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.

"New Knee for Me" take two 7-12-2018

For some reason I quit writing about my knee and everything that I was doing since it had been replaced.  I do know that I haven't regretted it one bit.  And now here it is July 2018.  It's almost my 4 year anniversary since I had my first knee replacement.   That's right I said my first replacement cause in just over a month I'm having my right knee replaced.  This knee has been giving me trouble probably for about 2 years. I've had several cortisone shots, gel shots, an arthroscopic surgery and lastly and I've been wearing a knee brace for the last 10 months. 

So basically it's time.  I went today to get my final MRI which will be used to make my joint.  Getting the MRI is a huge stressor for me.  I'm a little claustrophobic and I just hate getting it done. I thought I remembered  from my last replacement that the MRI took close to an hour. So for today I was worried about it, I got a Valium from the doctor and went in.  I honestly felt relaxed, so I guess the Valium worked, but also I told the tech I was freaked a bit and he talked to me the whole time and the best thing was it literally was only like 15 minutes.  What a relief.  So now that's out of the way.  I have an appointment to get a few other pre surgery tests and blood work done and then surgery will be August 15th.  So "New Knee for Me" take two is coming soon.  

120 Steps 9-19-2014

I went to visit Janet in New York since I was off work doing rehab for my knee. This was one of my rehab projects a couple times a day.  This staircase was the way to get to Janet's school so I would walk her to work, walk back to her apt and then go back and meet up with her when she got off work and again walk home.  It was a great workout and not very easy but definitely got a very accomplished feeling each time I went up and down.