Quit a few of my FB friends have been asking why I haven’t been posting anything on my two knee replacements. So, I decided to sit down and recap. On May 21, 2013 I had two knee replacements. You might be thinking why 2 at the same time? My family doctor and orthopedic decided this was the way to go because I have my husband at home who has COPD and is on oxygen 24/7. The doctors said my one knee was going to have to be replace down the road, but knowing that my husband’s condition is only going to progress, they decided to do 2 knee because I might not be able to get away to have this one done as I wouldn’t be able to leave my husband. I have good neighbors and friends who looked after him while I was gone. I was able to get out of bed the first day and take a few steps with a walker. I was in the hospital for 3 days, and on May 24th I went into rehab. I had a private room, which I was promised when I checked on this rehab facility before choosing it. The rehab I was in was fairly good. Unforturantly, it was a holiday week-end and they were running with a smaller staff than usual, so when I rang for pain meds or anything, it took a long time, sometimes up to 20 mins. for them to answer my bell. After the week-end, with a full staff, things were more efficient. There was a time when I was so hipper and would call my friend Janis, she would always be able to talk me down to calmness. Yes, without Janis, I would have made it, but I’m telling you this was a tough surgery and she was my rock getting through it start to finish. At rehab, I told them I wanted intense and aggressive therapy because I had to get back home. When, I wasn’t in the therapy room by my appointed time, I would go on my own or just walk around the facility to keep my knees flexible. Whenever an aid or nurse came to give me something, they knew to look in therapy or around the facility. I was determined to work those knees. On June 3rd, I had the 24 staples in my right knee and 25 staples in my left knee taken out. What was left behind was not a pretty sight. I was in rehab for 10 days and the therapist and everyone else there couldn’t believe that when I left on June 4th, I was only using a cane. I was glad to get home to my husband and kitty, Jodie. The orthopedic said it was OK for me to drive once I got the staples out, but didn’t, still too shaky. I had a home health agency (the same one that my husband has) ordered by my doctor to see what help I needed. I was able to get around and shower myself, (slow, but still able) and when the therapist came, she said there is nothing she could help me with, as I am way ahead of what she would do for me. She recommended out-patient therapy. Thank God there was one about 5 minutes from me. I started there on June 12th, 3 X’s a week and that will end Aug. 16th. This was the first time I drove, going to my first therapy session. All the therapist couldn’t believe how far along I was with having 2 knee replacements. In fact my therapist told me to stop using the cane. This is not an easy road to travel. I still have trouble sleeping because when the knees hit the blankets or sheets, the knees feel like hot needles going through them. I do have a blanket riser but it doesn’t go up as far a the knees. But, the discomfort in also letting up a bit and I am getting some sleep. It’s almost 3 months now, and I can honestly say, I can see light at the end of this tunnel. Usually, I have been going to bed around 8 PM or so because I get tired so easily. But, yesterday, I surprised myself. I had therapy in the morning, my girlfriend, Florence called, and wanted to meet for lunch. Also, got a call from a lady in our community and wanted to know if I could fill in for her, as she wasn’t feeling good at to play the game of Bungo. I almost said no because the ladies meet a 7 PM to 9 PM and remember, I have been going to bed around 8 PM or so. But, I thought, this could be the jump start I needed to get back in the swing of things. I went and I can’t tell you what a wonderful time I had with a bunch of great ladies. It didn’t hurt that I won $20 either. This day felt like my coming back out to normalcy. When I got home I felt so good and wound up that I couldn’t even sleep, so I sat up and watched TV till I felt like I could close my eyes. It was easier to get through this very traumatic experience with my friend Janis, always being there, giving me transportation and many pep talks to get me through a couple of panic attacks and to my neighbors, Judy and John for taking care of my cat while I was gone. And also to my friend Florence, who says I am her inspiration the way I came through this because someday, she will have to have a knee replacement. I also want to thank all who visited me in rehab and with your phone calls. I know this is kind of long, but remember, you asked and once I started, I couldn’t stop. The best thing about doing this, is I can remember how miserable I was a month ago and now I see the light. Hope this answers all my FB friends concerns for me at this time. Thank you all.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 17:49:29 +0000
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