August 29, 2018 Scolding

Man am I sore today.  I slept horribly last night.  Tossing and turning and just awake.  I finally got up out of bed around 2:30 and put myself on my CPM machine hoping it would relax me enough to sleep.  Did if for about an hour and then back to bed and then finally fell asleep.  I took a muscle relaxer before bed but no pain meds.  I wanted to see if the relaxer would do the trick.  When I got out of bed I said I should have taken the pain meds.  I actually even felt kind of yucky and was debating whether or not to cancel PT.  I didn’t, I knew it was what I needed so I showered had some breakfast and went.  Since I got cleared to drive and Kev is camping I drove myself.  I did think twice about it for a little but once I ate I was feeling a little better.
When I got to PT I started like I normally do which is with my leg elevated and a huge heating pad.  Once I’ve been heated for about 15 mind Austin came over and started my massage.  I get this great 15-20 massage to start my session and it hurts so bad it’s good.  But today was bad.  I actually waved him off when he first came over and put some pressure on my knee and pad, and he’s like what?  And I told him I’m hurting so bad today.  I hurt all over.  Well to tell Austin you’re hurting means he has to work the hurt out.  It got a little better once my massage was done and I did my workout but not before I got a scolding.  He asked what was up, why was I so sore, what did I do yesterday?  I told him I went to the gym and rode the bike.  And then after the bike I did leg presses, balancing , high knees and side steps in the treadmill and then walked.  As he throws his arms up in the air he says do you think maybe you’re doing too much?  Cause you are.  He said I told you to ride the bike but don’t go do a full workout of everything you do here, that’s way too much.  And hello it’s been two weeks since surgery.
Part of it is in my head cause last surgery I had home health PT and didn’t actually go to the PT office til I was almost 3 weeks out.  And the home health was awesome but mo where near the intensity it is at the office.  So in  my mind I keep thinking that I should  be doing more cause I was doing more at the office by the time I had 5 visits.  But it’s a total of 5 visits last time I had had 6 visits at home first.  Anyways, I’m sore cause I’m doing too much.  So here I am right now.

Once I get off here will be more icing and tonight when I go to bed some pain meds.   

Speaking of the guy who hurts me, Austin just text me to see how I was feeling and told me to make sure I rest tomorrow.  I have PT again on Friday.  

August 27, 2018 Surgery Follow Up Appointment

Today was my 2 week post op appointment.  I know tomorrow is actually 2 weeks but my doctor does surgery on Tuesdays, like mine 2 weeks ago.  So when I got there I had an X-ray and then the Dr came in.  He checked out my knee as far as when it’s straight and bending.  It is still pretty swollen so even with that he said it looks great.  I’ve got great straightening and as far as my bend he said that’s as far as he’s expect me to be able to go whether it was 2 weeks out or longer.  I was at 120* which he said is awesome!!! He was like, you’re only two weeks out?  You’re doing great.  That was pretty exciting.  So we talked about the swelling which will take a while to go down.  He asked about my pain.  Cause I really was having so much even last week but it has gotten so much better.  I told him I really only take pain meds at night and that’s cause I get these muscle spasms.  He said that was normal and could last even another couple months.  I take the pain meds cause it’s the only thing that gets my knee to settle down.  And depending on how sore I am after PT I might take them then.  But overall I’m barely taking them.  Which is funny cause I had such a hard time getting them.  The Dr did give me some muscle relaxers to take at night to see if that helps with the spasms.  I have to wait one more week before I can swim, I’m ok to drive and I shouldn’t take a walk longer then 3 miles.  When he said that I was like I wish I could go walk 3 miles right now, but I know it’ll come.
After my Dr appointment I went to PT.  Had another good session.  Each time I go Austin adds new stuff to my workout.  So far it’s all stuff I can do, not easily but doable.  At this point I decided I’m not going to go to the gym here on days I have PT.  And I’m saying that for maybe this week. I’m beat when I get done, and it’s not like I would do a whole workout but I would do more biking or walking.  I’ll see I guess how these next few days go.
I did just spend a couple hours on my CPM machine which always feels good.  I’ve got great range in it so I’m sure it’s just helping me get more and more bendable.

August 26, 2018 Sleeping in my Own Bed

The reason that I had taken up residency in Alicia’s room (old room lol) is that our bed is so high that I couldn’t get in it.  It’s funny I can only get in one way and on my side, but that includes throwing my right leg up and over and then I roll the rest of my body up and in.  Well there’s no way I could do that so Alicia’s bed was the solution.  Until last night.  Kev had slept the last couple of nights in our room and I stayed in Alicia’s.  So yesterday just kind of trying to see if I could or not I tried getting in our bed, and I could do it.  Kev was all happy.  He was like yay you’re coming back to sleep with me.   So I did.  And all went great.  I even got up to pee without a problem and was able to get back up.  I think that’s a pretty good sign too that it’s one more thing that I can do and more recovery is taking place.
Once I got up this morning  I was pretty stiff and sore and that’s really just from sleeping with my leg straight or bent and it gets stiff and tight.  I sat and did some icing cause that always seems to help.  After icing I drive the golf cart down to the gym and did a small workout.  Some time on the bike, leg presses and some high knee walking.  Nothing too strenuous but definitely work for me.  The good news is I already had some improvement on the bike.

Tomorrow is my two week checkup with the doctor and then after that I have a PT session.

August 25, 2018 These f*#%ing Socks

So I have compression socks that they put on at the hospital and told me to wear for the next two weeks.  I’ve had them on 24 hours a day.  I take them off when I shower but then they go back on.  But OMG they are a pain in the ass.  It drives me CRAZY when my toes stick out so I am constantly adjusting them.  And no matter how much extra sock I pull off the end so they aren’t near my toes it still happens.  Don’t ask me how but it does.

When I shower later, I’m not putting them back on.  I can’t take it anymore.  I would literally wake up at night and fix them cause I could feel my toe out.  No more.  

August 24, 2018 Bike at the Gym

To start I do feel like I may have slept a little better without Kev in the bed.  But....I think it’s due to a couple things.  For one the bed in Alicia’s room is smaller then ours so there isn’t as much room, then I wasn’t worried about bothering me and finally maybe I’ve reached the point where I am starting to sleep better.  Who knows but we each had a whole bed to ourselves.  lol
Austin said he wanted me to try and go to the gym and ride the bike on days I don’t have PT.  So today Kev took me to our gym here at the compound and I rode the bike for a little while.  A short while and slow.  Crazy how hard it seems to be but I know it’ll get easier and faster.

Initially I start out going backwards so I did that for about 2 minutes before I did the 10 minutes going forward.  Then I did 20 leg presses on the leg press machine.  I didn’t do any weight, I just wanted to get the bending and pushing in.  

Kev golfed today and after golfing and the bar he came home and said we were invited to the Dukes just to hang out.  So we walked over, sat around for a bit and then walked home.  So far that’s been my longest walk. And it’s not like it’s far, lol, but it was far for me.

August 23, 2018 PT Day

Since I got the ok to get more pain meds I had to go pick up the prescription.  Since it’s a narcotic they can’t call it in, which meant we had to drive to the Dr’s office to get it.  Since I had PT we just left early and went to get the prescription and then was going to drop me at PT.
It was a good work out.  I still feel a little frustrated cause I want to be doing more but know I can’t and probably shouldn’t.  I did the same things as Monday but added some high knee walking.  Everything I’m doing sounds so easy but right now it’s a struggle for me.  I know in the not too far future that things will be easier and I’ll be doing more so it’s all good.  For now Austin says I’m making great progress and to keep doing what I’m doing and even a little more if I feel up to it but don’t over do it.
Since it’s Thursday and Kev plays pickle and has final final Yvonne came over to hang out and we played Mexican Train.  I occasionally got up and walked and also did some icing but by the time we finished and I layed down my leg was hurting.  I think it was from sitting so long.  I tried to shift around and I even elevated my leg but note to self it’s not comfy to sit in a regular chair for a couple hours straight.
Funny thing.....I asked Kev to sleep in our bed tonight since he was out drinking.  I knew he’d be snoring a lot plus I feel like I’m all over the bed trying to somewhat get comfortable and I feel like I’m bothering him and keeping him up.  I’ll see if it makes any difference if he’s in bed with me or not.

August 21, 2018 It’s Been one Week

Oh boy!!!! A week ago today I had my surgery.  And boy what a week it’s been.  Depending on the day sometimes even the hour I’m feeling like I’m doing good, then I’m feeling like I’m not doing as good as I should be.  It’s such a struggle.  Today I woke up pretty sore and really swollen so right off the bat I put ice on the top and bottom of my knee.  We started doing that yesterday after they did it at PT like that.  I like it, I feel like it helps all over.
So aside from waking up sore I hadn’t taken a pain pill since midnight last night.  I’m getting low on them so I am putting off taking them so sure as shit it hit me around noon today.  I went to lay down and have Kev put me on my CPM and just started crying.  I’m hurting but trying to convince myself it doesn’t hurt and ugh....I’m a mess.  I took some meds and am feeling better but I really feel like this week I have been so emotional.  I did call to get a refill of my pills and the nurse was like, you’re out?  And you didn’t think to call sooner?  I felt like saying listen bitch just get me more pain meds.  She proceeded to tell me that no one was in the office and she’d call me tomorrow to let me know if they’ll let me have more and that I should be weaning off them blah blah blah.  Again....bitch just get me more pain meds.  I’m not just taking them to take them I’m trying to keep it from hurting so bad I can’t take it.  Whatever...more tears.

Since today was a week since my surgery I was allowed to take my bandage off.  Alicia and the babies were over so I had her do it.  

August 20, 2018 Day 6 Post-Op PT

Still having the same issues with sleeping and pain but I think it’s getting better.  I say I think cause I’m really not sure.  Kev has been putting me in my CPM machine around midnight and I sleep with it til around 4-4:30, and mostly it’s then cause I have to pee.  I feel bad I have to wake Kev to put me in it and then take me out but I can’t do it by myself yet and he keeps saying that’s why he’s in the same room with me and it’s no big deal.
Waited around  for my PT appointment today cause it was at 2:00.  We left the house at 1:00 and got there early but it worked out cause Austin just put me on heat early so by the time it was my appt time I was good to go.  He gave me a good 20 minute massage and really worked on everything from my toes to my thigh.  Deep tissue and it felt good and he was getting me all loosened up to do some heavy duty exercises.  We started with all kinds of bending and straightening and measurements.  So far he says I’m looking good, and even from my measurements on Friday there’s been improvement.  And Austin said as long as there’s improvement each appointment then I’m on track.  After that we did some walking up and back without my walking, there too I’m doing good.  After there I was shocked he put me on a bike.  I was like there’s no way I can peddle a bike.  So he said it’s all good we are just doing half moons, which is where I just push each peddle 1/2 way back and forth.  After 1-2 moons I did some backwards peddling still saying there’s no way I could peddle frontways.  Well, he had me try and I did it.  It was tough but I did it for like 5 minutes.  I was shocked, so was Kev cause he was sitting there watching.  After the bike I did some leg presses and then balancing, all stuff I did not think I would be doing so soon.  Man was I beat.  I felt totally accomplished but tired.  Once I iced and we were on our way out Kev says all that and no tears today.  It was pretty funny.  We got home and I iced some more, I was sure I was gonna be sore and tired tonight.  The Dukes came over with a yummy dinner and then I pretty much called it a night.

August 17, 2018 Day 3 Post-Op PT Appt

Last night was a little better then the night before but not much.  Kev stayed in Alicia’s room with me  so he would be there if I needed anything.  Of course it was easy for him to fall right to sleep lol but I’d end up helping me out.  I reached a point that I was hurting and couldn’t sleep so he put me in my CPM machine and that calmed my knee down and I was able to fall asleep.  I got a little frustrated cause I was hurting pretty bad and just wanted to sleep so there were some tears before I could doze off.
Once I got up Kev made me some breakfast and then pretty much we went to my PT appointment.  It was pretty much an evaluation with measurements to see where I was starting plus did a few exercises.  I almost said easy exercises, which in a few months they will be but right now they hurt like hell.  I worked with Scott today who was really nice but set up my future appointments with Austin who I worked with on my last knee rehab. Scott said I was off to a great start but for some reason these days I am super emotional and was crying while he was doing my massage.  I’m feeling frustrated already cause I can’t do much and it’s hurting so bad.  He reassured me it’s going good and that it’s also only been 3 days since my surgery.  While sitting there getting iced I still had the tears flowing again not sure why but they just keep coming.

Once we got home I was totally wiped out.  I wasn’t feeling good at all so I went and layed down right away.  Meredith came over to visit and we just hung out in the bedroom since I was wasn’t feeling good.  As the day went on I felt a little better but ended up falling asleep while Meredith was here so she left so I could rest.  Cheryl and Ron brought us enchilada soup for dinner which was yummy.  I pretty much got up to eat and then back to bed.

August 16, 2018 Day 2 Post-Op

Ugh!!! Had a huge meltdown last night.  My pain was up to like a 9 and I was so unhappy.  I still had an hour before I could get more meds.  The nurse came in and said he could go a 1/2 hour early but nothing earlier.  It’s weird cause I was feeling pretty good all day and then it went down hill later in the day and then thru the night it got so much worse.  So the worse pain was around 10 pm and I just couldn’t handle it.  I finally got my meds but not without a lot of tears.  I’m sure it was a mix of the pain and just all my emotions coming to a head.  I finally did get settled and did end up getting some sleep.  But throughout the day my pain was definitely on the higher side compared to yesterday.  The nurse and Dr said that it was because all the blocks and pain medicine I got for surgery was now wearing off.  But the talk was that I was going to go home.  I was worried about the pain and didn’t know if I wanted to go or not.  But as the day went on I figured it was gonna hurt whether I was at the hospital or at home.  The Dr came in and said I was good to go and he would see me in two weeks.  Then the PT came in and we went over some things that I need to keep doing at home plus with the walking and stuff I was doing I was in good shape to go home.  I also got a CPM machine delivered and sat on that for like 3 hours.  Then a guy came and delivered one for me to take home.  So it was set that I was going home.

The ride home wasn’t too bad, I still wasn’t feeling great but I knew it would eventually pass.  Once I got home I took a shower and relaxed in my own chair.  I only had some soup for dinner cause I was still not feeling great.  Once I had dinner I went to Alicia’s room where I was gonna be sleeping to lay down and get some more time in on my CPM. Overall I think the day went ok.  The pain was not horrible but I’m still feeling it a little more then I want.  I’m hoping tonight is better then last night.

August 15, 2018 Day 1 Post-Op

Had a rough night last night. Couldn’t get settled and just didn’t sleep well at all.  Then woke up this morning really early and super hungry.  By the time I got breakfast I was starting to feel sick cause it had been so long since I had eaten and been taking all kinds of meds.  Plus I was getting a headache.  Once I ate I was feeling pretty good.  Pain wasn’t too bad and then Alicia and the babies came and so did Kev.  It was a nice distraction having them here.

I did get up and walk with my PT and also did some other exercises.  And I was feeling good.  But around 4:00 after my second walk and workout the pain hit me.  I guess all my pain blockers they gave me for surgery were wearing off. Around 6:00 I got my CPM machine and started working on that.  I was hurting but it was time for my pain meds so they helped a little.  Been on the machine for almost 2 hours now, not sure how long I’ll stay on, I may even sleep in it.  I’m just hoping to keep the pain down tonight and get some sleep.
                                             

August 14, 2018 New Knee Day

Today is the day!!! Ive been waiting for a while and now the day has arrived.  Its funny cause when I was trying to figure out when to get it done I was on the fence if I should just wait a little longer, so glad I didn’t.  These past few weeks I’ve been hurting so much more then it has been.  Not sure if maybe my body knew it was happening or the fact that I haven’t been able to take any ibuprofen or anything for pain or its just actually reached its limit.  Regardless, it’s happening in the next couple of hours.  I’m sitting back in pre-op waiting for them to come prep me and take me in.  I’m ready but starting to get a little nervous.

They had this awesome blanket in the pre-op though, it was like a big bag and then they hooked it to a warmer and it blew warm air in it and just made it so cozy.

I was writing that when they all started coming in.  I got my IV started and the Dr came in to say we’re ready to go.  So then the nurse that will be in the OR came as well as the anesthesiologist and his tech.  As they called it I got a “cocktail” to relax me.  Then I got my spinal tap  done and I’m not sure what else.  I remember being in the surgery room and and when a few of them lifted me in to the table I said “you all just lifted 200lbs, you’re so strong.”  And that was it lol

Woke up in recovery and was in and out of it in there and then moved to my room.  Not feeling too good I was more or less trying to sleep off my anesthesia. Some ice chips and some chicken broth were helping to do the trick.

After a bit the PT guy came in and he had me do a few exercises in bed and then got me up for a short walk.  That was exhausting.