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Revision TKR Totally recovered at last!

Marian, that is a long time to wait! Will she see the results on My Chart before the appt? My neurologist would call me at night to go over my test results. He would personally go to the radiology department and look at the tests himself. I sure do miss him! Great doctor. She is in my prayers. How are you doing? Any decisions yet on your surgery?
 
Can your daughter phone for the result earlier than her appointment? My GP (regular doctor) always receives a copy of the results of any tests I have done. He or his nurse will look at the results and read them to me over the phone. If I request it, they will also fax me a hard copy. He will also give me a copy of any letters a specialist writes to him.

i keep a file of my own test results and X-Ray reports. It has paid off several times, because we have an unusual surname that regularly gets confused with another, similar name, and people frequently claim they "can't find anything about you."
 
Surely if it's something serious he would give her a call or see her earlier. When I had thyroid cancer testing done right before Christmas (32 years ago) my endo called with good test results Christmas Day.
 
@KarriB , @Celle and @Timetolive Kristen will see her results on the doctor's online portal but that's probably more of a problem for her. If it says anything that could in any way be taken as a negative then she has that problem. I would actually be happier if they didn't let her see the results until she goes to the doctor! We keeping having discussions about pessimism and realism. She says she's a realist but I believe she's a pessimist! I know she'll be ok. My mom has an in up above and I pray every night for her to intercede for my daughter.
 
Ok all my bone smarties I have some questions to ask. @Josephine I'd like your input too if possible. So here goes.
Will I really be able to go to work after 12 weeks if I start part time? Is this going to be the end of my nursing career? Does it take longer to recover from a revision than the original TKR? Should I just muddle through until I can retire at the end of the year and then have it done? I'm so confused I don't know which way to turn. It is hard when I have to support myself and really have no one to talk this through with. I am going back to OS the end of Feb.
 
newlybionic said:
Will I really be able to go to work after 12 weeks if I start part time? Is this going to be the end of my nursing career? Does it take longer to recover from a revision than the original TKR? Should I just muddle through until I can retire at the end of the year and then have it done?
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It doesn't seem to take longer to recover from a revision than from the original surgery - basically, it's often just a re-do with possibly a bit of adjustment. I know that my revision recovery was no harder than the recovery from my original surgery.

Of course, no one can give you any guarantees about being able to resume work at 12 weeks, but there's a good chance that you will.

For goodness' sake, don't go thinking this is the end of your nursing career! We had someone here last year who was a nurse. She had been struggling with an unsatisfactory first TKR. After the revision, she progressed well, said her knee felt vastly improved, and was working full-time, the last we heard.

I think you should have the revision as soon as you can arrange it. You know that your knee is getting worse and hurting you more. Do you really think you can struggle with that for almost another year and still give your best to your patients and yourself? You have an understanding boss. Go for it!
 
Oh boy that is torture having to wait that long to hear her report!! Sometimes you can read those reports that are essentially normal and still can't figure out what the heck the Dr. has said in the interpretation.
Been a hard few months for your daughter. Prayers for you and your daughter.
As for your nursing career, I wouldn't worry. You have been working now under painful circumstances and have admirably hung in there. After a revision, going back to work at 12 weeks should be nothing for you!! I am not dismissing your concerns but you need to give yourself more credit for how strong you are. :flwrysmile:
 
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I am not a negative person, but when it comes to health issues I jump to worse case scenarios, every time! I don't know why, maybe I don't want to be surprised to hear bad news and prepare myself in this way. So I understand your daughter.
Are you thinking of retiring in a year anyway or thinking the revision will lead to retirement?
 
@KarriB I really like my job a lot and I would love to keep working. I'm not working in a hospital but now in an outpatient dialysis center. No heavy lifting for the most part and a little less walking. I would love to keep it it as long as possible. I guess since I never had a 'normal' recovery I don't know what to expect. I only know I had some bad experiences. I know you have had worse but I'm sure you understand the fear that when you do your other knee it might not go as planned.
 
Marian, I agree with Glamg - you are strong. Look at how long you have held up with this knee! You will be able to do what ever you set your mind to. I pray you have the clarity of vision to make the right decision for you.

Your daughter is in my prayers. I like to get the report before I talk to the doctor so I can look up all the terms and understand them. I am not "worse case scenario", although I am a "don't dismiss my concerns" kind of gal. Perhaps, this could be a learning experience for your daughter? It could teach her what being a realist really is? My daughter is the opposite - Mary Poppins. We will face everything head on and it will all be fine. Ah...to be so carefree again....
 
@Timetolive I'm sure she will send me a copy of her report to ask me what I think about it. She also sends it to her friend who is a PA. The PA and I tell her the same thing but she still picks the worse case scenario that is highly unlikely.
 
newlybionic said:
Should I just muddle through until I can retire at the end of the year and then have it done?
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Well, how are you doing right now? Can you cope if it gets 20, 40, 60% worse? If you think you can, then go for it.
newlybionic said:
Does it take longer to recover from a revision than the original TKR?
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That's one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions. It really depends upon how bad your knee is to start with, what's done during the revision and how you are afterwards. But IF those things are all 'moderate', then it shouldn't be too much of a trial. IF!
newlybionic said:
Will I really be able to go to work after 12 weeks if I start part time?
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I don't see why not but it's another of 'those' questions!
newlybionic said:
Is this going to be the end of my nursing career?
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Good grief no! I sincerely hope not. However, there's that piece of string again!
 
Marian, I think there's every possibility that you'll be able to work if that's what you want. I was very concerned that a third surgery would mean a full spacer/revision scenario and bcause I'd run out of sick days I'd need to retire. But there are lots of revisions who are able to continue working. Not sure my situation was worse, just different. But neither of us has had a typical recovery. There was a lady on BS who had a wonderful and easy revision recovery. Wish I could remember her name!
 
While I'm happy to hear about all my friends here doing so well at six months post op i get the 'why me' thoughts. I try not to feel that way but sometimes I feel so down with facing going through this again. I guess it's hard enough doing a second knee but if at the end of six months I had a good outcome I could then say it's worth it. In my case at six months I'm worse than I was before the surgery. I now need to go through the pain and I might wind up even worse than I am now. I'm going to have to try to just get my questions together for my new OS. Unfortunately my appointment isn't until February 24th. I might try to move it up to at least have a better understanding of the revision surgery itself and recovery.
 
Marian, Here's wishing you the best outcome! May you surpass us all--you deserve it.:console2:
 
Marian, I think you should get your appointment moved up. You have so many questions and concerns - especially about when. It would be better than you being stressed about it. Perhaps get on the cancellation list. You continue to be in my prayers.
 
Marian, I agree with Janis. See if they can get you in sooner. I know how you feel about more surgery but believe that it is going to make things better.
 
Me three, Marian. See if you can get in earlier to get your questions answered. While I absolutely know how awful it is to think about doing this again, the sooner you figure it out the sooner you can be pain free and get on with your life.
 
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