Have not been posting much due to meds.

[TNNurse]

I had a total knee replacement a week ago and it seems like a bad idea to be too verbal in public while on narcotics. Let me tell you that narcotics are required. This is a big deal, doable but still intense.

Today I saw most of the press conference with the House Democrats. It was a great start. Now they need to keep it up. Several of them need to gather every day and speak and update. THEY NEED TO PERSIST. They need to be relentless. We need to see and hear from them every day.
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I am ready for someone to ask "if the president did not know, why not?" Is he not paying attention, is he not interested, does he not know what what is going on around him?

PERSIST.

[sharp_stick]

1. How are you doing with the knee?

I'm getting one of mine replaced next month and it's got me a little nervous.

How soon did they get you on your feet?

They absolutely can not let the Administration "move on" like they want to do. This has the potential to bring down the entire White House and even the possibility of what may have happened is pretty damned terrifying. I believe the GOP may be infiltrated by the Russians and that needs to be investigated soon and hard.

[TNNurse]

3. I messed up (must be the drugs)

I wrote a long comment, but did not do it as a reply....So let me know what you think.

[sharp_stick]

5. Thanks a lot

I'll reply more in a while.

[TNNurse]

2. Well

I said the other day that everyone who was having this surgery needs a live in retired nurse (like my husband). Many have done well without that.

First, have you had any teaching? My hospital has a "joint school" (which is not as much fun as it sounds). They explained the surgery, had a prosthesis to look at and feel. There was a hand book with much pre and post op info. Testing that had to be done and when. She gave a detailed explanation of how the day would go.

There were also reps from discharge planning with resources, physical therapy and occupational therapy. PT told you about when you would get up and what they would do, showed us proper walker use and taught pre and post op exercises. OT had help with dressing and tools to use. Getting your shoes and sock on and off is a little problematic. Each patient also had their "coach" there to learn all of this, too. Preop exercises to strengthen your quadriceps (thigh) are essential.

My surgeon does this under spinal anesthesia (with sedation). So as soon as you can feel and move your feet, they stand you up and take a few steps. That was the late afternoon of the surgery. The next day I walked briefly in the hall, about 30 feet and got dizzy ( I had taken some IV pain med right before they arrived), then I rested and that afternoon walked 300 feet.

I had surgery on Monday and by Thursday morning, my blood count had dropped enough to receive a transfusion. I went home that evening. Started outpatient PT Friday morning.

It is tough, you need someone to help you. Meds help you sleep, but there is pain in more than your knee, my thigh and calf muscles get sore when I do much. By Sunday my husband watched me walk and proclaimed that my "gait is already better". Just walking around the house with the walker is no big deal. Oh, in the hospital they taught me how to go up and down steps....

I guess that is a lot, do you have any questions?

[TNNurse]

4. Ice

You need ice. I came home with a wrap that circulates ice water. It is essential.

[sharp_stick]

6. My surgery is scheduled for March 22

My wife and I are going to "joint school" in a couple of weeks. It sounds like the same thing you went through with the OT and PT and discharge folks.

They sent me a link with pre-op exercises that I'm trying to work with as well as I can. I really left this a little too long, I used to ice and rock climb but my right leg is pretty weak now from lack of use so it's been a bit of an effort.

It sounds like I'll probably go with the spinal as well. I'm a little on the "young" side so the doc says that the anesthesiologist might prefer an epidural (similar to a spinal). At least it isn't general anesthetic, that crap makes me sick.

I was happy to hear that the surgery doesn't cut the quad muscle anymore so the scar tissue doesn't have a chance to build up like in the "old days". I was surprised to find out how fast they get you on your feet.

I'm nervous about it but I am really looking forward to not having this knee anymore. My Mother in Law had hers done last year and she convinced me that it's in my best interest to do it while I can still use the replacement. My kids are still young and I don't like having to stay behind when they do stuff.

I'm glad to hear you're home and improving. It really is going to help having someone at home with me that can encourage me to move forward as quickly as I can.

If you don't mind I may PM you later to see how you're doing and maybe get a little more info and encouragement?

Take care of yourself and keep it up.