Things we've Learnt!

[jillycats]

1)  I wish I'd learned about this site 5 years ago when I originally hurt my knee!
2) After having surgery in an NHS hospital ring your buzzer at least half an hour before you actually need to go to the toilet - it saves a lot of embarrassment and discomfort.
3) It is possible to open the living room door for the cat using crutches and remaining seated on the sofa.
4) It is possible to switch lights on using crutches and remaining seated on the sofa.
5) Morphine is not a good drug - leads to hallucinations and fear that the nasty nurse is trying to kill you. (Might not have been so scary if I'd been warned about possible hallucinations before they pumped me full of morphine!)
6) Always carry a can of WD40 if you have a hinged metal knee brace - particularly if you have to go out in the rain.
7) Other people always say "Will this surgery make it all better?" Nooo! I told you last time it won't please stop asking!
When using crutches always carry a rucksack - you never know when you will need to carry something that doesn't fit in your mouth!
9) Always double your OS estimate of recovery time.
10) The most important thing I've learned is don't ever do judo.

I'm sure there are many other things I've learned. I'm really glad I've found this site as sometimes I have felt that no-one really understands the sort of problems you can get with a bad knee, now I know there are others like me.

Glad to meet you all,

Jilly

[miners]

I just have to add this one to the list. things that I have learnt is that when I was having physio I could actually tell the boss I am going to the hospital and disappear for 3 hours. I would spend one hour in the hospital and then go shopping to cheer me up. seeing as I was having physion 3 times a week, I was hardly in work. Then I used to make him feel really guilty when he said off again are you  so I would reply well at least I am struggling to come in i could always take the time off sick and not come in. If we have to live with this problem then we should have something to cheer us up.
It gets better as I applied for a job and I told them about my condition so they wanted a letter from my OS to say that it would not affect my job. He did a really good letter as he highlighted the fact that...

She fell down some stairs at a Chrsitmas Party dislocating her left knee....   then went on to say  " whilst on holidays in Tenerife fell when getting out of the pool dislocating her right knee" everyone who saw that letter think I was drunk but honestly I wasn't but he couldn't see why I was annoyed with what he had written. So I would say watch the OS because he'll have you back

[SarahJane]

More things I've learnt ....

1.   Everybody looks at the bit of bone that came out of my Knee and goes ..... 'Whoa - that's 'beep-beepity' enormous!'     Then they look at me in awe and wonder, that I've managed to cope with so much pain for so long (at least I think that's what the look is - it could be shock, horror at the fact I keep the bit of bone in a Jar!)  Then they shake their heads and buy me a Glass of dry white Wine!  how cool is that!

2.  Second time around - the Staples HURT like H*** when they are removed!   (wonder why that is ...  first time I didn't feel them at all)

3.  The NHS complaints procedure is based in the Dark Ages - along with most NHS Middle Management!

4.  District Nurses DO NOT LIKE DOGS!   But Dogs like District Nurses!!!!  This causes difficulties for Knee Geeks as dragging said Dog Off aforementioned Nurse can be tricky when you are immediately Post Op!   Plus Dogs seem to love sniffing the great big dressing things that Nurses super-glued to your Knee!!   (I'm not going to contemplate this issue for long! Yuk)

5.  I'm not a patient person!  I'm nearly 2 weeks Post-Op and I'm really annoyed because I still can't Walk and do the stairs! 

6.  So called 'Revision' Surgery causes GREAT BIG SCARS!

7.  I've learnt how to clean my hubbie's electric razor (he he he - don't tell him please)

Other than these small things - every single thing that every Knee Geek has posted on this Thread still holds true for me!

There isn't enough room for me to detail it all, but here's a few:
My Crutches were utilised above and beyond their licensed Health use (i.e. Closing Doors, hitting people etc.
My Knee brace is squeaking
Disable toilets really are too high (why is that???) or too low (bizarre)
My House is still a mess,  we spend too much money on Take-away food, the kids still don't pick things up!

Thank goodness for fellow KneeGeeks!     A bit Thank you to you all

Sarah