Man down....

[nightfighter]

I clearly underestimated the scale of this surgery, in both the pain (and management of it) as well as all the help needed around the house daily.... On the upside of it, I can report that it has been ten days since I had a cigarette, so I will take that all day long...….

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

I clearly underestimated the scale of this surgery, in both the pain (and management of it) as well as all the help needed around the house daily.... On the upside of it, I can report that it has been ten days since I had a cigarette, so I will take that all day long...….

Keep it going, perfect time to get it done, glad you’re on the mend

[nightfighter]

So here I sit on June 14, Flag Day. Icing. PT appointment in town at 0930. This will be just my fourth time out since the surgery.

Today is three months since I fell and forced the surgery. It is also three weeks and two days since surgery. Using cane and one crutch as a back up. Still not full weight bearing.

Pain is more manageable and evolving. A lot is being able to differentiate and isolate muscles and areas that are healing stretching, etc. Sleeping is better. Will try driving around the block this afternoon. Not going to drive to PT as I use the oxys to lube up and do as much movement as I can bear to. Been very limited use, preferring the Tylenol. So much of this is getting right between my ears... Up to now has been slow going, but improvements seem to be accelerating. So I take the improvements graciously. There is no forcing this thing ahead of schedule, which was hard to accept as I have always been a fast healer.

So, much respect to anyone who has had a knee replaced, any joint replacement (or other serious surgeries for that matter). Take care of you body and appreciate all the smalls in your life that we can do... It is a different story when abilities are taken away.

[piemma]

Ross, I understand. I had 10 operations in 2003. One was a Quad bypass. I felt like a bus had hit me and my cardio guys said I would have been better off. It took 6 weeks for me to feel somewhat normal and 4 months until I could fish again.

I ONE thing I did learn from the experience was to listen to your body. You will know when it is right to do something. If it doesn't feel totally right, then don't do it and I mean anything.

I have no doubt that you will be fine. You are young (compared to me), strong willed and your determination will drive you to succeed.

[nightfighter]

So tomorrow will be eight weeks since the replacement surgery. I am improved since last post here, no doubt.

I am checking off all the boxes with rehab/PT 3x a week plus aqua therapy in my neighbor's pool 4x this past week. I have gotten to 115 degree range of motion. But muscle mass has atrophied, a lot. Very slow getting strength back. So here is what the surgeon told me two weeks ago at six week appointment. (It has taken me two weeks to wrap my head around this...) The replacement surgery took one hour. He was in there for two hours.... first hour to clean up the mess from all my previous surgeries, assuming scar tissue. Said he was not the first guy invited to the party.... So an extra hour of anesthesia. A lot more soft tissue damage to heal. He "set a bomb off in your knee." Normally tells patients the one hour surgery requires one year for 100 percent recovery. Did not say I would need any more, and would probably be less, BUT, here it comes... It will be 4 months from the surgery before I am starting to feel good enough to say I am happy I had it done... And walking confidently without a cane.

So another eight weeks/two months to go... Sleep sucks, as I am up four times a night from minor discomfort in the joint or muscles and have to go pee from anti inflammatory. Aqua therapy is great, but wipes me out. I was able to get the trash out to the curb today... I can drive. And am still off the cigarettes, which is awesome! Pretty much off the oxys, except when I know we have a big push scheduled at PT, but none in a over a week. It's my reality. Just accepting it... And should be doing a better job of that!
So fall run, albies, and other peoples boats in September!
As Clammer says: appreciate what you have!