MACI following failed microfracture (UK)

[skittle]

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.

[skittle]

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.

[skittle]

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.

[skittle]

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.

[skittle]

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!

[skittle]

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 . . .

[Snowy]

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.