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Time to Take the Leap

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How wonderful you know when your surgery will be @Faele. I won't find out until the afternoon before. My hospital isn't far away like yours, though. You're being smart to keep your stress down to a minimum. I'd say treat it like a vacation, except replacing knees is anything but a holiday.
 
How fascinating. Just got a call from a nurse at the hospital asking if I had any questions about my upcoming surgery and stay. So I asked her. Now I know what to wear. :snork: They want KR patients to bring their own clothes for PT. Sturdy shoes (my slip on sneakers are perfect), loose lounge pants/knit pants (she said was chilly), and socks if my feet run cold (they do).

She also answered my questions about ice -- they provide it on demand, either gel packs or ice bags -- and elevation, which they encourage. She was happy I already knew enough to ask.

They also allow... poodles. Yes, my husband can bring the dog to visit. I don't think he will want to do this. Poor old Cate, I fear, likely would be more freaked out than happy to see me.

Oh, and I have signed up for Reiki. The nursing staff offers it free of charge. I'm not sure what it is, but it's supposedly a channeling of healing energy. Relaxing. "Sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo," says my husband. I don't care. Free healing energy sounds good. I'm in.
 
You seem to have everything coming together. I'm glad you got to ask your questions.
 
It sounds like a wonderful hospital that will be taking care of you! I've never heard of Reiki. I'm going to google it. Here's the definition I found:

Rieki--a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

As long as they touch you gently, with no pushing or pulling or causing pain, it's probably OK.
 
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How cool.

I've lived in loose shorts and a tank top since surgery. Pockets would be a plus, so I could keep my phone handy. The first few days I was cold and needed a blanket on me, which is weird since I'm naturally warm blooded. But my temperature got back to normal and now I chill in the ac barely dressed. Lol.
 
@sistersinhim, I think it sounds... helpful, maybe? They mentioned this at pre-op (loved my pre-op nurse, she was so wonderful), and I researched because "interesting new thing." Here's the link to the hospital's program and philosophy. It doesn't sound like the nurse will touch me at all.

broken link removed: https://www.mainlinehealth.org/blog/2017/01/18/bryn-mawr-patients-feel-power-of-presence-and-touch

It just sounds very restful. :smile2:
 
I hope to be you, Jennszoo. Embarrassingly, I bought a couple new tank tops thinking I would want them during a hot summer recovery. I might have to sit out on the screen porch, legs up on an ottoman, just to use them. I can see icing and elevating making a body cold, though, especially with both knees done.
 
It's crazy, I wear my ice cuff all day and when I pull it off, the knee is still so warm. So I think the healing is generating a lot of heat.

Girl, you wear those tank tops and think comfort, first! My flappy arms are hanging out at Pt, but I don't care. :rotfl:
 
I didn't wear a stitch of make up the whole time I was in hospital/rehab. Putting it on wasn't a problem, but I didn't want to stand at the sink to take it off! Not sure I wore a bra the whole time either :shrug:. I did manage to wash my hair in the sink everyday and dry it, but look at the length of my hair. I can't remember ever being less concerned with how I looked. So if tank tops make you happy, go for it!
 
Just learned my rehab stay is not going to be 2 days (per OS) but more like 5 or more (per OS surgical coordinator). That's more in line with what I've heard. This is sounding more and more like packing for a cruise. :heehee: My look is going to be Middle-Aged Overweight Female Recovering From BTKR, not runway model, so no makeup, baggy capris, and loose tees. It totally works.

The nice woman from the OS answered all my remaining questions -- must remember to hit up neighbor to borrow that cane she offered -- and we discussed my diabetes, pain control, and PT. I explained I wanted to do my recovery the BS way. My OS has a quite similar approach of icing, elevation, pain control, and gentle exercise until swelling goes down.

I feel like I'm going to be in good hands.
 
You probably won't need a cane for a few weeks. Most BTKRs use the walker for a few weeks to a month and then graduate to a cane.
 
Wow, SusieShoes, your hospital sounds wonderful! I read your link about it. I'm glad you are going to have the Reiki; I experienced it some years ago from a friend who had studied it. I cannot remember whether she actually touched me, or whether her hands just "hovered". Either way, it is gentle, no pushing or pulling. When the nurse is ready to start, get into a comfortable position and try to relax your body and your mind as much as possible, and just let go and enjoy it! Yes, it is healing energy coming into you from the person doing it.

I am treating my stay in hospital as a "holiday", even though holidays don't usually involve surgery and discomfort! Well, we won't have to think about cooking, washing up, cleaning etc etc. Just relax, rest, do our exercises, and let the healing happen!

I was told I'd be in the Orthopaedic ward for a few days, then transferred to the Rehab. ward, making about ten days altogether.

I've not heard of a dog being allowed into a hospital! Although I've heard pets are allowed in some nursing homes, and the patients benefit from their company.
 
I could use some of that relaxing energy. I was at PT today and asked her to show me some hip opening stretches and she kept telling me to relax. I kept tightening up, I guess I've learned some protection mechanisms when it comes to my baby knee. After a few mins she smiled and said, I finally felt you relax! Lol.

So enjoy it! I bet the stuff they teach you will be so helpful when you are recovering at home. And for PT exercises.
 
I'm on the downhill to my surgery. This morning I did the chemical cardiac stress test, which was interesting. I've always done the treadmill before, but the last was ten years ago (aced it). My knees are now so bad there was no point in putting me through the treadmill part, so I was injected with a chemical that would increase heart rate, blow flow, etc. so the cardiologist could see how my heart responds. I didn't have any significant reaction. My heart beat faster and there was just a little pressure in my chest. It abated within minutes. I breathed normally throughout. I have no clue yet whether I passed the test.

Presuming I passed and my heart is good to go, my BTKR is Wednesday. It's all feeling very real and more than a little scary. This morning Mr. Shoes put my ice/gel packs in the freezer to see how that would work. He says we need a bigger freezer. I said we need to eat more ice cream. :snork:
 
Tomorrow. They'll call me with the results. I think this is cutting things a little close to the line, but all my medical team are unconcerned. "Oh yeah, we'll know in plenty of time."

I'm like... really? That's plenty of time? I'm from another era, clearly.
 
It's infuriating how unconcerned these professionals can be when we are on pins and needles! But, I guess it's a good thing they are laid back and not anxious!
 
Probably not a big deal to them because they usually don't even tell you your surgical time until the day before, but I'd be on pins and needles too.
 
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