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Post by Frostym on Apr 14, 2014 12:35:03 GMT -5
I'm set to have a knee replacement next month. It's complicated because the operation is scheduled on the same day my DIL is supposed to give birth! It will be a big day for our family if that works out. I hate to miss seeing baby Isla but I've almost waited too long to get my knee fixed. I can barely walk now. So,I've got my exercises to do and I've ordered a book with cds about how to prepare for surgery and heal faster. Anybody is welcome to chime in with their stories of needing the op, getting the op, and recovery. Thank you!
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Post by DorothyB on Apr 14, 2014 13:48:55 GMT -5
Praying!
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Post by Idaho Linda on Apr 14, 2014 14:32:04 GMT -5
Of course!
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Post by Marci on Apr 14, 2014 16:30:17 GMT -5
I have heard that the better shape that you are in the faster recovery. Thus the reason why I am swimming and bike riding. Good luck and I hope it goes without a hitch and you get to see your Grand Baby a day or two ahead of schedule. Babies tend to have their own time tables.
I have heard good things about knee replacements and a few bad, but mostly they wonder why they waited so long.
I will be praying for you.
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Post by Frostym on Apr 14, 2014 16:54:25 GMT -5
Thanks, Marci and everybody. I really hope I get to see that sweet little girl, too. I have a cute present for her- an engraved silver cup which is sorta "old hat," but this is a newfangled sippy cup. Sweet!
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Post by Mary Ann on Apr 14, 2014 17:08:45 GMT -5
Frosty, knee replacements are for grandmothers who intend to run with, scoop up, and cuddle darling grandchildren. You'll be ready when the baby is. Won't that be wonderful?
My prayers for a safe and uneventful surgery are coming, and for a quick and easy recovery too!
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Post by snelson on Apr 15, 2014 20:19:27 GMT -5
My Aunt in law  just had her second knee replacement done. She put off the first one until she almost could not walk at all. The second one she had done as soon as the doctor would let her...that is how much better she felt!! The second one she had a little more swelling around the knee so took a few more days to start to feel better but she is really really glad she finally had the surgery. My FIL just had his knee replaced this winter and is back golfing without his golf cart for the first time in years....he does have to have the other knee done too but he is putting it off because he has big summer plans and the doctor said he can wait until fall as long as he feels good still. Edited to add..congrats on the soon to be granddaughter!! Hope she comes a few days early to you can see her when she first arrives! I would never hope that the mom holds on for some time longer so she will have to go before your surgery! |
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Post by ride4fun on Apr 16, 2014 0:43:49 GMT -5
Prayers going up. My mom had knee surgery and it really helped her knees. Unfortunately she had developed so much foot arthritis by then that she didn't get the full 'return to soundness' that many folks have.
You are studying up which will really help and one thing with any big surgery is to stay ahead of the pain in the first week or so afterwards. Don't be heroic trying to be miserly with whatever they prescribe for pain and swelling. Take it on schedule or at first hint of returning ouch. If you get behind than the drug is less effective.
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Post by Frostym on Apr 16, 2014 6:39:30 GMT -5
I'm having second thoughts now. There's a blog over on SM that Shelby posted detailing a woman's experiences caring for her husband. I won't have anything like that level of care. I won't have anybody with me at home. Both sons will be touring Europe. My DIL will have a 4 year old and new baby to look after. Plenty of friends say they'll look in on me, but that's not the incessant care that I'm afraid I'll need, putting on the heavy bending machine, filling the ice pump with water. All that stuff. Most importantly, I won't have anybody to drive me to pt. I'm so disappointed.
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Post by DorothyB on Apr 16, 2014 8:04:11 GMT -5
Frosty, I was single with all threee hip replacement surgeries, so I understand your concerns.
But, don't give up on having a much better life. Instead work on ways to manage these issues.
Do you have friends at church, etc who can take turns spending 12 to 24 hours at your house? Can you hire local teens to come in and help? Can you delay surgery a week or three until your family is back in the US? Can you pay someone to take you to / from pt?
Yes, it takes planning but it can be done.
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Post by Frostym on Apr 16, 2014 8:27:38 GMT -5
DB- Three hip replacements? Good grief! Did one of them go wrong? What happened?
The Church folks have offered to help. I can count on them, but I'm terrible at asking for help. I'll be staying at my son's house so it won't be too close and I don't know any local teens. I have thought about taking a taxi to rehab and also, unless there's some type of equipment I wouldn't have, I can do the exercises at home. My guys will be gone two months and when they get back their schedules will be packed.
Thanks for the encouragement. My boys say go on and do it, mom. The doc will make sure you are taken care of.
I really like my doc and I'm blessed to have found him and be in his system. I'd hate to chicken out if I don't have to.
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Post by ride4fun on Apr 16, 2014 9:15:31 GMT -5
Well ask your doc lots of questions. I don't recall mom using an ice pump after coming home, nor needing to use one of those bending machines.
I think those may be needed only for knee repair surgery where a lot of fussing is needing to keep the ligaments and stuff they've disrupted to repair the tear or whatever from developing scar tissue and ruining the repair.
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Post by ride4fun on Apr 16, 2014 9:18:54 GMT -5
Another thought is maybe you can ask around your church about hiring someone from there to come to your DILs to provide an extra set of hands. Then you would be doing someone a favor by providing them a chance for income and not having to ask for favors.
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Post by DorothyB on Apr 16, 2014 11:53:23 GMT -5
I agree with Ride4Fun - this could be a "win win" where you help out someone at your church financially and you get blessed as well. DB- Three hip replacements? Good grief! Did one of them go wrong? What happened? First replacement was in Oct 2000 and second was in Jan 2001 - left, then right hips. The left hip basically wore out and I had parts replaced in 2010 (or maybe 2011?). That was a bit short for the expected life of a hip replacement, but I do lead a relatively active life - horseback riding (dismounting does put impact on a hip, not to mention several falls from Laara and two from Shiloh), etc. Also being overweight causes more stress on the hips. My hip replacements gave me a whole new life and I'm certainly not going to complain about them needing revisions |
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Post by Marci on Apr 16, 2014 14:04:32 GMT -5
If there is no one to care for you at home what about spending a week in a care facility.
If you put it off too long you will end up there anyways. My Moms knee gave way finally and she hit her head. By then surgery was out of the question. But it led to a quick downward spiral when she could no longer walk. Bite the bullet now, don't put it off. Its just the fear talking.
Most insurance will pay for that. Up to 21 days on SS.
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just had her second knee replacement done. She put off the first one until she almost could not walk at all. The second one she had done as soon as the doctor would let her...that is how much better she felt!! The second one she had a little more swelling around the knee so took a few more days to start to feel better but she is really really glad she finally had the surgery. 