Will new knees be good enough?

[referee54]

You just have to deal with things that you can control---and the way the knee "behaves"---heals---is not one of them. The knee does its own thing at its own time; ironically, we are not in charge---our knee is.

What we can control is our attitude and our view of things. Knees may take a short amount of time to heal (I wish!) but some take longer than "normal"---as if there was really a "normal." We just have to roll with the punches and deal with what each day brings during recovery.

Remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said:

"Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm."

It is easy to gripe about our lot in life and how things are not going our way. That, however, gets nothing accomplished, nor does it make anything better. If we tackle these recoveries with enthusiasm and a positive outlook, I really believe that good---no, make that great---things will happen.

Harrison Dillard, a gold-medalist in both the hurdles and the sprints in the Olympics, had this to say:

"It is easy to be ordinary; it takes courage to excel, and we must excel."

We have already taken the courageous steps in having a TKR performed. We need to continue to take the courageous steps in recovery, too.

 

[BigGene]

Good luck old goat. We will all be with you.

 

[BigGene]

Big day today. Went for my second post op today. It was all good!! Discussed scheduling the left knee. Reserved my spot on the surgeon's calendar for 9/20/11.

The appointment was with the PA so I also scheduled a visit with the OS for July 15 for final discussions and a chance to back out.

I don't see that happening, but my left knee has not been giving me trouble lately.(aside from the usual clicking and grinding) It is still bone on bone and I think it is just hiding from me. It has had an easy time of it lately with all this rest, ice and elevation.

I did book the Vermont Bike tour for July 3 so I will test both knee with a week of cycling. I suspect my left knee will do what it has done in the past and provide me with nightly pain after all the daily activitiies.

It will be a test for my new right knee as well. When I return from trip the visit to the surgeon will occur after a real test of both knees.

The trip is fully supported so I can shorten my day with ease or even take a day off if needed, so I won't "over do it.". I can always stay on the Lake Champlain beachfront sitting on those cool Adirondac chairs. (Hopefully, I will be able to get out of them)

It looks like I will stop PT this week as well. At this point we are only really working on strength issues. I am now on the eliptic and the treadmill. I am maxed out on there leg press type machine so it seems like I can get the same benefit at a gym as I an at therapy. A gym is less money out of pocket and I can go whenever I want. No appointments or scheduling involved.

The PA was surprized I had not already been discharged and the PT said he agreed, as long as I do the work on my own.

So thats the medical update.

It is interesting to note that even with the relatively easy journey I have been so fortunate to travel with my RTKR. The act of actually scheduling the LTKR still gives me heebie jeebies.

By the way, I hit 299 lbs today. Our of the 300's. I've lost 33 lbs in 7 weeks since surgery. Wow, I'm not even trying that hard!!!

 

[old goat]

Good luck Gene, I will let you know if the second one is a gem like the first one was for me. I wanted to do the other right after the first, I was like you on that. However, I managed to tear my rotator cuff and had to deal with that first. I guess work got in the way too. I figure I will just keep working as long as I can still replace these body parts every so often. :hysterical:

 

[Jaycey]

Great update Gene! Wow - your planned trip sounds great.

Of course scheduling the second knee is a bit scary! We can't predict how we will react to surgery. But at least you know what lies ahead and how to deal with any post-op issues.

Congratulations on your weight loss! It's amazing how the pounds just fall off once you get active again. Well done!

 

[Josephine]

You're doing so well, mate! Good for you!

 

[ruppbike]

Gene - Congratulations on the weight loss and the up-coming VT tour. Fantastic!! The water of Lake Champlain is at a historically high level. Enjoy the scenery and the historic sites and the exercise your legs will get.

 

[BigGene]

Rupp,
Do you think things will settle down there at the lake. I was going to stop at Ft Ticonderoga on the way up, but it looks like the Ferry is out. Hope water levels don't have a negative impact on the trip. Part of the time we are staying at Basin Harbor Club, on the water, I hope.

I am looking forward to it.

 

[referee54]

That is one awesome trip you have planned! I am jealous!

 

[ruppbike]

Rupp,
Do you think things will settle down there at the lake. I was going to stop at Ft Ticonderoga on the way up, but it looks like the Ferry is out. Hope water levels don't have a negative impact on the trip. Part of the time we are staying at Basin Harbor Club, on the water, I hope.

I am looking forward to it.

Not sure Gene, I would give the Bike VT people a call. What I do know is that the water level is supposed to stay high throughout the summer. Apparantly the lake is so large that once it gets high it stays high all year. Also, I have heard that some ferry landings and shoreline roads have been flooded and closed. I am sure they will tell you what the details are and how it affects the tours.

Kurt

 

[sunflower]

By the way, I hit 299 lbs today. Our of the 300's. I've lost 33 lbs in 7 weeks since surgery. Wow, I'm not even trying that hard!!!

And your bike will feel even more zippier with each ride as you lose the weight. :egypt-dance: Heck, you'll want to start climbing those hills cuz the amazing shrinky dink Gene is at the helm.

 

[BigGene]

Still got a lot more shrinkin' to go, but it's definitely easier to do things. Clothing sizes are changing as well.

Today I was at the gym, on a combination of treadmill, eliptic and bike. When I left the gym I definitely noticed that my TKR was fine. My left knee, however, was complaining. Steps are easier as well, at least on the new knee side of things.

Got a month to go till my bike tour. It would sure be nice to be another15-20 lbs lighter.


Every week things get better.

 

[PhoenixS]

Water level at Lake Champlain is still high.
It BETTER be down by the time I go camping on the "shore" (also next month)!! Bringing my bike too!!!!
Sandy

 

[sunflower]

Got a month to go till my bike tour. It would sure be nice to be another15-20 lbs lighter.

You'll get there, Gene, because your body is still busy with the remodeling project which uses alot more calories than a minor construction job. :wink1: And the fact that you are going to the gym often only takes it up a notch.

Gym Gene >>>>

 

[ruppbike]

I saw this Australian on Thursday in VT on Route 22A heading south on his epic run! Amazingly he runs 2 marathons per day average without a day off. I saw him in the morning and then again as I headed home 8 hours later and 40 miles further south!

https://poletopolerun.com/

 

[1jt@atime]

I can't understand why someone would want to run from one pole to the other. I understand wanting to raise money for a good cause but...... I guess I'm lazy. I'll have to watch for him to come through DC.

 

[BigGene]

Haven't posted in a week but life with my new knee continues well. Working fulltime, going to the gym and bike rides keep me busy. 8.5 weeks out my new knee does all I ask. 20 mile ride today.

Still have some aches and pains at night and the knee gets a little stiff after being kept in one position.

My Vermont bike tour is three weeks away, I will be fine, I hope.

My weight loss efforts continue as well. I have now lost 39 lbs since surgery. I now weight 294. Goodbye 300, hope I never see you again.
3 years ago I weighed 400. My goal 250.

 

[referee54]

I am jealous! I wish I could go on that Vermont Bike Ride---you will be fine;
I have no doubt about that. Congrats on your continued weight loss---I am still trying to shed the last ten---and, as they say, that last ten is the hardest.

Enjoy the bike ride!

 

[Jamie]

What a great report, Gene!!! Way to go!!!

 

[Jaycey]

Well done Gene! You are a new man! So happy for you!