TKR Right TKR 6/5

[snowleopard]

Just popping in to say hi. I'm whooped! I working, all day yesterday, most of today. After work I swung by a fast-food place and picked up dinner, by a quick-stop and got seven bags of ice (a week's worth), a quart of oil (car was thirsty), and gas. Took me over an hour to run all those chores and carry in the spoils from the car. Haven't done anything since then except eat, ice, elevate, and shower, and dink around w/a new musical instrument ICan found on eBay.
Leg is pretty much straight when it comes to extension, but the flexions still slow in returning. My scar is a thing of beauty, if I say so myself. The portion of it that was a raised welt has flattened out. There are a few sections where there are still some lumpy-bumpies, but only where the threads are still in place (I can see them under the skin by the raised zig-zag pattern. I was gently massaging the other day and felt a couple of threads pop. Pretty weird, but hey, just another adventure in Newkneesville. Some of it has already resolved to a faint white line--only an inch or so here and there, but I'm taking that as a harbinger of things to come.

Still walking with one crutch, but sometimes I find myself looking around for it and realize I've left it in another room. Also a promising sign.

The yawns have got me. Hope all is well.

 

[PolarBear60]

Sounds great!


Jean

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

 

[Raffs]

Great update. Good to hear that all is going well.

 

[kneeper]

The place told me they couldn't take the cpm cover. I gave it to a friend with a cat, who apparently liked it.

I like that "cat perching machine."

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - What positive news! So nice to hear you're doing well.. Not looking for a crutch BEFORE you start walking sounds AWESOME!! Can't wait!!

 

[snowleopard]

Thank you, everyone! Completely wiped again. Got my propane bottles filled, so I'm squared away for cooking and baking this winter. Put in about five hours at work, went over to DMV and got my handicapped parking hang-tag, good until the end of November. That took about an hour, and was kind of scary. I kept thinking someone was going to trip over my leg, as by that time of the day, I couldn't bend it back to 90 and it stuck out. I finally found a somewhat quiet spot, and put my crutch out and braced my leg up on it. I figured if they trip over my leg, at least they'll remember not to do it next time, as they would go splat.

Bathroom was a bit of a challenge. They had a stall with grab bars, and I thought (for the first time), okay, that's me. But when I went to wash up, the towels were on the opposite wall, so I had to walk over clutching my crutch with a wet slippery hand. Next time I hope I'll know enough to watch for that.

Ran one last errand on the other side of town, picking up a tuner for the instruments I've been playing. There was someone parked in the handicapped parking spot, but it didn't matter too much, as I was able to park next to him. No railings, just high-ish cement steps. And extending out to the other end of the building, at maximum distance from the one designated parking spot, was a ramp. I knew I was exhausted at that point, and just talked myself gently through the process. Relieved to hit the ground in one piece, to get in my car. My the time I got home, very little bend left in that leg.

I got all the gear inside, and am in bed already, leg up on the `snowleopard' pillow (so named my Mr. Raffs). Grabbed some yogurt and fruit from the still-upstairs-thank-goodness frig, and am eating as I ice. It may be dinner.

Trying to find the balance point of doing what is necessary without feeling like I have to push, push, push and accumulate the bogus brownie points that come from overdoing. Last couple of days have been over the line the wrong direction, but life just keeps going on, winter keeps coming, and my life is better because I have ice, gas, oil, propane, a job, a tuner, and a hang-tag. Not to mention the yogurt. I think I will place a online order for groceries from the local box store (I still have to go in and pick them up, but that's still a big help).

Cat must feel the same way; she is on the CPM cover on the tote next to my bed, grooming after a hard day outside terrorizing the local small-game population. She slipped out when my friend came over to help w/propane, and so spent the day outside. I saw some of her handiwork, a half a vole in the driveway, mournfully saying, "I liked it better when I had a head."

Delphiniums, columbine, fireweed, and flower baskets in bloom on a beautiful, not-too-hot, sunny, breezy day. The trees are in full-deep-late summer green, and I can enjoy their view from here. Time to Netflix it up a bit, or listen to a book on tape. I may even take a pain pill just because, but I'm trying to stay awake for a few more hours, and that won't help.

Hope you are all joyous and well. Will check in tomorrow and see how you're doing.


`

 

[PolarBear60]

Your cat stories are always good for a laugh! You're doing great. What an exhausting day.


Jean

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

 

[snowleopard]

Thank you, Jean.

I got a little discouraged today, as I'm still so tentative, and so crutch-dependent. It's hard to believe that in another month I will be walking without it and without a limp. But when I look back at where I was a month ago, I have to take some hope from that. And what else is there to do but to soldier on and keep an optimistic outlook?

Yep, I think I need a day of rest.

 

[Slainte]

You are really getting your life back. Wonderful to read about. Thank you.

 

[Raffs]

Your cat is beautiful but I would live in constant fear of what I might find on the drive/stairs/floor every day. You cope with her gifts far better than I ever could.

I am feeling the same as you this week - a little discouraged as progress seems to have slowed right down. You are so right though - looking back to where I was three weeks ago compared to where I am now (in hospital, throwing up from the meds, unable to do any PT and then zonked out from an anti-nausea shot) - we've come a long way, baby.

I, too, cannot imagine walking without a crutch or a limp anytime soon, but we will.

First one to dance a hornpipe must definitely post a video on here, lol!

You did an awful lot yesterday, no wonder your knee was cross when you got home.

I am humbled that you've named your pillow in my honour....

 

[CATSMUM]

My cat used to bring us gifts, rats, field mice and a collared dove! All of them live, we managed to rescue all of them and released them. Wasn't easy catching the rat but a saucepan worked nicely in the end. The mouse was brought in the evening before we were going on holiday, it was a fast critter and initially l thought we wouldn't be able to catch it, however, we saw it trying to get out by the patio door so managed to let it out! As for the bird, took it to the vets and they released it the next day after it had an overnight stay and rest.

 

[KarriB]

Oh my goodness, what a day! I remember goin to the DMV right after I went back to work and in the middle of the Polar Vortex (my license expired while I was laid up longer than expected) but my BFF drove me which was a huge help. You deserve some down time very soon!

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - Yes, no wonder you are whooped! You are definitely a trooper - and I hope I am able to do as well when I get to the same time out as you.. What kind of work do you do? When I go back I think I need to go back full time. Not sure if I can negotiate starting out slow, either short days or partial weeks. I'll have to look into that. I too, love the stories of your cat and the humor with which you tell them.. I also appreciate the description of the Alaskan outdoors.. When are you expecting the cold weather to start? Summers up there as SO beautiful, as I assume are the winters, just "different"..

Hope you didn't over do it too much. Enjoy your rest. Looking forward to you next update..

 

[snowleopard]

Hi again, ladies. Another short post. Stayed home today, mostly rested, some massage on scar (another subcutaneous thread pop--yay!), a little icing. Went outside and rolled up the shades over the sunroom windows. We finally have cool enough weather and enough leaves on the trees to not need those, so I can enjoy the light and view again. While out there I noticed that the kids who moved the firewood moved the gutter that runs away from the house, so I did a halfhatted job of replacing that, best I could. Cat came and assisted with dangling cords on the shades.

Went into the kitchen and made chicken soup and put a batch of enchiladas in the oven. The prep took me over an hour, and was very tiring, even though I did some of it sitting down. Will be worth it, I hope, when the food is done and I have much yummy stuff to eat over the weekend. But no wonder I was tired at the end of the last few days, if a pot of chicken soup and a batch of enchiladas kicked my butt. I'm actually trembly-tired.

More later.

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - Please be careful.. sounds like you are on the brink of joining the IODI club.. I think "I'm actually trembly-tired" was a pretty hefty clue.. I think I can safely say, "We're watching you!" hahahaha! Take care, my friend!

 

[snowleopard]

@Braunzie, I plan on taking tomorrow off also, so I'll have the next three days to prep for the following work week.
I plan on trying to get back on an exercise routine to see if I can increase my flexion. I haven't been doing much in the line of exercises since I had that slip-ouch about three weeks ago, the one that landed me in bed for about a week.

I wish I could see inside the healing knee and know what was going on, and where the adhesions are likely to form, what needs to be stretched out, what's keeping my leg from curling back. I WANT X-RAY VISION! Or would it be cat-scan vision, since it's soft-tissue stuff. I know I can't have MRI's, so MRI-vision is out.

I found this helpful tidbit on a "What to expect after knee replacement" website by WebMD. (As in, I'm not a doctor but I play one on the internet.") Sharing it because I found it very, very funny: In three to six weeks, you should be able to get back to most of your normal activities. Swimming and riding a stationary bike are easy on your knee. You can have sex again whenever you feel comfortable. If you're a gardener, you can kneel after a couple of months, though it may be uncomfortable at first. Activities like golf or dancing are fine, but high-impact sports like jogging or basketball should be avoided.

Note to self: must put basketball and jogging on my to-don't list.

 

[Raffs]

I feel exactly the same as you re wanting to see inside my knee. I actually sat on the sofa last night and spoke to it - I asked it what it needs from me!

My flexion has increased a little this week, I think. I find heel slides much easier to do when sitting in a chair using a glossy magazine under my foot to give me some glide. I struggle with them lying on the bed. Might help you with your flexion too? All of a sudden yesterday I noticed that I was bending it further but with no pain, just some discomfort and the ever-present tightness.

That quote from the WebMD website is crazy. I've been shooting hoops since week 1........

 

[Braunzie]

@snowleopard - I agree with Raffs - That quote from WebMD website IS crazy!! hahaha.. good thing I know better, or I might get depressed.. Wonder what facts they base that on?? And no wonder why others expect a faster recovery period when TKR patients return to work.

@Raffs - haha! I know my knee has talked to me - very loudly at times, but I never thought to talk to it.. Maybe I should try that.. Have you gotten a good answer yet?

 

[Raffs]

@Braunzie I have a colleague who is having a TKR later this year - her surgeon has told her that she'll be able to return to work after 4 weeks - using public transport to travel the country carrying out her duties as our SVP!!!! I have tried telling her otherwise but she is adamant he is right. We will see....... Nope, cannot get a word of sense out of my knee yet but I will keep trying in the hope that at some point we will start to understand each other other!!

@snowleopard Hope all ok and that you're managing to get some rest this weekend.

 

[Braunzie]

@Raffs - I'll be interested to see how your colleague does. And if you do find a way to have a mind-meld with your knee, let us know!! I think everyone in this forum could benefit from that and would hold you up as a hero!

@snowleopard - ditto what Raffs said..