More About My New Knee
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
Canada
April 16, 2018 1:21pm CST
I did one post about my surgery and leaving the hospital and going home.
The only night I spent in the hospital, I was drugged and in pain. Thank goodness for the drugs.
I was uncomfortable and could not get to sleep until around 10PM and a LOUD ALARM STARTED YELLING. A nurse was walking by my room , she ran in and shut the machine down that was making a huge noise. I asked what happened and she had no idea. She turned it back on.
I tried to get to sleep again but that loud noise from the machine that was feeding me my meds automatically, screamed about five more times and the noise was longer because I had to push the button to get a nurse in the room. That's five time about an hour apart...my whole night ... what a nightmare.
The Nurse who ran in around 5 shut it down and I fell asleep. I was awakened when breakfast was delivered about the same time my husband showed up. My physio leader was there by 8:30 and we chatted a while. She took me (and my husband) to go through the things I would need to do once we get home. She also got me up the stairs. You have to be able to do stairs to get out of the hospital (only if you have stairs in your house and I do.)
We talked with her about going home and she said it was up to me. Knowing my husband was a strong man who cooks she said if you want to go, I know you will sleep better in your own bed. When we got back to my room, the other bed had been made and we were told someone was coming in soon.
That's all we needed to know, we gathered my things and went home.
Once home, it was delightful, I started my exercises and slept in my own bed. I ate well because my husband was once a chef. I had a walker I found on Kijiji for $15, and a cane leftover from the other leg.
Some nights I can't sleep all night but I know that will stop the stronger I get. My exercises do hurt, but not every time.
I can move around my home now without help. The stairs took a while for my husband let me go up alone, but we are there now.
We go to the Y every morning, he does his workout and I walk the halls that are huge and I increase my mileage (the length I travel) every day.
By June I think I will be completely well...fingers crossed.
Tomorrow I see my Physio leader and I think I will be able to put the walker in the basement.
It's interesting here on myLot to talk to others who have had the surgery too.
I feel better now and can spend more time here on the site. Thanks for your kind comments on the first post.
The photo above was taken in the Allegheny Mountains on a foggy day...
25 people like this
27 responses
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
16 Apr 18
I always sleep much better in my own bed.
I am happy to hear that your recovery is progressing well.
4 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
16 Apr 18
The first time I didn’t know what to expect, but this time I know I have to work harder than I did the first time, I was afraid. My advice to anyone doing this is to do your exercises and put some heart in them, I didn’t do that the first time.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
17 Apr 18
The stairs are actually easy, when you know how to handle a cane properly, That was a lesson given before we do home. I am looking for full freedom...
@marlina (154130)
• Canada
4 May 18
@PainsOnSlate , It is interesting to read about how you handled everything.
Wishing you good healing and that you can enjoy doing things again.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
4 May 18
@marlina thanks, I am pain free, right now, just some moments after exercising that make say ooowoo... and when I wake up in the morning it takes a few minutes to make my leg wake up and be kind to me.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
4 May 18
I feel great and looking forward to be back in the Y and behind the wheel, both should come back to me this Monday when I see my surgeon. Its a lot easier the second time because i knew what was going to happen.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13151)
• Ireland
17 Apr 18
@painsonslate I don’t know how anyone ever gets better in hospital. Being there just underlined the fact that there’s something not right and the sooner you get out the sooner you start to get better. Glad to hear you’re progressing well.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
17 Apr 18
Thank you, and yes, a hospital is not a calm area.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
17 Apr 18
Yes it is so much easier in our own space.
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
16 Apr 18
Hi @PainsOnSlate! That alarm clock is sure annoying but I am glad that you are doing fine now. Praying for your faster recovery. 
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
17 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate youre most welcome, my good friend. 
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
27 Apr 18
Good to know you are getting better and better.It is always nice to be at home.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
29 Apr 18
I am very happy about how it is healing.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
30 May 18
I am glad that you got to go home so soon and it sounds like now you are doing very well with your new knee.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
31 May 18
i couldn't stand staying in the hospital. I'm doing very well and feel great.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
6 May 18
@PainsOnSlate I'm glad that you're getting over it well 
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
4 May 18
Didn't need to stay, my husbands took good care of me those first few days, Now I'm up and att-m daily and the only pain comes with the exercise. Once that's over and I walk it out, I don't have any pain anymore.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
16 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate your very welcome there.
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3365)
• United States
1 May 18
Well that is a beautiful photo. I'm so glad to read you are doing well and home. This was a couple of weeks ago, hope you are still doing okay. Hugs to you.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
2 May 18
Thank you, I am doing things different than when I had the first knee and its much easier, My exercising is doing wonders. Just a bit longer than a month and the pain is 99% gone. I'm feeling good.
@Namelesss (3365)
• United States
3 May 18
@PainsOnSlate That's really awesome. I know it takes some people ages to get over knee and hip surgery. I knew you'd do well though. After all you are our Insane Camper. Hugs and Love
Hugs and Love1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
17 Apr 18
@PainsOnSlate
Glad you were able to go home and sleep in your bed and feel comfortable in your own surroundings. I am sure that helps in your recovery.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
4 May 18
I am almost perfect because of a really good physical therapy. I am free of pain now except when i do exercises and i do them 3 times a day, but I can walk pain free and am now using a cane but I often leave it behind and then wonder where it is...My goal is to be in greeat shape for camping in July and I'm almost there now in the beginning of May.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
19 Apr 18
If the machine hadn't screamed at me all night I might have stayed an other night. So glad I didn't, home is where I need to be.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
30 Apr 18
Hope all continues to go well for you! So many are having parts replaced these days and it is great this can be done.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
4 May 18
I am so glad that when its all done, I will not have knee pain again.
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
4 May 18
I had a knee replacement, as gross as it seems, they took out my knee and put a new plastic and metal one in its place. It takes a couple of months to get your mobility back but soon I won't even know I have a fake knee. I had the same surgery on the other leg 8 years ago and it is wonderful. Soon the new one will be wonderful too. The photo is the one I had done 8 years ago. I see my surgeon and get x-rays of the new one Monday.
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
29 Apr 18
Looking forward to be completely well, it usually takes 3 months but I think its going to be sooner this time.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
6 May 18
You did all your exercises on your own rather than either having someone come to the house or going for therapy?
For the most part here, or at least in my area we stay three days. Each afternoon we practice the exercises and those that have states practice that. Within three days of the surgery we go for physical therapy with trained people. It's like a small gym.
We also are supposed to practice the exercises several times per day.
I'm hoping to have my second knee done this July.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
7 May 18
I do my exercises 3 times a day with my husbands help with two new exercises given and taught to my husband by my Therapist. She has a list of my exercises and drops some when its too easy and adds the tough ones on the list. Physical therapy is done in the therapy's office and then taken to the gym in the office to learn how to do them. I saw my surgeon today and now I can go back to the YMCA, I can drive again and stop the cane.. He was impressed how well I can bend my knee ( at 8 weeks) - My therapist insisted in getting the full movement in my knee and that is what surprised my surgeon. I've had full movement for a couple of weeks. I am feeling great.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
3 May 18
I have a fantastic Physical Theripist and she is teaching my husband new ways to hurt me - just kidding, yes the exercises I do three times a day does hurt while doing them but once up and moving the pain is gone, my knee looks almost normal ( except fopr the scar) and certainly feels better than the first one, years ago, where I had no idea what was coming and not a good theripist...I am two months ahead of where I was the first time. feeling good and strong.
1 person likes this
