Jennszoo
post-grad
United StatesCongrats on the stairs. I've been doing stairs 1-3x/day since about day 4 bc that's where my bed and shower is. And still, I feel like I ran a marathon whenever I go up the stairs. So exhausting.
TKR The adventure begins
- Thread starter Jajakio
- Start date
Jajakio
graduate
I do have awesome friends. I didn't even have to ask. My most organized friend just put it together and asked who wanted a turn at dinner. We've gotten everything from home cooked lasagna to drive through fast food and it has all been appreciated. Makes me anxious to return the favor when I'm well enough. My truly organized best friend (not sure I have only one best but she's certainly one of my best) also works in an assisted care facility and spent weeks presurgery rounding up some of the rehab equipment I needed. She was very useful advising what I needed and what makes one model better than another.
I am on the mend with a true appreciation for good friends. I was thinking maybe an eclipse party next month. We are right in the path with one of the best views in the United states. August 21 I think. I love a good party. Maybe I'll be good by then or maybe the son will cook. I missing my wine while I'm on the strong drugs. I've done a good job of cutting down and am now on tylenol day times and oxy twice to get me through the night. I'm sleeping better and think I'll be off the oxy before long. Looking forward to nice glass of chardonnay at bedtime.
I am on the mend with a true appreciation for good friends. I was thinking maybe an eclipse party next month. We are right in the path with one of the best views in the United states. August 21 I think. I love a good party. Maybe I'll be good by then or maybe the son will cook. I missing my wine while I'm on the strong drugs. I've done a good job of cutting down and am now on tylenol day times and oxy twice to get me through the night. I'm sleeping better and think I'll be off the oxy before long. Looking forward to nice glass of chardonnay at bedtime.
How blessed you have been to have such wonderful friends! I think having a party to show everyone how much you appreciate them is a great idea!
Jajakio
graduate
Day 16
One step forward and one step back. After a really good day yesterday painwise and a couple of really good nights, last night was back to rough. Woke up 3 am this morning. My whole leg is getting more sensitive to covers, ice and whatnot. Took a pain pill, walked, iced. Still couldn't get back to sleep until nearly 6. Weird but inconsequential nerve thingies too. Last week I developed a good sized numb spot below knee on outside half of leg. Everybody tells me this is common and it really did not bother me much. Well, numb is wearing off but when I run my finger along the inside my leg just below the new knee, there is a corresponding sensation on the opposite side of the knee. Feels just like the finger is running along the outside of the knee, not the inside where it actually is. Like phantom sensation. I doubt it is a real problem, probably just nerves readjusting or healing. It's actually kind of entertaining but I expect it will pass quickly enough.
One step forward and one step back. After a really good day yesterday painwise and a couple of really good nights, last night was back to rough. Woke up 3 am this morning. My whole leg is getting more sensitive to covers, ice and whatnot. Took a pain pill, walked, iced. Still couldn't get back to sleep until nearly 6. Weird but inconsequential nerve thingies too. Last week I developed a good sized numb spot below knee on outside half of leg. Everybody tells me this is common and it really did not bother me much. Well, numb is wearing off but when I run my finger along the inside my leg just below the new knee, there is a corresponding sensation on the opposite side of the knee. Feels just like the finger is running along the outside of the knee, not the inside where it actually is. Like phantom sensation. I doubt it is a real problem, probably just nerves readjusting or healing. It's actually kind of entertaining but I expect it will pass quickly enough.
Jajakio
graduate
Thank you Celle, that makes sense. From what I've been hearing from many others it seems highly individual if it goes numb and how long it lasts. My sister says it took nearly a year for all her knee surgery numb to wear off. Mine seems to be changing/shrinking somewhat already. But no telling how quickly it will all disappear.
Jajakio
graduate
Wondering what the future will bring, Neither of my knees was good but the right was worse by far. I had been in pretty constant pain from it for 3-4 years. At the time of the first appointment way back then, the x-ray showed bone on bone with both knees but only my right one hurt. It has only been in the last 6 or 8 months I've had pain in the left one. Surgeon did not want to do bilateral knee replacement on me. He insisted we finish up this knee,get walking normally and see how much the other was bothering me when I was carrying my weight more evenly. Maybe I would be ready soon, maybe i would have a couple of years yet. Fair enough.
So far after this surgery no pain at all in left knee. But I'm on strong pain meds and not too mobile yet. I know the answer is wait and see. My mind won't leave it alone though. In one way, it would be nicer to get it over with this year. I've met all my insurance deductibles and am at or close to max for year. So there is that. And I'm on Obamacare and who knows if that will even exist next year or what it will look like. On the other hand who wants to start over again so soon after healing from this knee. It would mean taking a LOT of time off work this year. Surgeon says it is my call. It will need to be done sooner or later. He insists on a minimum of 8 weeks between surgeries. So I wait and wonder.
So far after this surgery no pain at all in left knee. But I'm on strong pain meds and not too mobile yet. I know the answer is wait and see. My mind won't leave it alone though. In one way, it would be nicer to get it over with this year. I've met all my insurance deductibles and am at or close to max for year. So there is that. And I'm on Obamacare and who knows if that will even exist next year or what it will look like. On the other hand who wants to start over again so soon after healing from this knee. It would mean taking a LOT of time off work this year. Surgeon says it is my call. It will need to be done sooner or later. He insists on a minimum of 8 weeks between surgeries. So I wait and wonder.
I think that when you have your left knee replaced is a decision only you can make. You'll have to weigh in your possible costs, whether work will allow you the extra time off this year, how quickly your replaced knee becomes strong enough to be the "good knee," how pain-free your left knee remains, your family situation etc, etc . . .
Jajakio
graduate
I'm lucky in that husband and I have owned a business together for 20 + years. Obviously we make more when both working and I've already got clients asking when I will be back. But I don't have anyone telling me I have to be back by a certain date or else. I also have the option to ease back in and work a couple of hours a day and/or just do desk work. My surgeon seemed to think I could go back part time at 6 weeks. I have an office in the basement and could work as long as I like and take naps in between. I tried going downstairs the other day and could sit at desk for 15 minutes before pain kicked in so obviously a while longer. Field work would require inspecting homes and would probably take longer to feel steady on my feet. But at least I don't have someone else's hard and fast rules about time off to contend with.
You are so blessed to not have to worry about getting back to work by a certain time!
Jajakio
graduate
End of day 16
Moving forward. Made my first trip to grocery late afternoon.
Husband drove me and i rode around the store in little cart thingie. Was there about 20 minutes, followed my list pretty much and am now home icing and elevating and my sweet son is making curry. I did pretty well and am not hurting yet. Minimal walking and in spite of riding around the whole time I am pretty tired. Baby steps.
Moving forward. Made my first trip to grocery late afternoon.
Husband drove me and i rode around the store in little cart thingie. Was there about 20 minutes, followed my list pretty much and am now home icing and elevating and my sweet son is making curry. I did pretty well and am not hurting yet. Minimal walking and in spite of riding around the whole time I am pretty tired. Baby steps.
Jajakio
graduate
Day 17. Monday morning physical therapy. Several good surprises. Got on the recumbent bike like usual. It generally takes a minute or two of rocking pedals to get to a full revolution. Today to my surprise I went straight to a full revolution and rode for 8 minutes with very minor discomfort. Everything just seemed easier today. I think PT thinks I'm obsessed with ROM. He did not measure today and I held my tongue and did not ask. I know I'm doing better and I guess I don't have to be measured every time I go. I'm not using cane in the house at all but still a bit awkward with it outdoors. Not wobbly just uncoordinated with moving cane and leg in rhythm. He showed me again and told me to practice but said not to worry I probably wouldn't need the cane for long anyway.
Wow, @Jajakio, you are rocking this recovery! It is easy to get obsessed with every little (and big) signal of progress. We are hungry for it, we are knee-centric. Getting up and about must really help with diverting your attention to other things - getting back to our normal. Every now and then I get a flash of enjoying the ride and can visualize me looking back on this time...as a memory. Now if I could just find the "fast forward" button....
You are really coming along!!
Jajakio
graduate
Absolutely, Nensi. I have always been something of a focussed/ obsessed person on one thing at a time and then on to the next thing. I want the fast forward button too. It would be good to focus on where I am now. It's not too bad. I'm getting stronger every day and if I can just start sleeping a little better at night I would probably be happier. Two tough nights in a row have left me tired and ready to move on to the next phase. Thankful for Bonesmart and others going through the same thing. It's a bit of companionship on the journey and no matter what I'm obsessing about this week ,someone else is too and they get it.
Jennszoo
post-grad
My unoperated leg really started showing its pain around week 8-10 when I was off the painkillers and getting more mobile. It was definitely the push I needed to go through this again. But in my case, #2 was already schedule, so I just went with it. I chose one long leave of absence from work and one out of pocket max as my motivators. Buy 1 knee, get 1 free.
Jajakio
graduate
I suspect the same will be true of me @Jennszoo. Other knee probably won't be hurting too much until I get off pain meds and get more mobile. My surgeon says minimum of 8 weeks in between surgeries. I haven't even had 4 week check up yet but overall I feel like I'm doing well and this was the right choice. Maybe I just need to assume 2017 is my get fixed year and 2018 will be get going on my new life with two new knees. And it definitely will be cheaper with all insurance deductibles met for the year.
Husband says we ought to plan a nice spring break 2018 vacation, maybe Belize or somewhere carribean. It will be a good incentive to get the second knee done before the year is over maybe October or November and then 6 months to recover. On the other hand putting down deposits makes me worried I will jinx the recovery.
Husband says we ought to plan a nice spring break 2018 vacation, maybe Belize or somewhere carribean. It will be a good incentive to get the second knee done before the year is over maybe October or November and then 6 months to recover. On the other hand putting down deposits makes me worried I will jinx the recovery.
