Revision TKR Still having difficulty .... from Amberpep

Status
Not open for further replies.
:( Well, the time has come, knee friends .... On Oct. 17 I will be moving to Harrisonburg, VA to be closer to my girls and their families. I've put this off for a long time .... at 70, pulling up all my roots is tough. I'm very happy in my condo here. But, I see the practicality of it. One of the things I worry about the most is finding good doctors. I'm picky about doctors and I especially want a good Ortho. Surgeon. I've had one of the best here and I don't want someone less. If I ever need the other knee done, I'm seriously thinking of coming back up here to have it done, spend a week in rehab., and then have one of my girls drive me back down. Sounds nuts I know, but this isn't like having a splinter taken out, as you all know.
So, I'm packing, throwing things out, giving things away, and remembering the 4 long years recovering with you all. This site has been a godsend for me many, many, times. This is a scary operation and a long recovery and I really needed kind and gentle folks like you to walk with me through it. I'll be checking in though .... maybe now I can share some encouragement with some of you sitting with your knee elevated, taking Ibuprofen - or something else - and just wanting to cry. Be kind to yourselves ... everyone heals at different rates. I'll be back and chat with you soon.
Hugz,
Barb (abby) :catdance::dubious::cry::snow dig:
((This picture just reminded me .... I hate winter, snow, cold, and everything about it ..... so ..... why in the world am I moving to the mountains?????)) :secret:
 
Barb,
Wishing you all the best with your move to be closer to your family. I agree go back to the OS you trust for your other knee if it needs to be done.
 
I also agree. You're close enough where you can travel to get to the surgeon you trust. You wouldn't want to do it every day, but for what you've described, it would work just fine. Hope all goes well with your move.
 
Enjoy your move and the proximity to family, then travel back for your OS- hopefully you won't need to! Best Wishes! Check in with BS now and then!!!
 
The good thing about the southern mountains is the snow melts after a day (I've heard). My nephew went to school in Lynchburg.
 
Well, I wish that were so where my girls are, and where my place is. Their places back right up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and to me, a huge warm weather lover, it feels like Alaska! I definitely will come back for my OS, for my dentist, and ...... for my hairdresser - at least until I find one I like as much. Doing all the things to get ready to move, and the packing also, is SUCH FUN ..... NOT! I'm thankful my knee is doing so well. I broke my left foot about 4 weeks ago also, but that's feeling better. After a TKR, nothing seems to hurt much!
KarriB ..... what is a "washout surgery?" I've not heard that term before. Are you asleep when they do it?
They thought I had some sort of infection in my right knee before my last surgery, at least the Infectious Disease doctor did, but the two doctors I really was working with, including my own OS, disagreed. But, they relented and they installed a pic line and began giving me a med. called Primaxim. They did that for about 3 days and I broke out in hives .... I'd become allergic to it. So it was stopped ... thankfully. What they didn't know was a friend "smuggled" in a bottle of Benadryl to me - you weren't even supposed to have an Advil with you. I started them and they worked. I left in 2 days, still having to take the Benadryl. I was really glad to get home.

Take care,
Barb (abby)
 
A month after my TKR I developed a high fever, body aches and a day after that massive seeping from my closed incision. With the fever and body aches I thought I had the flu, but then the seeping like a stream began through the night, soaking my sheets.
I was rushed to the hospital where I met a revision specialist. He told me there would be a 2nd surgery and depending on what he found I'd either have an antibiotic wash (tissue is scrubbed with antibiotics and brush) or have the knee removed and an antibiotic spacer put in. So I went into surgery not knowing the outcome. The OS felt the infection didn't go to the bone, he did replace my spacer, scrubbed the implant along with the tissue. I spent 11 days in the hospital/rehab with my TKR leg in an imbolizer, no bending for 2 weeks. Well, the 2 weeks turned into a month because even though I was on oral and IV antibiotics through a PICC line my knee continued to seep for a month. After many prayers,the seeping slowed and stopped a month after the surgery and the work of bending my knee began again. I was able to return to work part time a month after the go ahead to bend. God is good!
I did have to go off antibiotics for a while as my body revolted and stopped making white cells, after a week or two it kicked back in and I'm still taking a low dose of antibiotics 18 months later. I'm still feeling the effects of the two months with my leg up (1 month directly after TKR and another after washout surgery) as I developed plantar fasciitis. At first they thought it was nerve damage, but now PF. I'm still swimming, biking and working though. It was a scary, emotional time, but I learned a lot!
 
I needed to hear this. That's why this sight does so much , good. It gives hope . Yours is a hard road, glad for you.


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
 
Well, finally went to my OS and my foot is broken! PERFECT TIMING! So now I'm in a cast from the middle of my left foot up to my knee ..... and I'm to stay off of it. This is so bizarre ..... I know I'm a klutz, but good grief! I'm moving to Harrisonburg, VA (yes, I finally relented) on Oct. 17. I'm ambivalent about it, but at 70, it's wise I guess. I'm very independent and until necessary, I do not want to be "babied" ..... that will end promptly. And, I've decided if I ever need anymore bone surgery, be it knees or hips, I'm coming back up here to my OS that did my first and revision RTKR. I don't know what I'd get down there, but I do know what I'd get up here!
Still working on that scar .... lovely. The top is thick and lumpy and you can even see the little dots where the staples were in. I've used cocoa butter, Vit. E oil, Vit. E right out of the capsule, cocoanut oil ..... maybe I should tie a slab of bacon to it! I've run out of options, so I guess this is how it will stay. I do wear shorts now, but only around here ..... mostly because I can get in them easily with this cast.
Please everyone, bring me up to date with what's happening with you all. I really want to hear. This is no picnic and sharing with others is so helpful. I know it sure was for me, from Nana Moon Pumpkin, Skigirl, Jamie, and Josephine. Don't know what I would have done otherwise.

Barb (abby)
:walking::bicycle1::bicycle1::bicycle2::surfer:
 
KARRI - when I had the revision, and was in the recovery room, a "bacterial disease specialist" kept insisting to both my OS and my Internist that she saw one small bacteria growth, and felt I needed to be put on Primaxim through a PICC line. My OS and Internist totally disagreed and there was quite a "discussion." Well, because she was the "specialist" they relented and went with it. So they inserted the picc line, which I watched on the TV type monitor (icky), and they started the Primaxim every 4 hours. Well, after 3-4 days I broke out in a bad case of hives, I called my doctor myself and he called them and told them to take it out immediately. Quite an experience ..... do you know what drug they were giving you? Was it Primaxim? How did you do with it?
PICC lines don't really hurt to go in, but I felt it hurt more when they took it out! But I was glad it was gone. How are you doing now? I can't imagine having a wound the size of a TKR seeping fluid like that. It must have been awful. I'd have been quite scared, I know that.
How are you now? Better I hope. No more picc lines?
Take care of yourself ..... you've really been through it.
Barb (abby) :surfer::swim::biking:
 
What a job for you having to clean out and pack!!! You have my sympathy. But, I do hope you find this move is not as bad as you think....that you'll find new friends and people to work with, good doctors, and an enjoyable life with your family nearby. Since you are an independent person, you may have to lay down a few ground rules with your daughters, but I'm sure you'll all get into a new rhythm that works for you.

Are you having movers come to get your things? I do suggest that once you've purged and packed a lot of the small stuff that you get lots and lots of help. Moving is stressful and downright work!

I'm glad you're going to keep in touch with us here on the forum. You know we're always here for you!!!
 
Yes, I definitely will be in touch. I've found too that this is high stress time .... my foot in this cast sure doesn't help things either. I'm thankful my knee is great.
I'm still apprehensive about this move, but I'm "biting the bullet" so they say and going. My girls are so excited it's hard to imagine, me? hmmmmmm I am coming back for any Ortho. surgeries though, I do know that.
I've packed just a few things that I will be taking, I have a friend to take my dog during this change because I know she'd get upset, I'll sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag til the carpet is laid and the cleaning crew come. Everyone is down there except my son who is in Alexandria, VA ... just outside of D.C. But everyone else (including my X) is down there. That doesn't help. But, I'm getting older, and with the 2 TKR's and this cast, I see how helpful my kids are ..... NOT! I don't ask for much, but gosh .... maybe I'm too independent.
Thank you so much for your kind words ..... this site has been a true blessing to me and I am so grateful for it. I'll still be around with a shoulder for folks to cry on and I know I'll need their shoulders, and yours, too.
Barb (abby) :hi::friends:
 
Since you are so independent, it may be that it doesn't register with your girls that you need help now and then. Don't hesitate to tell them exactly what you need now or once you get settled. They may see things themselves once they are around you more. But.....what I've seen sometimes is children want their parent to move close and then they don't bother to come by or see them or help them any more than when the parent lived far away. That situation may require a little "tune up" on your part. But hopefully your daughters will be so happy to have you near that they will take good advantage of these years with you.
 
The oral antibiotic was rifampin, I don't remember the IV antibiotic, but I think it began with an r also. The rifampin turned the liquid in my body red, tears, urine, sweat were all pink or red. My ID said that even though the infection was staph one of the the drugs was the same she used to treat MRSA. The antibiotics did a trip on my stomach, but began taking a probiotic that helped things somewhat.
I was petrified to get the PICC line and every time the hospital staff told me it was going in that day, my BP would go up. I went in on Wednesday and the PICC line was done on Sunday. The techs who did it were wonderful. They knew how scared I was and talked to me about teaching to take my mind off the PICC, I never felt a thing. I didn't feel it coming out either. My home nurse came early to change the dressing because I had an ID appointment, when I got to the appt. the nurse said the PICC had to be pulled because I was going off all antibiotics due to my low white count. Boom, she pulled it right out and I felt nothing.
Truly I was very naive about everything as I had never been in a hospital or had a surgical procedure. Now I am on a low dose of doxycycline, I bike, swim and teach first grade. I learned a lot about myself and my faith as I never thought I would handle a situation like this very well. I had great docs and family to help me.
 
JAMIE - You are so very right ..... other folks have said the same thing to me. And, I don't think that they realize that I am now 70 and things change. To them, I'm still the same Mom I always was .... well, no, I'm not .... Divorce teaches you a lot of things, and as you age many more changes occur. Others have said that I could get down there and wind up in the same boat I'm in now - little contact with any of them. Well, that is one of the reasons I'm renting out my condo. Believe me, if that is how it becomes, I won't hesitate to come home. Also, I think my X is ticked that I'm finally moving down. All this time he's been the "glorious Grandfather" and now the "glorious Grandmother" is showing up. Hmmmmm ...... for a narcissist that may be a real blow to the ego. I got a very snarky e-mail from him the other day, with a lecture. I just calmly wrote back, thanked him for the information for which I'd asked, but that I did not need one of his lectures. I am sure that really hit him .... "good Suzy" would have never said such a dreadful and disagreeing thing.
So, we'll see. I'm trying to go with an open mind, but I'm not messing around nor treated like I don't exist. Thanks to 12 years of therapy, and good medication, that person no longer exists. Hooray! :snork:
Thanks Jamie for everything you've done for me .... you've been a treasure to all of us.
Barb (abby) :phone::thankyou:
 
I'm glad to hear KarriB that you've made it through your ordeal .... wow, that sounds like it was a rough road there for you for awhile. I'm glad you're on your upswing. Isn't this site wonderful? Jamie and Josephine do such a wonderful job with answering questions, calming us (me) down, and just being there for us. I know it's been a huge help to me.
My knee is finally A-OK! I saw my O.S. the other day for my one year checkup and I told him if I ever need anymore orthopedic surgery, I will be back up there. He seemed very pleased. My kids think I'm nuts, but it's not their life. Near where I'll be is Univ. of VA Hospital - a fine teaching hospital .... BUT my sil worked there for several years and told me that patients are little more than a piece of meat. I don't like the sound of that. So I'll be back here to good old Olney hospital.
Nov. 17 is the move. If anyone EVER says the word to me again - move - I'll smack em'. Living alone, and trying to handle everything on my own is awful, full of stress and anxiety. And ..... financially, it's costing a fortune .... at least a fortune to me. One of my daughters is coming tomorrow with her husband and staying til Monday to help .... he is going to do the things that require tools that I don't have. Today my monstrosity of a dining room table and chairs are going to GOT JUNK? I have never packed alone before and am totally rather flim flam, first going to do one thing, then going to another. I have a very good girlfriend from way back in Business College who is coming down from PA for a few days. She's an expert packer! Thank goodness she is coming .... I know with her here, we'll get this done.
The apartment I got in VA is very nice, but I still don't particularly want to move. But, it is what it is, and I know for practicality reasons, it's for the best. I'll have to stay here a few days after all the furniture is gone as the next day the carpet people are to lay the new carpet, and the following day the cleaning crew is coming to really deep down clean. Then I'll probably stay here one more night and head out in the AM. While I'm here I have a cot and a sleeping back for on top of it that I'll sleep on.
Then on top of everything else, my F.A. called me and told me that when I get down there I must find a job, part-time is OK, but full time would be better. My resources are getting low. I never thought that at 70 I'd be pounding the pavement for a job ...... where are those golden years? Guess I missed them.
abby (Barb) :shrug::catbutterfly:
 
Hi Barb,
How is your foot doing?
Great news about your knee, I agree, going back to MD for another surgery is best. Too hard to search out someone new, going to a tried and true hospital, and rehab makes the most sense.
Going back to work, Ack, and looking for a job :reading: with all the competition, sounds daunting. Sure it will all work out, but will take some effort.
 
Sorry that you are moving AND need to find a source for some extra income. Maybe since you'll be living in a smaller place you won't have the expenses that you currently do and that will all work out. If all else fails, you're close enough to show up on your kids' doorsteps at dinnertime with a doggy bag! :rotfl: Hey, it's the least they can do for you!!!

I'm sure you're going to be just fine and it will only be a matter of time before you are comfortable in your new home. Once you're a bit settled, maybe you can find a church or some social groups to join so you can make friends and do things that interest you.

Hang in there!!! This will be over soon.
 
Thank you Jamie for the "it will soon be over" part. I think I lose sight of that. It feels like it will go on forever.Oh yes my foot .... you know, this is the second time I broke that foot since I had my revision. This break was at a different place and a bit worse, thus the full cast. Since I had the revision, my balance is still not normal. I have to be very careful and move much more slowly than usual (I tend to be rather shushlich) - good PA Dutch word there. The balance thing is a problem. It's not dizziness, or vertigo, just a balance situation. I don't know if this is normal after one of these things or not. If it is, what can I do about it? .... any exercises that anyone knows of? In fact, when I broke it this time I was getting my dog out of the bathtub! So, it's all her fault, right?
Take care .....
Barb (abby)
:doggie::kayak::swim::walking:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,180
Messages
1,597,060
BoneSmarties
39,364
Latest member
All2Gd88
Recent bookmarks
0
Back
Top Bottom