Home But What A Journey

elainebadknee

Hi Everyone

Only just got home today after being admitted to hospital on 27th October for TKR....
My journey has been so emotional....I went in so nervous, in with Muttley the dog and my parents thought they would get a call to say id bottled it...I gripped the guys hand as they put in the spinal into my back so much i left nailmarks and was holding Muttley sobbing....I had general anaesthesia too and so glad I did as so many people said they didnt and heard everything (not going to elaborate cos dont think its appropriate)....
I awoke from surgery and was as happy as Larry, giggling and smiling in recovery where I showed my surgeon my leg would lift, phoned my dad laughing saying id done it....Little did I know the spinal was letting me lift that leg alone....Back to ward D where met lovely people....I seemed okay and was doing exercises...Then when they took out catheter couldnt wee, got upset, took a temperature.....Was in ward D till sunday then to Ward 5 and when i got there things went bad...I was having lunch one day and i slumped, next thing knew was on top of bed with okygen on and blood count down at 7.3....Had to have transfusion then spiked a temperature so only half one unit went in, wasnt allowed out of bed.....Then got the other end of wastage probs and suffered for 2 days before finally a result, cried again.....
The pysios had seen me and i had up intil then 57%-60% bend, funny thing was registrar said cos my leg was so swollen (I am from under my bottom to my ankle and black and blue) that the bend would happen but with extra physio..Then man that assisted operation said it wasnt good enough and if couldnt get it together this early on would need manipulation to put it right....Also having breathing difficulties as have alleergic rhinitis and my nose and ears feel packed tight so was afraid to sleep a lot of tim
Worked so hard with physios to get 70% bend still needing extra physio here at home and at local hospital.......
Never cried so much and hope an pray this bend come, i know its the swelling stopping it coming on so much and thats what keeps me going...
Ive never cried so much, hugged Muttley, wished for home......My poor mum and dad are worn out....

Elainexx

ShulaArcher

Hi

So sorry to read about everything you've been through. Sending you lots of wishes for better things for you, and quickly.

Shula

JuliaHod12

Hi Elaine
So pleased to hear you are home :-) xx

Now the horrible story you have told is not common, and i am sad they have been a bit bullying with you :-( regarding the bend..........as you knw several of us have had TKRs recently and have not been treated this way!
Yes, you will have to work hard to get the bend, but not at the detrement of your general health.........I struggled in the beginning too.......and i know it can be absolutely exhausting.
You need to get ice packs on that knee to bring down the swelling..........i was very fortunate and had one from the hospital as i went private..........but do what you can, slowly and easily, a little more each time and you will start to see and feel improvements.

Bless you, we are all right behind you xxx

jilly

Hi Elaine , nice to see you back , sorry you have suffered so much but i had the same problem with the swelling and bend , it was very painful but it did sort out . It was my second TKR that I had trouble with and they said it was just one of those things, each one is different . I am sure you will be fine in the end . I was at Wrightington on the same day you went in and thought about you while I was there . Good luck .....jillyx

Helenbothknees

Elaine, so glad you're home, and it sounds like you need lots of hugs, so here you are. ((((((((((((((((Elaine)))))))))))))))))

What rotten luck! Just when you were getting over it too. But try not to worry too much; it does sound as though the swelling is stopping you bending the knee, that's all. As Julia said, get ice on it - frozen peas in a pillow case works great. Sit down, elevate knee with ice on it...then use Helen's extra special remedy which is a nice cup of coffee and some CHOCOLATE, which I'm sure is the magic cure. As you know, lots of TKR people had trouble bending the knee in the beginning; in fact, everyone was amazed that I didn't - which suggests to me that it's common. Give it time, it's all over now, you WILL bend that knee, and in a few months time you'll be so, so glad you had this op!

barbara12

Oh Elaine
You poor thing ..you have waited so long for that knee then you have such a rough time....I am sure you will get that bend once the swelling has gone down...not sure what you have to do...I do know some of the others have said to use plenty of ice....but you probably know all this.
I bet you mum and dad are glad to have you home...all that traveling..I do wish you a good recovery....here are some very gentle hugs ((((()))) xx

stickywicket

That sounds like quite a nasty experience, Elaine. Maybe just as well it's not typical or else the supply of candidates for prostheses might dry up Still, you're home now and can start on the grand recovery process. I'm sure the bend will come once the swelling subsides. As the others have said, ice is helpful as is elevation. Keep plugging away with the exercises as they help to reduce the swelling too, just forget about anything else while you have your Mum there at hand. Good luck!

villier

Awe Elaine you have had it rough pet at least you are home now, I always think when you are in your own bed everything feels a bit better, I'm sure with lots of ice packs and your exercises hopefully you will not be too long in getting there...........tc..........Marie xx

Numptydumpty

It's lovely to have you back Elaine.
I hope things improve for you soon.
Take care,
Numpty

hileena111

Hi Elaine
Sending you lots of ((((((((())))))))) you sound as if you need them.
Never had a TKR just a THR
I'm sure it will all come right in the end

Love
Hileena

RitaW

Hi Elaine,So pleased you are home now and sending you huge hugs (((((((((())))))))). Sorry you have had such a rough time but you have been incredibly brave.I hope the swelling goes down and it starts to heal very quickly.xxxx

marrianne

Oh Elaine ,You poor little duck ,You have had a shift time but your home now safe and sound ,as the others have said you will be fine now give it time come christmas you will be fantastic ok bend ..........I still cant achieve a great bend good days and bad ,the cold weather wont help so always make sure your warm as toast before you exercise the main thing is you will be walking so much better in a couple of months and next year you will be great for that big meet up .Marrianne

kentishlady

Hi Elaine. Am so sorry you have had such a rough time and hope it won't be too long before you are feeling better. Thinking of you. Beryl

barbara12

Hi Elaine
Just popping in to see how you are feeling today..and to leave you some more hugs ((((()))) xx

bubbadog

Wow Elaine, you really have been through the wars! Bet your so reliefed to be home! Well you behave yourself and make sure you rest, rest and have more rest! You always think of others before you think of yourself and I love that about you. But you need us to do that for you! So you make sure you rest and get strong so you can be the mommy of the forum once more!! Have a restful weekend!

tkachev

Well you did it Elaine thats the main thing but you've had such a build up its just relief and all those strong medications coming to a head that makes it an emotional experience. The loss of blood can hamper recovery as you have to rest after a transfusion but I quite liked having that extra day in bed .

Fraid I've gotta go but speak later
Elizabeth x