My First Total Knee Replacement!
The Day I will be given the opportunity to walk with less pain & without a cane.
The opportunity to walk & play with my kids.
The possibility to ride a bike & go on hikes.
Weekly hikes was our family activity-brings tears to my eyes to think I may do this again.
I now would be happy with being able to go grocery shopping. Walk around the house.
Or walk into the school to co-op, talk to the teacher or pick up my kids.
I will be thrilled to take a step or two with no thought of it, no pain.
My mom and I arrived at the hospital at 7:00 a.m.. It was nice to have a little time with her before I went back. After a little paperwork, the gal remembered me from a few weeks ago, when I had my hips injected...she said I should come back sometime just to have a cup of coffee with her!- they called me back shortly after and I got the usual: vitals, put on the beautiful apparel! The cap is my favorite...so pretty! My nurses, I know most from my injections and arm, hand and finger surgeries last year, were a little more serious than usual...I suppose this should be expected! They brought my mom back - I always find her wonderful sense of humor to be awesome when nurses say stuff that could be take in more then one way...she always gives me a good laugh pre-op! One nurse said I seemed extremely calm considering...I suppose that's a good sign! Got my blood drawn, went on over for my last pee (this is what I refer to the last time I get to go - fear that I'll let it all go on the table - that'd just be so tacky - hahah!) I came out to a wonderful surprise - my dad had brought the kids back to wish me good luck and give some hugs - they're all so awesome! I wish my husband could have been there, but he knows I'm good; I'm a lucky gal to have such a supportive family!
I suppose at about 10:00 a.m. I got in the wheel chair and rolled on back. Got up on the table, it's always so wonderfully cold in the OR. Arms out on the 'wings' - that's what I call them:) Had a nice little conversation with all in the room. I make it a point to thank each of the members of my team before they put me out, sometimes, and this time we did discuss what they each do. I asked how long I'd be in, they said the doctor would be out in about an hour but another 1/2 hour or so to clean up for the rest of them. I feel that Thank You's are important in any situation, but I feel it's very important when it comes to these people helping my body be better, to say thank you. Whatever their part may be they are helping this body work, their service is very important, and it's equally important for me and them to say thank you. I appreciate each and every person that helps my journey be better - and making my body work well for me is a big part of my journey now.
I got an IV, some antibiotics, fluids started and a port for transfusions, etc. Talked a little more, couple puffs of gas and a very nice nap for a couple of hours:)
I woke up quite well. My pain was at about a 7, meaning I needed a little more of something. I have a weak stomach so I always get Zofran or the like so I have to nausea issues post op. Got the pain issue worked on and had a few ice chips. My knee hurt too much to fall back to sleep (I often wake, then go back to sleep a little more right after surgery). Rolled on up to my room next. It was a nice room. I went to a hospital that does only elective procedures so that I would have less risk or getting an infection, pneumonia, staff, etc. I had awesome nurses, very good service. The only issue I had was with pain meds, temporarily. As DR. Z told them, I'm a special patient....meaning I need stronger meds because I'm on the regular strong meds daily - which means for surgery I need much stronger meds. Luckily my mom was there for that conversation and it got worked out, was for discharge scripts.
My doctor said that everything went well! My bone was hard enough to put the prosthetic into (this is a concern because of my bone density). In 5-7 we will know if my bone will accept and grow into it, if not we go in again. He said it was definitely time, to do the replacement. My joint and bones were quite pitted, along with the meniscus gone and cartilage mostly gone. All went well and recovery is going great but will be long!
I had my kids, Gavin and Faith, my mom, and my brother in law, Dave, visit that first day! It was nice to have them:) My great aunt and uncle, Kay & Lyle came another day, it was great!
Impersonal information TKR candidate may want to know:
Your knee stays in a continuous motion machine and with an ice machine wrapped around on the entire time. I had a tube that was inserted during surgery to drain blood from inside the surgical site. This was knew to me...wasn't aware from what I read that this would be there. At the end of the tube was a circular container to collect the blood. I lost a lot blood, very quickly. My Hemoglobin was checked. I was at 10. If it went lower I'd get a transfusion. Well I accidently, and oh was my nurse unhappy (could hear his reaction in the hall!) I thoughts this tube should be on the be, so I moved it....and well pop, it came out of my leg. It can only be reinserted through surgical means. My blood came back at 7.5 the day we were leaving, but my port was already....so I got sent home with another med to take.
I was up walking that day. And had therapy twice a day from there on out. Was in the hospital for three days. Lots of learning how to do basic things as my body grows into my new knew and as I learn to walk on it.
This is a journey I'd of never expected to be on at my age. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Total Knee Replacements at age 32 where not on my list of goals for my life. I know my health/situation could be worse. We all have our trials. I know this. The difficult part of what I have is that meds can slow progression at times, RA can go into remission for some periods of times (which is rare), but you cannot beat it, and you will not quickly die from it. You will live with it day in and day out. You will use adaptive devices, you will have therapy, you will take medications, some with very difficult side effects. You will be inflamed, you will have pain. It is not a disease of the old, often Rheumatoid Arthritis is confused with Osteo Arthritis. You will get joint replacements, joint injections. It changes you, good and bad. It changes your goals...mine has often been to get out of bed today. To many that sounds lame or something of the sort. But it's real. Very real.
This, what I speak of, is why I am thrilled. I am so excited of the potential of what this knee will give me!! I already know my left knee is next - I can feel it more and more in therapy. But my kids keep me going. They are my motivation. It's not always fair to them. They are better for it, and they have huge hearts - just like their mama...and they will keep me going!
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