Yet another what a difference a year (or 6 months) makes post

[Gretchendz]

My RTKR was April 23, 2008. My LTR was October 2008. I'm 57.

This forum got me through both recoveries; such great folks here (especially Jo!).

For those of you who are deciding whether or not to do it--or who are struggling through the recovery process, I just want to give you hope.

Before surgery, I couldn't stand for 5-10 minutes. If I walked for very long, my knees were swollen up and I was crying.

Now that my knees are a year and 6 months old, I have no pain. I stand straighter (My hubby says I am 2 inches taller than he thought!) I can walk easily. One knee can hit 130 degrees; the other will never beat 115 I am sure--but it doesn't matter--I am mobile and active and happy! Hubby and I agree, that despite the miserable recovery process, this is the best decision ever.

Tomorrow I am leaving for a 2 1/2 week trip to Egypt. I'm be climbing the pyramids with them! (Well maybe not literally....) So take heart!

 

[loggon]

Wow that is great! Glad to hear you are doing so great!

Have a great vacation and do do some of that climbing!

 

[Jamie]

Gretchen, what a great report. Thanks so much for posting your positive story to inspire and help those who are awaiting surgery or just new in recovery. It will be a great benefit. Keep in touch now and then when you can!!!

 

[Texas]

You have no idea how much thats means for you to come back and let us know, those of us who are going thru this. Congrats to you. You are a great example. I am glad your are living your life thats what it about. Thanks for sharig........I need that...keep it up....Kim

 

[Judles]

Gretchen! So happy for your success! Hope you enjoy every moment of your trip! Be safe! And you GO,girl!!!!

 

[aussie]

Fantastic report, I hope you have a great trip.

Happy travelling.

 

[Josephine]

It's wonderful to hear from you, Gretchen, and that you are so happy with your new friends! One by one, all the gang of 08 seem to be dropping by to report and it's absoutely fantastic. Does wonders for this year's nest of chicks and, believe it ot not, for me too! I finally took the plunge and am now an official kneesie myself!

 

[stives]

Thanks for reporting in. The 'group of 2009' loves to hear all the success stories as we slowly work our own ways towards mobility and pain-free lives.

Hope the trip to the Pyramids is all you hope it to be. It's on my wish-list too!

 

[Linda2]

Gee, I get to be a member of both groups. I had the left knee done in July of '08, and the right knee is scheduled on July 13, 2009. I am almost as nervous about this second one!

 

[Gretchendz]

Just a follow-up as we just returned home.

We had a fantastic trip and my knees did well. The year-old one was perfect--never a twinge. The 6 month old one did get a bit stiff and achy after some long hot days, but it wasn't anything some ibuprofen couldn't handle. And I did climb some pyramids! Woo-hoo!

Our 23 year son had to tell my husband to stop repeating "This is great, I can't believe you are able to do this."

Take heart folks. It's worth the struggle!

 

[loggon]

Wow glad you could make it and you did not really have a problem.

We are planning some travel next year ( the knee should be OK)

Glad you had fun. Thanks for posting Pictures would be nice too.

 

[orion]

How great is that! It is worth the struggle my right knee is perfect and the new revision is working to catch up...

 

[Jamie]

What a great report!! Now THAT (and some photos of the pyramid you climbed) is sure to inspire some of our knee members! Thanks for posting such good news.

 

[Gretchendz]

Here's a couple of pics (I'm the brown hat) as we climbed the "red pyramid" at Saquura! It was about 70 meters up--and pretty steep & uneven steps.

Sorry the last pic (view from the entrance on top) is sideways--can't figure out how to change it.

 

[Texas]

I was going to ask you earlier if you had some pics. Those pics are beautiful. That is pretty far up. Wow. Congradulations....

 

[loggon]

wow those pics make my knee hurt. So glad you had a great time and could enjoy your trip

 

[brs0660]

Thanks..you are an inspiration...thanks for the hope

 

[Gretchendz]

Just to put it in perspective, a year ago I could not climb one set of stairs without great pain and arms flailing.

Hope this gives all you considering the surgery, or going through the not-fun-at all recovery, some hope!

 

[Jamie]

Okay....NOW I'm REALLY impressed! I'm going to work on your photos to make them a little larger and rotate the one. Hope you don't mind, but I think your story is a great one for people to hear and appreciate! Thanks so much for taking time to provide the photos.

Hmmmm....I had trouble adjusting the size because the photo was attached as a thumbnail and not imbedded directly in the post. All I could do was flip it and add the adjusted photo to your post. When I tried to enlarge it, the resolution was not good. Sorry...great photos, though!

 

[Nursepair]

Just to put it in perspective, a year ago I could not climb one set of stairs without great pain and arms flailing.

Hope this gives all you considering the surgery, or going through the not-fun-at all recovery, some hope!

Hi Gretchendz, Good to hear you are doing so well.

It is still amazing to me how much I can do now since my RTKR on Jan 8th 2008. It feels so stable and completely pain free. I put photos of my trip to the Lake District In England on the Photo Gallery thread back on May 1st 2009It shows the rocky and un-even terrain I was able to walk on.

My left knee will need replacing soon, held together with cortisone at the moment, but I won't hesitate to get it done when my OS advices me to, even though I still have some stiffness and swelling in my first one (unusual though that is).

So all of you out there who are putting off the surgery, DON"T, it is the best thing ever!! You will get your life back.:wahey: