Kathy's Pre-op Diary

[kathat]

Hi Guys,

I'm back from my camping weekend, exhausted and sore, but content. The training courses we do are so good for networking, and for getting many new ideas. The actual training seems to be just a small part of what happens. Anyway, I used my crutch because we did a fair bit of walking over uneven, hilly ground. It has still taken it's toll, but I think I'll feel it more tomorrow, as it tends to take a day or so to catch up with me. Tonight is the swelling/stiff stage of things. Tomorrow I will get more bone deep aching.

Anyway, there isn't much to report on the knee front that isn't old news. I got through the weekend. I did too much. I'll pay the price. Same old, same old. I am looking forward to being on the other side of this surgery! I just hope it helps.

Well, after being up at 6am for two mornings in a row, I am ready for an early night, so I'll say goodnight here. Goodnight 

Kathy

[arkitect06]

Hey Kathy!  I hope the pain isn't too bad for you tomorrow.  I can't believe how much you get to do!  I hope you are more careful after your surgery   You can't push yourself too much b/c it is a long slow recovery.  Sleep well tonight!

Farrah

[tanyap]

Hi Kathy,
youre like superwoman!!! you really are!! I cant believe you do so much either.

You know I just wanted to tell you that your posts have given me a lot of comfort in the past couple of weeks, you have been very open with me about things would feel after the scope and it has stopped me from worrying to know that my aches and pains are normal, and that my rate of recovery is fine etc... It really helps to hear it from someone who knows what its like, you know? Dont get me wrong - I havent had a hard time of it, but the odd twinge I have had, Ive known not to worry. So thank you for that - youve been a really big help.

I hope after your TTT I can also help you in the same way because Ive been there too- and remember, I got 20 years out of my TTT and during those years I was able to dance, cycle, even wind surf at one point - so there is always hope!!!! And according to my OS, my alignment is still fine now - it was only that pesky meniscus in the way!!! So it will be good for you to come out the other side and know that there are people on here who can empathise with the various aspects of recovery too!!
xx

[kathat]

Good morning!

Well, my knees are aching as I predicted they would. At least they aren't any worse than they usually get. I don't feel I am like superwoman!! I am just going through a busy stage in my life. Things will settle down again and then get busy again, in a cyclic fashion. I plan to enjoy the chance to rest and not do much after my surgery. Things should stay calmer until September/October when the dance costumes start again. I have already started to tell people that I am not picking up any new "customers" this year, and will only sew for my regulars. Also, once I have done the first aid course in two weeks time, I won't have much to do in the way of compulsory scout leader training. I can just get down to the business of having fun with the kids.

Tanya - I'm glad I could be of some help. You've been a great support for me since I joined KG and I'm happy to be able to return the favour. I remember being worried about all the weird pains after my scope, but they've all gone away now and I can't believe I worried so much. I am pleased that there are so many people out there who have had TTTs and can give great advice. I think we all get worried when things don't feel right and it's always good to have someone to say "that happened to me too, and it turned out fine".

Anyway, it's time for school. Have a good sleep, for those at the other end of the day.

Kathy

[arkitect06]

Hi Kathy!  I was wondering something...in the USA, the kids have school from around August-May and then have the summer months off (June-July).  How does it work where you live??  So all of our kids here are out of school for the summer and enjoying playing with their friends and going places.  Your summer months have already passed, right? 

How old are your children?  I wish I knew how to sew!  I am 5'1 and have trouble finding pants that are the right length.  So I have 4 new pairs of pants that have been sitting in my closet waiting to be hemmed to fit me  

Well I hope you have a good Monday!!  Today is still Sunday evening for me!! 

Farrah

[kathat]

Hi Farrah,

Our kids have school holidays over summer too - 6 weeks from mid-December until the end of January. That is the break that ends our school year. In January they all go to the next grade and new classes. We have four terms of about ten weeks each, with 2 weeks breaks in between (apart from the 6 week break over Christmas). My surgery is a couple of weeks before one of these two week breaks.

I have a son who turns 11 in a couple of weeks, and a daughter who will turn 10 at the end of August. I am blessed that they get along with each other fairly well and don't argue excessively. They are both blonde like my husband, though I think my daughter's hair will darken over the years and end up a sandy blonde or a light brown.

Knowing how to sew is good, but hemming pants is a pain!! Getting the right length without a long mirror or someone to help can be difficult.

Today I am doing some more sewing stuff - cutting out material ready to sew. More standing around at the table for ages (ouch). I am nearly finished thankfully, so then I can move to my machine and sit down to start sewing. I am ahead of where I thought I would be, so I am happy  I hope it continues that way - then I can spend next week doing MY stuff (tidying the house etc and generally getting things ready for after my surgery). Well, I have had a cuppa, so back to the cutting....

Kathy

[Beda]

Kathy - At last I can post you in your day! Its 4am here in the night, and I cant sleep because of pain. I went to bed last night with 2 ice packs and the fan going (its HOT over here) and the cat woke me just now meeowing for food, and the pain made me stay awake. its too early to take my Oxycontin,  because there has to go 12 hours between dosages, and there hasnt gone that yet. i dare not take them before. I get SO sick if I take too much. I can take an Oxynorm now, and I think I will. Thats the same but is not time release and is in smalller dosages.
Wow, your program is pretty impressive! You sure dont let the flies settle on you!! I think that you really must be what Tanya describes as a superwoman - I think its wonderful you are so engaged in your childrens scout movemnet, and then all of that with the costumes. it must really use your fantasy. I bet your quite aristic when it comes down to it arnt you? You like to photgraph, thats at least one artistic trait, and sewing, thats another. How about cooking??
Well, I'm sure you have plenty to do to keep you occupied, so I'lle let you get on with it. Dont you do too much on that knee, it deserves a rest after this weekend.
Love Beda xx

[kathat]

Hi Beda,

Funnily enough I don't like cooking!! I sometimes like to bake, but cooking isn't really my thing. The easier, the better, is my motto when it comes to mealtimes, though I try to ensure the kids get a well balanced diet. The kids get experience with cooking in Scouts, so I hope they can contribute to our meals before they get much older! Being able to cook is a skill I think everybody should learn.

I'm sorry you can't sleep. It makes life so much harder to cope with when you are sleep deprived. I understand about the nausea from the pain killers. I get the same with my Tramadol. I have to leave a long time between doses or I feel very queasy. I hope the oxynorm helps and you get a bit more sleep. My cat meows at the door when she's hungry or thirsty too. Usually she sleeps most of the night though, as she's getting old. When she was younger she'd bring me mice in the middle of the night!! She'd let the live mouse loose in my room and look at me as if she couldn't understand why I wasn't chasing it, then she'd chase it and bring it back and start again. As if she was teaching me to catch mice! Gross!! The worst was the time when a mouse escaped and died under my bed  What a smell that made!!

Well, my tummy is growling in hunger, so I'd better go and have lunch. Bye for now.

Kathy

[Beda]

Hi Kathy. Now I have taken my oxycontin and am awaiting its effect soon. I am very pain-plagued today, unfortunatly. Lucky I dont have to do anything special today. I need to go to the pharmacy and pick up some meds, someones coming to pick me up to take me there.
Boris likes to catch mice and birds. He eats the mice all up except fot the tail, which he leaves for me to dispose of. He eats birds in their entirity, all the feathers, the legs, everything. I have put a collar on him with a bell on so that it spoils his chances for catching them because the bell rings every time he moves and scares them off. This is becasue he has had worms from eating mice and birds, and i dont want that in the house. Pusswuss is the same, but when he gets his food served at home, he doesnt catch so many birds and mice. he too has had worms, its pretty disgusting, but i suppose all a part of nature. Luckyly we can get wormers quite easily, but you need a prescription for wormers over here in DK because if you worm your cat too often the worms get resistent over for the medicine and when they really do need it, the meds dont kill the worms if they get it too often. Personally, I would prefer it if wormers could be bought over the counter, then you could alternate with brands and not give the same all the time to avoid resistence, then you could worm them reguarly. Now the vet says you shuldnt give a wormer until you acually see worms, and that i think is a shame for them.
well, to the day - the pipes in the bathroom STILL need painting, so when its dry out there I'll go do that, i can sit down doing that. I need a cuppa now and some toast, so hope you have a good day, you must be coming to evening by now!
Love Beda xx

[Sore knee]

Hi Kathy

I hope the pain has eased. You put me to shame at how much you do, you amaze me. I do hope you get time to rest after your op. Super Mum you are indeed !!!!

I hope everyone else is doing ok too. I have been quiet over the weekend but I have been thinking of you all. Hope today is an easie rknee day Kathy 

[kathat]

Hi Guys,

Well, the end is in sight!! I have a couple of mad days of sewing to go and then I'll be FINISHED!!!!! My neighbour's walls are all painted (I did the last bit today), and I have a small stash of non-perishable items piling up in the house to help after surgery. Considering in two weeks time I will be showering with my medicated wash ready for surgery the next day, I am glad things are winding up and I can turn my full attention to surgery preparations.

Beda - We can buy worming medication for pets at the supermarket. Our dog gets an all-in-one flea, heartworm, and GI worm treatment once a month. The cat gets nothing, as she has no sign of worms. Considering our dog is a Labrador and eats anything and everything, I think worming regularly is good for him. My cat knew exactly what the bell on her collar was for, and kept losing her collar (on purpose!). Once I took the bell off, she kept the collar on!!! She roamed a lot as a younger cat, so I really wanted her to have a collar on with our phone number on it. Mostly she caught mice rather than birds anyway.

Well, it's time for work soon, so I'd better shower and get ready. Have a good day everyone.

Kathy

[Beda]

Aahh!!Clever cat!! I've just had my two cats outside for the first time in this new place.Boris was bold and wondered right off out of sight, but Pusswuss just stayed around the house. They both came in again on their own after about an hour, so it all went fine. I had gone round and spread used litter from their dirt tray around the car park and on the lawn so that the could smell themselves if they lost their bearings. it worked just fine. Now their in and I'll let them stay in until tomorrow, where they can take another investigation around the neighbourhood. Thats so good about the wormers. I wish it were like that over here. Its an expensive deal geting wormers, because you have to go through a vet and he takes a prescription charge, + the charge of the wormer. Its a rough deal. We used to be able to buy wormers over the counter but cant any more. Good about your labby, mom had labbys years ago. I remember them for constantly getting in the water, eating everything and a lot of it. The more smelly it is to roll in the better they like it, otherwise they're great dogs!
Asides from waiting outside for the cats, I lay on the sunbed. I couldnt get up again from down there!! My leg just didnt have the strength in it to push me up, should never have gotten down there in the first place. I'll stick to a garden chair from now on! Theres a lot of stuff I wont be able to do when I have a stiff leg, and getting down low is one of them. Getting onto the floor is out,as is nearly already now. I wont be able to sit without my leg being supported up onto something, but I'll find ways to stuff I'm sure.
Hope the rest of your day goes well kathy, its soon time to countdown for your op!!
catch ya later Love Beda xx

[Sore knee]

Hey Kathy

I think you will recover faster than anything as you are so able and on the go. You have the detemination and will power, I think you are amazing !

Beda I sympathise with the stiff leg thing. I cant get down low at all right now without trying to do some old ballet moves haveing my bad leg straight and trying to support my weight. Ahh the joys of knees

[kathat]

Hi Everybody,

Well, another blah day today. I woke up feeling out of sorts, my legs feel tense, my back aches a bit and I feel lethargic and flat. I should pick up later - a friend and I are going to the movies and I am looking forward to going, though at the moment I could just curl back up in bed and stay there!! I still have plenty of sewing to keep me busy, though I am over the worst of it. Yesterday I had the sharp pain behind my right knee come back again. It puts in an appearance every now and again. It's probably why I have a back ache today, as I limped a lot yesterday as the pain is sharp and stabbing when I extend. In two more weeks I will be in hospital getting ready for discharge (I hope!). I am too busy to be nervous for the most part, but every now and then I think about what will be happening and I get a rush of nerves and a sick feeling  I hope you are having a good day - sleep well, for those about to go to bed.

Kathy

[Peg Leg]

Kathy, I hope your day got better; so sorry you're hurting, too.  Hope the movie was good.  What did you see?  It sounds like you are getting things in order so you will be able to focus on yourself and healing after the surgery; that's good because you deserve some down time!!  Take care of yourself and good luck with the sewing!

Your Bud, Peg