TKR Right TKR 6/5

[snowleopard]

Thank you, Jean. I made it downstairs twice this evening, once to put some salmon in the oven and boil some eggs, the second time to get the salmon out of the oven. Just finished that trip, and have salmon fillets and eggs in my upstairs frig. I also have a ride to the appointments I have today and tomorrow. That's the good news. And I don't have to get out of bed again tonight unless I have to pee.

The tougher piece of it is that I have some dramatic swelling in my leg, and in a place where I haven't swollen before, below the incision and above the knee. And still getting little shooties in my kneecap. Please tell me I didn't shatter my kneecap?

 

[Celle]

Ouch, @snowleopard

You gave yourself a manipulation without anaesthetic. I bet it hurt like the blazes. I've read of other people doing the same thing.

You did completely the right thing, in medicating, resting, and icing, and not doing PT. Treat the leg gently and give it several days to recover.

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - sorry to hear about your "event" today. I can just imagine how scary that must have been - along with the pain.. :( Hopefully you'll recover from that soon.. I'm encouraged by the news of your weight loss.. I've been so "inactive" and have had the stress of added pain, I've gained a few.. which I REALLY don't need.. and was actually concerned about continuing to gain more after surgery because of the initial GREATER inactivity.. Were you intentionally trying to eat less or did you just have less of an appetite?

My surgery is scheduled for July 13. - Trying not to stress, but I guess I'm human..

 

[snowleopard]

Braunzie, I can empathize with the pre-surgical stress. One of the first things I felt after the surgery was a great sense of relief in knowing that I didn't have to make that decision anymore. It was a done deed.

To answer your questions about the weight loss, I think there were several factors there. When I got home from the hospital, I was a bit stunned to see my weight up by 10 pounds (yikes!) That was an unpleasant surprise. I lost that weight pretty quickly--I think less than a week--and assume it was primarily water weight. But after that I continued to lose, and am down another 15 pounds. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that some of my pre-surgical gain was not so much fat as a fluid gain from inflammation in my system. Just a hunch--have had no medical confirmation. But I've also felt a general overall sense of well-being starting almost immediately after the surgery--more energy, better color--it's subtle, but I think it's real. I think I was just overall not as healthy with that arthritic infection in my body.

As far as what I'm doing, I have a small frig upstairs where I keep most of my food. I'm somewhat limited in what I can fit in there, and have been dependent upon friends to bring food over. They don't always bring what I ask for--their best guesses and best intentions--and I find I'm very food-fussy right now. I skip eating rather than eat something that I don't want. I'm eating slowly because of a diminished appetite and intermittent nausea. That first week home, it might take me all afternoon to eat just an apple.

I've also just become an empty nester, so am able to cater to my own food choices. For example, I like chocolate quite a bit. Rather than eating cheap vending-machine candy, I can indulge in the more earthy dark-chocolate bars--expensive, but they last a week or so because it only takes a little bit of it to satisfy my chocolate cravings. I eat veggies, salads, etc., because it's a preference. Yesterday was the first day I was moving around the kitchen enough to prep a meal downstairs, and I hope as time goes by to reclaim that turf and have even better foods at hand.

I don't think that this would have been a good time for me to embark on a serious weight loss plan based on deprivation and restriction. I'm just more trying to eat to my tastes and appetite, and no more. I also try to steer towards the Superfoods way of eating, although I disagree with their low-fat dairy products philosophy. I have found that if I give my body nutritious food, eventually the desire for less nutritious food dies away. Between the surgery and a divorce and having two young adults recently launched into the world at large, I have enough going on without stressing about dieting right now.

I also think that it's taken some stress off me to know that, uncomfortable as this is at times, I have the decision behind me and have taken active steps to start getting better.

Best of luck to you both with the weight and the surgery.

 

[kneeper]

Give that knee a little tlc after the episode. Glad the PT was right there.

I had that kind of thing happen with my first knee. I got a little cocky and wasn't focusing as much and took a step down--down with the bad instead of down with the good. Luckily I didn't fall but it was ice, elevate and pain meds for me.

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - Thanks for the detailed response.. I agree, it not likely the best time to be stressing out about losing weight during this kind of recovery.. Sounds like it's been the pleasant result of your circumstances and other things you're focusing on. On the other hand, my husband LOVES to cook and is promising he'll "be there for me".. lol!

 

[snowleopard]

Wow, kneeper, it's painful to read about your ouch!, but comforting to know I'm not the only cocky klutz. I had two demanding days in a row, but nothing stretching out in front of me for awhile, plus ice and food available to keep me through the weekend. That's my plan.

Braunzie, I think that's great that you have your own on-board chef. Just let him know that you want the most nutritious of foods possible to aid your healing, and let him know what that will look like.

I awakened this morning after a solid four hours of sleep--about as much as I seem to get at any one time. I think I'm dehydrated, and wake up thirsty. So after I refilled my cryo-cuff with ice, I made what felt like a spelunking trip downstairs to get some large (52 oz cups--knew I was saving them for something) cups, and a pitcher, and some lemon juice. Came back upstairs and had to sit and rest for awhile (thinking of those of you who were out biking at this point in your recovery!) Headed back into my bedroom when I noticed the intent, worried expression on the cat's face: "What's this? You're not going back to bed, are you?" and I recalled that someone had best feed her. I now have a big, icy cup of lemon-water, an elevated and icing knee, and hope of getting some more sleep here.

The last two days have been demanding. I had still been a bit queasy from my trip-slip episode the day before, and then at the dentist's office, they gave me antibiotics due to the surgery. They were instant nausea pills; had to work out a protocol to hand-signal "elevate my head now!" to the hygienist, and get a trash can handy. Just the getting-in-to-town stuff was hard on me, but the nausea was horrible--kind of a heartburn-y feeling that lasted into yesterday. Throw in an over-the-phone head-butting session w/my young-adult daughter, and my day-before-court day was not the peaceful, prepping one I had hoped.

Yesterday I had a court hearing in hopes of working out a divorce settlement. We were not successful, and I was still queasy, but not in the sheer pain that I was the day before. However, the young lady that gave me a ride helped me into the courthouse, carried my cryo-cuff and purse for me, sat with me and carried my stuff into the courtroom and got me situated. Very helpful. While I was in court, she did some grocery shopping for me, and we picked up six bags of ice on the way home. I was exhausted, but she put away all the groceries and ice, and put some chicken in the oven for me, on an auto-turn-off in case I fell asleep. So I have chicken, salmon, and fresh fruits and veggies, water pitcher and big-gulp-type cups, and lots of ice. And today is about healing and rest, and elevating and ice.

The PT told me not to worry about the accident, that I didn't do any harm, but my leg is swelling where it hadn't post-surgically (directly above knee), and there is another band of tightness across the kneecap, but it runs horizontally this time, above and below. The swelling was very firm and pronounced after I got home yesterday, seems to be down a bit today. My ROM both directions is a reduced quite a bit. So I
keep repeating his instructions not to let this get me down, but I can't say I'm happy about the setback. Oh well, it's a new day.

 

[snowleopard]

Listening to a sound that is music to my ears: a running lawnmower. Found a young lady who was looking for lawn-mowing work on CL, and she came out to my house today to tackle the project. It hasn't been cut this year, and has been sadly neglected the last few years, but she is young, enthusiastic, and a recent (unemployed) graduate. Willing to tackle other little projects as well, such as planting the flower-box at the head of the driveway that I didn't have time to get to before surgery, restacking my firewood, etc. How cheering it will be to have the place in trim!

I am deeply grateful for her willingness to tackle this, as well as feeling a twinge of envy of her getting to do this project, to be moving freely in the sun and wind, with the trees dancing around her, which is a measure of how pathetic I have become. I've noticed that when I'm watching a movie, one of the things I focus on when the attractive hero strides down the street is the fact that he, well, strides down the street! How cool is that? Or just tap-tap-tapping his way down stairs. Very sexy, that. Hard to believe that I will ever be at that point.

After I made the trip downstairs this a.m., and had to stop to rest afterwards, I reminded myself that everyone has limits. Even the most driven athlete has a point past which she or he cannot go at a given time; even I at my most fit and healthy and active had a point of activity past which I would need to rest. This is the same; my must-rest place is just at a different place on that spectrum.

Was able to nap today by putting a recorded book on that I didn't care much about. Just enough of a plot for me to lose myself in. The words out there overrode the conversation going on in my head, and I was able to find an off-switch and drift away. Every so often, I'd awaken enough to listen a little more, and would then go back to sleep. Not the most deep and restful of sleeps, but enough to get me past that dying-for-a-nap, tired-but-not-sleepy point.

My incision has closed over. I don't know why, but I have to force myself to touch it, maybe because the odd numbness. The PT told me that the nerves that feel texture and touch are cut, but the nerves that feel pain are still intact and registering. How nice! You can't feel anything there, except pain. I rubbed in some Vit E oil in it a couple of times, and that softens up the dry skin and gets some of the old adhesive off. Overall, for as early in the game as it is, I'm pleased with how it looks except for one concern. There's a stretch right over the knee (worst location for it) where the scar is raised into a welt, rather than flat. Does anyone know if this is a "What you see is what you get" thing, or will that flatten with time?

My PT told me if I massage the scar aggressively it will help the scar fibers lay down and align, rather than being like a pile of nails sticking everywhich direction. He demonstrated this, and it was a most unpleasant sensation. I have not been able to bring myself to do that. I decided I am not only pain-avoidant, I am discomfort-avoidant as well. Weenie, in a word.

 

[puppywalker]

I know how you feel, snowleopard - I watch people walking out in the sunshine and wonder if they really appreciate being able to walk freely with no pain and I feel jealous because I wonder if I'll ever be able to do it again.

 

[Gigi32]

My first incision was a little bumpy right after they took the staples out. Once the steri-strips fell off I started massaging it in the shower with a washcloth. That seemed to flatten it out. The warm water running over it was actually relaxing and not painful. I'll do the same with this one once the steri-strips fall off.

 

[snowleopard]

I know how you feel, snowleopard - I watch people walking out in the sunshine and wonder if they really appreciate being able to walk freely with no pain and I feel jealous because I wonder if I'll ever be able to do it again.

Thank you! That helps to know I'm not the only one. It's not that I begrudge them that; I wish them well. I'd just like to do that myself.

 

[KarriB]

It'll take a while still, but massaging the scar will feel good. I wouldn't say aggressive massaging, but my PT told me to massage while it was bent. I now keep a tub of Palmer's Cocoa Butter close by for my knee (even though I'm 18 months out) and also use it for feet, elbows etc.

Because of the infection of my knee I had quite a few days (felt like months) of wondering whether I'd ever live a normal life. But amazingly, even after not being allowed to bend my knee for a month I was able to go back to work a month after being told I could bend again. Going back to teaching gave me a purpose, even though there were many mornings I stood at my kitchen window at 5:30 in the morning thinking that I could be back in bed.

My point, it will all come back, shopping, visiting friends, work, traveling, your life. I had to take away more than my new knee from the experience. I learned so much about myself, my faith, my friends and family, it made me a better,more thoughtful individual. I also learned to take and accept help graciously. Looking back, the three months became a very reflective time for me.

 

[Angel1978]

Hi I am 4 months and I am bumpy on my scar. They said its scar tissue and adhesions.And they said don't mess with them. I cant stand to touch scar.

Wish you best regards. Xxx


FaithMitchmommy
PKR December.1,2014
TKREV MARCH.2,2015

 

[Celle]

The PT told me that the nerves that feel texture and touch are cut, but the nerves that feel pain are still intact and registering. How nice! You can't feel anything there, except pain.

I'm not sure that I agree with that. One major nerve is cut - see this article:
Numb area after TKR: how long will it last?
I expect lots of other, smaller nerves are cut, too.
However, all nerves feel texture, touch and pain as well. If you're wounded (which you are) you will feel pain.

My PT told me if I massage the scar aggressively it will help the scar fibers lay down and align, rather than being like a pile of nails sticking everywhich direction. He demonstrated this, and it was a most unpleasant sensation. I have not been able to bring myself to do that. I decided I am not only pain-avoidant, I am discomfort-avoidant as well. Weenie, in a word.

No, you're not a weenie, or a wuss!
Don't do anything aggressively. Massage gently, if you feel it helps, but there's no point in doing something that hurts or feels bad. Given time, those fibres will sort themselves out anyway - nature is pretty good at doing its job without much help. The scar will settle down and fade and a lot of the lumps and bumps will go away.

 

[snowleopard]

Thank you, Celle!
I am so heartened by the continual advice here to trust my instincts and not hurt myself.

 

[puppywalker]

I don't begrudge them either, snowleopard - I just want to tell them to consciously enjoy their freedom

 

[snowleopard]

I don't begrudge them either, snowleopard - I just want to tell them to consciously enjoy their freedom

And we know they wouldn't get it. I remember several decades ago walking into a pool building. There was a woman outside waiting for a pickup, and she was in an electric cart. We didn't speak, but we made eye contact as I walked up towards the doors, and her eyes spoke fathoms. And now I know what they were saying . . .

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - Glad you found someone to help with the yard! I've not been able to do any real gardening for a couple years and made a comment to my husband a few weeks ago about how I was so frustrated because I couldn't do more.. Can't BELEIVE how much he's done since then. I came home from work on a Monday (which he has off every week) and he had spend the ENTIRE day out on the yard weeding. Then the next couple nights he put down mulch and last weekend, he took me to buy new perennials and then spent the HOT day putting them in the ground. I too, felt I would have liked to been working out there and feeling that sense of accomplishment, but certainly now, I will be able to look out my front windows now while recovering and see and absolutely transformed garden.. I know it will help with my spirits during recovery. Sounds like the work in your yard will as well.. And the fact that you have found someone open to doing other things is great as well! Take advantage of that!!

Sorry for your challenges.. I can't imagine having to make a trip to a courthouse at about 4 weeks out.. and especially after already being queasy from your mishap - AND a dentist visit!.. My heart goes out to you. Hang in there! Get lots of rest and it will get better!

PS.. where in Alaska are you? Our family went on a cruise there a couple years ago and absolutely LOVED it!

 

[snowleopard]

Bless your hubbie! The way to a woman's heart is through her garden, no doubt about it. What a labor of love!

I am in the "Golden Heart" of Alaska, smack in the middle. No cruise ships make it this far, I'm afraid. The coastal region you saw is dramatic and amazing and haunting. Some books you might enjoy regarding the SE coast, if you're interested: Blue Bear, by Lynn Schooler, and Handlogger, by W.H. Jackson. The latter is too old to be a kindle, but poke around and you should be able to find it cheap somewhere. Probably falling apart, but worth the read.

I am so happy to announce that phase one of the yardwork is complete. My lawn has been mown twice (it was so long that the first job was necessarily a hack-job), things that were laying around picked up and put away, porch swing hung, etc. Looks more "Secret Garden" out there than the prior "crazy cat lady" look. I'm so happy that I connected with her to do the work. She'll be coming out periodically over the summer as her schedule permits. Now that the grass is cut, she can de-thatch, aerate, fertilize, lime, re-seed, fill in some holes. Some of that gain won't show until next year, but like the knee, even though it will be a long process of healing, it's movement in the right direction. After years of going the other direction, I'm really happy about that. And even though I probably won't risk sitting in the porch swing for awhile, maybe not even this summer, it still makes me happy that it's out, that my flower baskets are in bloom, that summer is not just here, but being embraced to the point that I can do so.

Further happiness in that I have a team (two young men and her) coming out on Saturday to tackle my firewood. I have some that needs cutting, splitting, and stacking. I may have enough to get me through the winter, but might need to buy a cord just for insurance. Always round up when it comes to firewood. They'll cut, and she'll run the electric splitter and they can all stack and the job will be done in a day. Big load off my mind.

And in the isn't-that-special category, my cat watched her opportunity and slipped out the door during the coming and going for yard-work today. Returned recently, brought me lunch. Good thing I'm not quite as queasy today. I declined, and so got to listen to her lay next to my bed and crunch. She's so pleased with herself. And out there somewhere is a mama bird with a broken heart.

 

[PolarBear60]

That porch swing might be a useful PT tool to work on ROM.


Jean

LTKR (Stryker Triathlon): 21 April 2015
Right Knee Arthroscopy: 25 July 2006
Left Knee Arthroscopy: 10 February 2005