TKR Two Stage Native LTKR

[Josephine]

Also I think Vicodin/Narco rule isn't as strict.... not as strong as Oxy.

You might find this interesting ....

 

[izzie]

Hi Minster ~ Just checking in on your thread. I've learned a lot. So glad you stood up to the doc insisting you buy supplies from him. Very unethical! As for filing a complaint, I do know that you need to document everything very well. Make sure you have the dates and names of all of the other people you've spoken with about his behavior. After you're surgeries are complete and you have healed, I would definitely file a report. You could now begin to make phone calls to find out the procedures. Hope you will not have to see him again. You are such a great advocate for yourself! Well done!!!

 

[Minster]

Thanks, izzie for the support & encouragement.

I'm feeling so discouraged today. I woke up at 330a crying and in agonizing pain. I've been trying with minimal success to get it under control since then. This road we are traveling is not impossible, but goodness it seems that way. I'm sorry to be so negative, but I have to vent somewhere...

 

[izzie]

Minster, you can vent anytime as much as you want! This painful road is such a test - to what I'm not sure. After all the nights I've laid awake, in terrible pain, trying to get into any position possible to relieve it, then reaching for the pain pills - I have an idea of what you're fighting. I'm so very sorry you have to go through this! You've been through so much, I know you want this to be over. Praying the first stage has gone well and the second stage will too! You deserve relief! I'm sending you some BIG HUGS and kisses from my pup Jack (he loves to kiss)
I hope this pain gets under control and you find it getting easier each day. My heart goes out to you!

 

[Minster]

Awww I love puppy kisses, izzie!

I've reshaped my attitude & I'm doing better. Half the battle is mental, you know? Currently I'm up in the middle of the night due to some pain. I've decided to make the best of it, I got up & got a cold glass of water with raspberries in it, grabbed a fresh ice pack, spritzed my linens with a scrumptious smelling linen spray & grabbed some light reading material. While I wait for the meds to kick in, I'm going to enjoy this time as much as possible!

I also made some decisions about the ID doc. I'm going to ask his partner (who actually discharged me, so I do know her) if she will take over my care due to a conflict that is impacting my care. Wish me well! I don't like having to do this, but I think it's for the best.

Thank you for the support & care....

Minster

 

[Minster]

Well, I'm 4 weeks post-op from the 1st stage surgery & most likely about a month away from the 2nd stage surgery. I've been doing pretty well. Staples were taken out at 2 weeks and replaced with steri strips. Those just fell off a couple of days ago. There's a small (1 inch) area of the incision that has been bleeding off and on all evening. It looks superficially open. I cleaned it and covered it with a sterile gauze wrap. Should I apply steri strips over it? Call my doctor? Of course it's Friday evening & I hate to bother him unnecessarily...however, I don't want to be foolish either!

 

[skigirl]

Well, let's start with the obvious---Why would you want this "donkey donut" to use a bonesmart expression, to be your doctor? Run for the hills, as fast as you can on your crutches. It is not against the law for him to have his own facility and to feel that it is better than any other facility. I would report him for his attitude toward a sick person---I think he forgot all about "Do no Harm".

Taking advantage of someone who is sick is really low---But, think about this guy---he deals with infections. Therefore, he is anal to the core. He is probably obsessive about every step of the way with his patients---he has to be so careful with them. I am sure that he works really hard to provide wonderful care for his patients---unfortunately, he is so controlling that he cannot control himself---his bedside manner is pretty bad. I am sure that he is a good doc--just not a nice person. Just count yourself lucky that you are not married to him and find another doc.

 

[skigirl]

It is too late for steri strips they only work on a fresh wound. Just cover it with a sterile dressing like you did, I think it will stop oozing by tomorrow--but if it does not stop, you will have to go to the emergency room, to make sure you don't have an infection in the incision. But, if it does stop bleeding, I think it will be okay to wait until Monday and then check with your os.

Using that guy's partner sounds like a good idea--if she can get along with him, she can get along with anyone. The fact that she is her partner means that she is also careful with her patients--I would go for her right away---you don't owe any explanations at all---she already knows that he is not a nice man.

 

[Minster]

Obviously this isn't a "typical" question, but there hasn't been much in my situation that has been typical, so why buck the trend now?

I've met the love of my life & we are starting to talk marriage & babies and all that good stuff! My 2nd surgery in the Two Stage TKR is about 3 weeks away. I'm wondering how much recovery time I need to allow before beginning to attempt to get pregnant. Beyond the need to be off all IV antibiotics and pain medications does anyone have any ideas?

 

[StillShortie]

I have no idea about how much time you will need. I had my kids before TKR and looking back I would say you need to be able to comfortably stand and support any additional weight gained in pregnancy - I have recently lost only 6 lbs but already notice the difference to my knee so it would be the reverse of this I guess. And also post natal as for me there was a lot of carrying, rocking and walking to get them off to sleep and boy do they get heavy.

From experience of having kids you will spend a lot of your life on the floor! So you will need to be comfortable getting down and up from the floor with the stability to be able to get up with a precious weight - and they put on weight quickly!

You also need to be well past the post TKR exhaustion as there is a whole load more exhaustion to come!

I think as with TKR recovery no one will be able to say when exactly but I would think you will know when you are ready - if anyone can ever be ready for their first child!

So I would say don't rush your knee and get as fit as you can from your knee and whole body point of view before you start an incredible journey.

All the best having children has been the best thing ever in my life and I hope you experience it as soon as you are ready.

Shortie x

 

[Dulcimer Diva]

Motherhood is a tremendous form of aerobic and strength exercise--and the "gain" is incalculable. So my advice--assuming your knee cannot hold out non-surgically any longer--is to have the surgery and wait till you're drug-free and able to comfortably bend over a changing table many times a day, push a stroller, and carry up to 30 lbs. a considerable distance (toddlers often tire out easily and prefer your arms to a stroller) before you begin trying to get pregnant. But being a mom is immeasurably the most demanding yet most marvelous experience of your life.

 

[KathyH]

I agree with everything Shortie says here without trying to put too much of a damper on your lovely plans.

 

[Jamie]

I agree as well. Please don't try to rush things with your knee recovery. You'll need at least 6 months to a year to return all normal activity, so I'd wait at least that long before getting pregnant if at all possible.

 

[speccybecky]

And if it happens sooner then you will manage, nothing nicer than a new baby

 

[Minster]

I'm on day 6 after the second stage of a Two Stage Total. I was discharged on day 4 with a hemoglobin of 8.0 & hematocrit of 24. I was experiencing some lightheadedness then but it has gotten much worse & I'm concerned I'm going to fall or pass out. I left a message for my OS's medical assistant today & explained my problem. He sent a message stating that my hemoglobin & hematocrit had been trending down and that they were probably lower now than when I was discharged. His recommendation was to "eat well" and consume more sodium as my sodium level evidently was quite low too. Is this an appropriate treatment recommendation? I don't want to overreact but I'm feeling quite puny. Thanks Smarties!

 

[My way]

Minster Ah, I would have to say no! Maybe you should get yourself to a clinic to get your levels checked.

 

[Josephine]

​

One thread for your recovery please?​

 

[Josephine]

Minster as you can see, I have merged your three threads. It is imperative that you stick with the one thread for your recovery - saves everyone repeating themselves, you included!

I also don't think that's very good way to dispense advice. You'd be better off speaking with your surgeon.

 

[Minster]

My apologies, Josephine! I'll try to keep it all in order now.

I have a call into my Surgeon. I have standing orders for labs at the hospital, so I may just go do those to jump start the process.

 

[Minster]

Just wanted to check in to give hope to anyone else who has to go the route of the two stage. I'm six weeks out from the second stage surgery and doing so, so, so well! I'm ecstatic to be moving forward slowly but surely on regaining strength, my little bitty quad is doing great stuff! I'm fortunate to have two Physical Therapists that just totally get it. They want to move me along, but not at the cost of causing pain, swelling or reduced ROM. I absolutely adore them. My OS is saying that if I continue working hard and can regain equal strength in my poor atriphied quad....then I can ski in December!!!!! I'm starting to do small 30 min hikes on varied terrain and doing small sessions multiple times a day on the stationary bike. I'm not released to ride a road bike yet, but I'm sure that will come soon. My energy level is higher than it has been for the last 3 years of fighting the infection.

The time betweeen the two stages was challenging, mostly because I was just so worn down from the infection and multiple surgeries, and who am I kidding myself, the emotional impact of all of it had begun to really take it's toll on me. For those of you that come after me in this process, take heart, laugh lots, research everything, pick the best of the best for your OS, and then sit back and be confident that you have made the best choices.

I was so hesitant about the decision to go forward with a two stage...even though I really didn't have a choice...yet, it really has worked out and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter.

I cannot thank you, the Bonesmart community for your support.

xoxo,

Min