TKR Ten weeks later . . .<<'

[L.I.T]

@Cratchit, you have one seriously positive attitude about dental work! I can't say as though I ever tolerated it well much less enjoyed it. In fact, anything other than a cleaning is enough to make me hide under my bed for a month!

BUT, I'm so happy you are one who tolerates it well. Shame about the abscess though - sounds incredibly painful.

Last time I visited my parents, I noticed my dad has a gap in his teeth. All in our family know better than to ask our dad, so I asked my mom - she said he pulled his own tooth! There is not an "ouch" that can truly encompass how I feel about that. But he wasn't bothered by it. Oh, if I could only steal some of your courage!

 

[KarriB]

Petrified of the dentist!

 

[Cratchit]

Oops, forgot to return to this!

@KarriB It must be horrid to be petrified of the dentist yet so many are. I'm so lucky that, despite being a frequent attendee recently, l'm not frightened even though l don't like it. Don't even have the injection unless l absolutely have to!

So, l'm 16 weeks post op on Saturday. 4 months. I still have the pain below the knee wrapping round the calf which prevents me from fully weight bearing for the first few steps and l still have the knotty muscle tightness above the knee but these things are improving. I also still use a cane when l'm out and about but mainly just as an aid to improve my gait - it reminds me to stand upright and not slouch like a primate with my bottom stuck out whilst listing to the right. It also came in handy yesterday when l walked the dog along the canal for the first time in over 4 months as it was muddy underfoot. That was such an achievement! I can't remember who said it now but carrying a stick is quite sociable as folk stop and chat in much the say way as they do when you're walking a dog. It's quite nice!

I never thought l would get to this stage but l'm glad l've had my TKR. I'm no longer thinking about it all the time and once l'm up and mobile l can do most of what l want to do. I suppose l've learned to accommodate now that the shock has worn off. I still have knee envy and look longingly at others who run, cycle, kneel etc but they are mostly 20yr olds so l would probably feel the same even without the knee!

Hopefully, by the time summer comes, l will be able to do so much more of the things l love to do - and of course l'll be retired!

I hope this update offers some encouragement for any who feel a bit 'stuck'at the moment. It does get better!

 

[Spex10]

All true. I'm not far behind you but not sure I could cope with a country walk yet.
The sisterhood of the stick is lovely. I think I'll hang on to mine forever for that reason alone. Also my toilet 'throne' isn't going anywhere!

 

[Cratchit]

You have a 'throne' @Spex10?! I like the idea of the sisterhood of the stick - think I`ll stick with that forever, too!

 

[KarriB]

I sometimes need my cane because of my left natural knee. It does open quite a few doors!

I had a traumatic experience as a child at the dentist as did both my siblings. I am such a baby! My family took odds on whether I'd actually go through with my TKR. I'm not a fan of docs in general and my bp can rise due to white coat syndrome. So I work hard to keep it low so it doesn't get too high in the office.

 

[L.I.T]

I'm still jealous - apparently people here by Zion don't use canes for their assist. Rather they use hiking sticks. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a harem of hiking sticks club

Actually @Cratchit, I'm so happy you were able to get out and about (especially in 'the rough'), and your knee is behaving better!

I truly think the moment you notice that you aren' t thinking about your knee every single second must be a BIG turning point! I hope to get there one day!

I think congratulations are in order!

 

[Cratchit]

I think my cane is really a hiking stick but a nice one so not too obviously for an invalid! I went into town without the stick today and oh my word, l noticed the difference in all sorts of ways. I realised how quickly l become tired which has a knock on effect on the quality of my walking. I also noticed just how impatient people are as l didn't move as quickly as they did. At least with a stick in hand it offers me a bit more space which others seem to respect. Lots of clunking and clicking from the knee too which l haven't noticed before plus a very itchy scar which l'm hoping is a sign that it's becoming less sensitive.

16 weeks today.

 

[L.I.T]

THAT, my dear, is a beautiful view you have... So peaceful, your rolling hills are!

I, too, notice how impatient people are - even as rural as we are. When hobbling along (leaning on top of the grocery cart), people very nearly run into me, or huff at me while passing because *clearly* I am not fitting in with their very tight shopping schedule! I like to think I am their reminder to slow down, stop and smell the roses (ha! In my head, I heard "over inflated sense of self importance, Liz?"... Gotta keep that ego in check)

Last night, hubby and I went out to dinner for the first time since surgery, and even HE just started to stride off, full steam ahead, until he realized he was talking to the air, and came back to plod along with me. My appetite hasn't been quite normal since the surgery, so I had to ask for a doggie bag at the restaurant..... When I got up to leave, I was so focused on rising from the chair, and trying to walk without a limp, the waitress came chasing after me "wait! You forgot your box!" So much for not attracting attention!

Here's to hoping for a click, clunk, and itch free day for you, @Cratchit

 

[L.I.T]

PS - my view is being obscured by 3 cats who are keen to watch the critters just outside the window. Gray day here..... (please excuse my pile 'o meds in the corner!)

 

[Celle]

What a wonderful view, Liz!

My husband always strides ahead, too. Even when we had little children, he would be ahead of us, while mother duck and the little ducklings followed behind.
He claims it hurts his legs to walk any slower. One day, I could be assaulted and he wouldn't even know, until he reached his destination and found I was nowhere to be seen.

 

[Cratchit]

Thanks Liz - I`m so lucky to have a view like that without even getting out of bed!

The clunking and the clicking persists. I think I must have joined the ODIC over the weekend as my leg was pretty swollen yesterday and quite painful. Problem is, I didn`t really do anything different to what I do normally so I`m not sure why it swelled up. Can`t win, Rest, it`s stiff and sore. Move, it`s swollen and sore. Oh well. The scar remains sensitive with that crazy itchy bit at the top.

Those cats are gorgeous, as is your view! I bet they don`t give you the Paddington hard stare and want walkies. Cratch has now adopted his, 'I`m a hard done by dog' look. It aint working - dog walker day today!

@Celle my husband`s like that too! I blame his long legs!

 

[Cratchit]

16 + 3. Still have a lot of soft tissue pain, especially below the knee and in the calf. Knee still swollen. Still need to use a cane when outside and sometimes inside too. Still cannot weightbear for first few steps after sitting. Still got a sensitive scar. Still don't sleep well. This road seems very long.

 

[Mireille]

@Cratchit I'm sorry your knee is misbehaving. Must be something in the air. Sending tons of well wishes for better days ahead!

 

[BARBRI]

My surgery was 4 days after you and I am experiencing much the same as you except I do not need any walking aids and my scar is not sensitive. I am growing to hate bedtime because for some reason that is when the pain escalates and sleeping is interrupted routinely.

 

[L.I.T]

@Cratchit @Mireille
I wrote this long post to put on my thread... And then erased it b/c all I was doing was listing all the things about my knee that were bothersome! We must all be in the same dark dungeon right now. I'm having trouble finding that 'faith' that everything will sort itself. But it's nice to be a part of a group where it's OK to say that we are insecure with our recovery.

And, hey - if I'm going to be in the dark, I couldn't ask for better company! We'll find *something* to humor ourselves shortly, I'm sure! To the blues brigade

 

[Spex10]

Come on everyone!! Its early in the new year. New year, new knee. Just imagine how fit we'll all feel by Summer. Or Christmas even. We've all come a long way from day one.

 

[Cratchit]

@L.I.T and @Mireille - thank you! Dark nights and all that!

@BARBRI I do hope you are able to get a decent night`s sleep soon. I don`t sleep very well but I do tend to have a nap during the day, when I can. Will miss that when I go back to work!

@Spex10 You`re right, of course. So here, for you, is what I have been admiring today. Enjoy!

 

[Spex10]

Beautiful views @Cratchit!

 

[KarriB]

You have daffodils in February? Wow!