TKR Second TKR Done, but still not very patient

[GimpyGal]

What a struggle. It's demoralizing to have done everything right during recovery and still be battling the operated knee as you head back to work. It's adding insult to injury to also be dealing with your other problems.

Is it possible at all to negotiate shorter days for a few weeks to give you more recovery time between work sessions? Or working alternate days or a shorter week? Or working simply until you know you've had enough for the day? I'm glad you are surrounded by caring colleagues, but it must be obvious that you are struggling, even though you are trying so very hard. How receptive is your boss, or human resources department to working with your limitations right now? What about your OS or even primary care physician in providing a note of restricted activities, even if those restrictions are total work hours allowed per day or you being allowed to call the shots?

I also know people who know people who know someone who was dancing a jig in the recovery room. Frankly, I just want to slug them. Society frowns on doing that to one's own 90 year old mother, though. She tells me both her replacements were such a piece of cake and can't understand why I'm still not 100%. They weren't, but she doesn't remember.

FWIW, I'm doing really, really well with ROM and pain and my non surgical knee only giving me a little grief, BUT I can't imagine how I'd handle going back to work. I had a desk job that required lots of getting up and down (I was a librarian) and even now I know it would set me back. It's so obvious you WANT to be there, I just hope a compromise can be reached so you can ease back in.

 

[DogLoverx3]

I've eaten more chocolate since my surgery than I have in my entire life. It certainly couldn't hurt (don't ask my butt about that though) ;-)

I'm sorry your return to work is tough. I would imagine going from recovery to a full 8 hour day would be exhausting, both physically and mentally. I'm glad that you work with good people, but wonder if you shouldn't see about working 1/2 days for a bit so as to ease back into things? Don't know if that's realistic or not, but may be something to consider.

Boo on your Achilles tears. So funny (not at all funny) that one injury just brings a whole litany of others to the surface. I'm quite certain I threw my back out because of all the 'creative' movements I do in order to be able to accommodate my log, whoops, I mean leg

I hope today is a better day for you and that every day from here on out gets better and better!

 

[DogLoverx3]

I also know people who know people who know someone who was dancing a jig in the recovery room. Frankly, I just want to slug them. Society frowns on doing that to one's own 90 year old mother, though.

hahahahahha ..... gotta love not only the 'urban legends', but also the people that feel the need to tell you such stories....highly motivating...not ;-)

 

[leejaa]

Oh Ellen, I am so sorry you are hurting so much and now have another issue on your other knee. I think it is remarkable you are making it through whole days and trying for whole weeks after recovery and especially with the other issues on your non operated leg. Any chance you can do half days for a while or even every other day so that you can elevate and really rest in between. It really helped me going back to work MWF and know that TTH all I had to do is wake up and ice and elevate and take meds. Are you taking Tylenol regularly through the day or other meds. I took 1000mg of Tylenol 4x/day steadily to help with pain. Also, was taking some anti-inflammatories also.

Please consider shorter days or something less if at all possible and check on what medications you can take to help with the pain. My thoughts are with you. Lee

 

[NetballKnees]

I'm quite certain I threw my back out because of all the 'creative' movements I do in order to be able to accommodate my log, whoops, I mean leg

Thanks Ellen - you gave me a giggle. Not because you threw your back out, but because you call your leg a log. I didn't think I could relate to that, but after 3 days of sitting in an office chair, that is exactly how my leg feels. You also had me smiling GG - good thing you did not slug your 90-year-old mother.

I actually had a visit at my desk from someone I know slightly at work. She had a TKR 9 weeks ago, returned to work after 6 weeks, is walking without any aids and without any limp I must say, and says she is riding her bike daily and just going about life as if nothing had happened. She was quite surprised at me still using a crutch after 12 weeks and still with such limited bend. Just what I needed.

Thanks chestnc, Ellen, Lee, GG - you are all such sweeties to care about how I am going at work. I really do wish I could say everything was now going so well, but truth is, I am very tearful tonight. Another chocolate bar night. I can feel my thighs increasing as I type. The very limited ROM I have has decreased back to probably below 60degrees. The knee is swollen - actually the entire leg is swollen, I have quite serious cankles and the foot is twice its normal size. It is also sore in places it hasn't been sore in since the op. My quads are extremely tight but I think that is because of getting in and out of the office chair - a task that gets progressively harder as the day goes on. I did drive myself to work today because I work only a 10-minute drive from home. Driving there was okay - my leg was a bit stiff from the day before, but coming home was so hard. I have a manual so it was quite an effort to push the clutch in. I will be availing myself of lifts for a little while longer I think.

One interesting thing is that everyone at work keeps saying 'Oh you look so good'. 'Your face looks so good'. I am not sure if they thought the surgeon went to my knee through my face I think it is my new foundation and the fact that I have learned how to shade around my jaw line so my face looks less moon-like than normal.

I am not sure if I can negotiate part days, as I have used a lot of sick leave and need to save some because the right knee does need to be done and I really don't want to use my holiday leave or long service leave. I actually have my RDO on Friday, so will see how long the effects of the swollen knee lasts over the weekend and if it does not ease up, then will certainly try and negotiate something. Thank you again for all your concerns.

Actually I want to save my long service leave because next year - 2015 - I am 60 and my little group of friends and I are going on my dream holiday - Alaska, Canada and USA. I just hope my darn knee works by then.
Anyway, I feel a lot better now after coming on here and knowing there are angels at the end of my computer that understand where, when how, why and why not.

Take Care and Bless you All ...
Ellen

 

[NetballKnees]

Yaaay - I finally got the quote thingy right.

 

[patient 99]

She was quite surprised at me still using a crutch after 12 weeks and still with such limited bend. Just what I needed.

We all know we shouldn't compare ourselves with others, but I think its human nature. If its any consolation I am now at nearly 11MONTHS out and things are still difficult - BUT GETTING BETTER. So whilst you may not be the fastest to recover, you are by no means the slowest. Carol

 

[GimpyGal]

Oh, Ellen . . . keep your eye on the prize! What a wonderful trip you have planned! I want to go to your side of the world, myself! We're trying to find a window of opportunity for that ourselves.

I have a very most favorite doctor who consistently tells me to 'be kind to yourself.' She's referring to me constantly beating myself up about my weight, or inactivity due to health issues. She's a firm believer that sometimes all you can do is tread water. That, sometimes you can doggie paddle and other times actually swim lengths of the pool.

Adopting that attitude is so healthy! One year I commented on my weight and she stopped me cold. She said I'd lost 3 lbs in that year (only three pounds!) and most women gain about 5 lbs a year, so she considered that more like eight! You can bet I don't miss an appointment with her and that I relaxed a bit about it all. In fact, it lowered my stress level so much I lost a few more pounds by the next appointment - less stress eating.

I guess what I'm trying to say is now is not the time to put extra pressure on yourself about expanding thighs, for example. Or (as IMPOSSIBLE as it is) trying to be more like the colleague who apparently sailed through her recovery. Do what you can to eat healthy, of course, for that's in your best interest, but don't beat yourself up over some weight gain during recovery. You have enough other things to concentrate on!

Your recovery is your own. You aren't sinking, either, you are at least treading water! I'm finally doing a pretty good doggie paddle and all we can do is our best!

I hope the weekend comes quickly for you! Hang tough!

 

[leejaa]

Chocolate is a medicine so do not feel bad for taking your medicine this week. We are all with you and here for you. Lee. In case chocolate is not enough

 

[referee54]

I also know people who know people who know someone who was dancing a jig in the recovery room.

It is like the yeti or Bigfoot; there are people who claim to have seen them, but I have never met them!

 

[DogLoverx3]

i'm sorry you had a rough day. and that you work with a moron. not sure why people speak without thinking. evryone's recovery is different. i am behind every single person at PT who had their TKR the same time I did. it's kind of just a joke now and they actually high fived me today for NOT crying. nice. i'm the cry baby. ;) yes, i feel like my leg is a log most days, but some days it surprises me by doing what i want it to.

slow and steady wins the race, my friend. Keep up the good work and try not to get discouraged. ((hugs))

 

[pakline]

Dearest Ellen, how I want to reach out my arms & hug you........you poor darling, going back to work in such pain & discomfort.

I did my first 2 days working away from home yesterday & the day before. I was absolutely wrecked when I arrived home both days - my DH had to drive me to work & pick me up for home each day. My PT did a bandage change on Monday (the previous Thursday change was very comfy) - by Wednesday morning at 4am I was crying........I have not cried very much during this whole saga, but the bandages were sooo tight I had to cut them off. Once they're on, the PT then smooths them with her hands & they set like a plaster caste. I cried the whole time I was taking them off (require special scissors which they have lent me).

So, I had a shower yesterday morning, went to work, came home, did the washing, (DH pegged it out for me), then did some ironing (left over from his trip to Sydney), had dinner, then another shower & into bed! I have never taken so many pain killers in my life as I did yesterday. Because of the tightness of the bandage my surgical knee pained like there was no tomorrow (b...dy bad i.e.).

Went to work at community radio station this morning & the knee has settled somewhat. I was finding that I couldn't walk properly (well, as good as I was) but once the pain subsided I'm back to walking reasonably OK - back on my wheelie walker. My compression stockings are being ordered today, & NO, I will not wear bandaging whilst it is 42 degrees!

Well, somehow I got off topic there..........Ellen, I empathise with you & send you cyber hugs to help you feel better. We will make it through together my dear friend. Now I want some chocolate & there is only 1 unopened box in the house that we got for Christmas & I know if I open it, I will keep eating until they are all gone!

You have many friends here, Ellen, & we are all caring about you.......you have been such wonderful support to me during my down days that I hope somehow my spirit can carry good feelings to you over the border. Hope today has been a better day for you. Hugs, Kerry

 

[NetballKnees]

@pakline ...Kerry ... I can't express how great your post made me feel. It is so wonderful to have such caring people just there when I need them. You always manage to make me feel so much better and really lift my mood. What you did over those few days made me quite tired. Not too much do you think? I am so sorry about the latest bandaging, especially as you have had a couple of good bandagings. I do not envy you the temps where you are. We had a couple of extremely hot days up here and that was enough for me. Actually where I live reached 43 on the worst day. I actually only noticed it when I went out of the air-conditioning to hang out the washing and then again to bring it in. I practically had to force the dogs to go out to relieve themselves, but temps like that only last a few days. Yes, we will get through this together. How is the lymphedema itself? Improving? I hope so. Did you open that last box of chocolates? I wouldn't want my legs all wrapped up in 43degree heat either. Big hugs for you ((((((((((((((((((((HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH)))))))))))))))))))
(One of the lovely friends I have at work assures me that is the way to send hugs in a post or email or text or such like).

@GimpyGal ... Thanks so much for visiting. Your doctor certainly sounds like a treasure and I loved the treading water/doggie paddle/swim analogy. Yes, I am treading water so that is certainly better than going down for the third time. So glad you are doggy paddling. One day we will be swimming up and down that pool together. My doctor (GP) constantly tells me I have to lose weight, which duh, I know, but knowing and doing are two different things. I think I am sabotaging myself by thinking I will wait until I can exercise until I start. I don't know how true the rest of that colleague's story was, but I can certainly vouch that she was walking really well without any support. You are another who lifts my mood and brightens my day and thank you so much for that. Yes, Canada, Alaska and US has been my dream holiday since I was a teenager. It would be great if you could manage to get over to Australia. We do have some lovely places. ((((((((((HHHHHHHHHH))))))))))

@leejaa ... Hi Lee ... you are another mood lifter and day brightener. I am so lucky that today I have been visited by lots of you day brighteners. Thanks for the tip about the chocolate. I have always suspected it was its own food group. is one thing I haven't tried for knee recovery. Look out Scotch bottle, here I come. ((((((((((HHHHHHHHHH))))))))))

Ellen - great that you visited too. I have had such a lift tonight reading all the supportive caring posts I received after my last post. Don't worry about crying - it is keeping your psyche all cleaned out and relieved. That way, you won't suddenly explode!!! Hugs for you too ... ((((((((((HHHHHHHHHH))))))))))

Carol ... thank you for your supportive post. I really appreciate knowing I am not the slowest. We will be the tortoises and everyone knows the tortoise crossed the finish line.

Tim ... thanks for your visit also. I have seen this Yeti and as far as her walking goes, she does walk really well with no support.

AND just to give you some more to readtoday was my fourth day at work and my knee was not as bad as it had been the first three days. It was not as swollen or tight and I managed to get in and out of the office chair pretty well for most of the day. It wasn't until about 4.00 that I started struggling to get out of it and Mon/Tue/Wed, it was about lunch time. Progress, however small, is still progress.

There is one thing that puzzles me a bit. There are a lot of little sores breaking out behind my knee and either side of the scar. Any ideas learned Booksmarties?????

Thanks again to everyone for their caring, supportive and helpful posts. uiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii8u8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888i (I thought I would leave this in - that's what happens when your cat walks across the keyboard).

 

[jeano]

Hi, Ellen, I have been too busy/tired from what did turn out to be two consecutive days at work to visit your thread. Then yesterday the Ancient Mother and I went to town, grocery, post office, library and by the time all that was done and about half the groceries put away and dinner started cooking I had a fair imitation of a wooden leg. Short slept 3 nights in a row--that didnt help matters, either. However, while actually AT work, the knee wasnt bothering me at all. It just all caught up with me so I popped half a Lortab to go with a 650 mg extended release Tylenol--that's the first (half) dose of an opiate I've taken since about 4 weeks postop.

I am sorry you had so much discomfort (both physical and emotional) at work but glad to hear that it is easing up some. Also wanted to tell you that right next door to me there lives a horse with the equine equivalent of a SEVERED achilles tendon, and nicks to the tendon in another leg, and her owner is nursing and rehabbing her. So you wouldnt necessarily be shot even if you were a horse.

Since I am having the "textbook perfect" recovery from PKR, I wonder if I will be the source of an eventual urban legend about the woman who jumped out of her hospital bed and started shoeing horses for a living the next day and moonlighting as a lumberjack? (since I actually did trim the hooves on 2 horses about 5 weeks out and split a couple of logs for firewood a few weeks later, all while going to work for a total of 24 hours at 8 and 9 weeks out.) Maybe they'll make a movie!

 

[Josephine]

I also find that I am retaining more fluid during the day with the leg down

It's a well known phenomenon known as "dependant oedema" or in simpler words, when your leg is kept down for a period of time, it has a tendency to fill up with fluid! That's gravity for ya!

I am now even more anxious to get the elusive 90degree bend

You're only 11 weeks out - that could take another few months to get there. So don't get depressed about it.

I'm sorry your return to work is tough. I would imagine going from recovery to a full 8 hour day would be exhausting, both physically and mentally. I'm glad that you work with good people, but wonder if you shouldn't see about working 1/2 days for a bit so as to ease back into things?

I quite agree. I always have my client's employees return on this schedule but I do know that UK employers are somewhat more accommodating than in the US. Phased return to work.

 

[NetballKnees]

@jeano ... thanks for your visit. Your days before the weekend sounded so busy. Did you get to relax at all on the weekend? I can't wait for the movie about the log-splitting, horse shoeing, PKR recipient. It will be a beauty. If I was a horse, I would hope to have an owner like yourself or your neighbour.

Thanks for the visit Josephine and welcome back. I hope you have been away enjoying yourself and not away for any health reasons.

Well, I have some news tonight. On the way home from work today, I called into my gym and took my membership off deferral and will return to the gym at some stage this week. I am not sure what I can do there, but I will do upper body strength training and sit on the bikes and pedal backwards and forwards until I can do a complete circuit. I have given so much of my time over to this knee already and just want to do something normal for me, so this is what I decided to do. Because my gym is Fernwood (a women only gym), I have also signed up for this year's Fernwood Foxy Challenge, which is a 12-week challenge where we get one food coaching session a week, a one-on-one PT session a week, one group PT session a week. I won't be able to participate as fully as I have in the past with the physical side, but am sure I can find something to do. My one-on-one PT session will be upper body only. I am actually very excited that I have taken this step. It is a little bit closer to reclaiming my life.

Take Care Everyone ... Ellen

 

[DogLoverx3]

Yey! Good for you! I'm sure you'll do great and know it will be great to get a bit of normalacy back in the routine! Don't overdo, but have fun (if gyms are fun). ;-)

 

[GimpyGal]

Ellen, you inspire me! I belong to a gym and never, ever go. My new goal this week, because of you, is to at least park, go in, and get their current schedule. Gotta start somewhere, right?

Upper body strengthening, PT, food coaching? All that will be good for your body, your soul and your self esteem!

 

[NetballKnees]

Thanks Ellen and GG for visiting and being so pleased for me. However, life has struck back. I don't know why it always happens when I seem to turn some kind of corner and becoming a bit more positive. I wanted this post to be so positive. I had jokes planned and everything. Because I don't have stairs at home and don't have to use stairs much, I found I was actually scared of stairs (This is my joke - That must mean I am a dancer because I am a Fred Astaires) (Hope you get it)

The last few days at work I have been going into the stairwell twice a day and walking up one flight to the landing and back down again and then repeating that (so twice). Then I have been putting my legs (one at a time) up on the second step and bending into the knee until loose and then straightening the leg and trying to touch toes to stretch the hamstring. I have been managing the stairs well and can even go up one step at a time. It is not pretty, but I can do it. It is only twice up and down the flight and the bend and stretch for a few minutes and I did feel good afterwards. BUT, I had today off work as my leg was so swollen and tight I could not get into the car let alone drive it. I have been crying a lot of the day. I am so scared.

I don't know what to do any more. For weeks I followed the Bonesmart mantra - rested, iced, elevated, did basic exercises, did PT once a week (as it was all I could afford) and it was gentle PT. She never hurt me and it consisted mainly of massage, her flexing and straightening my leg, last two visits I had started on the bike, but could only do half turns back and forth and then ultrasound, the TENS machine with lovely ice bags on the leg. At home I would do heel slides, leg raises, marching the legs with knee as high as possible and walking around the house. Only 3 times a day, sometimes only twice, sometimes not at all. After about 8 weeks, I commenced vacuuming, mopping, dusting - all the general housework stuff - but not every day. Washing, hanging out and bringing in and folding I had been doing since about 4 weeks after op. My bend got to about 80 after 12 weeks and there it has stayed.

About 10 weeks I got so tired of doing almost nothing and nothing improving, that for about a week I pushed the knee. That didn't work either.

The veteran TKR-ers on here advise, support and encourage, no doubt in some cases pulling their hair out. I KNOW this is a marathon recovery; I KNOW it can take 12 months, sometimes up to 2 years, for recovery. I KNOW I have to be patient. My brain knows this, but my heart and my soul want something positive to happen now. I also know I am not as badly off as some with TKR - they are battling other health issues, looking after young children, having to work when not ready, BTKRs and lots of things I have not had to worry about.

My mind is racing with questions - what if I never get more of a bend; what if I can never ride the bikes at the gym again, what if this is as good as it gets for me and worst of all, what if I can never get down on the floor again and play with my grandson and any other grandchildren that come along? My precious Sebastian is always saying "Come down on floor and read with me Nanna". There is no way I can sit on the floor unless I fell there.

When I went to the gym the other day and took my membership off deferral, I was so excited. After the stairs and the way my leg was today, I am scared to go to the gym, scared to do anything there - even upper body strength.

In a matter of a couple of days I have become a blubbering mess. I am lost - I don't know what to do any more.

I am so sorry for this rambling, self indulgent thread. I so much want to visit other Bonesmarties posts and post something encouraging and supportive for them, but I am too full of myself at the moment. I just wish everyone all the very best for their recoveries and any upcoming TKRs and hope you all handle your recovery with more courage and positivity than I seem to have. Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, motivated and visited my thread. Special thanks and caring hugs to leejaa, jeano, Kerry, Ellen, GG. There are others I should acknowledge, but I am afraid my brain is mush.

 

[bottomshollow]

@NetballKnees, at three months post op you are doing TOO MUCH! Working and taking care of your household are forms of PT. And then you are doing all these other exercises! Your knee is swelling and tight because it is trying to tell you to "STOP" all the activity. You still need icing and elevation every evening and at least one day a week off from doing.

At three months, most folks are just beginning to get an inkling that they will be "normal" again. And it's usually 6 months before "normal" seems that it might become a reality. This truly is a long, long recovery process; and it certainly can be discouraging. THE SECRET OF SUCCESS with joint replacement is TIME & PATIENCE. We have to have (or find) the PATIENCE to give our knees TIME to heal at their own pace. Nothing else works like these two things and nothing can take their place. But it is a very hard truth to absorb in the beginning of our recoveries.

Recovery is what it is, and it's going to take as long as it's going to take. So be PATIENT and let TIME take care of things with some assistance from you. SLOW DOWN, do less, improve more!

Take care and keep us posted. We care.