Re: Upcoming surgery worries...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2006 7:36:05 PM Eastern Standard Time, alwelch@... writes:

There are a number of "experts" around the world who specialize in revisions that are difficult. Even though I never get any sleep at night I am still going to wait until I see a OS who really knows how to handle these "failed TKR" cases.

We have a local OS here in Lewes, Delaware who apparently specializes in revisions....even the other OS's in town refer their patients to him when the TKR doesn't go well....His name is Dr Choy located in lewes.....Might be worth a trip??

[Guest guest]

Judy,

Your concerns are valid ones. Most of these TKRs go well. About 5% have difficult recovery from I can tell. I myself fall into the difficult and I am still in pain after 9+ weeks. However, one of my co-workers just had his tkr and he is pain free after 4 days post op and has full range of motion. His went great. Mine not so great. I am being referred by my OS to UCLA to see an expert about my problem. It seems I may grow scar tissue to fast (arthrofibrosis). I have had about 10 surgeries prior to the TKR and I must say the TKR for me was one of the more difficult ones. The worst was Lumbar Pedicle rods and screws at numerous levels in my back.

I have met and spoken with some very happy TKR patients some in their 80s so again most of these go well.

Good Luck with your procedure.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of JudySent: Friday, October 06, 2006 2:02 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Upcoming surgery worries...

Hi, I'm having bilaterial TKRs in two weeks and I am getting my housearranged, getting all those little extra things they tell me will beuseful, such as a shower chair, and trying to psych myself up for thesurgery, mostly pretty successfully.Does everybody do this? I wake up in the middle of the night andstart thinking that I must be crazy to be doing this! It seems like -and it is - such an irrevocable step to take. I can think rationallyabout all the pain I'm having and how much it has diminished thequality of my life, and all the people I've talked to and posts I'veread about how much the knee replacements helped them and howeffective they are... and I know that's true and that they do 300,000or however many every single year in this country... Most of the time I'm fine and just plugging along and then I get this"panic attack". And I guess I might as well mention, while I'mmentioning all the stuff that runs through my mind, that I'm almostequally worried that I might get a cold or for some other reason mysurgery might be put off...So, if this has happened to anyone else, how did you deal with it?Thanks,Judy

[Guest guest]

Judy wrote "Most of the time I'm fine and just plugging along and then I get this"panic attack". And I guess I might as well mention, while I'mmentioning all the stuff that runs through my mind, that I'm almostequally worried that I might get a cold or for some other reason mysurgery might be put off...So, if this has happened to anyone else, how did you deal with it?"

Hi Judy

I can totally relate. My THR is scheduled for 28th November, so I have lots of time to worry I posted just the other day about my 'hospital phobia' and got lots of truly helpful responses. I have suffered panic attacks over the years, mainly when travelling by myself and when facing surgery. I have found using short courses (so as not to become addicted) of one of the 'benzo' sedatives (I use Klonopin - clonazepam) to be really effective in reducing my irrational anxiety and panic. So I am going to talk to my regular doctor and surgeon about having some on hand to use before and after surgery if necessary. (And I think it will be necessary!)

Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your fears - they can be very incapacitating. All the very best to you and your improved mobility,

[Guest guest]

I remember I suddenly got spooked when I watched an animation of a hip replacement, about a week or so before my big day. I was like "what in the world am I doing?!" but ya know what? I went ahead and did it and to now be living without that horrible arthritis pain in my hip makes me KNOW I made the right decision. I think I started to tell myself "why do I want that rusty old damaged joint in my body anyway? ewww, right? Not to mention that pain. Take it out!

Also, as a woman, those sudden little "panic attacks" leading up to the day of surgery remind me of being 8 and a half months pregnant and suddenly watching the birth video in lamaze class, and freaking out - saying "I can't do this! There is no way I can give birth to this baby!"

:-)

[Guest guest]

Thanks, ... I read your post and really empathized with it - I

hope all goes very well with your upcoming surgery also.

I don't think what I have are really full-blown panic attacks, just

sudden worry attacks. I'll keep the valium-type meds in mind - in

fact, I have some my doctor prescribed for me before my arthroscopy in

May which I never took - so maybe now is the time. There is a big

difference between the arthroscopic procedure I had before and this -

to me, this is the " real thing " ... Therefore the worry, I guess.

Judy

> Hi Judy

> I can totally relate. My THR is scheduled for 28th November, so I

have lots

> of time to worry I posted just the other day about my 'hospital

phobia'

> and got lots of truly helpful responses. I have suffered panic

attacks over

> the years, mainly when travelling by myself and when facing surgery.

I have

> found using short courses (so as not to become addicted) of one of the

> 'benzo' sedatives (I use Klonopin - clonazepam) to be really

effective in

> reducing my irrational anxiety and panic. So I am going to talk to my

> regular doctor and surgeon about having some on hand to use before

and after

> surgery if necessary. (And I think it will be necessary!)

>

> Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your fears - they can

be very

> incapacitating. All the very best to you and your improved mobility,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Al, I am sorry you are having to go through all this - Is this the

same kind of pain you had before surgery? With all the surgeries

you've had, it sounds like you've been through a lot...

I have a book, Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation, by Brugioni

and Falkel, that seems (to someone who hasn't yet had the surgery) to

go over every aspect in great detail, with lots of pictures... and one

thing they go over is " scar management " - massaging around the area to

help keep scar tissue from forming... Maybe that would help your

situation.

Anyway, thanks for your good wishes, and all the best to you as well.

Judy

>

> Judy,

>

> Your concerns are valid ones. Most of these TKRs go well. About 5%

have

> difficult recovery from I can tell. I myself fall into the

difficult and I

> am still in pain after 9+ weeks. However, one of my co-workers just

had his

> tkr and he is pain free after 4 days post op and has full range of

motion.

> His went great. Mine not so great. I am being referred by my OS to

UCLA to

> see an expert about my problem. It seems I may grow scar tissue to fast

> (arthrofibrosis). I have had about 10 surgeries prior to the TKR

and I must

> say the TKR for me was one of the more difficult ones. The worst

was Lumbar

> Pedicle rods and screws at numerous levels in my back.

>

> I have met and spoken with some very happy TKR patients some in

their 80s so

> again most of these go well.

>

> Good Luck with your procedure.

>

> Al Welch

>

> _____

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, - but in the case of a baby, you really have no choice... At

that point. And I know you're right, I just want to get all that

cruncy bone out of there, I know it's only going to get worse and

worse - I know I'll hang in there, but I think the next couple of

weeks are going to be difficult - Thank goodness it's not a couple of

months.

Judy

>

> I remember I suddenly got spooked when I watched an animation of a

hip replacement, about a week or so before my big day. I was like

" what in the world am I doing?! " but ya know what? I went ahead and

did it and to now be living without that horrible arthritis pain in my

hip makes me KNOW I made the right decision. I think I started to

tell myself " why do I want that rusty old damaged joint in my body

anyway? ewww, right? Not to mention that pain. Take it out!

> Also, as a woman, those sudden little " panic attacks " leading up to

the day of surgery remind me of being 8 and a half months pregnant and

suddenly watching the birth video in lamaze class, and freaking out -

saying " I can't do this! There is no way I can give birth to this baby! "

> :-)

>

[Guest guest]

On Oct.16 be the 4th time that I will be in the operating room this year.1/9 right knee, 4/10 right knee just to get it to bend (home same day). 7/24 left knee replacement. Still have pain but doing great. On the 16 th it the right knee again. This time going to try to get my knee straight. Going to remove scar tissue, putting a smaller spacer and a few other things also. My Os said that this may not even work. I also run a higher risk for infections. Last night I didn't sleep starting to worry about the surgery. Praying that it going to work. I'm tried of having my right leg shorter that the left knee. I been using a walker all this time. It would be nice to use a cane and start to get my life back. If this don't work my Os will have to replace the whole knee.ShirleyJudy <jdytart@...> wrote: Thanks, ... I read your post and really empathized with it - I hope all goes very well with your upcoming surgery also. I don't think what I have are really full-blown panic attacks, just sudden worry attacks. I'll keep the valium-type meds in mind - in fact, I have some my doctor prescribed for me before my arthroscopy in May which I never took - so maybe now is the time. There is a big difference between the arthroscopic procedure I had before and this - to me, this is the "real thing"... Therefore the worry, I guess. Judy > Hi Judy > I can totally relate.

My THR is scheduled for 28th November, so I have lots > of time to worry I posted just the other day about my 'hospital phobia' > and got lots of truly helpful responses. I have suffered panic attacks over > the years, mainly when travelling by myself and when facing surgery. I have > found using short courses (so as not to become addicted) of one of the > 'benzo' sedatives (I use Klonopin - clonazepam) to be really effective in > reducing my irrational anxiety and panic. So I am going to talk to my > regular doctor and surgeon about having some on hand to use before and after > surgery if necessary. (And I think it will be necessary!) > > Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your fears - they can be very > incapacitating. All the very best to you and your improved mobility, > > >

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[Guest guest]

Judy,

Thanks for your kind thoughts. I certainly wish you the best with your operation.

For some scar tissue, the Physical Therapist does do some massaging and stretching to break up adhesions during each visit. She even remarked once or twice that she had felt one break loose. From what I understand, people with arthrofibrosis produce very rapid build up of scar tissue when any bleeding takes place in their joints. Sometimes the scar tissue can fill the entire joint capsule and bind it up tight. That seems to be what might have happened in my case. I sure do not have the range of motion I am supposed to. Also the OS did a manipulation under anesthesia and he managed to tear things loose and get range but when I awoke I was the same as before. I think it is difficult for a OS to judge what force is normal and when a patient is going to be unable to move the leg themselves. I have put some force on mine (so has the PT) using the other leg or my hands but it is not going to bend beyond its limit.

This is not normal for TKR so do not let this worry you.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of JudySent: Friday, October 06, 2006 3:27 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Upcoming surgery worries...

Al, I am sorry you are having to go through all this - Is this thesame kind of pain you had before surgery? With all the surgeriesyou've had, it sounds like you've been through a lot... I have a book, Total Knee Replacement and Rehabilitation, by Brugioniand Falkel, that seems (to someone who hasn't yet had the surgery) togo over every aspect in great detail, with lots of pictures... and onething they go over is "scar management" - massaging around the area tohelp keep scar tissue from forming... Maybe that would help yoursituation.Anyway, thanks for your good wishes, and all the best to you as well.Judy>> Judy,> > Your concerns are valid ones. Most of these TKRs go well. About 5%have> difficult recovery from I can tell. I myself fall into thedifficult and I> am still in pain after 9+ weeks. However, one of my co-workers justhad his> tkr and he is pain free after 4 days post op and has full range ofmotion.> His went great. Mine not so great. I am being referred by my OS toUCLA to> see an expert about my problem. It seems I may grow scar tissue to fast> (arthrofibrosis). I have had about 10 surgeries prior to the TKRand I must> say the TKR for me was one of the more difficult ones. The worstwas Lumbar> Pedicle rods and screws at numerous levels in my back.> > I have met and spoken with some very happy TKR patients some intheir 80s so> again most of these go well. > > Good Luck with your procedure. > > Al Welch> > _____ > >

[Guest guest]

Shirley,

You might get a second opinion before you have further surgery. My OS said he has seen cases like mine where up to 5 revisions were done and each one got worse. My OS had also mentioned a smaller spacer but we talked about it and determined it was not the best solution. A smaller spacer will make that leg slightly shorter and it will wear out sooner... aprox 18 months sooner by my own estimates. I met a lady who had gone for 5 months with her TKR and then they replaced the whole thing and now she is struggling to get ROM again. I think it is time to stop and evaluate what the problem is. There are a number of "experts" around the world who specialize in revisions that are difficult. Even though I never get any sleep at night I am still going to wait until I see a OS who really knows how to handle these "failed TKR" cases.

I understand what you must be going through and your endurance has been longer than mine. One thing I think I have learned is you need a muscle sparing operation that allows you to put weight on the knee right away after surgery instead of days later. That way you can bend and flex and keep the scar tissue from getting a hold.

You may want to read the 3 page article on arthrofibrosis at http://www.kneeandshoulder.md/arthro_01.html

Wishing you the best of luck with your revision surgery.

Al Welch

From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of SHIRLEY ShawSent: Friday, October 06, 2006 4:13 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: Upcoming surgery worries...

On Oct.16 be the 4th time that I will be in the operating room this year.1/9 right knee, 4/10 right knee just to get it to bend (home same day). 7/24 left knee replacement. Still have pain but doing great. On the 16 th it the right knee again. This time going to try to get my knee straight. Going to remove scar tissue, putting a smaller spacer and a few other things also. My Os said that this may not even work. I also run a higher risk for infections. Last night I didn't sleep starting to worry about the surgery. Praying that it going to work. I'm tried of having my right leg shorter that the left knee. I been using a walker all this time. It would be nice to use a cane and start to get my life back. If this don't work my Os will have to replace the whole knee.ShirleyJudy <jdytartsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:

Thanks, ... I read your post and really empathized with it - Ihope all goes very well with your upcoming surgery also.I don't think what I have are really full-blown panic attacks, justsudden worry attacks. I'll keep the valium-type meds in mind - infact, I have some my doctor prescribed for me before my arthroscopy inMay which I never took - so maybe now is the time. There is a bigdifference between the arthroscopic procedure I had before and this -to me, this is the "real thing"... Therefore the worry, I guess.Judy> Hi Judy> I can totally relate. My THR is scheduled for 28th November, so Ihave lots> of time to worry I posted just the other day about my 'hospitalphobia'> and got lots of truly helpful responses. I have suffered panicattacks over> the years, mainly when travelling by myself and when facing surgery.I have> found using short courses (so as not to become addicted) of one of the> 'benzo' sedatives (I use Klonopin - clonazepam) to be reallyeffective in> reducing my irrational anxiety and panic. So I am going to talk to my> regular doctor and surgeon about having some on hand to use beforeand after> surgery if necessary. (And I think it will be necessary!)> > Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your fears - they canbe very> incapacitating. All the very best to you and your improved mobility,> > >

Get your email and more, right on the new .com

[Guest guest]

How did you end up with your R leg shorter? Do surgeons not take care to get your legs the same length?????

Ann S.

Re: Re: Upcoming surgery worries...

On Oct.16 be the 4th time that I will be in the operating room this year.1/9 right knee, 4/10 right knee just to get it to bend (home same day). 7/24 left knee replacement. Still have pain but doing great. On the 16 th it the right knee again. This time going to try to get my knee straight. Going to remove scar tissue, putting a smaller spacer and a few other things also. My Os said that this may not even work. I also run a higher risk for infections. Last night I didn't sleep starting to worry about the surgery. Praying that it going to work. I'm tried of having my right leg shorter that the left knee. I been using a walker all this time. It would be nice to use a cane and start to get my life back. If this don't work my Os will have to replace the whole knee.ShirleyJudy <jdytartsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:

Thanks, ... I read your post and really empathized with it - Ihope all goes very well with your upcoming surgery also.I don't think what I have are really full-blown panic attacks, justsudden worry attacks. I'll keep the valium-type meds in mind - infact, I have some my doctor prescribed for me before my arthroscopy inMay which I never took - so maybe now is the time. There is a bigdifference between the arthroscopic procedure I had before and this -to me, this is the "real thing"... Therefore the worry, I guess.Judy> Hi Judy> I can totally relate. My THR is scheduled for 28th November, so Ihave lots> of time to worry I posted just the other day about my 'hospitalphobia'> and got lots of truly helpful responses. I have suffered panicattacks over> the years, mainly when travelling by myself and when facing surgery.I have> found using short courses (so as not to become addicted) of one of the> 'benzo' sedatives (I use Klonopin - clonazepam) to be reallyeffective in> reducing my irrational anxiety and panic. So I am going to talk to my> regular doctor and surgeon about having some on hand to use beforeand after> surgery if necessary. (And I think it will be necessary!)> > Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your fears - they canbe very> incapacitating. All the very best to you and your improved mobility,> > >

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2006 4:05:29 P.M. Central Standard Time, jdytart@... writes:

Most of the time I'm fine and just plugging along and then I get this"panic attack". And I guess I might as well mention, while I'mmentioning all the stuff that runs through my mind, that I'm almostequally worried that I might get a cold or for some other reason mysurgery might be put off...So, if this has happened to anyone else, how did you deal with it?Thanks,Judy

Hi Judy, my surgery got put off at the very last moment. I had the IV and everything, because I had fallen down and had a boo boo on my knee. They were afraid of infection. It was pretty discouraging but what can you do. They were just doing it for my protection. I had to wait for 2 weeks for it to heal. I didn't think that it would be a big deal at all.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/7/2006 1:02:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, ohdonna_68@... writes:

I'm the only person I know who has a leg lifter. It's a simple, fabric device, about $10, that lets you put your foot through a loop and easily swing it off the bed. It was a lifesaver the first week when getting out of bed and to the bathroom quickly was a higher priority than

Nope, you are not the only person! But I just used my dog's leash! Ha! Worked like a charm....just hooked it around my foot and pulled the leg where i wanted it! And you are right...the first week you really need it!

denise

TKR 8/21/06

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/7/2006 7:04:51 A.M. Central Standard Time, Pets007@... writes:

In a message dated 10/7/2006 1:02:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, ohdonna_68 writes:

I'm the only person I know who has a leg lifter. It's a simple, fabric device, about $10, that lets you put your foot through a loop and easily swing it off the bed. It was a lifesaver the first week when getting out of bed and to the bathroom quickly was a higher priority than

Nope, you are not the only person! But I just used my dog's leash! Ha! Worked like a charm....just hooked it around my foot and pulled the leg where i wanted it! And you are right...the first week you really need it!

denise

TKR 8/21/06

I'm short, don't know if that makes a difference or not, but I just used my good leg to lift my bad leg up and over. I did have a sock puller though.

[Guest guest]

Judy,

Panic attacts are normal!..Absolutely normal!...But I think it's time

to take a deep breath & think about why you're panicking, so that you

can narrow it down & focus on relieving the 'panic'....From what I know

of you from your Posts, you are not panicking about your surgery, OS or

after surgery care...So here come my very amature thoughts..

1.You've done your research & preparation & have already committed to

the surgery, with the belief that your quality of life & pain will be

much better afterwards...And the odds are 299,998 to 2 that all the

surgery things will go okay...Pretty good odds, eh?

2. You really have done your research!!!Way more than most of us did

Pre-Op...So you are definitely prepared.

3. Just my opinion,,,,but I think here is where you need to focus...I

think you are only panicking about something going wrong before the

surgery that would prevent/postpone the surgery(heaven knows that I

did, whew girl-o-boy did I ever!!!) & there is no magical cure for that!

All you can do is to keep on going through your daily routine, and try

to avoid situations that might cause you to catch a cold, or the flu or

a minor cut that will cause an infection....This will cause your Hubby

& Kids 2 weeks of trying to deal with your anxiety....2 weeks,,,14

days,,,14 little days of trying to ease the mind of " Basket Case Mom "

Believe me,(insert smile here)when you go into surgery, Hubby & Kids

will be popping champaine corks because they'll have done their job &

can take a few days off while the Hospital Staff takes over....And then

you get to go Home,,,The 'anxiety' will be over, and you can begin the

next phase of pain & rehab(lot's of fun!)

4. So....For the next 14 days, try to find some 'calming activities',

anything that takes your mind away from anxiety...crochet, croquet,

cooking & kite flying....Anything....Maybe even make up an extra

special menu of what you are going to cook on Thanksgiving, because by

then you will be 6 weeks Post-Op......Oh, and here's another activity

to keep you busy....Go to a Hallmark store(or card shop), and buy

individual 'thank you' cards that you can write out notes of thanks in

advance for everyone who has been helping you through your Pre-Op days,

keep them private(it's our little secret)and after surgery, when you're

groggy from Meds or going through rehab, pass them out...

5. Commit this phrase to memory & repeat it often... " The pain is in my

knees, the anxiety is in my head " !!!!...14 days,,,tomorrow it will be

13 days, and if my math is right, it will then be 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7,

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Whoohoo!!!!

Bob

> " panic attack " .

>

> So, if this has happened to anyone else, how did you deal with it?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Judy

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, what a neat device. I didn't know they made them...And a dog

leash? How creative!....I had a couple of knee surgeries before my

TKR last February, and I had perfected a technique of putting my

good foot under the ankle of my surgery leg and swinging both legs

together off the bed & onto the floor...The Nurses were quite

impressed while I hobbled quickly to the bathroom....I guess that

this should be filed under the category of things they don't tell you

about Pre-Op....Wonderful ideas!!!!....Whatever works!!!!

Bob

>

>

> In a message dated 10/7/2006 1:02:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> ohdonna_68@... writes:

>

> I'm the only person I know who has a leg lifter. It's a simple,

fabric

> device, about $10, that lets you put your foot through a loop and

easily swing

> it off the bed. It was a lifesaver the first week when getting out

of bed and

> to the bathroom quickly was a higher priority than

>

>

> Nope, you are not the only person! But I just used my dog's

leash! Ha!

> Worked like a charm....just hooked it around my foot and pulled

the leg where i

> wanted it! And you are right...the first week you really need it!

> denise

> TKR 8/21/06

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I, too, am scheduled for bilateral TKR in several weeks. But, lo and behold, I am having very little knee pain! In fact, I was in Washington, DC, several weeks ago and spent two days riding on the Metro, touring museums, going up and down stairs, etc. No pain meds or icing needed.

When I scheduled my surgery several months ago, I was in a lot of pain -- taking meds, putting on arthritis rubs, wearing knee braces, etc. I think the reason I'm not in pain now is that 1) I had Synvisc injections, and 2) I lost some weight. I know that I have bone-on-bone on both knees, and am reluctant to postpone the surgery even though I am without pain. My mother (now deceased) put off having surgery, then when she was ready to have it, she was a surgical risk due to high blood pressure and the doctors wouldn't operate. I'm concerned that if I wait until I am in pain again, the same thing will happen to me. My current medical condition is very good, including blood pressure. I'm 67 years old.

Any thoughts on my quandary?

a

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/7/2006 7:56:07 A.M. Central Standard Time, know_jack@... writes:

Wow, what a neat device. I didn't know they made them...And a dog leash? How creative!....I had a couple of knee surgeries before my TKR last February, and I had perfected a technique of putting my good foot under the ankle of my surgery leg and swinging both legs together off the bed & onto the floor...The Nurses were quite impressed while I hobbled quickly to the bathroom....I guess that this should be filed under the category of things they don't tell you about Pre-Op....Wonderful ideas!!!!....Whatever works!!!!Bob

Hi Bob, that's exactly what I did also and my nurses acted like they had never seen anyone do it before either. I just came natural to me. Of course I lived with 2 very bad knees for about 10 years.

[Guest guest]

You can take a look at the leg lifter here: http://www.amazon.com/Leg-Lifter/dp/B000F0GMYI And it is at the price I paid: $10.99. The leash is such a creative solution! As you will see, it is like a leash, but rigid. know_jack <know_jack@...> wrote: Wow, what a neat device. I didn't know they made them...And a dog leash? How creative!....I

had a couple of knee surgeries before my TKR last February, and I had perfected a technique of putting my good foot under the ankle of my surgery leg and swinging both legs together off the bed & onto the floor...The Nurses were quite impressed while I hobbled quickly to the bathroom....I guess that this should be filed under the category of things they don't tell you about Pre-Op....Wonderful ideas!!!!....Whatever works!!!!Bob>> > In a message dated 10/7/2006 1:02:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, > ohdonna_68@... writes:> > I'm the only person I know who has a leg lifter. It's a simple, fabric > device, about $10, that lets you put your foot through a loop and easily swing > it off the bed. It was a lifesaver the

first week when getting out of bed and > to the bathroom quickly was a higher priority than > > > Nope, you are not the only person! But I just used my dog's leash! Ha! > Worked like a charm....just hooked it around my foot and pulled the leg where i > wanted it! And you are right...the first week you really need it!> denise> TKR 8/21/06>

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Bob this is a very helpful uplifting e mail. You have given those

facing surgery a great outlook. I agree with you completely I have

been there, done that and it wasn't bad at all. Thanks.

On Oct 7, 2006, at 5:45 AM, know_jack wrote:

> Judy,

>

> Panic attacts are normal!..Absolutely normal!...But I think it's time

> to take a deep breath & think about why you're panicking, so that you

> can narrow it down & focus on relieving the 'panic'....From what I

> know

> of you from your Posts, you are not panicking about your surgery, OS

> or

> after surgery care...So here come my very amature thoughts..

>

> 1.You've done your research & preparation & have already committed to

> the surgery, with the belief that your quality of life & pain will be

> much better afterwards...And the odds are 299,998 to 2 that all the

> surgery things will go okay...Pretty good odds, eh?

>

> 2. You really have done your research!!!Way more than most of us did

> Pre-Op...So you are definitely prepared.

>

> 3. Just my opinion,,,,but I think here is where you need to focus...I

> think you are only panicking about something going wrong before the

> surgery that would prevent/postpone the surgery(heaven knows that I

> did, whew girl-o-boy did I ever!!!) & there is no magical cure for

> that!

> All you can do is to keep on going through your daily routine, and try

> to avoid situations that might cause you to catch a cold, or the flu

> or

> a minor cut that will cause an infection....This will cause your Hubby

> & Kids 2 weeks of trying to deal with your anxiety....2 weeks,,,14

> days,,,14 little days of trying to ease the mind of " Basket Case Mom "

> Believe me,(insert smile here)when you go into surgery, Hubby & Kids

> will be popping champaine corks because they'll have done their job &

> can take a few days off while the Hospital Staff takes over....And

> then

> you get to go Home,,,The 'anxiety' will be over, and you can begin the

> next phase of pain & rehab(lot's of fun!)

>

> 4. So....For the next 14 days, try to find some 'calming activities',

> anything that takes your mind away from anxiety...crochet, croquet,

> cooking & kite flying....Anything....Maybe even make up an extra

> special menu of what you are going to cook on Thanksgiving, because by

> then you will be 6 weeks Post-Op......Oh, and here's another activity

> to keep you busy....Go to a Hallmark store(or card shop), and buy

> individual 'thank you' cards that you can write out notes of thanks in

> advance for everyone who has been helping you through your Pre-Op

> days,

> keep them private(it's our little secret)and after surgery, when

> you're

> groggy from Meds or going through rehab, pass them out...

>

> 5. Commit this phrase to memory & repeat it often... " The pain is in my

> knees, the anxiety is in my head " !!!!...14 days,,,tomorrow it will be

> 13 days, and if my math is right, it will then be 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7,

> 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Whoohoo!!!!

>

> Bob

>

>

>

> > " panic attack " .

> >

> > So, if this has happened to anyone else, how did you deal with it?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Judy

> >

>

>

" the church is not suppose to be a country club for the saints, but

rather a hospital for the sinner. "

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/7/2006 3:16:38 P.M. Central Standard Time, know_jack@... writes:

Hi ,Yeah, it's a really kewl movement ain't it?...Maybe everyone facing a TKR oughta practice it in advance...I still smile when I remember the responses of the Staff when they saw it.....Bob

It just sort of came natural to me but I guess I "discovered" it at the hospital out of necessity.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yeah, it's a really kewl movement ain't it?...Maybe everyone facing a

TKR oughta practice it in advance...I still smile when I remember the

responses of the Staff when they saw it.....

Bob

> In a message dated 10/7/2006 7:56:07 A.M. Central Standard Time,

> know_jack@... writes:

>

>

> Wow, what a neat device. I didn't know they made them...And a dog

> leash? How creative!...leash? How creative!...<WBR>.I had a couple

of k

> TKR last February, and I had perfected a technique of putting my

> good foot under the ankle of my surgery leg and swinging both legs

> together off the bed & onto the floor...The Nurses were quite

> impressed while I hobbled quickly to the bathroom....impressed whi

> this should be filed under the category of things they don't tell

you

> about Pre-Op....Wonderful ideas!!!!...about Pre-Op....Wonderf

>

> Bob

>

>

> Hi Bob, that's exactly what I did also and my nurses acted like

they had

> never seen anyone do it before either. I just came natural to

me. Of course I

> lived with 2 very bad knees for about 10 years.

>

[Guest guest]

Ok, Al, I won't add this to my list of worries for myself, but I sure

hope you are over this soon...

Judy

-

[Guest guest]

Great, Bob! I think I should print this out and tape it to the mirror!

Judy

>

> > " panic attack " .

> >

> > So, if this has happened to anyone else, how did you deal with it?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Judy

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Bob,

That was really beautiful. You must be a lovely man.

When I do my " Happy Hipsters " trip to America I want to meet you.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

Re: Upcoming surgery worries...

| Judy,

|

| Panic attacts are normal!..Absolutely normal!...But I think it's time

| to take a deep breath & think about why you're panicking, so that you

| can narrow it down & focus on relieving the 'panic'....From what I know

| of you from your Posts, you are not panicking about your surgery, OS or

| after surgery care...So here come my very amature thoughts..

|

| 1.You've done your research & preparation & have already committed to

| the surgery, with the belief that your quality of life & pain will be

| much better afterwards...And the odds are 299,998 to 2 that all the

| surgery things will go okay...Pretty good odds, eh?

|

| 2. You really have done your research!!!Way more than most of us did

| Pre-Op...So you are definitely prepared.

|

| 3. Just my opinion,,,,but I think here is where you need to focus...I

| think you are only panicking about something going wrong before the

| surgery that would prevent/postpone the surgery(heaven knows that I

| did, whew girl-o-boy did I ever!!!) & there is no magical cure for that!

| All you can do is to keep on going through your daily routine, and try

| to avoid situations that might cause you to catch a cold, or the flu or

| a minor cut that will cause an infection....This will cause your Hubby

| & Kids 2 weeks of trying to deal with your anxiety....2 weeks,,,14

| days,,,14 little days of trying to ease the mind of " Basket Case Mom "

| Believe me,(insert smile here)when you go into surgery, Hubby & Kids

| will be popping champaine corks because they'll have done their job &

| can take a few days off while the Hospital Staff takes over....And then

| you get to go Home,,,The 'anxiety' will be over, and you can begin the

| next phase of pain & rehab(lot's of fun!)

|

| 4. So....For the next 14 days, try to find some 'calming activities',

| anything that takes your mind away from anxiety...crochet, croquet,

| cooking & kite flying....Anything....Maybe even make up an extra

| special menu of what you are going to cook on Thanksgiving, because by

| then you will be 6 weeks Post-Op......Oh, and here's another activity

| to keep you busy....Go to a Hallmark store(or card shop), and buy

| individual 'thank you' cards that you can write out notes of thanks in

| advance for everyone who has been helping you through your Pre-Op days,

| keep them private(it's our little secret)and after surgery, when you're

| groggy from Meds or going through rehab, pass them out...

|

| 5. Commit this phrase to memory & repeat it often... " The pain is in my

| knees, the anxiety is in my head " !!!!...14 days,,,tomorrow it will be

| 13 days, and if my math is right, it will then be 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7,

| 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Whoohoo!!!!

|

| Bob

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