artist Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Back to the land of the living at last. Nine days since the operation. I was in a small ex-private hospital now run by NHS. It's being used at the moment just for new knees and hips. It was nice to have a room to myself. There was a lovely view over a lake - it lifted the spirits a bit to see it bathed in all the gorgeous sunshine we've been having.All the ops in that place are carried out with spinal anesthesia and sedation. I've had that experience before so was happy about it. I could hear the sawing and banging going on but it's like it's in another room. I was watching the monitor above my head with BP readings etc. All seemed well to me......... :) I must have been asleep for some of the time I would think.Nothing goes like clockwork for me! Usually the numbness in the legs goes away after about 8 - 12 hours. My foot persistently stayed dead until the next day.Then I got wheezy. I thought it was the asthma due to the stress of it all. It turned to bronchitis. More like a hospital bug I think. It normally takes a bit longer than a day for bronchitis to develop.So there I was - two days behind schedule.I was extremely scared to stand in the new joint - justified!! Somehow you override the pain and each day has been marginally better - I can't say good. There is still a lot of pain. I found that the physiotherapist was a man to be feared! :P I have two crutches for the moment. The staples are still in the wound which is on the front of the knee and about 7 inches long. They will be removed next Tuesday and I then start a course of physio at the local hospital. I have had two DVTs after operations before so am on blood thinning for three months.At this stage I can't imagine being free of pain but I was chatting to an old lady who was in for the second knee. She had the other done two years ago - said it was wonderful. So if it was worth volunteering to go through it again, then I can see a glimmer of light at the end of my tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Very glad you're on the mend, artist. You'll soon be running the marathon! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Lovely to have you back - sorry about the pain - must be a tad worse than having to put up with us lot here.Just think - in a few weeks time you will be jumping around like a frog and will have almost forgotten the discomfort.All the best.................................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Sorry about the pain etc, but glad that you are now on the mend. :D :D :D :D :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Welcome back, artist, and Happy Valentine's Day. :D I sincerely hope that your discomfort is short lived, as I am sure it will. It's certainly very reassuring to hear from other people who have already experienced the procedure and recovery. You have been missed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 I think you're very brave artist and wish you a speedy recovery to pain-free pottering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 You really have been missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 Glad to see you up and around and back here. Hang in there and good luck on your rehab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted February 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Aaaww - thanks for the good wishes.............. :) I'm still not on here much just yet - Just have to have a quick look though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Aaaww - thanks for the good wishes.............. :) I'm still not on here much just yet - Just have to have a quick look though. Why not? Surely you don't type with your knee. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted February 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 14 days tomorrow.VERY much better. Pain not too bad at all - with the help of pain killers. The awful pain that was constant for the last three years is not there now. I feel very optimistic that all will be well.I've gained some weight over the time but when I can move around I feel sure it will go. I'm not expecting a quick fix though.We eat a good balanced diet but I am one of those people who needs the exercise.Staples out tomorrow and physio starts on Wednesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 So glad to hear the progress. Needless to say I don't envy you doing the physio - sadistic lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Sounds good, apart from the pain.Try taking no notice of it. It just might go away then.The local village idiot is like that. He hangs around but if he is ignored he goes away.Well anyway, that's what management says I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Well done. Chin up and best knee forward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Good to hear that you are progressing. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 14 days tomorrow.VERY much better. Pain not too bad at all - with the help of pain killers. The awful pain that was constant for the last three years is not there now. I feel very optimistic that all will be well.I've gained some weight over the time but when I can move around I feel sure it will go. I'm not expecting a quick fix though.We eat a good balanced diet but I am one of those people who needs the exercise.Staples out tomorrow and physio starts on Wednesday. :clapping: :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 14 days tomorrow.VERY much better. Pain not too bad at all - with the help of pain killers. The awful pain that was constant for the last three years is not there now. I feel very optimistic that all will be well.I've gained some weight over the time but when I can move around I feel sure it will go. I'm not expecting a quick fix though.We eat a good balanced diet but I am one of those people who needs the exercise.Staples out tomorrow and physio starts on Wednesday.Excellent news about the knee.Don't worry about the weight increase....It has two chances, it will either go or it won't!!Just be happy and comfortable, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Pleased to read that you are over the worst of it Artist. Keep on taking the Tramadol (if those are what you are on) and the pain will soon be history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 It's been almost a month now.I'm still in some sort of nightmare! There was a few days when I couldn't stand because if dizziness - the leg was hard and swollen too. Had to get the doc out. He said it was the strong codiene I was taking. He said there are so many bad side effects from it but they were prescribed because they are cheap. I have another pain killer now to take along with the paracetamol and the nightly drug for the 'on edge' nerve endings. SIGH!Then there is the physio bloke! He's a fresh faced young chap who has probably never known real pain and has everyone in nice little compartments. As soon as I got there he said it's time to come off the crutches. My leg is still pretty weak and painful at times. I told him I think I still need them to which he said 'are you sure it isn't the case that you THINK you need them'. I can't get over his attitude. He's got a week off next week and wanted me to go on the 'bicycle' whilst he was away - I don't have 90% bend yet so it wasn't going to be easy. Anyway, I got on the bike - he had it on the wrong setting - and when my knee bent too far - it was agony and I was crying, much to my embarrassment - he said - 'well straighten it'- which was impossible without bending it even further backwards. Hubby was there and told him to take my foot out of the stirrup. I got off and was told it is no good giving up like that. I told him that at this point I am not ready for the bike. I also pointed out that people are different and heal at different rates. Previously he had told me that if I don't get the knee flat on the bed he would have to get tougher or I would have to have it manipulated at the hospital, that happens with some people- he didn't mention that it would be under anesthetic though. It sounded like a threat to me but I let it go at the time. It was nigh on impossible to flatten my leg on to the bed as it was hard and swollen - but the knee joint was flat.I had a bad night last night because of the flashbacks to the pain. I am going to complain. On the plus side - I am walking better, with the crutches, and have been heartened to find that going down a slope is no longer the agony it was.I still think this will be very worthwhile in the end.I haven't been on the computer much - just can't settle - but I have been in to read what everybody is up to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Never mind about your computer, there is a pub around here somewhere where the landlord is struggling without his barmaid. In fact he got so fed up he just walked out and was missing for several days last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 That sounds like a real ordeal artist Keep positive and only do what you feel comfortable with. It should pay off in the end but it's early days yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 What a beastly character that physio sounds!!Just tell him that you'll send the boys round if he doesn't start treating you better. Never mind about your computer, there is a pub around here somewhere where the landlord is struggling without his barmaid. In fact he got so fed up he just walked out and was missing for several days last week. :lol: ... So we all helped ourselves to the bevies behind the bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I feel sure that once the next week or two are over you will feel fine again. I know several people who have had it done and it does take time. As you said, everyone is different. I know that you can hardly kick that young man while your knee is sore, but I am sure that your right hand is OK. Give him a good hard squeeze where it will hurt the most, that'll make his eyes water. :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edbanger Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I've had a replacement op on both knees.Did the hospital not give you a list of exercises to do at home like these?KneesIt is very helpful if you persevere with these exercises. I was told the usual period to be on crutches is 6 to 8 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted March 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 I've had a replacement op on both knees.Did the hospital not give you a list of exercises to do at home like these?KneesIt is very helpful if you persevere with these exercises. I was told the usual period to be on crutches is 6 to 8 weeks.Yes I am doing the exercises at home. I expected pain but I seem to take three steps forward and one back all the time. Thanks for that about the crutches - I needed a guide line of some sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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