Entry 8: 2 weeks post surgery

Hi Everyone,
Well, surgery went well on October 16, 2009, I was in surgery for 4 hours and have two brand new knees. The left one required more work and some screws than the right one, but today I have no pain in the actual knees. Just the swelling and pain due to bruising. I spend 3 days in the recovery area of the hospital and then 5 days in Rehab. I left the hospital last Friday the 23rd. My knees had the same flexion - 110 degrees and 3 degrees straight. I had my staples removed on Thursday, Oct. 29th, 13 days after the surgery. That's when I decided to get off the percocet. And today, 2 days later, I am totally off them. I live in a 3 story townhouse so I decided to rent a hospital bed to sleep on the main floor. This is something I would recommend. I have been well cared for by my mom who got here last Sunday and she has had lots of experience with this as she also has two new knees (3 years old and done 5 months apart) She's been very encouraging and makes certain I do my rehab exercises every day. I have been able to go for short walks (very short) with Mom and our dog outside with two canes. I stopped using the walker after my staples were removed. I would probably use the walker for uneven ground like when we go to the farm. I have to go up one flight of stairs for a shower so make that journey every 2 days. I have a seat for the bath tub and sit under the shower on it. That works pretty well. I didn't require the extended wash sponge I bought. I can get dressed easily on my own. Sock and shoes - no problem. I do seem to get pretty tired at times so I just sleep quite a bit still. Still, I am pretty pleased with how things are going. Two weeks after surgery and progressing a little every day. Oh --and my legs are completely straight!!! It's awesome, no more knocked knees. I'll keep in touch.

Entry 7: Op-Day minus 1(October 15, 2009)

I am soooo excited to be getting two new knees tomorrow. I have been on http://www.bonesmart.org/ lately, I wish I would have found this forum earlier but it has been a real boost for the past few days. I had all kinds of fears, questions, and worries about which knees I'm getting but now I'm just happy to be getting new ones. I am prepared to do the hard work, I have a little idea of how it will be having had ACL repair and arthroscopy a few years back. I realize this is a much bigger hit, but I am actually looking forward to the rehab. I informed my husband that today will be the last day for the housekeeping department, so he had a good laugh about that. I have a list of stuff to pack - there was a time when hospitals supplied crutches and canes, etc. Not anymore. Will I be awake enough to play my Nintendo DS games, sudoku or read a book? Oh, and don't forget that everything has to be labelled. So today is the big packing day, getting in supplies for my hubby so he doesn't starve. (He'll probably eat out anyway) Am I forgetting anything? Well, I'll find out soon enough. See you on the other side......

Entry 6: Pre-Operative Program

This is the last time I see the professionals prior to my surgery date which is October 16, not the 13th as I was originally told (or perhaps I wrote it down in error). I arrived at the hospital at 10:30 am, and was directed all day to the different departments for interviews. First, I saw the anesthesiologist, and was informed that I am a good candidate for an epidural anesthesia, so I would not have to have a general which tends to be more difficult upon recovery. They will give me a powerful sedative so I will not be awake during the surgery but I will not require a throat tube for breathing (yeah). Next stop was the lab where they took 6 vials of blood and did and
ECG of my heart. Everything looks good so far. At the Xray department they placed a measuring device beside my knee, and took what they called 3-foot xrays. These xrays with the measuring device are to help the doctor pick the correct size knee for me. The knee of choice is a Sigma, of which they assured me they have a huge inventory of all sizes and I will be fitted appropriately. I then saw a medical doctor who asked all those questions regarding my health and background. Again everything is still a go. Finally, I saw a nurse who explained all the procedures for recovery and she told me I would be on surgery floor for 4-5 days with the epidural being removed on the 3rd day. Then I will go to the F.I.T. floor for up to 7 days for rehabilitation. The 30 stairs to my bedroom concerned her and suggested I stay on the main floor of my townhouse for a while before attempting the big climb. We'll see... She gave me some medicated soap with which I have to shower for the 5 days prior to the surgery. Very specific instructions were included with the soap. Oh, and no shaving of the legs from now on (no problem there!!). A blood thinner will be prescribed and this helps reduce the chance of blood clots. And that was about it. So, as far as I know, I'm off to surgery at 6:15 a.m. on the 16th.