Re: Five days to go to TKRs!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/15/2006 7:02:41 P.M. Central Standard Time, jdytart@... writes:

As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I'vedone most everything in preparing my home, making a little "nest" tospend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made toprepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not gettingback to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to do...Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,house-cleaning, etc. ...Thanks,

House cleaning for sure, lol.

[Guest guest]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, Judy. A little anxiety is normal, so "hang tight". It'll be over and done before you know it. Best wishes! LaneJudy <jdytart@...> wrote: As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I'vedone most everything in preparing my home, making a little "nest" tospend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made toprepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,exactly

- just getting tense, waking up very early and not gettingback to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to do...Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,house-cleaning, etc. ...Thanks,Judy __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Time to read a story Judy,

In 1993 I worked Christmas eve then hopped on a plane Christmas morning to

go to Korea to see my only son. He had found it very difficult being away

from home, and was dreading Christmas alone in a strange culture, by

himself.

One day I was thinking how lucky I was to be able to get a flight on

Christmas day. Then I started thinking about the staff on that flight and

how they would miss Christmas with their families.

I bought some Christmas cards and wrote in it how I was visiting my son, how

hard he was finding being away from home, and how grateful I was that they

were working so I could visit him.

When I got settled I asked one of the attendants how many staff were on

board, and gave him one of these pre written cards for each staff member.

He came back with a bottle of champange and told me his story. He wasn't

supposed to work that day, and was to have Christmas with his family. The

first time in 3 years. At 4 am he got a phone call telling him he had to

work. His family were pretty upset when he woke them to have " Christmas " in

the 2 hours before he had to leave for work. He told me he was feeling very

resentful, but my card had changed the way he felt about working, and that

he would be taking the card home to share with his family.

I was treated like a queen on that flight, my first flight out of Australia.

So Judy, perhaps you have time to write thank you cards for the people who

will look after you. Give them out early.

Hugs, and good luck with the surgery.

I will be thinking of you.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

Five days to go to TKRs!

| As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I've

| done most everything in preparing my home, making a little " nest " to

| spend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made to

| prepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,

| exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not getting

| back to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to do...

|

| Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,

| house-cleaning, etc. ...

|

| Thanks,

|

| Judy

|

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

[Guest guest]

Come to my house. Plenty to do!

Ann A.

Five days to go to TKRs!

As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I'vedone most everything in preparing my home, making a little "nest" tospend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made toprepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not gettingback to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to do...Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,house-cleaning, etc. ...Thanks,Judy

[Guest guest]

Plenty of leaves in my backyard ai Sydney Australia. Come on over if you are bored.

Aussie

Come to my house. Plenty to do!

Ann A.

Five days to go to TKRs!

As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I'vedone most everything in preparing my home, making a little "nest" tospend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made toprepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not gettingback to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to do...Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,house-cleaning, etc. ...Thanks,Judy

[Guest guest]

Judy I went in total peace. After having the first knee done I knew

what to expect. Before surgery I go a poke for an iv and a poke in the

groin for anesthesia. Then it was to la la land. Really there is

nothing to be afraid of. I couldn't believe it would be so painless.

The surgery pain was not as bad as the constant pin I had lived with.

It hurt don't get me wrong but we were able to keep it under control

with pain pills.

On Oct 15, 2006, at 4:55 PM, Judy wrote:

> As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I've

> done most everything in preparing my home, making a little " nest " to

> spend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made to

> prepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,

> exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not getting

> back to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to

> do...

>

> Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,

> house-cleaning, etc. ...

>

> Thanks,

>

> Judy

>

>

I am too blessed to be stressed

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck and speedy recovery I sorry I forgot what kind of surgery are you haveing ? Well you take care and have a nice day :-) SusieJudy <jdytart@...> wrote: As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I'vedone most everything in preparing my home, making a little "nest" tospend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made toprepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not gettingback to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to do...Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,house-cleaning, etc. ...Thanks,Judy

[Guest guest]

Judy

I don't know about your house, but my laundry room is downstairs and i wasn't able to get to it for several weeks....I wished I had bought some cheap nightgowns and some more underwear since I wasn't able to get to the laundry room....something else to think about!

Also you are going to need loose clothes for Physical Therapy...something that can slide up over your knee so they can get to it....

Best of luck to you, and post as soon as you are able to and let us know hoe you are doing!

(LTKR 8/21/06)

[Guest guest]

At 08:03 AM 10/16/2006 -0400, you wrote:

Judy

I don't know about your house, but my laundry room is downstairs and i

wasn't able to get to it for several weeks....I wished I had bought some

cheap nightgowns and some more underwear since I wasn't able to get to

the laundry room....something else to think about!

Also you are going to need loose clothes for Physical Therapy...something

that can slide up over your knee so they can get to it....

Best of luck to you, and post as soon as you are able to and let us know

hoe you are doing!

YOU NEED A RECLINER! At least, I did. I don't like recliners,

generally, so we didn't have any. But, after my surgery, I simply

could NOT sit in a regular chair, padded or not. My only choice was

to lay down in bed, and being " sentenced " to spend all my time

in the bedroom was really wearing on me mentally; I so much wanted to be

out in our big dining room where are our birds and dogs and computers

are. So...6 days after surgery, we went out and I " tried

on " a bunch of recliners and brought one home.

It's the one thing I wish I would have done before my surgery.

HTH!

Ann

[Guest guest]

What a heartwarming story! You brought some cheer and gladness to

people who were having to be away from their families on such an

important day.

I did in fact buy some Thank You cards for people who will be helping

me out - and was just compiling a little list of people who have

volunteered to help out in various ways. Giving the cards out rather

than mailing them is a good idea.

Thanks,

Judy

>

> Time to read a story Judy,

>

> In 1993 I worked Christmas eve then hopped on a plane Christmas

morning to

> go to Korea to see my only son. He had found it very difficult

being away

> from home, and was dreading Christmas alone in a strange culture, by

> himself.

>

> One day I was thinking how lucky I was to be able to get a flight on

> Christmas day. Then I started thinking about the staff on that

flight and

> how they would miss Christmas with their families.

>

> I bought some Christmas cards and wrote in it how I was visiting my

son, how

> hard he was finding being away from home, and how grateful I was

that they

> were working so I could visit him.

>

> When I got settled I asked one of the attendants how many staff were on

> board, and gave him one of these pre written cards for each staff

member.

>

> He came back with a bottle of champange and told me his story. He

wasn't

> supposed to work that day, and was to have Christmas with his

family. The

> first time in 3 years. At 4 am he got a phone call telling him he

had to

> work. His family were pretty upset when he woke them to have

" Christmas " in

> the 2 hours before he had to leave for work. He told me he was

feeling very

> resentful, but my card had changed the way he felt about working,

and that

> he would be taking the card home to share with his family.

>

> I was treated like a queen on that flight, my first flight out of

Australia.

>

> So Judy, perhaps you have time to write thank you cards for the

people who

> will look after you. Give them out early.

>

> Hugs, and good luck with the surgery.

>

> I will be thinking of you.

>

> Aussie Margaret

> RTHR 1990 revised 2004

>

>

> Five days to go to TKRs!

>

>

> | As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I've

> | done most everything in preparing my home, making a little " nest " to

> | spend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made to

> | prepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,

> | exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not getting

> | back to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to

do...

> |

> | Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,

> | house-cleaning, etc. ...

> |

> | Thanks,

> |

> | Judy

> |

>

> Send instant messages to your online friends

http://au.messenger.

>

[Guest guest]

Sure, Ann! If I ever clean the clutter down to the bottom of the

heaps in my house...

Judy

>

> Come to my house. Plenty to do!

>

> Ann A.

>

>

> Five days to go to TKRs!

>

>

> As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I've

> done most everything in preparing my home, making a little " nest " to

> spend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend made to

> prepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,

> exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not getting

> back to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to

do...

>

> Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,

> house-cleaning, etc. ...

>

> Thanks,

>

> Judy

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Elaine - I had an arthroscopy in May, so I had a good

experience of just wafting away and waking up easily from anesthesia -

that was helpful because I was afraid of that - I know the odds are

all in my favor, but it's hard not to think of those " what-ifs? "

Judy

-- In Joint Replacement , Elaine Poage <meuw@...>

wrote:

>

> Judy I went in total peace. After having the first knee done I knew

> what to expect. Before surgery I go a poke for an iv and a poke in the

> groin for anesthesia. Then it was to la la land. Really there is

> nothing to be afraid of. I couldn't believe it would be so painless.

> The surgery pain was not as bad as the constant pin I had lived with.

> It hurt don't get me wrong but we were able to keep it under control

> with pain pills.

> On Oct 15, 2006, at 4:55 PM, Judy wrote:

>

> > As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up... I've

> > done most everything in preparing my home, making a little " nest " to

> > spend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend

made to

> > prepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,

> > exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not getting

> > back to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to

> > do...

> >

> > Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords, TV,

> > house-cleaning, etc. ...

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Judy

> >

> >

> I am too blessed to be stressed

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, - that is a good thought. Actually, my laundry room is

downstairs too and my great hubby has been doing our laundry for quite

a while now - if I am forced to, I can go down there, but I'd so much

rather not.

I'll have to remember about the loose clothes for PT - I think I have

a couple of things that would work - just have to save them for my PT

sessions.

Judy

-- In Joint Replacement , Pets007@... wrote:

>

> Judy

> I don't know about your house, but my laundry room is downstairs and i

> wasn't able to get to it for several weeks....I wished I had bought

some cheap

> nightgowns and some more underwear since I wasn't able to get to the

laundry

> room....something else to think about!

> Also you are going to need loose clothes for Physical

Therapy...something

> that can slide up over your knee so they can get to it....

> Best of luck to you, and post as soon as you are able to and let us

know hoe

> you are doing!

>

> (LTKR 8/21/06)

>

[Guest guest]

Ann, the thing that leaps out at me in your post is that " we " went out

six days after surgery to get a recliner - in other words, you were

able to get around at least to that extent so quickly - it sounds

excellent.

Actually, we have a recliner in the living room and I have taken it

over - of course, it is - make that WAS - hubby's chair. I have

surrounded it with everything I can think of that I might want to

reach out and grab, including an intercom so I can call for whatever I

might need help with. My hope is that this will be an extremely

temporary setup. I have read lots of posts from people saying they

slept in their recliner after surgery - for how long I don't know -

but no wonder people have trouble sleeping if this is the only way

they are comfortable.

Judy

> >Judy

> >I don't know about your house, but my laundry room is downstairs and i

> >wasn't able to get to it for several weeks....I wished I had bought

some

> >cheap nightgowns and some more underwear since I wasn't able to get

to the

> >laundry room....something else to think about!

> >Also you are going to need loose clothes for Physical

Therapy...something

> >that can slide up over your knee so they can get to it....

> >Best of luck to you, and post as soon as you are able to and let us

know

> >hoe you are doing!

> >

>

>

> YOU NEED A RECLINER! At least, I did. I don't like recliners,

generally,

> so we didn't have any. But, after my surgery, I simply could NOT

sit in a

> regular chair, padded or not. My only choice was to lay down in

bed, and

> being " sentenced " to spend all my time in the bedroom was really

wearing on

> me mentally; I so much wanted to be out in our big dining room where

are

> our birds and dogs and computers are. So...6 days after surgery, we

went

> out and I " tried on " a bunch of recliners and brought one home.

>

> It's the one thing I wish I would have done before my surgery.

>

> HTH!

>

> Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Gosh, I can relate. I was so pumped up about getting new knees. But my subconscious was sending out stress signals big time. I'm so fortunate our local health network has a rehab center with a therapuetic pool offered to the community at an affordable price. I needed to build and tone as much as possible for a better rehab. But just as much if not more, I needed the exercise to ease the anxiety and tension. I always feel good after a workout! Many days I had to push myself to get to the pool, because I was unusually exhausted and wanted to sleep -- my body's way of coping with the stress no doubt. I realize you may be limited in how much you can move. But anything you can do may give you a boost and take your mind off the

surgery. The very best wishes to you. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. We'll all be waiting to hear from you when this is all over and you will be on the mend!

Re: Five days to go to TKRs!

At 08:03 AM 10/16/2006 -0400, you wrote:

JudyI don't know about your house, but my laundry room is downstairs and i wasn't able to get to it for several weeks....I wished I had bought some cheap nightgowns and some more underwear since I wasn't able to get to the laundry room....something else to think about!Also you are going to need loose clothes for Physical Therapy...something that can slide up over your knee so they can get to it....Best of luck to you, and post as soon as you are able to and let us know hoe you are doing! YOU NEED A RECLINER! At least, I did. I don't like recliners, generally, so we didn't have any. But, after my surgery, I simply could NOT sit in a regular chair, padded or not. My only choice was to lay down in bed, and being "sentenced" to spend all my time in the bedroom was really wearing on me mentally; I so much wanted to be out in our big dining

room where are our birds and dogs and computers are. So...6 days after surgery, we went out and I "tried on" a bunch of recliners and brought one home.It's the one thing I wish I would have done before my surgery.HTH!Ann

[Guest guest]

Donna - It's this Friday - Oct. 20th - I went to my presurgery checkup

yesterday - included filling out my food likes and dislikes for the

dietician (ha, ha - as if anything they serve me in the hospital will

be anything like the good food I eat at home) This one nurse kind of

freaked me out when she almost implied I might be going home in a

wheelchair instead of with a walker - I don't know what she really

knows about it - everyone else has said they won't let me come home

until I can use a walker and walk some distance and manage a few steps

I'll appreciate having some good thoughts sent my way!

Judy

> >

> > Judy

> > I don't know about your house, but my laundry room is downstairs and

> i wasn't able to get to it for several weeks....I wished I had bought

> some cheap nightgowns and some more underwear since I wasn't able to

> get to the laundry room....something else to think about!

> > Also you are going to need loose clothes for Physical

> Therapy...something that can slide up over your knee so they can get

> to it....

> > Best of luck to you, and post as soon as you are able to and let us

> know hoe you are doing!

> >

> >

> >

> > YOU NEED A RECLINER! At least, I did. I don't like recliners,

> generally, so we didn't have any. But, after my surgery, I simply

> could NOT sit in a regular chair, padded or not. My only choice was

> to lay down in bed, and being " sentenced " to spend all my time in the

> bedroom was really wearing on me mentally; I so much wanted to be out

> in our big dining room where are our birds and dogs and computers are.

> So...6 days after surgery, we went out and I " tried on " a bunch of

> recliners and brought one home.

> >

> > It's the one thing I wish I would have done before my surgery.

> >

> > HTH!

> >

> > Ann

> >

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/17/2006 10:42:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, ohdonna_68@... writes:

I'll do some searching and find the best Web site possible when it comes to water exercise.

Thanks for the info....I also do a water aerobics class (havn't gone back to it yet though)....I am really looking for specific water exercises to get more ROM....more of a bend and more of a straighten....

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Gosh, , you can do almost anything in the pool. And despite disease, injury or surgery, you can do so much more in water than you can on land. The pooI I go to has workout stations where you can do sit ups, pull ups and other exercises while in the water. The styrofoam noodles that kids use are great. There seems to be no end to the different ways they can be used. We also have plastic bar bells for the arms and more. And there are many things you can do without any tools. Many work out on thier own and following a list of exercises prescribed by their PTs.Which will now be the case for me. Next week, I begin my official PT in the water. Others take group classes, taught by trained PTs, geared to

different levels.I've already returned to the water aerobics, the most demanding class. I am very limited in what I can do now. I just enjoy the camaraderie of the friends I've made there. Many visited me during recovery, brought me books, dinners, etc. It's a very supportive environment.

I'll do some searching and find the best Web site possible when it comes to water exercise.

Re: Five days to go to TKRs!

In a message dated 10/16/2006 2:54:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, ohdonna_68 (DOT) com writes:

so fortunate our local health network has a rehab center with a therapuetic pool offered to the community at an affordable price. I needed to build and tone as much as possible for a better rehab. But just as much if not more, I needed the exercise to ease the anxiety and tension. I always feel good after a workout! Many days I had to push myself to get to the pool, because I was unusually

What are some of the exercises you did in the pool....I will be going back to the YMCA pool in a couple weeks and wonder what exercises to focus on in the water??

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/19/2006 8:00:43 PM Eastern Standard Time, ohdonna_68@... writes:

Let me ask my PTs at the pool to recommnend some sites for you specifically for ROM. Beginning next week, I can share with you what I learn in the water.

Great!! Thanks so much!

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

Don't sweat it. I had my double knee replacement exactly 1-month

ago. The 1st few days aren't pleasent and the 1st week is a real

trial, but it gets quickly better. I am no walking with just a cane

and I get better with each week and each PT session. Just remember

to do what ever exercises they tell you to do, no matter how much it

hurts in the beginning. In the end you'll feel so much better

you'll wonder why you waited so long to do it. I've spoken and

chatted to dozens of people who have had their knees replaced and I

haven't run into one person who has regretted it. Just be prepared

to be BORED.

Best Regards,

Alan

>

> As the big day is getting closer, my anxiety level is going up...

I've

> done most everything in preparing my home, making a little " nest "

to

> spend my time in, listening to the tape my psychologist friend

made to

> prepare for surgery, etc. So now I'm going a little ... not crazy,

> exactly - just getting tense, waking up very early and not getting

> back to sleep, trying to distract myself and finding that hard to

do...

>

> Any good suggestions? Or just keep on with the books, crosswords,

TV,

> house-cleaning, etc. ...

>

> Thanks,

>

> Judy

>

[Guest guest]

Let me ask my PTs at the pool to recommnend some sites for you specifically for ROM. Beginning next week, I can share with you what I learn in the water.

Re: Five days to go to TKRs!

In a message dated 10/17/2006 10:42:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, ohdonna_68 (DOT) com writes:

I'll do some searching and find the best Web site possible when it comes to water exercise.

Thanks for the info....I also do a water aerobics class (havn't gone back to it yet though)....I am really looking for specific water exercises to get more ROM....more of a bend and more of a straighten.. ..

Thanks!