thanks for this note

[Guest guest]

This email reminds me of what a great

resource this group is. I’m going to save it and use it to prepare

(assuming I do go forward). --Janet

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Donna Hart

Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006

2:27 PM

Joint Replacement

Subject: Re:

New to the group

Hi Jan:

I glad

the knowledge shared here makes you more comfortable with the idea of

joint replacement. I came to this site after having both knees replaced three

months ago because I was aghast at the pain and what I thought was a slow

recovery.

I have wondered what

made me proceed without a lot of soul searching. It hit me recently that it's

probably because my mother had knee and hip replacements several years ago

because of arthritic deterioration. And here I am, in the same position.

Joint replacements

were more rare when Mom had hers. She was an amazing role model. She complained

so little and a real can-do attitude. I had no idea what she really went

through. I imagine the technology was not as advanced as it is now. I know she

did not have the medication, heated pool or physical therapists that I have

now.

When exercise and

injections no longer worked, I knew I had to forge ahead if I wanted to

have a normal life. I'm so glad I did! This site helped me get through the

post-surgery worries and my unrealistic expectations of how quickly recovery

should be. I am still reading and continuing to discover that I am on track.

Just last week, someone wrote about the malaise and chills, and I was relieved

to know, again, what I'm feeling is normal. And now I find myself reading

the postings on hip surgery because that is next.

I did have a

pre-surgery class. And because I work out at a heated pool at our local rehab

center, I was and am surrounded by people who are success stories. They gave me

more than enough advice on what I needed to do to prepare. :-)

I hope you are not

rushed into surgery before Christmas because your recovery will better if you

have time to prepare.

One of the most

important things you can do for yourself is exercise to strengthen and tone.

The physical therapists and my peers at the pool gave me exercises. I did a lot

of stretching for flexibility, worked on overall strength for upper and lower

body -- particularly working on the quads.

A friend helped me

things around the house so I didn't have to navigate throw rugs or furniture.

She moved my bed beside the bedroom door. I've blessed her for that more than

once during middle-of-the-night bathroom trips. Try to picture your home

as an obstacle course.

You will need a

plastic bath bench, one that extends over the edge of the tub so you

and sit and then draw your legs over. A detachable showerhead was not

necessary, but very helpful. A seat raiser on the commode will save you

much pain. I consider it a necessity. Getting up from a low place will almost

impossible at first. A leg lifter, like a dog leash but stiff, will help you

lift that delicate leg during your first weeks -- especially when you get out

of bed. You need to bend, but at first you just need to be able to get out of

bed. Some nurses and aides have the right touch when they lift your leg. Others

are not so skilled.

I got my walker

delivered when I was in the hospital. Afterward, I saw one with a seat at the

same price, and wished I had it. It makes so much sense. A plastic bag on

the walker can hold things you want to carry from room to room.

You will need a cane.

I wasn't told to buy crutches, but had a pair of crutches from a time

when I injured the knee. I was very glad to have them to take the weight

off my knees when I needed to go further and it was too painful going with the

cane.

I had to learn to ask

for help for the first time. I live alone, so a friend stayed with me

after I got out of inpatient rehab (was in rehab for the first week

because I had both knees done -- a godsend). After that my children came to

clean, get me out of the house, etc. I chose to go to the physical therapist

when I got home, and friends drove me there. When others asked if there was

anything they could do, I asked them to share their favorite books and DVDs

with me. My closest friends brought me dinner and stayed to eat with me.

You will need a

" station " at your bedside so you have whatever you need day and

night, medications, books, etc. My son bought me a bed tray -- handy in so many

ways. One of the best ideas I read here -- too late-- was to keep a cooler

beside you for drinks as well as fresh ice bags. You will probably be sent home

with the ice wraps used in the hospital. I hope you get what I got -- insulated

with two compartments and several bags of " ice " -- granules that

don't turn to liquid when they thaw.

After reading about

Ann's postings today about alfalfa juice for iron, I wished I had taken

iron before surgery since I ended up with a low blood count after surgery. But

that should probably be a doctor's recommendation.

I had my list of

medications I take regularly along with the dosages with me. Hospital

workers here are stretched thin, and even the best make mistakes, which they

did.

One thing everyone

here has heard me rant and rave about is having an advocate stay with you at

least the first two nights after surgery. I've heard many times and experienced

the meds arriving late or overlooked -- putting your pain management in a

tailspin.

I had the nurse from

hell and an unusual and bad experience with my epidural needle coming out and

going without the painkiller, that was to come to me through the pain pump, for

four hours. I told my nurse something was wrong, but I guess she just

considered me another delirious patient under the influence. I had to call my

children, who paged my surgeon. I was told not to bring a credit card to the

hospital and couldn't call out until I remembered the 1-800-collect

commercials. Next time I'll have a credit card (my son used his for my

T.V. cable access), a calling card and phone numbers at my bedside. There were

other problems with my nurse from hell that first night, including a

mix-up with meds, which I probably caught only because I wasn't getting my pain

med and very aware. That was the first time I heard her being berated by one

of her peers outside my room. She also left me alone, dizzy and

weak, on the bedside commode my first time up. Another nurse found me,

stayed with me. Then I heard Nurse Hell again being confronted by one

of her co-workers. Scary, huh? You are at your most vulnerable the night

of your surgery-- heavily medicated (if you are lucky), perhaps with anxiety

from the strong post-op meds, and hurting. I should say Nurse Hell was banished

after that, and I never saw her again. The next morning remarkable Nurse Angel

was assigned to me and oversaw my care after that. She knew what I needed

before I did. She was the one who questioned why I was so weak and told the

doctor I needed a blood count. A transfusion followed. What happened to me was

very unusual, but what if you end up with the one caregiver who is

incompetent as I did. I will never go it alone at night again.

These are the things

that first come to mind. The wonderful thing about this site is that you will

hear many more suggestions about preparing.

I wish you the best.

Let us know when you go and how recovery goes.

Warm regards,

Donna

Jan

<kpkwi@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I am Jan.

I have been reading some of your messages this last week and they have

been very helpful. I am feeling more confident and less scared about

having knee replacement surgery.

I am wondering about pre-surgery preparations. The first surgeon I

saw is referring me to a second one who is more familiar with a new

type of TKR that is for younger people and is more flexible. I am 49

years old.

I don't know yet when the surgery will be. I am hoping it won't be

until after Christmas so I have time to get things in order.

Thanks for your help and support.

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