Getting Back to Normal. : )

In the last few days I've washed dishes, cooked suppers, swept the floor, walked the dog and made two loaves of bread in my handy-dandy breadmaker.  And Tuesday I'll be going back to work.  Yup, things are getting back to normal.  

Up, Up, Up.

I just started to walk up stairs one foot after the other.  Coming down stairs it's still just one step at a time with the same foot.  I know the pain will eventually subside and I'll get more strength back in my leg, but it sure is a long process.  I long for the day when I won't think about my knee every time I move.  Physical therapy is still tough.  The therapist was able to bend my knee to 117 degrees last time, but boy did it hurt.  I can almost bend my knee enough to peddle a stationary bike.  At least I'm able to walk a little farther each day, and I'm also able to do some chores around the house, so progress is certainly being made.  I'm hoping to be able to get out into the flower gardens and get some weeding done soon, as the flowers beds are nearly completely overtaken by weeds.

Now an Infection. *sigh*

I had an appointment today, and the physician assistant thought my incision looked a little red.  I just noticed the redness today after my shower, so if it truly is infected, it was caught early.  I am so glad I had an appointment already scheduled, because I doubt I would have called the office about it at this stage.  I didn't know physician assistants could write prescriptions, but obviously they can. Is that relatively new?  The doctor got called over to the hospital before he could see me, so my visit was in the PA's hands.  He felt comfortable letting me leave the clinic without seeing the doc, and I agreed.  So now it's an antibiotic 4 times a day for a week and then a re-check next Friday.  I really am getting tired of so many meds, clinic visits and physical therapy sessions (not to mention the pain and stiffness). 

Top 3

My friend's friend, who also had a total knee replacement recently, was told by a doctor that a total knee replacement is one of the three most painful surgeries.  I sure believe that, and I really hope I don't have to find out what the other two are.  The recovery time for this danged knee replacement is so much longer than I expected.  I'm still going to PT twice a week, although the PTA told me today I'll probably be able to cut down to once a week after next week.  My knee is still stiff and painful, but my leg is much stronger, and I'm walking much better.  Also, my hip/buttock seems to be holding up to the challenge of sitting a bit longer, which is a good sign for getting back to work Labor Day week.  Hopefully, I'll be up to sitting for four hours or so by then. 

Independence Day!

Today I drove myself to the clinic in my own vehicle.  Woo, hoo!  I drove Hubby's car a couple of times over the weekend, but I wasn't by myself.  Today I flew solo, and it felt so good. 

In other good news, I can stop the blood thinner now, and that means two fewer trips to the clinic each week.  Now it's just two trips to physical therapy each week, and I expect that will be finished soon.  Things are looking up.

I've been watching a lot of HGTV: House Hunters, Property Brothers, Love It or List It, Property Virgins, My First Place.  If you get the impression I'm bored, yup, I'm bored.  It'd be fun being home all day if I was able to get out into the yard and do some weeding, hedge trimming, etc.  I guess I just need to be patient.  After all, I'm only three weeks out from surgery. 

I'm walking around the house without my cane, and it's a bit scary sometimes.  I'm still too nervous to leave the house without my cane, though.

I've got two weeks to get my butt in shape for going back to work.  My hip/buttock still hurts if I sit very long in one position, and I'll need to be able to sit for four hours or so (with stretch breaks, of course) at work.  The therapist gave me stretching exercises to do, so it's stretch, stretch, stretch! 

Not as Prepared as I Thought I Was!

Wow, this knee replacement was so much more than I expected.  I had no idea how much pain there would be or how long and painful the recovery would be.  Physical therapy is especially brutal.  My two c-sections and two back surgeries were nothing compared to this.  To top off the knee pain, I have a lot of hip pain whenever I sit for very long.  I'm planning to see if the physical therapist can suggest some stretching exercises tomorrow for what I think is probably sciatica.

On a cheerier note, I think I'll probably be able to stop using the walker by the end of the week.  It makes me a little nervous to strike out on my own, but I've been moving around the house using walls, tables, etc. for support.  I'm sure I'll need my cane for awhile once I ditch the walker, even if only for a feeling of security. 

I've been to the park half a dozen times to get some walking in.  I've walked 2 or 3 blocks each time, which is farther than I could walk before surgery.

Today was the first time in two weeks I was able to wear my jeans.  The bandage is off and the swelling is down, so my leg actually fits into my jeans.  It felt really good to get out of sweat pants.

Thank You, Minnie, Whoever You Are : )

Hubby and I got a big kick out of the flowers and card that Minnie sent to me in the hospital.  However, since Minnie really is a dog (even though we think of her as much more than just a dog), we know the card and flowers actually came from a human or humans.  So whoever you are, "Minnie,"  the flowers and card are very much appreciated. 

Isn't That Just Swell(ing).

Yup, just like the literature says, my knee/leg swells--a lot.  I doubt I could get my leg into my jeans.  Oh, well, I'm not planning on heading out anywhere (although I sure wish I could!), so it really doesn't matter about the jeans anyway.   

Two Steps Forward, One Step Backward

Yesterday I was given some pain meds that really threw me for a loop. In spite of the fact I felt like I could lose my lunch at any minute, I was taken to group PT and tortured. Yes, tortured!

In the early evening I had visitors (two of my favorite people/relatives) who really gave me a good laugh. They came in wearing badges identifying themselves as PB-2030 and PB-2035, They even brought me my very own badge that says "Hello! I am a PB-2035." That refers to the dream I was having when I woke up from anesthesia. I was dreaming that my daughter was a PB-2030 and I was a PB-2035. (If you know what that means, you are one of a select few.) Now that was a weird dream!  I think I giggled for a good 5 minutes in the recovery room.

Then  later in the evening I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a lovely card from my pup. Yup, from my pup.  The card was signed by Minnie, and it even had a paw print on it.  If I didn't know better, I might think it really was from Minnie.  Hmmm, maybe some day someone will fess up.



Two Steps Forward, None Backward

I was a bit worried I wouldn't be discharged tomorrow because of being unable to participate fully at PT yesterday afternoon.  However, the head honcho of the nursing unit was just in to see me, and he said I'm doing just fine.  Yippee!