TKR Two TKRs and a broken kneecap - on the mend now!

[sistersinhim]

I know you are thrilled to be back home and snuggling with Ruby! Don't overdo it!

 

[FionaW]

Don’t worry, @sistersinhim . Although I was discharged with less than 2 hours notice, when I arrived, I just sat in my recliner and my son set up the bed and commode and everything else for me. In bed now, cuddling up with Ruby and looking forward to not being woken at 6 am to have my blood pressure and temperature taken!

 

[Layla]

Aww, Ruby…so sweet! Glad you made it home safely and are settling in comfortably. I hope you sleep well tonight in your own space.
@FionaW

 

[sistersinhim]

In bed now, cuddling up with Ruby and looking forward to not being woken at 6 am to have my blood pressure and temperature taken!

There is no place like home, sweet home! You are blessed to have your son there with you.

 

[FionaW]

He has been staying to look after the dog, @sistersinhim , and also set everything up ready for me to live downstairs for a couple of months, but he has gone home now - just 10 days later than anyone expected!

 

[Jamie]

Welcome home! So glad to hear you’re there so you can get some rest and begin the healing process. What a cute pup you have. I know she’s glad to be able to take care of her Mama.

 

[EalingGran]

Beautiful picture! Take care!

 

[Anniemof]

Glad your home with your doggy, they're such good company for us. xx

 

[sistersinhim]

but he has gone home now

Do you have someone close by that you can call on if you need help? I was blessed to have a wonderful neighbor that helped some for the first couple of weeks. I even requested that she stay while I took that first shower, which she did. How heavenly that felt!

I am sure Ruby will be taking good care of you!

 

[DogTiredKnees]

@FionaW So glad to read that you’re back home, reunited with your dog

How are you doing? Are you still in the long brace? How’s the more recently replaced knee bearing up?

 

[FionaW]

Thanks @sistersinhim , yes, I have my sons and several friends within a few miles. Everyone works full-time though, so they’re not available during the day (one of the common side effects of having health problems in your 40s/50s rather than after retirement!) But I have a care service coming in 4 times a day at the moment, so I’m fine.

@DogTiredKnees , yes, I’m in a locked full extension brace day and night for another 6 weeks or so. It’s uncomfortable and means I can’t bend my leg. My newest L knee (2 weeks old) is not the breeze my first R knee (9.5 weeks old) was… Because the R kneecap is now broken, the L is having to do much more work, than my other new R knee did, particularly getting up and down from chairs and in an out of bed. How are you doing?

 

[DogTiredKnees]

@FionaW It must be very difficult, you have my every sympathy. But I expect that you are happy to finally be home with your dog. Are you having any physio? I’m still seeing mine every couple of weeks. How’s the pain for you? I’m still taking codeine most evenings.

Not sure quite what I’ve done, but my leg has been very painful these last few days, way above my knee. But it’s where one of the other fractures is, so perhaps it’s related.

 

[FionaW]

@DogTiredKnees Yes, I’m very pleased to be home, and absolutely delighted to be back with my dog Ruby, whom I missed a lot while I was in hospital. It’s much harder work, even with carers coming in to help, but still. I’m doing some physio exercises myself, but I’m pretty limited, since I effectively have two broken legs! I have a physio review by phone in a week, and a face-to-face in a couple of weeks, so we’ll see what they suggest next…

Sorry to hear your leg is hurting. I’m coming to the conclusion that when we’ve had knee replacements, we simply don’t feel some other pains for awhile - if pains were noises, it would be like they were drowned out! And then, as our knees get a bit better, it’s like the volume gets turned down on them, and we start to feel any other pains we might have! Hope you get some relief soon.

 

[EalingGran]

I’m coming to the conclusion that when we’ve had knee replacements, we simply don’t feel some other pains for awhile - if pains were noises, it would be like they were drowned out! And then, as our knees get a bit better, it’s like the volume gets turned down on them, and we start to feel any other pains we might have! Hope you get some relief soon.

Think you are definitely right on this one!
Hope you are bearing up OK and pain not too bad? Can you manage to concentrate on a book or a TV series yet?

 

[FionaW]

Not yet, @EalingGran … That’s an odd side effect I was ready for this time, but really didn’t expect after the first knee! I think it was about week four before I could watch anything, and I didn’t get to the point where I could read properly before I went back for the second knee. I have managed to do a bit of work though, much sooner this time than last time. I think that may be because I’ve had more help this time, so I haven’t been so totally exhausted.

 

[EalingGran]

How's it going?
I met someone with a fractured patella yesterday. He was at the same work meeting as me. He had fractured his in a bike accident and was wearing the same kind of really serious looking brace that you photographed.
He was 6 weeks out and hoping to have his brace removed in another week. His fracture seemed to be healing well and no longer painful. Meeting him made me think of you.
Hope you are doing ok?

 

[FionaW]

Hi @EalingGran . Thanks for checking in It’s hard work and tiresome, but I guess I’m doing ok. I’m three weeks and a day out from my left TKR and the broken R patella, and I’ve been home from hospital nine days. I haven’t left my living room, which is about 5m x 5m, in those nine days: I am sleeping, washing, using the commode, eating, doing my physio exercises, and sitting around, all in the same space… As you can imagine, it hasn’t been the best time of my life! I am grateful to have a patio door that I can open, to let my dog out and air in, and I’m grateful to have carers coming four times a day to help me do pretty much everything. Also, friends, neighbours and my sons popping round for a chat, or bringing food for me…
I’m not in much pain, though I am uncomfortable - especially since I have to keep that brace on 24/7! But my left knee - the unbroken one which was replaced three weeks ago - has been really struggling to do all the work, getting in and out of bed, up-and-down from my chair and the commode etc. It is much more swollen and stiff than the first knee was at the same stage - so effectively, I have two legs that aren’t working properly!

It’s heartening to hear about the chap who is getting his brace off at seven weeks. I think that’s the earliest it’s likely to happen for me too, though of course it depends on how it’s healing…

 

[Layla]

You're a trooper, Fiona! I realize you don't have much of a choice, but it's inspiring to read you express gratitude for all the good in the midst of this trial. I hope the next month goes fast for you. Hugs
@FionaW

 

[Neecey]

Is Ruby part Border Terrier? I had a Border Terrier who unloved very much. He sidebar age 14 in 2022. Now I have two rescues. I’m a dog lover too!

 

[Neecey]

I can’t believe the typos! I didn’t type it like that. Let me try again!
I loved my Border Terrier very much. He died at age 14 in 2022. His name was Oliver.

Found some updates on your knees. Hope Ruby is good company. Thinking of and praying for you. There IS hope!!! I’m walking again and so will you!!!!