Knee Infection* The girl with the two fake knees

[mwetzel394]

Good thoughts and prayers sent your way Jen!


R Partial Knee Replacement 11/28/16

 

[Mireille]

Great news Jen! Continued prayers for healing!

 

[ACDCJen]

And now today, I feel like I've been run over by a truck! Oh well, you win some and you lose some!!

Been diligent about doing exercises, even when I'm trying to talk myself out of them. I just adjust to my pain level. I really want my quads to be ready for kayaking this summer. I need to walk and move more, but I'm so worn down right now, that it's pretty difficult at times. I had a glimpse of how good I'll feel once I'm off the antibiotics, so I know there is still plenty of time for me to improve the function of my knees once those are done. It will get better once I can go outside more and start to ride my bike/be active.

I would still choose to have both knees done in a heartbeat. Even on my worst days, it's still better than the pre-surgical pain!!

The ever-hopeful,
Jen

 

[KarriB]

After my infection surgery, on two antibiotics and in an imbolizer I really only walked around the house with ADLs. Around a month in I started cooking a little and doing some dusting, vacuuming but had to take breaks between rooms. The whole process wears you down. Amazingly, I could do straight leg raises with the heavy brace, but once I realized I could them I really didn't want to anymore. I was able to have home PT come in, but after the first week I cancelled because it was a waste.

 

[ACDCJen]

@KarriB

I appreciate your feedback because it makes me feel that what I'm dealing with is "normal," for lack of a better term? I worked really hard after my husband died to be more active and busy, and being like this is a bummer. But, I can't wait to get back out there again!!

I'm also trying to be more independent with little things and getting stuff for myself. I think once I can drive again, I'll improve quickly. That is such a big thing for me.

Again, thank you for your feedback and well-wishes!!

Jen

 

[KarriB]

Jen, once I could drive I felt more independent. I didn't drive for 2.5 months. Now the Walmart near me does a grocery store pick up. You order on line, drive up and they put it in your car. It's good to know that when I have my other knee done my sister won't have to grocery shop for me like she did three years ago.

 

[ACDCJen]

I definitely feel grateful and lucky that I have my parents and Scott to help me. My mom, especially, does so much for me. If I was living alone, I would struggle much more. I'm very thankful that I can focus on healing and recovery. Driving would be wonderful and I think I'm close.

Jen

 

[Red's Mom]

Great news Jen. It sounds like you are marking great progress. I will continue to pray that your infection is completely resolved and that you can get on with recovery and life! Post pics when you can. You truly are a great healer. Good luck with the job prospects too!

 

[ACDCJen]

Had the nurse come today for a dressing change for the vac. Unfortunately, it's protocol that I cannot change it myself, which is fine, I guess. The hole looks so much smaller and better than just 3 days ago! I couldn't believe it!

Now, just to keep being patient and to get off the antibiotics is 10 days! That will make me feel so much better.

Jen

 

[KarriB]

So happy to hear it's getting smaller!

 

[zzevi]

I know from time to time I hated having to go in and spend the time for the dressing change and packing. But at least someone with more medical knowledge then me was seeing how I was or wasn't progressing.
So as much as I believe your capable of doing it all, think since you've had a such a time with your wound, it's nice to have someone monitor it somewhat, you want to keep moving forward.
Glad to hear all is going well, finally for you

 

[lene']

Hi Jen, sorry I have been absent for awhile, been very busy with my job, which is computer/phone work all day, so at the end of it, I rarely want to log back on to post. Hang in there girl, you are doing great, moving forward and it sounds like your wound/infection is healing. I am sure it is not at the pace you want but look at how far you have come! Looking back, I can't say I think much of these staged surgeries...While bilateral is tough, at least my body was only put through all the trauma ONCE. Staged like you and others have done seems like it would be so much harder for your body to recover. First it puts all its energy and disease fighting to work on one area, then BIG disruption again to a second area, I don't think two smaller trauma's are better than one big one. But I know you didn't have a choice. So now I think your poor body had all it could do to heal, let alone fight this infection. You will have to have EXTRA patience because of it all. That said, soon I think you will turn a corner and get back on a better path for healing. I am a Pinterest lover, one of my favorite Motivational sayings is. "When everything feels like an uphill struggle, Just think of the view from the Top!!" Keep the faith friend, you will get there!!

 

[sistersinhim]

It sounds like you are doing so much better! You have really been a trooper!

 

[Celle]

I'm glad to hear your wound is continuing to heal, Jen.

 

[ACDCJen]

Hello everyone!

Just popping in to give proof of life! Had my dressing changed on Monday. The hole needs less and less sponge every time, so that's good. I can just pull the whole thing off, adhesive and tubing, in one, painless fell swoop now. Such a difference from the first change almost 2 months ago. It did smell this time, but my nurse said that it was "normal." I'm not sure about that, but we'll see what it's like on Thursday with the next change. It looks really good. There is still a crevice that goes down about 1.5 cm that is taking its time healing. But the rest is 3cm by 3cm!! The rest of it is shrinking and becoming shallower. I still get pink/red drainage, so I'm sure the vac and I will be together for another few weeks, at least. I was hoping to have it off by 3/24 when I turn 40!!! :(

I do have to say that if I ever need an antibiotic again, I'm going to stay as far away from Levaquin as I can. Not sure why it's gotten worse at this point, but the last 5 days have been tough. I couldn't even do my exercises on Sunday. My shoulders feel frozen again, but I'm keeping them moving, carefully. My left one was reconstructed when I was 16 and I get worried when it hurts this bad. My legs from mid-thigh to mid-shin are sore and stiff. I'm back to using 2 crutches instead of the cane and I've stopped doing the hamstring and Achilles stretches, just in case. I just feel blah and pained. Luckily, I'm done with the Levaquin on March 12, which marks the 2 month mark of antibiotic treatment. Then I have a 4 week wait to see if the infection returns.

Sorry for whining...but the body has not caught up to the brain yet. I'm sure next week will be much better without the devil's poison...oh, I meant Levaquin.

Not much else here, unfortunately. Scott and I did go out to eat on Saturday. It was frigid, but the fresh air felt so good. Can't wait to feel better and get out more, and drive soon!!

Thanks for listening to me complain!! Hope everyone is well and healing!

Jen

 

[newlybionic]

Feel free to vent all you want. You have certainly gone through a lot with this recovery. Hopefully this will be the end of needing antibiotics. Pretty soon you'll be ready to out and about just in time for spring.

 

[Celle]

If anyone's entitled to complain, Jen, you sure are!

You've been a real trouper through all this and you've had far more to deal with than most of us did. I admire your perseverance and patience.

So, if it helps you, vent and complain as much as you need to. We'll be here for you and we'll understand.

It sounds as if your wound is making progress, but I'm sorry the Levaquin makes you feel so rotten.

I'm really glad you got out to have a meal with Scott. An outing does wonders for your spirits.

 

[Pumpkin]

Glad to hear your would is healing, Levaquin is a bear of an antibiotic, glad you will be off of it soon.!

 

[Jamie]

It's wonderful to hear a good report from you, Jen. I think about you so often and send good wishes up your way. Hopefully you'll get some warmer days soon and you can sit outside. That can do so much for body and soul. And always know that venting is just fine here!!! We get it! You've been through so much. You're allowed and have a badge to prove it!

 

[sistersinhim]

We are here for you and we care about you and what you are going through! You vent every time you want to. You can always use our shoulders! Speaking of your shoulders...I hope yours are feeling better.