Revision TKR Revision Completed...Ready to get back to my life...<

[Lori-M]

I soooo appreciate my husband (soaking dishes aside; that's not new, that's what he does all the time). When it was still early days after my PKR he even cleaned the litter box for me!That's not something I expected (don't ask me how I thought it would get cleaned but it never occurred to me that he would do it, and without me asking!). I'm nearly three months post-op and back to work full time and I do some of my old chores when I have the energy. But the house is a mess with dog hair everywhere and the kitchen floor needs mopping (IMO) and the bathrooms could use a good cleaning. I'm learning to let it go and I don't really give him grief; whining about it here helps take away that need. Of course it helps that it's just the two of us and we don't get a lot of company beyond family. Most of the family can deal with the dog hair and the clutter and if they can't they don't come over.

 

[KneeAware]

Dishes done, laundry near completion, kids cleaned, fed and dressed (luckily they can do most of that themselves) and the cat won't use the litter box anymore.............. he goes outside! Now I am resting, leg up, swelling manageable and pain, it sucks but its not constant anymore. Still not able to take any pain medication but today was the last day for the Xarelto (blood thinner) so maybe, just maybe, I will be able to try something in couple of days if need be.

In two days I go back to see my OS, x-rays and staple removal....I read someone's post earlier about having their staples removed and it was the worst experience ever...I am so not looking forward to this, even less now since I read that. Having the knee done was a piece of cake compared to having stitches out, or in this case, staples. Last knee I had the absorb-able sutures and that was soooooooo awesome... !

 

[KneeAware]

Lori-M, Nanners, Debbie_joints, Jacky48, Janet2012 jd24448, Thank you all so much for supporting me in my whine and not making me feel even worse for doing so. I am in a better frame of mind today so the whining is done (for now ), not saying that I won't be whining again in the future.

Tessa, we all whine, it is part of the recovery program, it is right under the BoneSmart rules, of 1. Ice 2. Elevate 3. Rest and most important.... 4. Whine....

I wonder if #4 will make its way into the BoneSmart Library...lol! Thank you so much for giving me a much need chuckle!

 

[Jacky48]

Sounds great Tessa! I didn't have staples so I don't know, I had both knee glued and it was great! Some people seemed to be just fine with staple removal, so try not to compare yourself to other, we all deal with things differently that's what makes us unique! Glood luck with getting them out in a couple of days, and hope, if needed you'll be able to take something for pain soon.

 

[Lori-M]

Tessa, I had staples too and I was apprehensive about the removal. It was a cinch! I think it comes down to the operator who performs the removal. I'm keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that you have someone who has mastered the staple removal tool and that you don't even know they're doing it!

 

[karmigirl]

Tessa,
I had staples and it was a breeze, didn't feel a thing, not even a pinch. It might be when they come out, if they have been in a bit longer it might be a bit harder to get them out. I have had other surgeries with stitches and they were much worse. I do admit that once they are out my leg felt much better and it seemed that my swelling improved after they were gone.

 

[Debbie_joints]

Tessa, I too had staples and although it wasn't pain free it is not something to worry about. Make sure and take your pain medicine before you go and you should be fine.

 

[KneeAware]

Jacky48 I was so disappointed when I saw the staples when 5 1/2 months ago the same surgeon did the absorb-able sutures thing. It was totally different this time if the way it was bandaged.

Lori-M I will have to ask them if they have a doctorate in staple removal...hahahha!

karmigirl the staples will have been in for 16 days when I go to have them out, seems like a l.o.n.g. time to me.

Debbie_joints I cannot take any pain medication sooooooo I am gonna have to grin and bear it !

I am such a wimp when comes to this stuff and I am the first to admit it! When I crushed my hand and tore off a piece of my finger a few years ago, seeing that didn't bother me, but when I had to have it cleaned I would almost pass out. The surgeries with that hand not a problem, the stitches, ! So yeah, I am a wimp when it comes to this...

 

[robynhood]

Tessa firstly dont stop the whining , if you do it would us feel bad about doing it and then what would we do. secondly i was like you dreading the staples coming out. I think most nurses are trained to do them as quickly as possible to minimize the pain I had to have a cushion in front of me because i hadnt seen the scar and certainly didnt want to watch her pulling staples out. She was so nice and talked to me the whole way thru cos she knew i was nervous. Husbands. well............ mine had the bright idea to leave a flask of tea for me with a little jug of milk and sweetners for when i woke up. He goes to work really early. O how nice i thought. Until i poured my tea and it was just hot water, no tea bags. I will leave it to your imagination what i called him. And im very near the 4 week mark where you feel weepy. And i cried. O dear. not a good start to my day. Take care.

 

[KneeAware]

robynhood Yummmmmy, that made for a great cup of tea... but its the thought that counts right?

I don't mind looking at the scar at all and seeing the staples there but I won't be looking at them coming out... maybe I will be more like ! Hahahahaha!

 

[robynhood]

Good luck. let us know how you get on. This is how you will feel and its all done.

 

[Brownie51]

Tessa how about the paper plates that are specially for kids with animals and characters? I sure hope you have an easy time with the staple procedure. Is any of your incision numb? I have a portion of my leg that is totally numb on the surface. I feel for you about the little ones! You are the one in charge of your home and to be there all day and not have it the way you like is frustrating. You are doing the right thing sharing those frustrations on here! Clearly you are not alone! I had no idea how fussy I was until I had some help from my kids and they weren't doing things the way I do! I think this is natural. You are doing great and you have a more difficult road because you are also taking care of your children. Your kids and husband are healthy and you are healing and that's whats important! Good luck at the doctor!

 

[KneeAware]

Good luck. let us know how you get on. This is how you will feel and its all done.

Will do..thanks!

 

[KneeAware]

Is any of your incision numb? I have a portion of my leg that is totally numb on the surface. I feel for you about the little ones! You are the one in charge of your home and to be there all day and not have it the way you like is frustrating. You are doing the right thing sharing those frustrations on here!
You are doing great and you have a more difficult road because you are also taking care of your children. Your kids and husband are healthy and you are healing and that's whats important! Good luck at the doctor!

My incision still has a dressing on it until at least tomorrow when the staples come out so I haven't touched it yet, however my six month old one does have less sensation in a couple of places.

Yeah, my recovery is not at all typical because I don't get much down time with two small kids and my own business...but this time around I am finding a little more patience and have not pushed the knee nearly as much.

 

[KneeAware]

Staples out (yeoooooooooooooouch)!, x-rays done, OS seen and all is good. He wants me to take one more week off from PT because it seems I have strained the iliotibial band but that hasn't slowed down the recovery too much. He isn't worried about the ROM this time around...

No driving for at least 8 more weeks until I see him again... I feel like I can drive now if I had to!

No pain meds either, however, I have made it this far without them I'm sure I can make it the rest of the way.

 

[BJ Mac]

Hi Tessa, glad to hear that you made it through staple removal and all is good. Hang in there. Wow! 8 more weeks till you drive sounds like a long time. I do hope that you have someone to get you where you need to go. ((((hugs))))

 

[Lori-M]

Glad things are progressing "normally" or what passes for normally! Sorry the staple removal was less than stellar sweetie. Hang in there; you'll be zooming around in the car before you know it!

 

[Jacky48]

Tessa, I'm glad to here you made it through the staple removal, thank goodness you would have to do that again!

He said you could drive for another 8 more weeks or until you are at 8 weeks? 8 more weeks sounds like a long time for someone that's not on heavy duty pain meds.

Stay well my friend!

 

[KneeAware]

That is no driving for another 8 weeks until I see him again January 04, 2013! I know, it seems like a long time, I mean I think I could go drive right now. This is going to 'drive' me bonkers not being permitted to drive until then...my hubby is good about taking me wherever I want to go but I would like at least some independence. I guess I can walk wherever I want to go by that, time, !

 

[KneeAware]

Glad things are progressing "normally" or what passes for normally! Sorry the staple removal was less than stellar sweetie. Hang in there; you'll be zooming around in the car before you know it!

I had a mere 28 staples, about 20 of them were ! The nurse asked me to lay down because I got very pale and sweaty, hahhaha, told you I was a wimp.
I was up and about for 8 hours today or thereabout and the knee, I must say, is doing very well, considering.