TKR Strange New World
- Thread starter Denny39
- Start date
United States
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Denny39
senior
My girls came to visit me today
![[Bonesmart.org] Strange New World](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/denny-jpeg.73748/ "[Bonesmart.org] Strange New World")
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Denny39
senior
One week exactly, right about now. Very painful and stiff while walking, and elevated static pain levels the last 2 nights. But still sleeping, appetite good, and very little back discomfort. Nothing to be concerned about, but we’re definitely not having fun yet.
You weren't really expecting it were you? You haven't moved onto the really rotten yet. 
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Denny39
senior
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Denny39
senior
Thanks @Benay. I just read on your post that you navigated both up and down the stairs foot over foot, wisely using extreme caution. You’re doing great, and IF I calculated right (I haven’t had my morning coffee yet), in just a couple of days, you will exit the “miserable” into the relatively fresh air of “short term” recovery. I am s o o o o Jealous, but very happy you are making progress. It probably will still seem kind of slow for awhile. For me, it was about the middle of the 4th month when things began to accelerate at a more noticeable pace. By the end of the 5th month, things were moving really fast; by the end of the 6th month I was walking much of the time as if nothing had ever happened. You’ll get there, keep on truckin’.
eelainea65
junior member
Read several pages of your thread. I really enjoy your sense of humor. I updated my thread last night and couldn’t agree more with your previous assertion that went along the lines of, “Ain’t no way I’m going thru this again! ”
You’re a brave man. Refurbished, perhaps. But your humor has stayed intact. And THAT, fortunately, is irreplaceable. ️
Have a good day. I’m debating getting into the shower before my scheduled torture (PT) in a couple hours. =|
Elaine
You’re a brave man. Refurbished, perhaps. But your humor has stayed intact. And THAT, fortunately, is irreplaceable. ️
Have a good day. I’m debating getting into the shower before my scheduled torture (PT) in a couple hours. =|
Elaine
snowdrop
member
Okay, it took me two days but I finally managed to read about your journey from start to present (can’t really say finish quite yet). Your positive attitude and wonderful sense of humour were a joy to read, so thank you for that!
I had my second TKR a couple of days after you, so it’s great to follow someone that is on a similar journey. I only had a two night stay with this knee and then had to make a four hour journey home (long story). Everything is going as well as can be expected...first visit to PT will be tomorrow.
I had my second TKR a couple of days after you, so it’s great to follow someone that is on a similar journey. I only had a two night stay with this knee and then had to make a four hour journey home (long story). Everything is going as well as can be expected...first visit to PT will be tomorrow.
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Denny39
senior
@snowdrop
Your second recovery will most likely be quite different from your first, at least in some detail. Might be a little better, might be a little worse, probably a mix of both, but at least we “kind of” know what is (at least in a general sense) going on this time. Having read my previous accounts, you know how totally unprepared I was for reality, and my resulting unrealistic expectations. Everyone around me tells me that I am a completely different person this time. I think that is because, knowing pretty much what to expect, I was able to “settle into the groove” before the surgery instead of after. I’m not a bit “braver” than I was the first time, in fact, I really, really, didn’t want to do this. So, I’m still in the group, not “feint of heart”, but just an ordinary every-day chicken.
I had some early concerns, much more severe quad-pain than before, but others assured me that they too had experienced exactly what I was describing. And sure enough, I am now seeing improvement. The “REALLY, REALLY ROTTEN, gradually improving to simply MISERABLE”, cycle is firmly in place and running right on track, and I’m firmly on board. There are some blind curves and dark tunnels, but that’s OK, we know the general landscape. We will reach the end of our journey, and it will be great! I wish you a journey that is as smooth as possible, and completely successful. Please read carefully the Bonesmart guidelines for recovery and PT. That will help a lot.
Your second recovery will most likely be quite different from your first, at least in some detail. Might be a little better, might be a little worse, probably a mix of both, but at least we “kind of” know what is (at least in a general sense) going on this time. Having read my previous accounts, you know how totally unprepared I was for reality, and my resulting unrealistic expectations. Everyone around me tells me that I am a completely different person this time. I think that is because, knowing pretty much what to expect, I was able to “settle into the groove” before the surgery instead of after. I’m not a bit “braver” than I was the first time, in fact, I really, really, didn’t want to do this. So, I’m still in the group, not “feint of heart”, but just an ordinary every-day chicken.
I had some early concerns, much more severe quad-pain than before, but others assured me that they too had experienced exactly what I was describing. And sure enough, I am now seeing improvement. The “REALLY, REALLY ROTTEN, gradually improving to simply MISERABLE”, cycle is firmly in place and running right on track, and I’m firmly on board. There are some blind curves and dark tunnels, but that’s OK, we know the general landscape. We will reach the end of our journey, and it will be great! I wish you a journey that is as smooth as possible, and completely successful. Please read carefully the Bonesmart guidelines for recovery and PT. That will help a lot.
snowdrop
member
I have already noticed a huge difference between the two! Like you, I am more prepared for what is headed my way in these next few weeks. This alone has made me less fearful, more confident, more relaxed about the little things. I did NOT want to do this the second time around either, but my family pushed me and encouraged me to get it done and over with. And I am glad I’m on the other side now. Now, just gotta make it through the next six weeks or so...Bonesmart helped me last time, and it will help me this time too...no doubt about it!
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Denny39
senior
Your confidence and determination alone is priceless! Yes, you’ll make it just fine.
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Denny39
senior
This will be my last full day in Rehab. This is a top-notch facility, beautifully appointed, very well maintained, and they waste absolutely nothing. They even have a coffee conservation program in place! Every morning, they come and take my vitals BEFORE I get my first cup of coffee. They do that because, before I’ve had my first cup of coffee, that’s the only way they can be sure I’m still alive. So they take my vitals and put them into their computer. They are shared with the computer in the kitchen, which analyzes the data and generates a message which says something like; “Yeah, he’s alive, His request for a cup of coffee is approved”. Makes sense; why would they waste a perfectly good cup of coffee on a guy that isn’t alive to drink it? Come to think of it; my insurance company probably requires that!
On the recovery front, which is primarily why I’m here, the leg is improving. Last night while I was turning over in bed, I realized that I had just pushed with my surgery leg and gotten away with it. The muscle and soft-tissue pain is gradually diminishing, static range of 2-3 now, but the point where the implant joins the Tibia is still a rather constant 3-5. That, I expect to last for at least 3-5 weeks. Going home tomorrow.
On the recovery front, which is primarily why I’m here, the leg is improving. Last night while I was turning over in bed, I realized that I had just pushed with my surgery leg and gotten away with it. The muscle and soft-tissue pain is gradually diminishing, static range of 2-3 now, but the point where the implant joins the Tibia is still a rather constant 3-5. That, I expect to last for at least 3-5 weeks. Going home tomorrow.
tabbykit
member
Sounds like a great rehab place, and you're doing well with those pain levels and getting 7 hours of sleep! I can't get more than about 2 hours at a time, but if I can have maybe 3 of those sessions a night I'll take it for now!
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