Day Twenty-Six

I can't decide if I look better with crutches or a cane.

PT said I'd need a cane so I asked my dad to temporarily send me the collapsible carbon fiber cane my brother's family gave him for Christmas.  It's like the whole being greater than the sum of its parts situation.  I think there is a walking-with-a-cane technique that I don't have yet.

Today was good.  Hours of PT* and ice.  Even a real walk.  I'm swollen tonight but I feel like it's good swelling that will be gone in the morning.  I haven't turned the corner yet but the blinker is on.
 
Cousin Nancy (Uncle Elmer's and Aunt Donna's daughter, Suzy's sister) got a new knee today.  Conversation fodder for the next family reunion.

*watched 2 episodes of Reno 911 from my bike seat.

Day Fourteen

PT came early.   A different therapist which is OK.  To me, they all seem good.  Each of them has a little different method of getting to the same place with me.   I don't feel like I need the consistency of the same therapist every day because I know enough about how things work to be able to decide which of their suggestions are best for me.  Having several therapists gives me a bigger selection of exercises from which to choose.

My flexion was a little less this morning than yesterday which could have been that
1. it was 'just a little less' for some reason
2. it was a different therapist with a different kind of calipers
3. today she measured me on the bed and yesterday she measured me in a chair. 
I decided I wasn't going to get too hung up on the measurements until there was more consistency in measuring and just keep doing everything right and often.

Last night was lousy.  Pain.  Seems like the four sets of exercises wiped me out.  I was tired way earlier than I usually am. 

My definition of a set is:
a bunch strength and flexion lying on the bed
a bunch strength and flexion using the kitchen counter for stability
strength and flexion using the stairs
a bunch strength and flexion using the bike
then:
ice really often
doing laps in the house whenever I think of it

Even though the four sets wiped me out yesterday, I did four sets again today.  My last set was great.  I'm sure it was partly because I took the pain meds according to the prescription but my flexion was good.  It felt really tight on the bike but surprisingly, didn't hurt.  Matter of fact, it was very enjoyable. 

From what I've read, it feels like my knees are more swollen than they should be at this point.  The swelling is what is keeping my flexion sucky.  They are both swollen along the top.  I want to call the surgeon tomorrow to talk anti-inflammatories since the swelling seems to mess with the therapy at this point.

Day Ten (Sunday, March, 25 2012)

Beauty is only skin deep.

Is it a football?

Did lots of PT.

Tomorrow I'll get my blood checked again for clotting risk around the same time my flexion is measured to see if it's improved and is good enough to get on the stationary bike.  I look forward to rehabbing with tools that feel real to me (bike, stairs, walking...)

I think I'll get the dressings off and be able to SHOWER.

I have to start weaning myself off of the 'leg lifter' thing.  Sometimes, when I'm not thinking about raising my leg, I realize it's on the bed and must have gotten there on it's own.

One really sore spot for me that 'they' don't tell you about is down the fronts of the thighs.  It's sort of like the pain you get from the first day of gardening when you spend the whole day bending at the waist instead of squatting except it's on the front of the legs and not the back.  Same kind of sore though.

Decided to quit snubbing the MS Contin and took one before bed last night.  No nausea and seemed to take the edge off the pain enough to cut out a vicodin.

Day Seven

That's my leg in a contraption that flexes my knee while I just lie there.  You know how I feel about exercise equipment that does the work for you?

Tim, my smart-thorough nurse came and took out my staples.  I think that was the most painful thing about the surgery for which I've been awake and the first time I'd regretted having both knees done at the same time.  One staple wouldn't have been bad but forty seemed to go on forever.  Some stuck and pulled but most of them didn't so that was good.  I tried to keep screaming to a minimum even though Tim said I could scream as much as I wanted. It felt like 200 degrees in the house.  I signaled for Tim to 'hold off for a second' while I scrolled through our CD collection until I found "Run Around" by Blues Traveler, turned it up until the windows rattled and gave him the 'GO' signal.  That worked.
 
Physical therapy came.  She told me to keep my movements slow whether it was exercise or household routine....no problem there.  Added standing-at-the-kitchen-counter exercises and up an down the stairs to my laying-down routine.  My right leg flexed at 96 and my left leg flexed at 95 so I'd progressed when I was positive I hadn't.  I crutched around the outside of the house five times.


I ate more than my maintenance calories.

Pain and fever are still monkeys on my back.

My blood is still too thick (clotting risk) so I increased my Coumadin level again. 

Picked up the neighbor's rocking chair (another knee replacement survivor).  Vin glued it in a few places and now I can work on flexion without thinking about it.

Day Six

'Leg lifter' for when my own muscles aren't enough or I'm feeling wimpy.  It's a little too much like cheating.

I recycled the paperwork for our our new digital thermometer and then accidentally hit some button combination that made all readings Celsius so now I don't know if I have a fever until I convert it to Fahrenheit.  Last night it read 37.9 which doesn't sound high until you convert it and see it's 100.22 which is on the low side of alarm but enough to call the MD.

Tim the nurse stopped by again today to see how I was feeling.   He didn't have to and didn't get paid to do it....he just stopped.  He's still sloppy but I feel like he is smart and thorough.  Someone that likes his job.

I begin the day with gusto and then by late afternoon I feel like crap.  A little nauseous and little dizzy, sore.  The good thing is that the symptoms hold off a little longer everyday.

Today I pretty much ate my maintenance calories which makes me so happy.  I actually felt a little hungry at one point.

I do PT stuff all day and don't feel like I'm progressing but I must be. 

Two Days

Moving forward with the set-up, I located a walker and a commode.
I'm really feeling a sense of community with all of the 70+ locals who have had knee replacements.  Everyone is being so helpful.  One brought over a couple Aircast circulating ice water knee things for me to use and told me to keep her phone number by the bed in case I need help. Another was in town and picked up a couple of gel packs for me. 
I'm doing nagging odds and ends around the house because I don't want to have them hanging over my head when I can't do them.
Today Elinor was walking down the road next to the ski trail.   "How is it today?" she yelled to me when I skied by.  Well of course I thought she was asking about my knee and I went into this long boring scenario, comparing it to yesterday, how I think the boot/ski combination I have on is good...  Then she said "I meant how is the skiing?"
I think my surgery timing is good.  Skiing will be almost done.  Lots of ice and tree litter on the trails right now.
I was just looking at the weather for the days I am in the hospital.  Surgery day is sort of rainy but the day after is cloudless and warm.  I was bummed when I saw that since I'll have to be inside.  Isn't that stupid?
In 25 hours I won't be able to have anything to eat until after the surgery.  I feel like I am going to have some kind of meltdown.

Three Days

Only 2 more ski days left. :(  Skied 2 1/2 hours in the sun today.  Maybe 55 degrees.  I used my waxless skies and skate boots so I was ready for anything.  No knee issues today.
Got lots of good wishes from people that thought I was getting new knees today.  Carol Waters called and we compared pre-op for bi-lateral acl vs. bi-lateral knee replacement.  I keep forgetting that I am going in for petella femoral replacement and not total knee replacement (hopefully).  Very different in my mind.
Spent time looking for a walker to rent or borrow.  The hospital will 'give' me one but then I'll have a walker to store forever.
Talked to the CPM (continuous passive motion) machine people.  The hospital pharmacist called to go over meds.  I called my primary to ask about treating my pre-op irrational fear.  She said I would have to see me in order to prescribe something or I could take Benedryl.  I saw somewhere that listening to music can work too.  I told her I would just have Vince knock me out before he put me in the car that day.   Read over the joint book.   Everyone talks about preparing the house for when you come home but it already seems prepared other than moving the bed into the living room.  I guess I'll want a walker basket if I can get my hands on a walker.  I think I'll be able to use a metal chair in the shower.  I'll need a bedside table the right size and height.  It would be good if I could find a rocking chair.  Guess it works on range of motion and flexibility automatically....I can see that.  Seems like most of that stuff can be organized when I get home.  I suppose I should think about food but I just don't feel like it.  Maybe that should be tomorrow's project.  We'll see.
I addressed the rest of the xmas cards and gathered a few things to mail that I've been putting off.
Now all I have to do is wait.

Four Days

I am getting good wishes today from everyone that thinks I am still going in tomorrow.

Out skiing for 2 1/2 hours +.  Part of it spent walking down the hill to our field.  So happy to get home to take a vicodin and ice.  It was my left knee today which was good actually.  Still (1 AM) really swollen.  Reinforces the fact it's good I'm getting the left one done too.   I blame it on slow snow and skiing from fast snow under the trees to almost coming to a stop hitting the slow snow in the open....and again...and again etc.

Only 3 ski days left.

Five Days

Skied 1:25.  Highland Lodge.  Last time I skied there (a month ago) I had to be snowmobiled out so today was better.
Friends that think I'm still scheduled for Monday are calling to wish me luck.
I am sort of looking forward to convalescing on the guest bed we move to the living room.  It's a sunny cheerful spot.
Cleaned up the house a bit with no extra swelling.
I thought of only having 4 ski days left and it made me cry.

Twelve Days

Skied the grand tour with friends Ed and Linda.  Iced up a ton with already slow skis which is never good for an arthritic knee.  Wimped out and took a pain killer (5/325) before bed.
I'm not sure I'd really ever looked at my body in a full length mirror before but today I did.  I noticed my right knee was a bit knocked and my right hip was skewed.  I'm pretty sure I was straight up and down until around now.  I had Vin photograph that part of me so I can send it to the doc.  Is that weird?  If I email it to him will he think it's porn?  Was thinking I could photoshop a four leaf clover or something over the crotch area.  Whatever...I don't think I'm going in for my fix a minute too soon.
Walking is awkward and pathetic.  Crutches help.

I missed Sixteen Days and then some

Days 16 thru 13.
Day 16.  Had a 7:30 visit with the pre-op nurse, that was supposed to be yesterday but had to be re-scheduled because the ortho clinic was running late and I couldn't be two places at once, who asked me all the questions I had answered on a questioner two weeks ago.   Then she sent me to have an EKG, chest x-ray, blood and urine test.  I think I skied but I'm not sure since one day last week my knee wouldn't let me but I can't remember which one.
Day 15 nothing that much different than any other day except for when I started to ski down Elinor's Field and my right ski came off.  That was interesting.  A cartwheel followed by a belly flop and a vision of me laying there forever.  But I did get up...and I did decide not to continue down Elinor's.
Day 14 skied out to Windridge with friends Ed and Linda and no knee incidents worth mentioning other than not being able to find a comfortable sleeping position that night.
Day 13 skied Sam's with friends Ed and Linda then again with Vin.  All good.  Picked up a prescription that I called in yesterday.  Didn't need another tossy turny night.

Sixteen Days

It was Monday February 27.  I was up thinking I would be able to do some housework before I went out to ski for 3 hours when all of a sudden my right knee exploded.  Half hour later, just to make sure I was staying inside, my left knee exploded like never before, almost.  So that's what it will be like when I can't use either leg (i.e. simultaneous bilateral knee replacements).  I managed to upper body row...barely...for 35 minutes.  It seemed as if there was no reason for the episode but thinking about it, it may have been the flying and walking without crutches interview and two legged stationary bike the day before.  In any case, I was relieved to have a pain med.

Eighteen Days

I almost forgot I'd promised to write everyday.  OOPS. 
Anyway.  There was my joint class where the doc said something about dental work and avoiding it for a certain amount of time before the surgery.  I thought he said 2 weeks.  I had an appointment for a teeth cleaning 2 1/2 weeks before the surgery but I thought I'd call and check in to see if he wanted me to take any special precautions.  I called and of course the phone person made me tell her my question and of course she wouldn't leave a message because she said she would be able to get the info from someone else.  She didn't say who but I knew it was the scheduler.  I was on hold for 2 minutes.  She came back, "cancel your appointment"  easy for her to say, she didn't know what I'd gone through to make that appointment.  She said it was withing 3 weeks of the surgery so I had to cancel.  I asked her what gave her permission to override the doctor and she put me on hold again.  This time the scheduler picked up and said it was indeed 3 weeks, and what a coincidence...she had just asked Dr. Huber and he said 2 weeks.  And by the way, they were scheduling into August so good luck in having the other knee done soon after the first one.   Something in the way she asserted herself led me to believe she was making up her answer.  Then the doc's assistant called back to say I couldn't let a dentist in my mouth from 6 weeks before surgery.  I didn't tell you that the official joint book...from the doc's assistant...explicitly said that I wasn't to do the dentist for 6 to 12 months after and no mention of the before.  So guess what I did?  I kept my appointment and my teeth were cleaned 19 days* before the surgery and if I go blind or loose leg I don't know who I'll blame.
*I told the doc I did the 19 days and he said "oh, you'll be fine."

Nineteen Days

I think I'm one day off (should be 20) but whatever.
Skated 2:05 this morning, some crust cruising, without incident.
Went to my 'joint class'.  They had the hip people in there with us.  I felt pretty young.  Had a lot of questions.  I always hate it when one person has so many questions....but that's when someone likes to hear themselves talk.  I hope the group didn't think I just wanted to hear myself talk.
The doc was talking about the replacement surgery and recovery of the hip.  Then he talked about the replacement surgery and recovery of the knee and the hip sounded to much easier.  When he was done he asked if there were any questions.  I raised my hand and asked matter of factly  "Can I get a hip replacement instead?"
Tried to diagonal ski 40 minutes late in the day and had no kick.  Still enjoyed being out.
Still have to use crutches.  The class emphasized the importance of a strong upper body.  I should have that going for me.  

Twenty-Four Days

Skied 2:15 today and the knees are pretty much OK.  Incredible by the way.  Took a half of a meloxicam and iced when I got back.  I think the the pain I have now is from being on them in the house too much....packing to go to NYC which will be interesting.  I know I'll be OK just not sure what contortions I'll have to go through to be OK.  I'm flexible and have warned the girlfriends about my crutches etc.  Good thing they are used to me and my quirks.
I wasn't going to, but I called the doc to have a vicoden prescription called-in in case of an emergency.  I'd hate to get into a #10 on the pain scale situation in NYwithout any.  Shouldn't have waited until today to call them in since it may not give them enough time to turn them around.  I really doubt I'll need them but I'm a little nervous.

Twenty-Five Days

The right knee was stiff and swollen but not bad.  No pain to speak of.   BUT.  The left knee was stiff and swollen and painful.  I just hope the right knee is so painful I can't stand it the day I go in.

Skated 1:45 hr. south and 1 hr. north.  40 degrees made very slow conditions.

Even being laid up I can still knit, read, watch a movie, write, do ebay, email, order components for projects, dream and that's what I did.

Twenty-Seven Days

Had my first of several Dr appointments for the surgery.  A pre-op evaluation by my primary care doc.  The scale said I'd lost 5 pounds.  Wonder how much my thigh muscles weighed?  I'm down to 118 which is 'weigh' to skinny.  Seems like I eat plenty but when I sit around most of the day I don't get hungry.  Plus it's a pain to grocery shop and cook since it is hard to get around.  My weight may be shrinking but at least I'm still 5'8 1/2".
Skated 2 hours today and again....NO PAIN.  I'm hoping to build up my thigh muscles and gain some of that weight back.  Not sure of the last time I was this thin.  When I broke my leg in 1975 I think I was around 120.

Twenty-Nine Days

Twenty-nine days seems so many fewer than thirty. 

Skate skied 2:45.  I was tired but my knee felt great the whole time.  I got my pulse up.  Feel like my quads got some exercise so they maybe they won't be so pathetic when I try to recover from the surgery.
Slept without taking a 5/325 vicoden like I have been.  Was uncomfortable and took forever to get to sleep since pain is more obvious at night.  Will probably take one tonight.

Friday I drive my rental car to the airport (90 minutes to Burlington) and fly to NYC.  Pretty ambitious. I'm a little anxious but my knee has been so good...

Thirty-One Days

Carefully did some housework this morning.  When I say carefully I mean like vacuuming sitting down.  Was good.  Last night I had some weird sharp pains in my left knee when I turned a few times.  Not when I turned oddly, just when I turned.  The doc addressed the sharp pains a month ago...there is a top and bottom.  When 'they're' good they fit together and run smoothly and when they're bad, they don't fit together because they've worn differently.  I can sort of picture that I guess.

I'm still trying to figure out why I'm so pain free.  I took half of a meloxicam after vacuuming sitting down and that's it.

Skied 2 1/2 hours.   Mid-30's and sun.  NO KICK but managed to not slip which is good because I decided that is what immobilizes me.  Propelled myself with my arms and enjoyed every second.

Monday I have a pre-op evaluation for the knee replacement with my primary care doc.  I'll just keep moving forward and pretty soon I'll be dancing.

Thirty-Two Days

Parked the car by the bridge at the end of Young Road so I wouldn't have to go down any hills unless I wanted.  Good idea.  Double poled in the sun for an hour and a half.  It was fast but I made sure I didn't slip and that did the trick.  And guess what?  I realized that I could snow plow if I had to with no repercussions.  Even with all of these new conclusions and even though it would be in my nature....I'm not going to push it.   I doubt my heart rate is ever over 100 but being outside is good stuff for the old head.
I still use my crutches to keep weight off the knee...mostly to keep the swelling down so I'm able to get out every day.  I look so forward to that time.  Lately, but before I was couch ridden, I would try and get some exercise everyday but I'd do it mostly just to get it over with.  Now I actually really look forward to it.  Everything changes when you identify and stop taking things for granted.  So, my knee....which could have been perceived as a TOTAL disaster, ended up spawning this incredible benefit.  (this is my attitude when it is sunny).
The baker cyst is still missing and I'm in almost no pain at the moment.
If a fit upper body helps with knee replacement recovery, I'll be dancing in a week.
Until tomorrow.