5 weeks....

I had my one month check in with my OS last Thursday. He pronounced me "in the top 5% of his bilateral TKR patients". I am one of those who think I should always be doing better than I am; that I should be working harder, striving for more. Yet, what I am doing now is more than enough. I just have to recognize it. For those of you who have followed me from the beginning, you will remember my biggest stressor is being able to return to work between 6/17 and 25, or I lose my job. I don't want to jinx my recovery by saying I know I'll get there, or anything else. But so far, so good.

AND yesterday was 5 weeks from the day of surgery! I will readily admit you think you will never get to "point B" or you are forever wondering when "X" will happen or in some cases, go away. However, in public I am walking with a cane, around the house I try to walk without a cane, I am driving, hydrotherapy is now an option and will start in a week or so, sleeping on my side is now possible for a few hours at a time (how many of us find THAT simple accomplishment a blessed relief?), I started cooking some meals again (short and sweet, not hours on my feet), and so much more. Simple movements, positions, accomplishments that only we or our SO recognize.

Fatigue and intolerance (lol) still haunt me and it took numerous experiences for me to realize that after late afternoon, I am just not up to company, or going out. I am hoping after 6 weeks or thereabouts, that starts to disappear.

And starting Thursday afternoon, I will be completely on my own. I had Lynn when I first came home, and my mother, who has been here for 2 weeks, will leave tomorrow. I haven't really needed much of my mom's assistance, but the fresh fruit plate while in bed will be missed in the morning...lol.

11 days, not yet 2 weeks...But NOW it's 3 weeks (or 23 days)

Saturday, April 5

I am psyched about today...Mark is on his way to pick me up since I have been discharged from rehab! w00p! w00p!  It's hard to believe it's only been 11 days as it feels like much longer.  And because it's only been 11 days, my progress is considered fantastic!

Thursday, April 17

Confused?  Sorry...I had started the above entry but never finished it because Mark walked in the door to take me  home.

It's been 23 days since the surgery. The first few days at home were a little tough.  I went through some depression, found myself overwhelmed when around too many people, so I found myself avoiding our veranda and just staying inside.  Lynn was here during the day to help me down the stairs in the morning, keep food and water nearby and generally watch over me.  Sometimes at the end of the day I would find myself in tears...so tired, and feeling so limited.  I'm pretty sure most of the depression was due to the lack of sleep.

In the beginning I was up and down all night and couldn't get comfortable.  That is slowly changing, thank god, and I am getting 4-5 hours of sleep at a time.  I am now able to sleep on my side but it takes a great amount of effort to get there, and I can't stay in the same position all night.  I've really cut back on my meds, only taking something an hour before therapy and at night to encourage sleep.

Going up and down the stairs has become easier, and I have started trying to go up the stairs, one foot over the other, rather than one step at a time. I have also found myself abandoning my walker while in the bathroom, kitchen or bedroom.  It's not a graceful walk, but I walk nonetheless.

Every day is an improvement...I see it, Mark sees it, the physical therapist sees it.  In fact today will be my last in home PT, and I start outpatient tomorrow at 9 a.m.  Not missing a beat here!

As to the wounds themselves...my right knee looks so different than my left.  A little neater if I had to  define it, and the vast majority of scabbing is gone.  The left knee still has a lot of scabbing and just looks a little angry (there is NO infection).  Two different teams must have closed the incisions.  I'll ask when I have my follow up appointment.  I've had little swelling and the bruising is nearly all gone.  While the left leg is stronger, the knee is tighter; and it's the opposite on the right...good range of motion on the right, but not as strong.  "Not as strong" is really a "brain/muscle" connection.  I was going to the gym and working before surgery, so none of my muscles were atrophied and were stronger than most.  But it's a case of the brain and muscle connecting with each other again.  The muscles, ligaments, tendons were all traumatized during surgery and so went into "hiding"...lol.

All in all, I would say I am doing quite well (knock on wood).  I hope to be able to fully abandon the walker in another week or so, and trade it off for a "pimped out" cane...lol.

P.S.

The staff no longer has to transfer my legs for me...I'm pretty much doing everything myself!  Well, me, my walker and I!

Second Week

One week ago at this time I was done with surgery.  I remember waking up crying, and not knowing why.  I still don't know why...lol.  The arthritic pain is definitely gone, but of course, it is replaced by the surgical pain but instead of getting worse, this will continue to get better.

I started writing this one Tuesday morning...it's Thursday morning now...lol.  I'm generally pretty active, but if you give me a little oxy, I'm down for the count.  Oh well.

PT is enjoyable; I won't say FUN, because there are many other things I would choose to do, but I don't mind going and I look forward to seeing what ROM (Range of Motion) is being accomplished.  Right now I am 0/95 on both legs.  This is good.

I have yet to "second guess" choosing to have this surgery.  I do wish I could get a better night's sleep      though.  Pain meds kicking in......