Week 6: Shower Bench Begone!
Seeing as my main outcome goal for this surgery is to become more independent, mobile, and functional, I'm forever looking for ways to rid myself of assistive devices. The walker was the first to go (and good riddance, too, because it smelled horrible), and I'm nearly done with the cane, which I still use on stairs a bit. Right now, the only assistive devices I still use, aside from ice packs, are an elevation wedge and a tub/shower bench.
The shower bench has been perhaps THE most appreciated of devices, because I really, really like being clean and fresh. I take daily showers. I was introduced to the shower bench two days after surgery, in rehab, and its utility became clear: sit and wash. Win! Early in recovery, I could not stand for very long, even if I had a walk-in shower. But I had a tub at home. Really nice shower, but how was I to climb over the edge? I couldn't. My newly operated-on knees were too swollen and painful to bend that much, or balance my weight enough to swing my legs over. The tub bench was a godsend. I've used it every day since coming home.
Today I had Mr. Shoes remove the bench and stand with me as I attempted to get into the tub without it. Using my stronger right leg to stand on, I swung my temperamental left knee up and over. No problem. Lefty may be coming around. I'm hopeful. Then, standing on Lefty, I swung Righty in. No problem. It was almost easy. I have a bar to hold onto, and walls to brace on, and a really good grippy, cushioned tub mat, so all went smoothly.
I showered like a normal person! No energy issues. No balance issues. The knees were good for standing the whole while. It was as if they had moved on and I was just catching up with them. Sometimes it happens that way.
This advance is especially rewarding because we, like many people, have only the one bathing unit. The bathroom downstairs is a powder room. And every other week we have a 94 year old elder living with us who cannot hold his bladder well. When we bathe in the morning, we always run the risk of getting rushed or interrupted. Mr. Shoes has had to switch out bath benches and other paraphernalia for six weeks now. Losing my bath bench (which we can now give over to the old guy--he has serious hygiene issues, which is why we couldn't share) is a HUGE time saver. We're thanking our stars for one less recovery headache.
Anyway, I have graduated from my tub bench. I'm practically giddy about it. At the same time, I'm grateful to the homely thing. It did its job well. It was there for me when I needed it. Anyone who is looking at getting bilateral knee replacements should seriously look at getting one. I'm not going to miss mine, exactly, but I will remember it fondly. And I am so very stoked about taking normal showers from now on!
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It's ok though. Hubby snores and so does my Pug. The Pug is the worst offender!
