit at a computer all day, (I can get up and move around when needed and am lucky enough to be able to leave if I get tired,
what are your thoughts on returning to work 3 -4 weeks post op?
I know each person heals at different paces, and when I asked my surgeon about it, he said depending on my recovery and therapy he did not see why I could not return to work. I am really looking forward to not having this pain anymore. I know I have a long and difficult road to travel, but I want my life back too much to not give 100% to my rehab.
I am so thankful for these wonderful forums. Reading about everyones victories and their struggles helps enlighten me to what I am about to face.

Give yourself a big hug just for scheduling the surgery! That's scary enough..but it definitely sounds like you need to get "fixed"! I just found out how bad my knees really are...but am not in pain, only discomfort...so am thinking I have time...but I also have degenerative arthritis..like termites...you know...what a bummer! All I read about is you will be back to work if and when you really "kick ***" during the recovery...My health counselor says 6 months...maybe before doing all you want. But there are many stories of peolpe being up and walking..its just the constant swelling...and the need for you to do all the thereapy, and do all the icing required...may not have those facilities at work..one day at a time. Good Luck!

 

[carolinagirl]

GOSH! I AM DOWN TO 4 DAYS BEFORE MY SURGERY. My hubby and I (with the help of our 3 & 1/2 year old grandson) have worked getting the house ready all day. My hubby moved a chair into my bedroom that I think will work nicely. I am gonna put my wheelchair cushion in it for added height.

My left leg has hurt more today than my right. Sometimes I feel that I should have started with the left instead of the right. But I think that is just my mind playing tricks as I still have severe pain in my right knee.
That ole' brain is something else!!!!!!!

So, I guess this is really gonna happen! Everytime I start getting scared, my knees kick it up a notch, reminding me that this cannot go on. I am really tired of asking for help all the time.
Both grandsons were here with us yesterday afternoon and I COOKED!
I made spaghetti and garlic bread and it darned near did me in!!!!
I was actually sweating from the pain and the weak feelings.
But I won out! I just wanted to cook for my men!!

 

[carolinagirl]

I had spent some time this weekend searching on e-bay for a icing machine.
Looked hard at a few, but decided to hold off for a couple of days.

WELL......... I went by my OS' office at lunch today to get some paperwork for my employer concerning my being out and the nurse told me to come to the back and she would get it. On the way back there she says " we also have your icing machine, so you can pick it up while you are here"!!!

My eyes just bugged and I asked WHAT? She then informed me that my OS had just started this program where he is getting them for his patients to use once they come home from the hospital to see how it works. People, if I were
able, I would have DANCED!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!! I have to take it with me the morning of surgery, for what I do not know.
What a nice suprise! Time is marching on, and for some reason, I am not nearly as nervous as I was yesterday. I am ready to get this over with.

 

[1jt@atime]

Good for you Carolinagirl! I used ice packs with the first knee replacement and the machine with this second one and personally like the machine better. I know everyone has their preferences but that was mine. Others on here have stated they took theirs home from the hospital also. My hospital/OS did not offer this. Be sure and keep the machine afterwards too because you can use it for a sore back or other injuries in the future.... Karen

 

[Gretchendz]

GOSH! I AM DOWN TO 4 DAYS BEFORE MY SURGERY.
My left leg has hurt more today than my right. Sometimes I feel that I should have started with the left instead of the right. But I think that is just my mind playing tricks as I still have severe pain in my right knee.
That ole' brain is something else!!!!!!!

I feel your pain. I had TKR on right knee April 23. I need it almost as badly on the left. I swear the minute I scheduled the surgery my left knee started hurting worse than the right.

I joked to my hubby that in this case it would be ok if they made a mistake and replaced the wrong knee

Don't be afraid. It is a very common surgery and virtually everyone is glad they had it done (after they get past the first 4- 6 weeks *grins*).

I'm 8 weeks out and I'm planning my other knee for the fall--and I am excited about it. Hubby says I already walk and take stairs better than he's seen in years

Also, don't be surprised if your non-surgical knee acts up in your recovery period. I overdid the walking one day when I was feeling good & my non-surgical knee went nuts for a couple of days. I even had to go back to the walker a few days to keep the weight off the non-surgical knee

Good luck with the surgery & come back to this great forum for support

 

[Turtlelady53]

WELL......... I went by my OS' office at lunch today to get some paperwork for my employer concerning my being out and the nurse told me to come to the back and she would get it. On the way back there she says " we also have your icing machine, so you can pick it up while you are here"!!!

That is great news about getting the icing machine. I am two weeks out from BTKR, and had been surfing e-bay for one but kept getting outbid. Then I called the orthopedic nurse, and she told me that when I went to the hospital, just ask for one. Apparently, our insurance would not cover it pre-op, but would post-op, so they just sent me home with it. It's much better than trying to get those ice packs around your knee. You just have to have someone fill it each day. Sounds like you're getting all set up. Good luck to you!

 

[carolinagirl]

Okay, its getting closer! Day after tomorrow!

I got about 3 hours sleep last night. Hoping I will sleep better tonight.
Due to my "waddling walk" the back of my legs, and my low back are not doing so hot. The back of my knees have been really painful the last few days also. I am nervous, but ready to do this!
I have read so many of the posts about how well everyone is doing and how good it feels to be out of this pain! All of your posts have been so helpful!!

I have learned alot. I feel more prepared on what to expect and what I may experience. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences.
I am ready to work hard!!!

 

[carolinagirl]

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY....
It is 10:45 pm here and my body is tired but my mind is wide awake.
I had my crying spell earlier this evening. I am really really nervous.
They changed my surgery time from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Have to be at the hospital at 6:30 am. I can't believe the time is here......
Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful information and help.
Hope to be home Sunday.
Hope everyone has as safe and happy 4th of July!!
Will post as soon as I feel up to it.
Thanks again!!!!

 

[1jt@atime]

Good luck tomorrow Carolinagirl! We are here thinking about you and wishing you well. Post as soon as you can to let us know how you are doing. Karen

 

[Linda2]

I'll be thinking about you here. My wish is that everything goes smoothly and that you are granted the grace and strength you need. Linda

 

[Josephine]

God will be there with you, don't worry.

 

[carolinagirl]

Hi all!!!!!
well I did it! I am still in the hospital & tomorrow it will be decided if I go to subacute or home. Everything has gone good so far. I did not get taken back to the or until about 10:45 that day... Yesterday I was on CPM for 2 hours. I walked 68 feet, sat up in chair for 2 hours. I could not do any staight leg raises by myself. HOWEVER ........ last night I slept like a baby. This morning I walked 120 feet, flexed 65 degrees the 1st time, next try I hit 70 dgrees!
I am able to extend to 0 degrees!! Plus I did 10 straight leg rases by myself!!!
I am at 3 days post op.. Just thought I woul give an update.
More later, kinda tired...........

 

[Jamie]

Carolina, what happy news!!! Sounds like you are doing very, very well!!! So glad things went smoothly in surgery. You're making great progress and I hope you get to go home soon. The real work begins now, but at least you are on the right side of surgery....the healing side! Here's a big (((HUG))) for you!

 

[1jt@atime]

Great to hear from you so soon CarolinaGirl! It's sounds like you are doing well. Take care of yourself and post more when you are feeling better. Isn't great knowing you've made it this far?