KNEE ARTHRITIS - Total Knee Replacement :
TKR countdown - - Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 29 June 2003
Hi !
This may be the place for my surgery countdown and progress report. In 15 days, I will be getting my other new knee and I've waited along time for the coming procedure to give me relief from this knee. Having had the other one done in December, I know things to expect--but having had lateral releases on both knees that went very differently from recovery to results, I know that all I totally know is the plan. I'm expecting big things from this procedure--walking without the aid of any ortho junk for one. Sleeping without waking up because of knees would be another. Not needing meds for pain and sleep would be another--and the lifting of the dark cloud that consumes me sometimes due to frustration and pain would be another.
I'm ready to go, but as always, have alot to accomplish before that day comes...
Sylvia
Posted by admin (The KNEEguru), 29 June 2003
Thinking of you.
KNEEguru
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 30 June 2003
Thanks Kneeguru--that means the world to me.
I just went to the hospital for my pre-op lab work and "education." It is feeling like this is going to happen finally--never thought I would ever look forward to a surgery like this!!!
Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 1 July 2003
Last night sure offered me more reasons that this is the best decision for me.
First of all, there was a little girl who decided because of my mobility issues, crutches and bent over appearance that I had to be my little girl's grandma. I handled it OK publicly, but it sure hurt and blew me away personally.
Then I got to have a big and new right knee issue last night. I couldn't believe it locked up on me while I was in bed. It had only done that once before--when I had my gall bladder surgery and hadn't been out of bed for over 24 hours. Ooh, it was awful--sent pain straight down to my ankle and I could barely move. I had to drag myself by my arms to the side of the bed to get up--and I never got a moment's peace from it.
This severe kind of pain causes me to be nauseated--and I am very sick of that, not able to eat or not able to keep food down.
This is the best decision for me--and I am looking forward to much better days ahead. Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 3 July 2003
Hi--with 12 days until my surgery two interesting things have went on with me today. One is one of my big problems--I created a list of all of the stuff I need to have done at my job and at home before my surgery--and it scared me. I am prone to doing this kind of thing to myself--but it is big and more than a little scary. I will focus on pacing and realistic expectations--and telling other folks no if I need to.
The other thing is that I am feeling a bit better today--but I have done paperwork and the like for the majority of the evening and babied my body as much as I could--after the past couple of nights, I needed some down time.
And I need to give myself permission to not do it all--OK--tht will be my goal for tomorrow.
Take care, Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 5 July 2003
Hi Sue,
My hematocrit was a bit low for my first donation too--and I not only took my iron 3 times a day, but added in iron fortified cereal--like Total or 100% Complete twice a day and i ate spinach twice a day and upped my protein intake. It also helps if you take the iron with a vitamin c juice--I take the morning one with orange juice and the other two with tomato juice. Anyway, my iron count was almost back to the level it was before my first donation when I went to do the second one.
I needed both units of blood for my first tkr, so I am glad I got this done. Good luck with yours and your procedure as well!
Hugs, Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 5 July 2003
Hi!
As the countdown draws nearer--9 days, I'm wondering how I have gotten by this long. After my doc did the left one in December, he asked me when we were going to do the right one. He knew after seeing what I had in there, that this was the best solution for me. I cannot believe how awful this right knee gets--and how much it affects the rest of my body and then my spirit.
Last night, we went to a nice little neighboring town to watch the fireworks. It was approaching 100 degrees out yesterday which didn't add a lot to my pain, just the sweat quotient--but my arthritis was giving me a run anyway. Then, because it was dark and I was preoccupied, I didn't realize that there was a slight decline whre we were parked until I stumbled. Great--that's what I needed. I was able to sit through about 3/4 of the show before the pain got serious and I climbed into the big van. I haven't been in it in months because there are 3 steps to get in it, but it is the only vehicle that we have that can holdour whole family. I took my max dose of pain meds and was still awake until almost 4. Grr-rr.
I did finally get to sleep though and got about 3 hours out of the deal. I have a new collection of bruises today and just keep thinking that it will be loveley when this stuff comes to an end.
So 9 more days and counting down...
Sylvia
Posted by lam651 (lam651), 6 July 2003
I know you have been through an awful lot. This TKR that you have coming up will be the beginning of a new life for you. Now you will be able to focus on your life instead of your pain.
I'm glad this will be the end of your knee problems and the part where you live happily ever after. Take care, Larry 
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 7 July 2003
Thanks so much for saying that Larry--I'm so hopeful for all of this--and I've been worried that I'm putting too much hope into this. Getting rid of these knees is the last ditch solution--and I know that I've set myself up to do it again in this lifetime--but it is so much better than what I have dealt with day in and day out for almost 3 solid years.
I do appreciate your suppoer and am looking forward to posting on the success stories board in a couple of months...
Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 7 July 2003
One week from today--wow, one week
I have this tremendous do list and it is starting to make me nervous. I have so many things that I have to accomplish between now and the surgery and they are all important--and that includes getting things ready for my family while I'm away for almost a week.
On Monday, I have to tackle that bunch of reading tests--I'm going to work early and try to get a jump on that pile of things... then I am presenting an inservice to the novice teachers on Fitting poetry writing into writers workshop. I won't be quite through that when my 3 sons have a doctor's appointment, so I'm going to meet my hubby over at her office as soon as I'm through with that. I will have a stack of paperwork for homework--and I'm going to pass on any ballgames tomorrow night--somebody else can do that.
I hope that I can get through all of that for Monday--and hat my body lets m--that is always my wildcard, that is why I hate letting things pile up.
I can do this, I can and I will. Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 9 July 2003
Hi!
The constant and big thunderstorm we have had for over 24 hours with intermittent quet might be the reason my body has been so dispicable. I was going to post last night but my knees were so aggravated that I couldn' do anything--and my tkr was the worst of the two. I'm not sure what brought that pain and swelling on but I am glad that it has settled down tonight.
I'm running around like crazy now--I did my workshop for the teachers yesterday and got a really nice set of evaluations. Somebody suggested that I contact the International Reading Association because hey would pay me to do that pesentation--hmm, my show on the road...that's a thought. I am working hard at testng--have 2 days left to test kids--and I will get done. My boss took a few of us out to lunch today and enjoyed that, I had a wonderful taco salad.
The hospital called me today--t seems they forgot some of my lab work so after my appointment with my pcpon Friday, I get to go do that. That gives me 4 appointments between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. I will be ready for my surgery in 5 days--itis coming fast now.
Take care, Sylvia
Posted by chica_2626 (chica_2626), 9 July 2003
Hey Sylvia I just found this thread way down here! I've been thinking about you loads lately, TKR is about as major as it gets as far as knee surgeries go!! You've been through it before though so at least you'll have a general idea of what to expect. I will be hoping and praying that everything goes smoothly and you'll be on your way to the success board saying how great your life is, living with two wonderful knees, playing with your kids, doing WHATEVER you want just because you can! I know you have the strength and the willpower to overcome it all and pull through and finally get on with life without knee troubles!!! It's getting close, we'll miss you around here for the short while you'll be away, get back to us as soon as you can!!! Sending you lots of hugs!!
Rachel
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 10 July 2003
Thanks Rachel,
I've been struggling with so much pain today that th only thing that is keeping me of sound mind is the knowledge that in 4 days, my life takes a new and exciting turn.
You are right in how major this procedure is and how much I'm expecting out of it in respect ti relief and mobility. The reality is that it really can't get much worse, so I have only one direction I can go.
4 days to go--4 days. I am so in need of relief that this seems lke a walk in the park compared to some of the things I've thought. Oh my.
I appreciate your support--take care! Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 12 July 2003
Hello--I'm in my final steps to get ready for this procedure...I saw my orhto yesterday and he did the final check-ups he needed and told me that I was in "pretty ggo health." My therapist talked to me about how I am managing to hold on through things and we talked a good deal about hope and prayer. I saw my pcp today and got sanother clean bill of health (almost--certainly in every aspect that affects this procedure) and then I went back to the hospital for a final type and screen. I have my own blod band and all that is left is the preparations I need to do here.
I have planning, organizing, and suitcases left. I want to leave my family with things as easy as I can--plenty of wasy food to prepare and stuff for those nights on the run that happen here. I may not have many visitors cause of all of the ballgames--but I wiull have peace and happiness in knowing that everyone's lives are still going on.
All I can think of is the outcome I am expecting from this--and that feels pretty good. So I'm ready for 6 weeks of ted hose, coumadin, cpm, therapy, and the lot...I am expecting great things out of this.
Sylvia
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 13 July 2003
Well tomorrow is my big day--and the waiting will be done then. I go to the hospital at 5:30 am and the OR is scheduled for 7:30. The last one took 2 and a half hours and a couple of hours in recovery and hunting up a room--that put me in a room by 1 or so--and all that was left was--uh recovery, paain, rehab and walking again--lol.
My family seems to be tensing up today--it could be that they finally understand what they will be doing and what I won't be doing. lol
I am knee deep in lists and trying not to forget things--I think I'm going for a "final meal"--between my Weight Watcher's program, being sick and the coming yummy and nourishing iv's and hospital food--a big cheesy pizza or some hot cheesy enchiladas have a lot of appeal to me. It's been a long time since I've eaten like that though--don't want to upset my system...I'll think about it.
Hope to post one more time before I go--take care all. Thios is certainly a life changing event! Sylvia
Updated Thu Apr 29 2010
