SumDay
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,862
I haven't posted in a while, because I was in anesthesia and medication fog. I'm coming out, so thought I'd share a bit. Mods, if this needs to go into another knee surgery thread, you won't hurt my feelings.
I went with the spinal anesthesia with the knee block. Worked way too well, as my bladder also went to sleep, keeping me in the hospital for an extra 24 hours, and taking medication that made my blood pressure drop. All is well now, so that's what matters.
Things that surprised me post-surgery:
1.Lack of appetite. Nothing sounds good. I have a sweet tooth and even sweets turn my stomach. Weight loss would be welcome so not bitching too much.
2. Initial exhaustion. 6 maybe 7 naps a day and 8+ hours a night. That's now down to two short naps a day and fairly restful sleep at night.
3. I can nap in the continuous passive motion machine (CPM). Yeah
4. I am constantly thirsty and my lips are dry and chapped. I think it's the meds.
5. Walking made me breathless, but that's getting better daily.
6. Pain has been minimal. I refused opioids, and am only taking Tylenol, along with Celebrex and Gabapentin which are only for 30 days.
7. I'm walking mostly with a cane - just using the walker first thing in the A.M. when I am stiff. Sometimes I get to a room and look around to see what I did with my cane, and realize I left it in the other room.
8. This leg wedge is my best friend right now. Well worth the $$.
9. Outpatient physical therapy was the right decision for me. Makes me get up, shower, figure out how to get my leg in the car and see other humans besides DH.
10. DH far exceeded my expectations as a caregiver. I think the new has worn off as he isn't quite as attentive as he was, but I'm also getting more independent each day, so I appreciate the space.
11. Compression socks SUCK.
12. Prunes are your friend.
Finally, did you know there are a couple of Facebook groups for knee replacement folks? Not for the faint of heart, I must warn. The people who have success stories are less likely to share than those with complications. It's a great resource for questions about all the nasty things that can accompany this surgery. It's guaranteed someone else has lived it.
It's so good to be back!
I went with the spinal anesthesia with the knee block. Worked way too well, as my bladder also went to sleep, keeping me in the hospital for an extra 24 hours, and taking medication that made my blood pressure drop. All is well now, so that's what matters.
Things that surprised me post-surgery:
1.Lack of appetite. Nothing sounds good. I have a sweet tooth and even sweets turn my stomach. Weight loss would be welcome so not bitching too much.
2. Initial exhaustion. 6 maybe 7 naps a day and 8+ hours a night. That's now down to two short naps a day and fairly restful sleep at night.
3. I can nap in the continuous passive motion machine (CPM). Yeah
4. I am constantly thirsty and my lips are dry and chapped. I think it's the meds.
5. Walking made me breathless, but that's getting better daily.
6. Pain has been minimal. I refused opioids, and am only taking Tylenol, along with Celebrex and Gabapentin which are only for 30 days.
7. I'm walking mostly with a cane - just using the walker first thing in the A.M. when I am stiff. Sometimes I get to a room and look around to see what I did with my cane, and realize I left it in the other room.
8. This leg wedge is my best friend right now. Well worth the $$.
9. Outpatient physical therapy was the right decision for me. Makes me get up, shower, figure out how to get my leg in the car and see other humans besides DH.
10. DH far exceeded my expectations as a caregiver. I think the new has worn off as he isn't quite as attentive as he was, but I'm also getting more independent each day, so I appreciate the space.
11. Compression socks SUCK.
12. Prunes are your friend.
Finally, did you know there are a couple of Facebook groups for knee replacement folks? Not for the faint of heart, I must warn. The people who have success stories are less likely to share than those with complications. It's a great resource for questions about all the nasty things that can accompany this surgery. It's guaranteed someone else has lived it.
It's so good to be back!