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TKR RTKR December 12

LittleBit said:
shopping online for a swimsuit with long sleeves as my shoulders and arms get so cold, even in a "heated" pool
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Have you looked at wet suits? They have lightweight ones that surfers use. I found it very helpful back when I was kayaking because it is always cold in Long Island sound!
 
They also have what are called "rash guard" tops. Even Amazon carries them. I'm contemplating getting a couple when we go to Hawaii in April so I don't get too fried by the :SUNsmile:
 
@Susie-Q That's what I ended up ordering--a rash guard suit. Looks just like a surfing suit. Two piece: long-sleeved top and boy short bottoms. It's supposed to arrive Sunday. I'll let you know how I like it.
 
I had my last PT today before 6-week follow-up with OS on Monday 1/22. Knee was feeling sore and stiff from doing too much yesterday with grandkids on "snow day" and also teaching my first online zoom session (hour and a half at my desk) on Wednesday night. So I got a gentle work-out with some good massages and stretches. I talked to another patient at the facility who had her first TKR 15 years ago and her second 5 years ago. She has been very happy with her new knees--"It was totally worth it!" Encouragement like that and what we get on this forum provides much-needed hope.
 
Good Luck with your follow up on Monday, LittleBit.
I hope you have a great visit with your OS.
Have a lovely weekend!
@LittleBit
 
My rash guard swimsuit arrived from Amazon. Trying it on, I was fairly pleased. It's not too tight but tight enough not to ride up. The top has built-in bra cups that fit pretty well. When I showed it to my husband, he said, "You mean having wet long sleeves against your wet skin will help keep your shoulders and arms warm?" Well, let's just hope:loll:
 
Yes, it really should help!
 
Good to hear your good report. Well done. And planning for swimming! I can’t imagine working at this point or at 6 weeks either for that matter. You are a tough cookie. Zoom at home is sensible. i am cheering you on. :yay:
 
Let us know how you like it! I am doing aquatic therapy in a very heated pool right now but will likely go to the neighborhood pool this summer with the kids.
 
@rlwintin Regarding returning to work, I will say that I would never have planned to go back to work after 5 weeks if I had known what recovery from TKR is really like. While my pain after the first 2 weeks has been completely manageable, my lack of endurance for sustained desk work and concentration is challenging. Add to that the physical demands of exercising to regain flexibility and strength, and it's just too much. I'll get through this time, but when I schedule my other knee replacement, I'm going to take no less than 12 weeks off. I kept hearing from people before my surgery things like, "My dad had that, and he did great!" It's one thing to observe someone's recovery from the outside and a totally different thing to experience your own recovery. There's so much struggle that's not visible and not shared perhaps because it would seem weak to talk about ongoing "minor" complaints when you seem to be functionally okay to others.
 
@LittleBit Live and learn. It’s hard to judge how we will be in weeks. I had my other knee done 11 years ago and I was still thinking I’d be okay sooner- not! I’m sorry that you are in a bind about working. It will call for the utmost in self care, and even then, hard. This is just a very hard recovery. One thing I noticed between the two surgeries is that my age made it harder, I think. I was 61 for the first one. Anyway, I hope you are able to find as much ease as possible and get the help you need for everything else. :console2:
 
LittleBit said:
my lack of endurance for sustained desk work and concentration is challenging. Add to that the physical demands of exercising to regain flexibility and strength, and it's just too much.
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Yes, the energy drain is tough to manage. I remember trying to return to work (remote) at six weeks after my first TKR and couldn't do it. As rlwintin says, we live and we learn.

One suggestion: cut back on the exercising temporarily. You can go back to exercising for flexibility and strength in a few weeks, but you don't need all that added energy drain right now -- making it harder for your body to heal.

Give yourself some grace on this. Taking a break won't delay your recovery; if fact, it might help!
 
LittleBit said:
It's one thing to observe someone's recovery from the outside and a totally different thing to experience your own recovery. There's so much struggle that's not visible and not shared perhaps because it would seem weak to talk about ongoing "minor" complaints when you seem to be functionally okay to others.
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This is SO TRUE!! I think that's why we hear from others that their dad, uncle, aunt, sister, whoever, had a knee replacement and they did just fine after a few weeks! Until you've experienced it yourself, you have no idea how it will affect you.

Let us (ok, me) know how the rash guard swim suit works out when you actually use it. :wink:
 
Thanks to all for your kind words and support. I'm going to take Deb's advice to slow down the exercise a bit to reserve energy for work. Matter of fact, I had my 6-week check-up with the OS today, and he told me I could stop going to PT. He says I'll do fine just swimming and using the cycle at the gym to get some aerobic exercise, which will help with my fatigue. I got permission not to try to hurry the strengthening. Hubby and I will be starting our gym membership on 2/2--delayed to save a month's extra charge, so I'll let you know, Susie-Q, how the rash guard suit works. Oh, and I have permission to drive now. I'm not keen on driving much distance right now, but at least I can make a short drive from home to get my hair cut.
 
A very good update. Your surgeon has skills besides in the OR!
 
LittleBit said:
I got permission not to try to hurry the strengthening.
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I really like your surgeon!

LittleBit said:
I have permission to drive now. I'm not keen on driving much distance right now,
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I also found going back to driving after my right TKR a bit scary. I worried about whether I'd have the ability to stomp on the brake in an emergency. It took me a couple of weeks to get back my confidence. Doing short trips is a very good idea!
 
I started driving since week 5. Getting in and out of car is a bit painful, but once I get in I have no problem driving. Only nervousness I have on the back of my mind is since I still take hydrocodone(Norco), and Tramadol in the night, what if something happens. Otherwise I’m driving alright with my LTKR and RTKR (RTKR on 12/14).
 
You are not under the influence of these meds when you are driving, are you? It would be very dangerous if you were.
 
No I am not under the influence.. I take the Tramadol in the night. Drive next day afternoon to PT. Neither Tramadol nor Norco gives me drowsiness. Also I am not alcoholic
 
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