The greatest thing about this forum is that it allows everyone to see that recovery from major surgery like TKR is not easy or can it be planned in advance. All kinds of things can happen along the way. You just have to be ready to take what comes and ride along!!
Although it might seem long that your recovery is taking 8 months---it would seem short to someone who had an infection. But, I agree about the energy lag. I was sitting in ski school one day with my head on my knees thinking that I simply could not get up and walk the one mile to my car. It was almost exactly 8 months after my second knee surgery. While I was sitting there I realized that I had had two major surgeries in one calendar year. Of course I was tired! Once I allowed myself to be tired--it was easier to accept and I finally got up and walked slowly to my car!! I then gave myself a rare two days off from skiing.
When I spoke to a friend about my fatigue she looked at me in amazement---she was shocked that a 70 year old woman thought it was odd that she could not ski 20 days in a row!! I laughed, of course she was right---we ask so much of ourselves. I volunteer at a Veteran's home, ski at least 5 days a week, go to yoga four or five times a week, am an artist and work in my studio at least four hours a day---and then I am amazed that I am tired!!!
My dad was a veteran too. He wanted to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, but ultimately agreed to be buried next to my mother who was buried next to her mother. The Navy could not offer a military funeral in Philadelphia, so I called the Vietnam Veterans who ride around on motorcycles. They came and gave him a 21 gun salute. I applaud those men and women who were often not honored when they got home but who still go out and honor other veterans.
United States
