Bilateral TKR Scheduled February 2016

[Celle]

I'm very glad to hear that you're doing so well at home.

Just walking around the house and doing a few Heel slides and how to do them is all the exercise you need for now.

Don't be in a rush to get off those pain medications. The time to start cutting back is when you find you're forgetting to take a dose when it's due and not feeling any more pain because of that. It's good to be clear-headed, but it's not good to reduce the meds too soon.

 

[KayeKaye]

18 days out from operation now.
Had a good nap and small lunch now. During the night my meds were mixed up by being an hour early because I had set my alarm wrong. So took one oxy at 4 am, and the next one was due at 8 am which I didn't take. I did take my daily aspirin and tylenol this morning. Now it's 1 pm and I am feeling fine. I hope it doesn't come back and hit me with a vengeance, but I would think it would have reared it's ugly head at least a little bit by now.

I have been coloring in one of those color books for adults, which I should be drawing as I am an artist. lol But they are really relaxing because I don't have to figure it out, just fill it in. It's been about an hour and I was totally distracted.

Too tired to overdue much of anything. Just getting up to bathroom walking back and forth wears me out. I had put off this surgery for 3 years and because of that I have done less and less, just being on the computer doing my work and art. So it does not tempt me to be up and around cleaning more than I should. I have to relearn how to be a good cleaner ha ha, I need rehab for that.

 

[Celle]

Don't worry about the cleaning at all for now. Dust bunnies are your friends - they show that you have been resting properly.

 

[KayeKaye]

So I felt fine till 6 pm then took one Oxycodone. Feels a bit better now, 7 pm. It wasn't an awful full on pain, just some twinges and zingers, but my strength was zapped. Feel more able to walk a bit now. Think I will try a schedule of 6 am, 12 N, 6 pm, 12 M for oxy. Still using tylenol, aspirin and stool softeners.

Just journaling.

 

[KayeKaye]

Before we left for the hospital we made the ice bags found in the resources here but haven't had a chance to use them because Mayo Hospital sent us home with 4 nice ice packs with 2 covers. 4 ice packs so one set is always in the freezer while using the other set. They have a nice seam/split down the middle to help wrap, and 2 big velcro straps. One side of the cover is thick and the other side is thinner. They are awesome.

 

[charmed-life]

I got very similar set from my hospital (HCMC in Minneapolis), they are great


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[Celle]

Those ice packs look terrific. Just what you need!

 

[KarriB]

My pt used similar ice packs and they were wonderful. It's great that you have two and trade off.

 

[Creation]

Have the blue ice bag but not the lovely pocket to slip it in. This looks so neat! I wrap mine in a towel.

 

[charmed-life]

The Velcro straps (at least on mine)are stretchy so it really stays on all around the knee.


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[KayeKaye]

The straps are great. They seem too heavy lately though, the pain of the knee coming through more often now.

So now struggling with nausea a bit, or edginess, due to med schedule and trying to stretch it between doses so I can be awake more. Can't focus on much. Wishing things would calm down and get back to normal to a bit. Don't know how long it will take for my mind to be back.

@charmed-life Supposed to get really nice out today, thought I would do some "PT" by going down the stairs, and be a passenger while my husband does a few quick errands. You know how tempting this weather break is, I feel like if I don't get it out a blizzard will storm in tonight and it will be all over LOL

 

[KayeKaye]

Made it down the 15 steps and into the car. Took a nice ride to enjoy the weather. It was so nice to get out and I didn't really suffer from it the rest of the day.

 

[Celle]

I'm glad you enjoyed your outing and didn't suffer for it later. Little trips like that are good for the spirit.

 

[charmed-life]

Yes we had a beautiful day today! Glad you got out - I did too and it was so nice!


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[KayeKaye]

20 days out from operation.
Had my first in-home PT today. Just went through the paces, checking out what I can and can't do. He was pleased with my progress. I got 70 and 73 ROM which the PT thought was fine for now. My Mayo doctor wanted me to be at 90 by now, but I don't know if that is realistic?
The PT showed me a gentle stretch when going up the steps, just to rest one foot up and bend in a little. Will have 3 weeks with 3 times a week. If it gets too aggressive I will not allow it. Got out my floor mini pedal bike machine. The tension broke so now it is free flowing, that's ok for me for now I guess. Will start rocking a little bit with that. The PT suggested going to the mall to walk around. Don't know how I would deal with the exhaustion from that. Plus dragging a cushion around to sit on those benches. Plus don't want to go do that alone. I don't know.

 

[Celle]

You're doing OK.
I'd skip going to the mall - just walk around the house. If the weather isn't bad and if someone is around to help with the steps, you can walk around outside a little bit.

 

[KayeKaye]

I think so too. So been sleeping since the PT left, very tired just from our little evaluation.

I'm up a huge inclined driveway with no sidewalks or anywhere to walk, so can't do a thing outside my home. Do have a nice beach park about a mile away I could get to. But right now, just going down the steps getting in and out of the car is enough, with no extra walking.

 

[Celle]

That's plenty of exercise for now.

 

[KayeKaye]

I'm so edgy and cranky and half sore. Not fully sore, I am surprised how less the pain is even when not taking any meds. But I have a raging headache, which I think is pain induced. Feeling bored but can't concentrate to really alleviate that boredom. Any more meds and all I do is sleep, then when awake feel even edgier. It's a waiting game huh?

 

[newlybionic]

Yup. You're stuck in the toughest part of the recovery. I cried almost every day. Your headache could be from stopping your meds if you didn't slowly cut back on them. I wound up going cold turkey a little more than 2 weeks post op and I had problems with my head and also my stomach. I remember just yelling at my daughter for really no reason at all. It's a phase and you will make it through.