Hinged Joint Revision Complete, recovery continues

[Pumpkin]

Tramadol is helping, didn't interfere with my sleeping. My body was so happy to have pain under control that I slept right through until the next medication time (an alarm is set).
You need protein for the building blocks to heal the surgical wounds, and the rest of you too. People will low protein will have a hard time healing.

Hospitals patient relations person called. I was glad to let her know about my less than satisfactory treatment, meds brought in late, call button not being answered, walker and commode being moved to the bathroom, and the phone being taken from my bedside (I had my cell phone). Told her if I found myself there again, I would be hiring someone to be with me when my husband left for the evening.
She was a nice lady, and seemed to care that I had a less than stellar stay. I told her I felt that change had to come from management. They have a surgical center off site that is #1 in the state, so they know how to do it right.

I have also let my surgeon know about the problems I had, his office is in a better position for change to happen.

Remember the mantra, and slowly slowly does it.

This perfectly describes my day today.

 

[RunA42K]

I was in 5 days for the original TKR, 8 days for the first revision and 12 days for Stage 1 (IV antibiotics) so I reckon it will be 5 -7 days hopefully this time. We don't have rehab here. Glad you got your tramadol. I always have trouble sleeping with it. It makes me extra alert but does help with the pain although I have to limit the doses. You seem to be improving all the time. Remember the mantra, and slowly slowly does it. Glad you've got your appetite back. I was told to eat plenty of protein as it aids recovery. I don't know if its true!

I was told to eat plenty of protein after my first TKR as well. When I had the revision I already knew about the protein eating. I too @busylizzie have had trouble sleeping with Tramadol. I had talked about it earlier on, in my thread after my revision. Like you, it helped with pain, but I was wide awake with it.

Chris, good job on letting the hospital know how it was. If no one speaks up, nothing will ever change. My first TKR I had less than a positive experience and I let it be known. With the revision I had a fantastic hospital stay, but did have my complaints with the kitchen.

 

[Pumpkin]

The hospital had good food, no complaints there. Hopefully they can bring the rest up to high standards.
I do feel like I have reached the age where you are treated with disrespect just because you are not young.

 

[RunA42K]

The hospital had good food, no complaints there. Hopefully they can bring the rest up to high standards.
I do feel like I have reached the age where you are treated with disrespect just because you are not young.

The food was good, but...like for breakfast I ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, and a biscuit. They gave me literally 2 tablespoons of scrambled eggs. When I called and asked to order again because I was starving I was told that I already had my breakfast! Sometimes they would forget something I ordered and I'd have to call, or I needed cream with my coffee but by the time they brought it, the coffee was cold. Service not good, but food was when I could get it.

 

[Pumpkin]

One day I accidentaly ordered two breakfasts, and ate both of them .
My appetite is settling down, not eating as much now.
Better we complain about the food, at least our minds are off the knees.
OT called to come over, I said I am doing everything, she said what about the kitchen? I said my husband does all the cooking, and I am not about to take that up now.

 

[busylizzie]

I'm wheat intolerant and diabetic, I struggle to eat in hospital. I have to have what's available and quite often its inedible. The NHS hospitals are the worst. Often only sandwiches are avaiable and I can't eat them unless the bread is wheat free. The private sector is a lot better. The only breakfast on offer usually is cornflakes. Glad your food is better. My hubby cooks at home also since I've been on crutches. Which is almost 4 years now. He is steadily improving his repertoire of dishes. I have breakfast in bed every day as it limits the number of times I have to go up and down stairs in the day.

Glad you are settling back at home. Best place to be.

 

[Jozilla]

Outrageous care by that hospital. Cruel too - I can't believe they moved your walker and commode to the the bathroom away from you. Next time call 911 on your cell (if in US). Glad you are home and have complained!


RTKR - 9th December, 2013

 

[Pumpkin]

Next time call 911 on your cell

It was my last night, and all I wanted to do was go home, calling 911 was as likely to get me in trouble as them.
I was outta the hosp at 10 30 AM, not a moment too soon. Better to complain now that I am safely home.
And yes I will have someone with me in hosp 24/7 in the future.
I have complained, and now it is time to move forward to healing and recovery.

 

[patient 99]

One day I accidentaly ordered two breakfasts, and ate both of them

chuckle. You may as well get as many positives out of this hard experience as you possibly can. How are things today? Carol

 

[Pumpkin]

Good day today, have my medications sorted out. The PT just left, she did lymph drainage on my leg, now I am elevating. She also gave me some exercises to do to facilitate lymph drainage. Nice and easy, I am doing the exercises on my own, slowly and gently.
Thanks for stopping by to check how I am doing., this is me right now.

 

[Jozilla]

I should have said that was my sarcasm coming out! Believe me I wouldn't do it. Although I did have a coworker do it in a big hospital in New York. He was super paranoid from the medication and thought the nurses were out to get him. Thankfully no one got in trouble but it was investigated.

Glad you are doing well. Does the lymphatic massage help in healing?


RTKR - 9th December, 2013

 

[tashia]

I am so glad that you got some result from the hospital. I didn't get a thing. Well the battle goes on in nursing homes and hospitals. My doctor is getting ready to get a new hip and I am very interested how this will change him. I do think if the staff of the hospital has gone thru all this things would change greatly. I am so glad that you are home and feeling better and eating well. I am so glad we are on the road of recovery. Tashia

 

[Pumpkin]

The lymphatic massage helped with the swelling and pain. I was also given some exercises to do in a specific sequence that are helping. I notice the swelling is decreasing from the ankle on up my leg.
Your Doctor will find out what it is like to be a patient, the hosp will be sure he get everything he needs when he needs. Bet he will even be in the special VIP room.

 

[Nana moon 27]

Oh @Pumpkln I'm so glad that you got home away from that awful hospital. I was mortified by what I read! I'm so sorry you got treated like that. I'm glad that you had the courage and strength of your convictions to tell them what's what. Good for you. They need to improve their practice ASAP.

I wish you a good speedy recovery. Take care. I'll post properly tomorrow.

Love Nana moon 27 xxxx

 

[Pumpkin]

Been doing well, even forgot to take a Tramadol 1x, then today the barometer crashed to 29.67, yikes my knee is having , trying to figure out who did this.Hoping the weather improves in the next few days .

 

[tashia]

That storm was really wet here how did the snow do. Today was horrible still trying to get out of being sore. A good helped. Took the car in to fixed. Well for one thing it will be clean on the outside. I hope our sun comes back and get back to some Spring. Take care. Tashia and the Kids. The kids wanted to today but it was too cold. Hee, hee

 

[Jozilla]

@pumpkin - is the revision recovery harder than the original? Sounds like you had a lot done. At this point i need to remind myself about tkr recovery and get ready for the other knee! Take care. You are also inspiring to many here and we are rooting for you!


RTKR - 9th December, 2013

 

[Pumpkin]

is the revision recovery harder than the original

Yes, it has been for me, probably because they had to do more than they anticipated. I can finally use ice consitently now that the staples are out, when they were in, I was getting muscle spasms around my knee, now that the staples are gone, it is a lot more comfortable.
I am on a new pain med for me, oxycontin which I never used before. It has shut my bowels down, vicodin only slowed them down. Very frustrating as my anal fissures are back, I am sitting on the sitz bath 3 to 4x a day which is hard on my knee. I do have prescription hydrocortosone cream which helps. I am doing bowel softners, metamucal, prunes, wheat germ, vegetables, and fruits, walking around, tummy massage, etc to try to help them get moving. I go a little here and there, but that is about it.
Hoping I can change back to vicodin at my post op visit next week. When I do go, I will be poopzilla .

@Jozilla , if you want to tag me it is @Pumpkln with an l , someone else has pumpkin, and probably is wondering why all these people are tagging her or sending her PM's, as she has never posted.

 

[busylizzie]

I here you about your bowels. It isn't nice. It makes you feel miserable. I have problems like you anyway but narcotic meds make it a lot worse. Morphine is the worst one. Why not ask your GP for something. There is always an enema if things get really bad. Have you tried drinking a mug of hot water first thing in the morning.

 

[Pumpkin]

I made one of the recipes from the constipation thread in the library, it tastes OK, but not much is happening after 2 days. I will try the hot water in the morning.
Thanks!