KNEEtalk
DIARIES => Post-op diaries (50-100 posts) => Topic started by: skittle on October 02, 2010, 02:22:39 PM
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My hubbie has finally pursuaded me to post my diary up here rather than keeping it off line for so long. I'm currently 8 days post Stage 2 MACI, so here goes . . .
Well I’m starting my blog in a rather backwards fashion. I’m currently just over 24 hours post op, but let’s step backwards a bit . . .
7 weeks ago I had my 1st stage MACI. It seems a distant memory now. The early start - up at 5 for a 7am check-in. Surgery went well and I had my cartilage cells removed. Those cells have had more of a holiday than I have this year. They were flown to Amsterdam to grow big and strong.
In those 7 weeks, work was manic and knowing that I was going to be off work for a while, I’ve been trying to get as much done as possible. My husband’s been an absolute start since my knee failed in December. He’s been my rock and has picked me up when I’ve been down and kept me smiling.
I’ve been burying myself in my work so I didn’t get to think about surgery and mostly it worked. The week before surgery was my husband’s birthday, so as part of thank you we went away to Colchester for the weekend. We stayed in the middle of town, so we could walk in the steps of his ancestors, and not just because I couldn’t walk far!
So that brings me up pretty much to date. I got a phone call from Prof Briggs’ secretary early this week to say that check in had moved from 7am to 10.30am. Such a relief! And I could have breakfast! Most nights I’ve been having weird dreams and Thursday was no exception. I tossed and turned all night and finally got up at 5.15 for breakfast, and after feeling a little queasy had ginger jam on my toast. I then decided to grab some more sleep.
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Friday 24th September - The Big Day
The morning just seemed to drag on until we left for hospital. Once in hospital, everything just moved so fast and before we knew it my bed had arrived and it was time to go. I think my husband was more scared than me!
He disappeared whilst I was in surgery. I remember going into pre-theatre at 12.45 and remember coming back around at 2.30. I’ve had so much drugs this afternoon, I’ve just lost track of everything except the pain. Everything I’ve read said it would be really painful in the first week and even the anaesthetist said it would be. I’ve had a local in my leg, plus a heap of pain relief and morphine. I just want to sleep all the time.
I’m keeping water down no problem, so it’s onto dinner. Tuna pasta and veg followed by rice pudding and more drugs. I’ve had a bit of gas and bought up some water, but felt a little better, so carried on eating. I managed to eat a fair chunk of dinner, but needed a break to crack on with pudding. I had my drugs and then realised it wasn’t just gas and up came everything. Talk about feeling like pooh. We called the nurse who had the cheek to ask if I’d seen my drugs come up!
Because we couldn’t be sure, I had to wait until 10 for my next batch unless the pain was too much. I had all my drugs intravenously just in case, but I was just so dozy. I had a broken night’s sleep with the wonderful joys of a bed pan. I’m going to be getting out of bed tomorrow and I’m so scared! It’s weird, but I thought I’d be so eager to get going, but it’s a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I’m so tired and Erek (my teddy before anyone asks!) is getting lots of cuddles. Everything I’ve read and been told about the pain is true though . . .
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Saturday 25th September - D Day Plus One
It’s just over 24 hours post op, and I’m up about on crutches to go to the toilet. It’s soooo much better than a bed pan!
My husband and my mummy came to visit this afternoon. I didn’t think that she would as she doesn’t like hospitals. She brought me some gingerbread men and a bottle of red wine (for when I’m home and feeling better!)
I’ve kept all my food down today which has been a great improvement. I’m still sleeping quite a bit, but it was quite painful this morning and my drugs have knocked me out. At least when I’m sleeping, my body is starting to repair itself.
Yesterday was the first time I’d ever been ill from anaesthetic. It was my sixth knee operation, and I really want it to be my last. My aim pre op was to be off crutches by Christmas, but if I’m not, then so be it. I know I can’t rush this. I’ve got to take it easy and take the advice I’m given. Hopefully progress will be steady and secure. I won’t know for at least four months, so it’s going to be an endurance battle, but one I’m determined to win.
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Sunday 26th September - Not a great day
My pain was controllable until I got up in the night for a hop. It just wouldn’t settle, so a batch of drugs and I’m sent off to the land of snoozeville. I’m not sure what was different about those drugs, but I’ve had the weirdest dreams about flying animals, and now I have little appetite.
Not sure if I’m going home later or not as I’ve just had my food order taken until tomorrow morning. The nurses are asking me if I’m going home today, and I just don’t have a clue! I don’t feel ready to go home as I don’t think we’ll cope.
I went for a hop to the bathroom this morning, and the nurse and I got out of bed too quickly and pulled my clips. That was quite a shock and it was incredibly painful and brought tears to my eyes. Toilet will just have to wait!
The physio has been around this morning as well. It’s been busy so far today! I made it to the next set of rooms, but it’s just wearing me out.
I’ve managed to wash my upper body this morning too, but I think I took too long doing it and having my leg down for that long means that I’m now in a fair chunk of pain. I’m back lying in bed with it raised and we’ll see if it settles.
Hubbie’s been back up this afternoon. I had my happy pills just before he arrived so I was a little dozy and slept through part of the Grand Prix. Prof Briggs came in at the end of the race and gave the go ahead for the removal of my pressure bandage this evening and home tomorrow.
I don’t know what drugs I’ll be taking with me, but as long as they do the job, I don’t care. The only concern I have is the journey home, but I know we’ll manage.
Drugs turned up during dinner this evening and I did my own anti-coag injection. I’ve never done any needles before. It’s a bit easier than I thought and I may have to do my own when I go home tomorrow, so I need to learn. I just need to work out what to do with the dead needles then!
I’ve been gearing up for the removal of my pressure bandage as they usually hurt when they come off. Other than a few tingles, it wasn’t actually that bad. The coverage bandage over the wound had stuck to my clips and they’ve bled a bit, but other than that they’re apparently good and clean. I’ll take the nurses word for it, but I’ve lost a couple of inches off the top of the brace and about 3 off the bottom, but as I know I’ll be going to the toilet before bed and during the night, it was agreed the brace could go back on. It just makes me feel more confident and I feel I need it right now.
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Monday 27th September - Time to go home!
My brace has come off while I’m in bed this morning . . . But I’m going home today! The nurse has been around this morning and gone through the drugs I’m taking home. I’m got a new drug to take as the pain relief I’ve been having (oxycontin) is a controlled drug so I either stay in hospital or have something else. I’ve opted for the latter, so I’m off with Tramadol. I’m sure it will give me funky dreams, but it’ll be worth it.
Prof Briggs has been back in this morning and seemed a little miffed that my brace wasn’t attached to my leg. It’s got to stay on for 7 to 10 days, so it will be still be on when I have physio next week.
Physio has been around again this morning, and I’ve been for a walk and I’ve done stairs. Going up is a lot harder than I imagined, but I’ve done it now and it will only get easier.
I’ve started discharge now. My dressing has been changed and doesn’t look to bad (I’ve been brave enough to look now!). I’ve got my drugs, so we’re just waiting for lunch and painkillers before making a move.
What a journey home! What should have been a straight forward 1 hour journey, turned out to be 1 ½ hours. Now home and I’m so tired. I chilled for the rest of the afternoon. I’ve just ordered a toilet stand so hopefully it will turn up tomorrow.
I’m so tired, but I’ve had my drugs and stabbed myself. It took me an age to eat dinner, it’s not my appetite that’s gone, but it feels that my stomach has shrunk so much.
When we went up to bed it’s time for stairs. I was so exhausted and slept pretty much right through the night.
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Tuesday 28th September - First day back home
I’ve had visitors galore this morning. I’ve had flowers delivered from work, Dad’s been and mum’s been too. I’ve managed to get my hair washed. What a palaver but so worth it! I feel so much better now. Our neighbour has popped in and asked if they could use our parking space next week for a funeral. Unfortunately, my toilet stand didn’t arrive today, so hopefully it will be tomorrow.
Getting tired in the evening again, but it’s bound to happen in the early days.
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Wednesday 29th September - Time to change socks
Had a really rubbish night last night, waking at 12, 1, 2, 3, 3.45, and 4am. That was when I resigned myself to next to no sleep and really stupid dreams - you cannot run with a brace on! Next thing I know it is 7am. Big drug time. Finally woke at 10 for breakfast in bed. Today we decided to change my dressing, tubi and stockings. Getting everything off was the easy part. My wound is only weeping a bit at the top now and I suspect that’s partly down to the Fragmin. Getting a new stocking on was really difficult but my husband’s learning the hard way! It took just over an hour to get the fresh stocking and tubi on and I finally got downstairs at 12.45. It’ll be lunchtime soon - that makes me seem really bad.
My toilet stand arrived this morning too and it makes such a difference getting on and off the toilet.
I’ve spent this afternoon chilling, but it’s been a little painful this afternoon. We’re getting our hair cut this evening, but we always thought I would dip out depending on how I felt. I’ve stabbed my stomach now, and hopefully it won’t bruise like I did yesterday. I keep moving it around every day, and I’ve got 4 left to do.
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Thursday 30th September
Sleep patterns fell into the same category as yesterday. I was greeted this morning with my mobile. It’s been on silent since I was in hospital, so when it went off yesterday, it was clearly ignored! However, it was my first ‘where do I find ...’ from my boss! A quick email later and an update on my knee and I’m ready for breakfast.
I even managed to make it down stairs today by 10.30am! My sister-in-law is coming over this afternoon with my niece and nephew so that should be interesting.
Even just lying on the sofa whilst children are around is tiring. My nephew can be quite demanding. He had a small packet of biscuits then wanted another. He did ask again later and still got a no, so tried his mum, then my husband. He still got nowhere!
I’m left to recover once they’ve gone, so a few drugs followed and I’m still catching up on television from whilst I was in hospital.
I’ve done my stabbing now and I seem to be eating quicker too. I just need to get more active so I don’t put on more weight!
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Friday 1st October - One week down
Well I’m a week post op today. My spirits are doing well, although it’s normally alcohol night tonight and I can’t have any! :'(
It looks like I can’t stab myself on one side of my stomach without bruising though. Yesterday’s needle hole has now bruised. It’s only tiny and compared to the one from a couple of days ago, it won’t be too bad.
I’ve finally been able to catch up on emails this morning whilst my hubbies been out. It’s the first time I’ve been left on my own for any length of time, and I don’t feel too bad. I haven’t made any food yet and that will be the big problem for me once he’s back at work. Being on crutches it’s practically impossible to carry anything and I’m really not sure.
Before my operation, I was reading a lot of notes from other people from here who have had this operation and one thing that was mentioned a number of times was ‘electric shock’ type pain running along the scar. I had my first one this morning and boy does it hurt! Fortunately I hadn’t had any strong pain killers this morning, but they soon followed that episode! I really hope I don’t get many of those, but now it’s started, I’m sure I’ll get more :(
I’ve started watching my DVDs this afternoon. No doubt that’s the first step to getting bored. I’m off all next week, and then I’ll be working from home so I hope I am ready to start again.
I struggled to stab myself this evening for the first time. I’m so glad I only have another 2 to do. After that I need to get up and about a bit more so I don’t risk any clots.
This evening I was just so tired. I ended up going upstairs by 8.30 and was ready for bed by 9. Still had a rubbish first half of the night as is now becoming the norm, and finally woke at 8. I still don’t get more than 3 hours at a time.
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Saturday 2nd October - Day 8
Hubbie’s out on his bike this morning as normal and left me downstairs again. I’ve had a bit of a surf on here and found someone who is 7 weeks ahead of me which was good. I’m now also getting pain in my heels where I’m laid up all the time which is going to bug me. I’ll mention it to the physio on Tuesday to see what I can do to alleviate the pain. I know it’s only because I am sat on my butt, but it’s annoying.
The one thing I have found is that my stomach muscles appear to be doing some more work when I sit up and lay back down, so hopefully it’s a step into losing some of the excess flab I have after nearly a year of no exercise!
After a week of my hubbie doing all the cooking, he wanted a break, so we had take-away delivered. It’ll be great when I can help him out again. It's been quite an uneventful day really.
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Sunday 3rd October - My first bad day
I’ve been in great spirits until this morning, well the middle of the night. My heels are really sore today from sitting on my bottom all day and it’s getting me down a bit. I got left upstairs this morning whilst hubbie did the weekly shop. We then managed (more successfully this time) to wash my hair without getting the bathroom and each other soaked!
The Commonwealth games start today, so I’m watching the opening ceremony. My knee is just having a bad day today. It’s pretty painful compared to what I’ve been used to. Either I’ve been lucky so far, or I’ve been given the right drugs and I’m taking them at the right time to keep the pain levels down.
I’ve also finished my course of Fragmin today - no more stabbing! I’ll give the hospital a call tomorrow to see if I’m okay to leave it or whether it’s worth now taking a low dose of aspirin (providing I can take it with the rest of my drugs). I don’t want anything to go wrong as I’m still quite immobile. Fingers crossed things will get better tomorrow.
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Monday 4th October - The bad day continues
Today started off okay. I want to try cutting back on the Tramadol now. I rang the hospital this morning, and I don’t need to take any aspirin either now. The good news is that although I have a bit of bleeding and weeping from the top of my wound, they aren’t worried as it is mostly down to the Fragmin and a bit of an awkward cut. Looks like all systems go for removal of clips tomorrow! That’s made me happier now.
I haven’t had a great afternoon. A few big twinges of pain which have brought me close to tears, but I’ll get there eventually. So much for wanting to cut down on the pain relief! I think my knee has other ideas. I need a hug. The pain just rumbled on throughout the evening. Still physio starts tomorrow . . .
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Hey Skittle! Sorry to hear that your recovery has been tough so far. It's funny - we go into these surgeries knowing perfectly well that it's a major operation that won't be easy to bounce back from, and yet it's astonishing how slow and painful it is in the immediate aftermath. For me recovery has been one of the toughest experiences of my life, but I also feel like I'm learning so much from it - mostly a degree of patience that I would never have believed I was capable of...
I'm really interested to hear how things progress for you; as someone in my early 30s with arthritis in both knees, cartilage repair is always on my mind. I do hope that as you get over the immediate aftermath of the op, things improve considerably.
Many virtual hugs to you. :)
Kay
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Thanks Kay, I must admit that probably up until 4 weeks before surgery I didn't come on here much, but it's been a godsend these past three weeks.
I too am mid thirties and am far too young for a replacement, so I hope the long haul will be worth it.
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Tuesday 5th October - Physio starts today
Oh what a night! I foolishly decided to take only 1 Tramadol to go to bed on last night and woke at 4am screaming in pain. So much for me cutting down on pain relief. I should have known my knee would have other ideas!
This morning passed quickly, and before we know it, we were bundling me across the back seat of the car and getting off to London. My clips came out easily enough (I didn’t look, but hubbie did and watched the three pronged scissors do their stuff) and felt quite tingly afterwards. It’s a weird sensation and something different. The physio worked me really hard and I have a lot of work to do as my quad is just like a lump of wobbly jelly and will need so much work to even get somewhere near decent. I can hardly move my leg and probably have less than 5 degrees of movement. Before stage 1, all I could do was static quad exercises and was walking with a stick for short distances (you could forget anything longer than a hundred meters).
I’ve done some exercises this evening and iced, but it’s still sore. My fixed brace is back on to hop and for sleeping, but I’ll be taking it off for exercises from now on. I’ve got physio again on Thursday and am desperate to make some progress by then.
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Wednesday 6th October - On my own
Probably my best night’s sleep last night! I’m fairly sure I didn’t sleep through the night, but it felt a better sleep.
Hubbie’s back at work today, so I’m being left on my own for the first time for more than a couple of hours. I’ve been left with a number of calls to make and a heap of exercises. I had a text check in from hubbie late morning, so I gave him a quick call. My knee is aching from exercises, I don’t want to overdo it, but I’ve got to get this leg moving.
I managed to get down on the floor this evening. I waited for hubbie just to make sure I didn’t have trouble either way (I didn’t). I’ve managed to lift my heel off the floor eventually, but only about a sheet of paper away. It’s a start, but it took a while. I probably have about 10 degrees of movement now, but I have physio tomorrow lunchtime. Doing exercises, then icing followed by bed meant I slept right though for the first time since surgery.
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Hey Skittle
Thanks for keeping your diary updated. Sometimes people are reading but not always posting replies. Your experiences will be really useful for other people having MACI. Don't beat yourself on the pain meds reduction, MACI is MAJOR bone work and you'll need some medication help for a while. You're doing well, this is a long recovery from what I've read but those who take it slow and steady have great outcomes. Keep us posted and I hope improvements are soon on their way.
I'm a UK gal too, MACI was mooted for me but my whole knee is a bit - well, worn out and most of it is patella which MACI isn't great for. So, I trundle along with PT, some drugs and lots of indoor cycling!
Take care
Lottie x
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Thursday 7th October - Physio session 2
Mummy is coming over today so I can get to physio later. I’m looking to start dumping the brace from today. I’ll still sleep with it for a bit, but it’s probably going to have to go back at the end of the month when I have my review with Prof Briggs.
Bundled myself into the back of Mum’ car at lunchtime to get to physio and managed to get a spot at the top car park (the easy access). Physio went well and I’m getting rom of nearly 30 with assistance. I need to be 45 by next Thursday (fingers crossed). Exercises in the evening didn’t give me anything additional, but I have a few days to go yet.
Current plans are for hydrotherapy to start in a couple of weeks which gives my wound a chance to fully heal. I can’t get in the water until it does. I’m a big water baby, and I haven’t been in the pool for a year, so it’s giving me something to really look forward to.
I needed to up the pain relief today, but with physio I really expected it.
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Friday 8th October - My best friend visits!
I had a great night’s sleep last night. Clearly getting more exercise during the day is having its benefits. I’m still on the same amount of pain relief to go to bed on, but I won’t drop it until at least tonight as if I have a problem in the night, it’s not fair to disturb hubbie. He’s getting tired having to do everything plus working full time with an hour commute each way. At least it’s the weekend tomorrow so he can chill out a bit after his cycle ride.
My best friend is coming over today. She’s been living in Lanzarote for the past 18 months and has just come back. We’ve not seen each other since May when she came to visit with her husband and their daughter (who’s now 29 months old) so we've got some catching up to do.
I’ve been reading a few diaries on here whilst I’ve been at home, and noticed talk about a femoral block. I remember the anaesthetist saying I’d get a local in my leg as it’s a really painful operation. Reading through the discussions of the block triggered some vague recollection of my leg muscles jumping all over the place just prior to surgery. It’s pretty much the only thing I remember from pre-theatre to be honest.
Exercises today have been tough, achy and well tough. I can’t even lift my heel remotely off the floor and flexing isn’t getting anywhere near what I had yesterday. My knee hurts a lot, so as much as I hate it, I’m giving in to pain relief. I suppose now that I’m moving around it’s going to happen :(
I’ve spoken to my boss this afternoon to confirm that I’m taking next week off sick instead of working from home. Things have been really manic whilst I’ve been off and I feel a little guilty leaving the team in the lurch for longer than I anticipated, but I’ll start checking through my emails next week and see how it goes.
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Saturday 9th October -
Episode err . . . Day 15
Lesson learned last night - when I’m half asleep I have no balance. Thankfully I’m still wearing my brace at night and I only fell onto the bed. It was enough to wake hubbie up and give him a bit of a scare. I was fine though and grateful that my leg just went straight up in the air and came back down on top of the other one.
I watched my first film today since surgery. I’ve held off this long not because I know it can be the start of a slippery slope to boredom, but more because I haven’t had the attention span to be able to watch anything longer than 45 minutes. I decided to watch Mamma Mia! I’ve never seen it before nor knew the storyline, but I couldn’t stop laughing! Trying to dance when you’re sat down trying to do exercises is amusing too!
Did the best thing this afternoon - I HAD A BATH! Finally got a look at my new war wound and at last it appears to have stopped weeping. It looks like I’ve had a blood blister which was causing the bleeding and weeping. It’s just one big scab now covering three clip holes. We’ll just have to see how it pans out to see what level of rubbish-ness it looks like, but the rest of it looks pretty good to me.
More exercises to do this evening. . .
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Sunday 10th October - 10/10/10
Getting there with the exercises now and moving a little more in the right direction. A little bit of the scab fell of this morning and it doesn’t look too bad underneath. It’s my niece’s birthday today, so I’m getting a change of scenery and going to visit her later. It means bundling me in the back seat again, but I don’t mind.
I managed about an hour before my knee started to ache too much and we came home. Got out of the brace and jogging bottoms and back into more comfortable shorts and went to sit down . . . BANG! Bent my knee slightly, got a massive hit of pain and the room span. Fortunately I was about to sit on the sofa anyway, so I fell backwards crying and screaming. Once the pain had subsided enough to stop crying I went straight for pain relief. I don’t pussyfoot around now when it starts. That followed by ice meant that it settled within about 45 minutes.
Still, off to the doctor’s tomorrow . . .
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Ouch! The unexpected bend doesn't sound like fun at all. I hope the doctor is able to reassure you that no damage has been done.
Congrats on the first bath - that's a blissful post-surgery moment. :)
Hope all continues to go well!
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Hi Snowy!
Fortunately the bend was mid air and was just a result of having it my fixed brace for a tad too long whilst visiting my niece and a coldish room. It doesn't feel any different inside and like many people here I'm sure you understand the change in feelings if anything goes wrong. It does ache a bit if I let it stiffen up, but I don't get too many sharp pains nows, just a constant low level pain.
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Monday 11th October
Weird dreams again last night - don’t you just love drugs? Exercises again this morning. They are getting a little easier now, so no doubt I’ll get some new ones at Physio tomorrow even though I’ve still got a lot more movement to get. I just look at it as one small hop towards getting back in the pool (albeit hydrotherapy to begin with).
My MIL is coming over later to take me to the doctors to get another sick note and more drugs. No doubt the doc will want to see my new scar and I’ll need to describe what’s gone on in the past 17 days. She arrived just as I was finishing my exercises.
As suspected, I needed to explain everything to my GP, but I walked out with my sick note and more drugs and she didn’t ask to look at my scar. Fair enough I did have my brace on, so she probably didn’t want to disturb it. But the look on her face when she called me in was an absolute picture. It was almost ‘OMG what have I got here?’
Another set of exercises to go today, then ice and bed. Sleep enables my body to fix itself, and I’ve not had my afternoon nap today for the second day in a row.
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Tuesday 12th October - Physio session 3
I had a reasonable night sleep last night. I only woke a couple of times with shoulder ache as I’d pulled myself onto my pillows again. Mummy is coming over again today to take me to physio, she’s cooking dinner for us again tonight which has made hubbie happy.
Physio is chuffed with my progress and I have ROM over 45 which was Thursday’s aim (it’s more like 60 from cold). I have more exercises to do including SLR and massaging. Physio wasn’t worried at all about my bout of pain on Sunday either which was cool. The scar is looking good, and she’s going to check if they have the equipment to get me into the hydro-pool whilst I’m still non-weightbearing. If so, I’ll be getting wet in a couple of week’s time which will give the scar a bit more time to dry out. As a result of progress, my Physio has cancelled my session on Thursday, so I’m back in a week’s time!
I’m staying fairly positive at the moment which is great as I’m not the strongest person mentally, but the more I think about what this means to me, the more positive I’ll hopefully stay.
I start looking through my work emails tomorrow with a view to working from home full-time next week. TBH it’ll be nice to get back to an office - I’m starting to miss people
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Wednesday 13th October - Day 19
I had a rough night last night. Woke up at 1.30 and just couldn’t get comfortable, so I propped myself up on my pillows and proverbially tossed and turned (as much as you can in a fixed brace!). I’m going to try and sleep without it on Saturday night, so we’ll see what happens then.
Started going through my work emails this morning and emailing my boss a bit. He’s made me laugh today which is good as I won’t see a soul until hubbie gets home late this evening. Even doing half a day’s work has worn me out and I’ve had my first afternoon nap since Saturday.
Sleeping without my brace this afternoon has meant that my knee is quite sore this evening. I really want to ditch the brace and if I’m going to get pain like this, it may be longer before I sleep without it. But positive thoughts are a must so I’ll still give it a go on Saturday.
Another day of highs and lows. My high today was cooking dinner for the first time since surgery. It was only pizza and chips, which you can just throw in the oven, but it’s a start and it’s another night that hubbie doesn’t have to cook.
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Thursday 14th October
Yet another uncomfortable night last night. Either I couldn’t get comfortable or my knee couldn’t - why couldn’t they both just settle at the same time? Thankfully it didn’t disturb hubbie too much and it’s settled this morning. I’m doing some work today with the aim of working a bit more than yesterday. I probably did less work today, but I didn’t fall asleep so that’s got to be a step forward in my book.
Exercises have been going well today and I actually managed an SLR on my own! It was only the one, but it’s a start and more than I could do yesterday. I haven’t been able to do one since, but it’s one more than I’ve been able to do since last December, so that’s my big high for today.
The Commonwealth Games finish today, so it’s daytime television for me tomorrow. If that’s not an incentive to go back to work I don’t know what is!
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Friday 15th October - Three weeks gone!
I actually had a really good night’s sleep last night and tried going to sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees (and brace). It was a little strange and uncomfortable, but I managed about an hour before giving up and rolling on my back. I hardly disturbed hubbie too which was really good. To top it all, I even cut back on my night time pain relief, from 2 Tramadol to 1. The next step will be to replace it with paracetamol (I’m currently on 6 a day).
I can’t believe it’s only three weeks since I was a mix of cacking my pants and nervously excited about going into hospital to be fixed. If I said it had flown by I’d be lying. I’m still trying to settle into a routine which is going to be a problem when I start back working next week. Still, I’ll cope (I hope!)
I’ve managed to get some more work done today, and hopefully by building up over the last three days will mean that next week I can do reasonably well. At least I haven’t fallen asleep today.
Exercises have been tough today for some reason, so I’ve cut down the number of reps, but increased the frequency. Maybe the change will do my leg some good. I’m starting to get some shape in my leg now and it’s not a mass of quivering jelly anymore which I’m really proud of. My left leg (the good one) is also looking the most toned it ever has with all this hopping and jumping up stairs!
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Saturday 16th October - Hubbie does overtime
I tried getting to sleep on my side again last night with the brace and it seemed a lot more comfortable than the night before. I’ve cut the Tramadol down to one a night for the second night running and it’s starting to give me weird dreams. They’re not nightmares, just surreal so I don’t think it’s anything to do with withdrawal symptoms I’ve read that can occur with Tramadol. No doubt I’ll get those when I cut out, but it looks like they only last a week or so, and I’m weaning myself off as quickly as I dare. I can’t rush it because I still have some pain episodes every now and then, but they are getting less so fingers crossed I’ll soon be able to replace Tramadol with paracetamol (I know it’s not great replacing one drug with another, but needs must) and then cut down on that too. I’ve been living off paracetamol since the start of December 2009.
Still, it’s the weekend and the sun is shining. However, I’m housebound as hubbie has had to work today. I’ve also got to try and make my own lunch today which shouldn’t be too bad, but does mean I have to eat in the kitchen because I can’t carry anything. He did however, get a plate out for me as it’s the one thing I can’t do, so we’ll see how it goes . . .
Lunch was a sandwich, so I managed to eat in the kitchen with no worries. Watched my second film since surgery ‘Elizabeth’ which was okay, but I just couldn’t get into it. I guess I just want some company as I can’t wait until hubbie gets home :( I’m having a bit of a down moment because I haven’t seen anyone other than my hubbie since Tuesday. I really need to get back to civilization and soon.
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Sunday 17th October - Civilization beckons!
Blimey I was a miserable moo yesterday wasn’t I?
A much better night sleep last night. I’m still waking around 1.30 and 4.30 in the morning regardless, but it appears my body has adapted to this broken pattern. I woke up last night on my side which considering I didn’t ditch my brace as I originally intended to do I was really chuffed about.
I told hubbie when he got in last night about not seeing anyone for days, so we’ve agreed to bundle me in the back of the car later and visit Pets at Home. I’m also getting a bath this afternoon too. Having a wash down every day whilst he’s at work because time is short in the mornings is okay, but it doesn’t beat a proper wash!
I’m also in much better spirits today probably because I’ve got things planned.
Pets at Home was great (and I never really thought I’d say that either). I got to see people; I mean REAL people and not just ones on the TV screen. Woo Hoo! Today has been really great highs compared to yesterday. I’ve had a massive hug from hubbie and another bath. Getting in and out of the bath was so much easy than last week and I couldn’t believe just how dead skin I scrubbed off, especially after doing the same last week too!
I’ve managed to sit at a table for all three meals today which was a real improvement as since surgery I’ve either been lying in a bed or lying on the sofa. It’s a big step forward for me and tomorrow I start back at work. I’m working from home for the week, but only 4 days. I’ll see how the week goes before deciding what I’ll do the week after that.
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Monday 18th October - Back to work
I slept a lot more on my side last night, so hopefully it’ll be a lot easier when I lose the brace at nights too. Mornings have become a far more efficient machine now and we’re getting into a routine (which may be thrown into chaos next week if I decide to try for an office visit!).
Work is busy playing catch-up, but I’ll get there. I’m still making time to get my exercises done which is important. I can see my diary taking a bit of a back seat from now on, but I’ll still try and update everyone at least weekly for a while.
A full day at work wore me out more than I expected and I was asleep on the sofa (sans brace!) when he got home. Managed to eat at the table (my temporary office) again which was good, so hopefully I’ve taken one more step back to normality. For some reason this evening, we also decided to measure my scar too. I always presumed it would be 4 inches, but it is a chunk smaller. It’s only 8cm (just over 3 inches). About half the scabs have fallen off now, and it’s looking good.
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Tuesday 19th October - Physio session 4
I’ve a day off work today to use up my holiday before the end of the year. I’ve physio this afternoon and mummy is coming over today as well to be chauffeur. She ended up being housemaid to cleaning the bathroom and kitchen which was fantastic. Physio went really well. I got forced to lie on my front today but managed a ROM of 110 with it. Flexing on my front I have ROM of 90 which was what I need for when I see Prof Briggs in just over 1 week. As far as flexing goes, I’m slightly ahead of schedule, but my muscles are still quite weak. My aim for next physio session is an SLR completely unassisted! I’ve met every challenge my physio has thrown at me so far, but this is going to be my toughest yet.
On a downside, I found out today that I’m not getting hydro therapy until I’m weight bearing just in case I lose my balance or slip. It’s just to safeguard the graft, but it’s a little disappointing none the less.
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Double update today
Wednesday 20th October - Day 26
A busy day at the ‘office’ today, but I made the mistake of putting my leg up on one of the dining room chairs. Getting up was not the problem, but getting the leg back down was. A few twinges followed and it remained sore all evening. On the plus side, I only had 1 Tramadol today.
Thursday 21st October
Slept okay considering how much I ached yesterday evening, but this morning it has all but settled back down. It’s now just toes and heels that are sore. This morning it was a little bit noisy next door and outside. It didn’t bother me last week, but then I wasn’t working. I ended up being picked up and taken into the office in the afternoon. I got to catch up with people I hadn’t seen for five weeks, so it was good socially as well.
Drugs wise, for the past two days I’ve had a full daily dose of diclofenac sodium, 6 paracetamol and 1 Tramadol. Pain wise, it’s starting to feel good again.
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Double update again
Friday 22nd October - Red Foot Day
My toes are still sore this morning, so off came the DVT prevention sock to reveal a red, hot and swollen foot and toes. Going back to working this week, I’ve been sat with both legs down for a large chunk of the day . . . so hubbie has now sorted out a box for me to rest on which elevates my leg by about a foot, and I’ll try and take more breaks. Naughty me.
However, work is now starting to pile on jobs for me whilst I’m working at home. It’ll make me busier and I fear I won’t get the time to get exercises done during the day.
I managed to cook most of dinner tonight which meant that hubbie didn’t have to do that much and could enjoy his Friday night wine. I can’t wait to get off the Tramadol so that I can join him again. I only had one again today, so I don’t think it will be too long. Cooking was a big bonus of my day, but it was also the first day I decided to sleep without my brace on.
Saturday 23rd October - 4 weeks and a day
I slept pretty well considering I didn’t have my brace on, and it’s given me a big uplift. My foot is also a lot better today. It’s still red and warm, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. Lesson learned - I must elevate more!
We had a family birthday party today, which meant a bundle in the back of the car and lots of kiddies running around - brace time. I lasted surprisingly well considering what my foot was like yesterday. I was doing okay as I had my foot elevated most of the day and I managed to get all my exercises done.
I was having such a good day I was looking forward to not only sleeping without my brace but not having to take any Tramadol either. However, once I got upstairs to bed it just ached so much I gave in.
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Sunday 24th October - Big Sleep
Other than my usual waking at 1.30 and 4.30, I woke at 7, then after 9. Considering I went to bed just after 10 last night, that was a real big sleep. I guess I just don’t have my party feet on yet!
I’ve been really pushing my exercises today as I need to be able to do a straight leg raise by next Tuesday when I see the physio again. Today I managed my first one! Okay my quad quivers like there’s no tomorrow, but I’ve managed it and things can only get better.
Monday 25th October
I had a rough night last night waking every 3 hours as normal. I wish I could get into a longer routine, but my body just doesn’t want to. Whenever I woke up my knee ached, so I did a few flexes before settling back down. I’m reluctant to put the brace back on at night and this was my third night in a row without it, and the last thing I want to do is increase the pain relief either. I was hoping to cut out the Tramadol and just stick to paracetamol, but knee has other plans at the moment.
Managed all my exercises today and the straight leg raises are coming along nicely. My plan tonight is to go without the Tramadol, so I’ve upped the paracetamol to its max and we’ll give it a go.
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Tuesday 26th October - Physio session 5
Sleeping without Tramadol didn’t quite go to plan, and not only did I toss and turn, my knee ached so much this morning, so I gave in when I woke up this morning. I’ve got my last physio session before I see Prof Briggs tomorrow evening.
I got worked really hard at physio and managed a whole heap of exercises. I’ve been given some slightly more advanced ones and we’ll see what Prof Briggs says tomorrow night before moving on to the next stage.
Wednesday 27th October - Post surgery Check-up
Work, work, work, work, work. That’s pretty much been my day. I’ve had meetings galore, which enable me to sit with my leg up and do all my exercises. My SLR’s are coming along well now, which will help when I can start weight-bearing.
Got stuck on the M25 getting to Watford this evening to see Prof Briggs. We managed to get there with about 4 minutes to spare only to be told ‘he’s not here yet’. . . Anyway, once he arrived, he whizzed through the backlog and soon I was hopping in to see him. He’s well pleased with the scar and I even managed to get ROM of 120! He had a go about me turning up with my brace in hand (I’m only using it to travel and in public now), and said I shouldn’t need it at all now.
Travelled home that night without it and it ached all evening . . . Maybe I need to wean myself off of it for travelling rather than going cold turkey!
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Thursday 28th October
Second day in a row back in the office. I’m looking to up my days to a full week as of Monday with the aim of being full time back in the office in 3 weeks (8 weeks post op). I’ve got one week until I start PWB, and boy I can’t wait!
Friday 29th October - 5 weeks post surgery
I’m 5 weeks down the line today, so time for a bit of an update on how things are going. So far, I’d have to say I’m glad I’ve had it done. Who knows what I’ll feel like when I start weight bearing next week!
Pain wise, I’m currently on 150mg diclofenac (50mg x 3), 3000mg paracetamol (1000mg x 3), 50mg Tramadol (50mg x 1) each day. Tonight I’m going to try cutting out the Tramadol again and replacing with a dose of paracetamol. I first did this earlier in the week, but felt terrible the day after.
I’ve only had a fixed brace which I was given in hospital and kept on for the first 10 days solid, which I started to wean myself off of after week 3. I started at removal for exercises, then a few hours a day, then all day. I started sleeping on my side with it at some point between weeks 3 and 4, then at week 4 lost it at night completely. It’s now only used for public appearances and travelling. My next step is to wean myself of it whilst travelling, then in public.
I only ice once a day unless my knee is having a bad day, then I ice where it’s practicable, otherwise it’s ice gel (Biofreeze). It’s a bit like Deep Heat, but goes cold instead and still hasn’t gone over the scar. The knee is still swollen and if I press my fingers into the knee next to the scar slightly I get dimples, but it does stay elevated most of the time (either sat on the sofa with both legs up, or at my desk with a box and cushion underneath).
I massage the scar tissue twice daily in small circles over the scar, but not down the sides. This is upon my physio’s advice as we don’t know the state of the tissue underneath the scar, and don’t want to risk it breaking up (although by now it’s probably going to be okay!).
I can’t hop far without getting out of breathe (and I was pretty fit before my knee went last December), but I can do a 2-point turn on my sticks! I can stand still for a couple of minutes before the non-operated leg starts to ache.
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Saturday 30th October
I managed last night without Tramadol, getting through with just paracetamol this time. I’ll forgive the weird dreams, the broken sleep and feeling down this morning. It’s just withdrawal symptoms, and they’ll soon go. My knee doesn’t have the deep ache it did last time I tried going without Tramadol which shows how much difference a few days can make.
Sunday 31st October
Second night in a row without Tramadol last night. The weird dreams are subsiding, I’m getting more sleep and I feel fine today. Fingers crossed, this is now a turning point to getting off Tramadol. I still have a few just in case for when I start PWB later this week, so we’ll see how it goes.
Bundled in the car this afternoon with brace over to my best friend. They were going to throw their dog out in the garden as he’s normally quite a bundle of energy (and an over sized German Shepherd). However he was an absolute star and I was more than comfortable without the brace on around him. Travelling is becoming awkward sat in the back seat as it’s making me travel-sick over 20 miles. I can’t wait to get back in the front seat of a car!
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Monday 1st November
Back to an office today. I’ve managed another night with Tramadol and I’m starting to feel really tired and down in the evenings. Today was no exception. I am however, finding my exercises easier and have started massaging my right foot in anticipation of having some weight pushed through it on Thursday evening - boy does that hurt! I wish I’d done it sooner and I’m not putting that much pressure on it either.
Tuesday 2nd November
I had a really rubbish night’s sleep last night. I lost track of the times I woke up, thought I’d woken up but was still dreaming and basically couldn’t get comfy. I even went back to sleeping with my teddy bear which I haven’t had for a few weeks now. My dreams are completely wacked out, stupid or scare me and I was only on Tramadol for five weeks! I really can’t wait for the withdrawal symptoms to disappear. From what I’ve read it’s a least a week, so we’ll just have to see how it goes.
Wednesday 3rd November
Still having really manic nights, but hopefully it will settle soon. Today’s only news is that I pushed my exercises last night too far . . .d’oh!
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Thursday 4th November - PWB Begins!
I must admit there’s a lot of nervous anticipation about tonight’s physio session. Part of me is really looking forward to being able to not hop everywhere and part of thinks it’s going to hurt. . . .
PWB is the weirdest thing going! After starting nervously with putting a trainer on for the first time in 6 weeks which felt really heavy at the end of my leg, I managed to do an SLR with ease. Queue sitting on the bed with my feet down and a few simple exercises and I’m off on my crutches learning to walk again. Heel, toe, heel, toe, heel, toe. Apparently I have good technique, but I’m concentrating like mad! I’ll get there without thinking soon. I’ve climbed stairs one at a time now without hopping and it feels really good.
With every step I make I get a sensation of pins and needles in my foot which instantly disappears the moment the weight comes off. The best bit for me was no real pain in the knee at all. For the sensation in the foot (even though I’ve been massaging my foot every day for the past week), I can start to feel a little happier about myself and my knee now.
It’s been nearly a week without Tramadol now, and I am so looking forward to alcohol tomorrow night!
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Friday 5th November - 6 weeks post op
Rang the hospital this morning to check about surgical stockings as I’m still wearing two! They’ve said I don’t need them anymore, so it’s off to find where my socks have been hiding for the past 6 weeks. It’s going to be strange without them, but it’s one more step to some degree of normality (whatever that is going to be for me now).
I’ve been off Tramadol for a week now, and the withdrawal symptoms have almost gone. I’m sleeping so much better now as well. I’ve started to cut back on the Diclofenac Sodium to 100mg (2 x 50mg) a day, but still 4000mg of paracetamol (except for when I forget a dose!) I know I still need the maximum because m knee has a really deep ache that evening and the following morning.
I actually sat in the front of the car after physio last night. It felt so strange after getting used to the back seat. It’s only a 10 minute journey home from the hospital, but my red scar had turned purple in that time, so it was dinner on the sofa and ice on the knee. It’s never great having a techni-colour leg.
Saturday 6th November
I was sat in bed doing my first set of exercises of the day, but something in the knee went ping. I got a bit worried, but upon looking at the scar, part of the last big scab was missing. I must try not to miss any tablets today though, I’m getting really forgetful and this week I’ve missed a dose of pain relief at least twice. By the time I’d walked to the bathroom this morning, my legs were two different colours! It’s strange not having stockings on anymore, but I’m glad to be without them. The one thing I have noticed (and it’s one mainly for the ladies), is not to shave when you’re wearing stockings. It may be unsightly, but I’ve had so many ingrown hairs where they’ve had nowhere to go because of the tightness of the stockings it’s unbelievable. Looking back, the new scar on my knee is a big change to how my leg looks, and shaving could have easily waited (even though I looked like a yeti!) .
Sunday 7th November
I missed my third dose of pain relief yet again yesterday and I’m regretting it today. My knee really aches, so today it’s time to cut back on exercises and elevate (and not miss any pain relief). Getting in and out of the bath was much easier this time, so next week we’re going to fill the bath up before I get in to see if I can cope. All of the little puncture scabs from the clips have gone now and I just have one big chunk of scab left now, but it doesn’t seem quite ready to come off.
Unfortunately that all changed early evening as I had a sharp pain along the scar which made my leg jump and my jogging bottoms somehow managed to rip it off. It was quite a deep scab (so what remained bled) and now what’s left aches and feels uncomfortable. I can only see how it goes now.
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Monday 8th November / Tuesday 9th November
I’ve been having real problems with blood pooling in my foot these past few days. It’s fine when I’m elevating it and asleep, but if I let the leg drop when sitting or wake in the night, my foot swells, gets hot and purple. The moment I start flexing the ankle, it alleviates, so I know something is wrong. It looks like my veins aren’t working the way they should be and it’s only since I’ve taken the stockings off that I’ve noticed. Hopefully they’ve just become lazy, but I’ve ended up wearing a stocking to get back to sleep at night now. I have physio on Thursday, but I don’t know if it’s too long to wait or whether I should make a GPs appointment now.
Update: I ended up putting my tubi back on Tuesday afternoon, and hey presto - less purple foot! It’s only mildly pink and hardly aches. Maybe going from stocking and tubi to nothing was just too much of a shock to the leg. Hopefully I can wean myself off the tubi over the next week or so when I’m more mobile and everything will be okay.
Wednesday 10th November
I’ve left the tubi on for the past 24 hours and my leg is now much happier. It’s slightly pinker if I leave it down for too long, but on the whole it’s less hot and swollen. Maybe I didn’t learn from last time. I’m still doing ankle flexion exercises when it’s down which will help the veins do what they’re meant to do. I’ve got physio tomorrow and I’m supposed to be down to one crutch. Unfortunately this is one challenge I’m not going to meet, but I’ll try for next week (week 8) and go from there.
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Thursday 11th November
I managed to stand for the two minute silence today which I was impressed with. I’ve tried more exercises at physio and have tried walking with just one stick. Apparently the mechanics are all there, I just lack confidence (plus it aches after about 5 minutes).
Friday 12th November - Week 7
I travelled to and from work today completely without my brace on. Hopefully, that’s the last I’ll see of it now before it gets put away in the cupboard. It’s only taken two weeks since Prof Briggs said I didn’t need it anymore to be able to ditch it completely. I still haven’t really been out in public since surgery, but I feel confident enough to not wear it if I go out. This evening I tried going down to one stick and it feels okay. The strength is coming back slowly to my quads (yippee).
This week I’ve dropped the paracetamol down to 3000mg a day and see how it goes.
Week 7 update
My crutch slipped off the bottom step on Saturday and I slammed my operation leg straight down. Big, big pain, but after flexing it for about 5 minutes and icing it has started to settle back down. It still feels good to walk on, so I’m hopeful of no damage done. I stayed on two crutches for the day, but straight back down to one the following day. It’s definitely getting easier to walk now, so fingers crossed, I’ll be down to a stick very soon, and then completely free within the next two weeks!
The weather has played havoc this week and being damp and cold hasn’t really helped, but then that’s autumn for you!
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Week 8 update
I’m down to just a walking stick now and can quite happily wander a few wobbly paces around the house. Pills wise, I’ve now started taking paracetamol as and when and am down to 2000mg a day and 50mg diclofenac sodium.
The strength in my quad is coming along a treat and I’ve now been allowed on the exercise bike for 10 minutes a day with no resistance.
I’m still doing plenty of exercises a day, and have started travelling short distances in the front of the car which means that I now don’t have to lay across the back seat so much (woo hoo!).
I’m also well on target to ditch all forms of stick by Christmas, and probably even by the end of November which is even better.
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Week 9 update
The start of week 9 is when the stick got ditched and I only go out on crutches to walk distance (like into town to do the Christmas shopping). It’s great being able to carry things again and not relying on a waiter (aka hubbie). I now only walk with a wobble when my knee gets tired, but it seems I can potter around for a bit more now.
Week 9 also saw the end of diclofenac for the first time in 51 weeks. Hopefully paracetamol won’t be too far behind, but I still ache and get twinges, so it may still be a while.
I’m still cycling 10 minutes a day on no resistance as my knee aches after 8 minutes still. If I slow down, I don’t ache, but I don’t feel like I’ve done anything either. Exercises are coming on gradually and moving to more advanced levels, but I still can’t sit on the bed and straighten my leg out because my quads aren’t strong enough.
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Week 10 mid week update
Week 10 sees a visit back to Prof Briggs mid week. Hopefully he’ll be happy with my progress tomorrow. I’m still wearing a tubi almost full time, but I have a posh works do on 7th January and I want to wear a dress so I need to start getting used to life without it! I want to wear heels too, so I hope I’m not setting my hopes too high!
I had to cancel physio this week because of the snow, so now that it’s gone, it’ll be all systems go again. My knee does not like the snow and I’ve slipped a couple of times and kept everything crossed, but the strong twinges settle quickly, so hopefully all is still okay.
I’ve been getting a rising number of electrical shock pains along the scar in the past two weeks. The only good side to them seems to be that I have a smaller numb spot on my knee. Something to talk to Prof Briggs over. . .
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Week 10 update
Saw Prof Briggs and he’s pretty happy with my movement (up to about 95% now) and pain levels, so next visit is 3 months away!
Weeks 11-12
I’ve dropped the pain relief right down to nothing now, and only take a couple of paracetamol when I need to which is fantastic. I’m a much happier bunny now and hubbie gets to see it to, so he’s getting some relief from all the chores.
Weeks 13-14
I dropped the tubi at the start of week 13 and my leg felt a little wobbly and unprotected for the first couple of days, but after that I’ve not looked back. It’s only gone on for trips into town which have been few and far between, but I’m getting there. Physio is coming along well, but I’m still not driving or climbing up stairs properly :( - I’ll get there one day!
The cycling is improving slowly and I now have some resistance for the whole time I’m cycling. I’m walking without sticks or crutches now and only use a walking stick for distance. I’ve managed to walk a grand distance of just over half a mile with a stick, and I’m looking to increase that slowly, then drop the stick completely over the next few months.
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Week 15
First week of the New Year and I’m recovering from flu, so I’ve not done much exercises which has hurt my progress. We had our annual Office meeting and ended off down the nightclub afterwards. I didn’t do any dancing, but being on your feet most of the day is not great for a weakened leg.
Weeks 16-18
I’ve had tonsillitis this week - really not doing well here. On the plus side, I’ve managed to walk up stairs properly for the first time in over 13 months!
Being able to walk upstairs normally (ish) has made a real difference to the progress I’m making now. I am able to walk a lot further without a walking stick now (about 1/3 mile) and it’s getting a little bit more each time I go out.
I sat in the car for the first time in over 13 months too at the weekend and tried a few stamps on the brake. It only hurts a little and the pain doesn’t last, so hopefully I’ll be able to start driving in the next couple of weeks. I dread to think what my driving awareness and hazard perception is like!
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Week 19
OMG! I drove! I only managed 10 minutes, but it’s more than I’ve done in over a year. When I got out of the car, my leg just completely gave way, but a few small paces, and it was okay again. It just aches like it does when I do a lot of exercises.
Week 20
I’ve driven twice this week, and I’m now up to 5 miles in the car (that does sound really bad doesn’t it?). I’m slowly building it up, so I’m sure it’ll be okay soon. Exercises are coming along really well too now. I’ve started doing squats and calf rises this week with the physio and they’ll really help with the driving and walking. I can now walk ½ mile without a stick now and at last my speed is getting up to somewhere near where it used to be. I don’t feel like I’m being overtaken my old folk anymore which makes me happy.
Week 21
Really big update for me this week. My physio has decided that I’m doing so well, I’m now being moved to once every other week. Fingers crossed, it’ll be gym work soon.
Week 23
I’m driving every Friday now, and I’m up to just over 20 miles over the course of the day (to and from work). I still can’t drive all the way (it’s an 80 mile round trip), but I’m getting there. Exercises have stalled slightly and it turns out to be the level of scar tissue, so a quick blast of ultrasound and some deep massaging lies ahead of me. . . (and it’s painful!)
Week 24
The extra massaging is causing the nerve regeneration to go into overdrive! I suppose it’s a good thing, but boy is it distracting. At least the bonus is that the scar tissue is clearly starting to break down and go a little bit squidgier.
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Week 25
Had my last physio session at the hospital this week - I’m now progressing to Gym physio. It’ll be hard work all over again, but I know it’s going to be worth it. Saw Prof Briggs for my 6 month check-up on Wednesday and passed with flying colours. I have full range of movement (but I swear it’s still about 98 %!). I have no tenderness along the scar, and the added bonus is that I’ve only had 2 paracetamol since January.
I’m up to walking a mile unaided now, and I’ve been told to ‘get on my bike’ - Cheers Briggs! Seriously though, now that the weather is improving, I’m going to be getting on the exercise bike every day to build up the conditioning that I need to head out doors. My bike may be overdue a service though (but must not make excuses!).
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Hi Skittle
Thanks for posting such a helpful post op diary. I am about to embark on stage 2 of MACI/ACI and it's very reassuring to know that you are doing so well at the 6 month stage. I hope you continue to progress and wish you all the best for the cycling!
Catsmum
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Hi catsmum,
Sorry it's been a while since I've been on here. I'm glad you've found this useful. When I started out writing, I didn't want it to be a 'pretty-pretty' blog, because this type of surgery just isn't like that. It's hard work, darn painful and stressful, but I'm at 34 weeks today, and I can safely say it's been worth it.
Keep positive!
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Week 34
It’s been a while since I’ve updated everything on here, so a quick update on how things have been going in the past 9 weeks. I have a new physio now who has completely shaken up my routine which is has made my progress come on leaps and bounds and I’m now starting to get some muscle definition back to my quads. We’ve been working on balance and core muscles for over a month now and it’s really starting to show.
My walking has come on leaps and bounds and I can now easily walk over a mile a day, I’m cycling for 30 minutes a time (once or twice a week because I’m lazy) and I’ve finally convinced my hubbie to take me swimming once a week now too.
We first went swimming last week and from what I’d read from other blogs I was expecting a fair bit of nerve regeneration pain in the pool, which made me quite nervous. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this didn’t happen. I was chuffed that I thought I’d got away with it, but on the way home I had the biggest shoot of pain I’d had for a long time - thankfully I wasn’t driving! I’ve had a few spikes since, but nothing as strong as that one.
I’ve still got two numb patches next to the scar line, but they are now smaller and I know that with every bit of pain I get, it will get smaller. I doubt it will completely go, but I can walk and I’m not in masses of pain every day, so it’s a small price to pay for being able to live a relatively normal life again.
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8 1/2 months down the line and a quick update . . .
I'm off on my first holiday in two years! Dead excited though so I just thought I'd share it with you all. I've packed a knee support which I really hope is going along for the ride along with walking poles and a pack of paracetamol. Can't see anything else should be needed.
yippee! 8)
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Back from my hols!
Another quick update - just got back from Tenby, weather was great all week, just a tad on the windy side! My knee doesn’t do high winds but I guess that’s just down to the lack of overall strength still in my leg. I’ve been walking over 5 miles a day and swimming every evening as well. The one thing I have noticed from swimming is that my scar itches afterwards and I get a lot more knee regeneration spikes in the few hours after getting out of the pool.
The good news though was that the knee supports went along for the ride and I only needed 1 paracetamol all week - I’m so chuffed with that, but back to the grind of work tomorrow.
I’m coming up on 9 months post op soon, so I’ll give an overall update of how I think things are going shortly.
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Week 52!
Yeah – got to a whole year down the line. Sorry for the lack of update at 9 months, things have been a little crazy at home, but I’ve gradually been getting more and more done at physio and am down to a session every 3-4 weeks. My swimming is coming on a treat and I’m now up to a mile a time (it takes about 50 minutes, so not quite back to my old speed just yet). The swimming has helped with the nerve regeneration as well, and my numb spots are gradually getting smaller, although I know they’ll never completely go.
My knee now copes with high wind but my leg is still a bit smaller than the other. I’m walking a lot more and over more difficult terrain (i.e. not flat!) and stairs are a doddle, even when I visit castles. My cycling is coming along nicely although I’ll never be a high standard.
I’ve also found that I now hate the sensation I get kneeling down and find it really hard to want to put weight on my right knee, but I try it every week in the hope that I’ll get more used to it.
I still get twinges across my knee and it occasionally locks, but it’s usually a sign that I’m about to overdo things so I’ll stop (and get bored doing next to nothing for the rest of the day).
I have my 1 year check-up with Prof Briggs tomorrow evening, so we’ll see what he has to say.
Update
Well I’ve seen Prof Briggs now and he’s really pleased with my scar and movement. I’ve still got a bit of pain deep in the knee, but other than that, I’ve been given free rein to do pretty much what I want and go back in 12 months’ time.
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Another update . . .
'Free rein to do what I want' - That clearly went down well - We're expecting twins at the start of August! :o
I've had a few niggly pains around my knee and right hip, but my physio has given me some simple excercies and now they don't hurt again. I'll see how I get on over the next 5 or so months, but so far, the knee is holding up with two little ones on board. ;D
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The twins arrived 7 1/2 weeks early in the end (they're 9 weeks old today). My knee coped incredibly well during pregnancy with the added weight, but I've had to start exercises again almost from scratch since they were born. It's a lot better now, but still locks out occasionally although I have the added bonus that I can kneel without too much discomfort. Not sure when that happened, but I'm not complaining!
Got my 2 year checkup at the end of September, so hopefully I'll be back to pre-pregnancy progress by then with 2 little identical girls to go with it.
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Hi Skittle.
I'd love to know how much sports you are able to do now, as opposed to before.
I am waiting for a patella MACI+TTT also, my reason is I am not able to do any sports (recreational biking would be enough for me, just want to get my pulse up) or walking for more than about 2km at a time.
Sune
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Had my three year post op check-up this week and passed with flying colours.
We took our girls (now 15 months old) to meet Prof Briggs and he was amazed how busy I have been. I do a lot of crawling and walking with them now and as they get older, I should be able to increase this. I've not been swimming in a LONG time, but hopefully I'll have the energy to get to the pool one day. . . Twins are quite hard continual work!
As for my knee, it occasionally locks or feels like it catches on something, but it is usually a sign that I need to do some exercises. A few days later and its business as usual again. I do worry about getting another hole in my cartilage and having to go through the whole process again, but fingers crossed it seems to be going well!
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Had my 4 year post op check this month.
I can crawl like I used to and now that our girls are both walking we get out as much as possible with them.
I've still not been swimming, although we are considering taking the girls soon. I've had some issues with my SI joint due to complications from child birth which have led to a few niggles in the knee, but on the whole it's doing really well. It's a little tender in the joint, but there's no fluid build-up, so hopefully it will settle. It's always in the back of my mind that I'm wearing out another hole in the cartilage, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Prof Briggs is happy with the knee which is a good thing and my next check-up is in a years time.
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Well, I've just sailed through my 5 year check-up!
I ended up having a steroid injection in my right SI joint a year ago and it's caused no problems with my knee since.
I occasionally get a build up of scar tissue around one of the keyhole scars, but a good massage over a few days and it's as good as normal again.
The good thing is my knee is still stable and long may it continue!
Back off to Prof Briggs again this time next year :)
One happy mamma, I can't imagine what life would be like if I hadn't had this done.
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I thought I'd just pop back on and give everyone an update! I'm now heading to 10 years post-op, and doing great!
I can run, walk, swim and crawl which I never thought would be possible 10 years ago. I still have the occasional twinge which makes me doubt myself, but generally, it's all doing so well. Last Summer I had my second steroid injection in my right SI joint which took a while to settle, but is all good now too (the next one is already scheduled for 3-4 years time!).
I've never been in any doubt whether going through all of this was worth it, and now I'm on the sunny side and proud of the story that all my scars tell.