Hi All,
@sistersinhim, thanks for checking on me. Well, had my two PT visits last week, great PT, she has followed my request to keep it gentle and I think that has helped greatly. My last measurements were R Flex 120, L Flex 122 (my "bad" knee!), still giving me the most achiness though, L Ex -8 and R Ex -10. I'm also using my recumbent bike at least twice a day, at a slow pace for 5 to 10 minutes to work on the extension.
I did manage to get an extension for my pain meds but my OS, through his assistant, referred me to a pain management doctor, "he doesn't feel comfortable managing my pain, not his specialty"
I made an appointment, was driven to the Dr's office nearly 40 minutes each way, trekked through the hospital campus on my walker to find the doctor's office locked!
Called and was told my appointment was for "tomorrow, you must be confused", I lost it, "no, I'm not confused, someone at your end screwed up. I specifically explained that I needed the appointment for today due to lack of pain meds". Hung up and called my OS. Spoke to the assistant, related what happened, told her I was on my way and to have a script ready, as I could not take a another step and just hung up. My script was ready when I arrived. I gave the OS's assistant a polite mouthful, she was very apologetic.
Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since my BTKR. Earlier this week I was feeling a bit down. After having had great progress by all accounts, I did not notice any progress this week, but my scars look really good, Pic is at 3 weeks.
![[Bonesmart.org] The "tweens" Thelma and Louise were born 11 Jan, 2016](https://bonesmart.org/forum/attachments/knee-scars-at-3-weeks-jpg.49026/ "[Bonesmart.org] The \"tweens\" Thelma and Louise were born 11 Jan, 2016")
After experiencing minor, to no swelling, Wednesday evening, after PT I noticed a small area of swelling and pain on both knees on the interior, lower quadrant, there was no strenuous activity at PT, so not sure if there is a relationship. I started to take an over the counter NSAID and gently self massaged in an upward motion in an effort to try and flush the lymph glands behind the knees. Then the last two nights I noticed that I slept better with less tossing and turning. I'm able to walk for short periods throughout the house without thinking about my knees (!), but I don't over do it, I do begin to feel tightness on both knees when I do. I'm able to stand from the (raised) recliner with less effort than before. Sleeping on my sides has become easier, but still more difficult on my right side. I'm medicated around the clock, so I've experienced no pain. I definitely need my walker when I first wake up, I can not put any weight on my right leg without assistance, extremely stiff. Once I take a few steps, usually to the bathroom, I'm able to walk OK. I've maintained the icing and legs are raised when I'm not standing or walking.
I didn't expect overnight progress and prepared myself for a difficult recuperation, not seeing better progress at 3 weeks, was getting to me, this surgery is definitely a "rollercoaster". with a minor progress the last 2 days has certainly given me a second wind and a mood change. I have not regretted my bilateral decision and not having the arthritic pain has been just amazing.
I see my OS on Tuesday and I hope to get an update on my driving status, I'm literally climbing the walls, I hate depending on others, but I know I may have to wait a bit longer. I've reduced my pain meds to one Oxycodone 5/325 every 4 hours from 2, on my own. I hope to convince my OS to continue to manage my pain meds without going to the pain doctor, which is a hardship.
I still hope to be able to work remote in a couple of weeks and possibly back to my normal travel routine in 2 to 3 weeks after that, Oh, and be able to have an adult beverage
. I will re-evaluate and determine if this is "doable" at each phase and wont move prematurely. I do hope my body responds favorably in the next week or two, keeping my fingers crossed, if only to keep "cabin fever" at bay.
Thank you and keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
United States
! I got exactly the same reaction when I told my surgeon's registrar that! He eventually told me I had been very lucky! NOT!
It will be nice to work from home, it will give you something to do. I am lucky enough to work from home. Don't be surprised if your concentration isn't 100% or you tire quickly. When I was still taking the pain meds I tended to zone out on the computer screen if I was on it too long. Had to get up, move around and stretch a bit. But at least I felt I was doing something constructive with my time.
I understand about wanting to start work again, but remember that it will be hard to back off if you get exhausted from starting too soon, so take all the time you can now. Read a book, binge watch a great TV show, knit a sweater, write silly poems - all of these will give you some mental activity, but you can also nap when you get tired. And they may help keep those thoughts of frustration at bay - they did for me.
