The Aftermath

 I had my knee replacement surgery on September 17.  Surgery went fine, no problems or complications.  They had me up on a walker taking a few steps that afternoon.  That’s when the fun began!  

I’ve had a good bit of pain, about what I expected, but it gets better every day.  I have pain meds if I need them but I try not to take them unless it gets really bad.  I’ve been using a walker since the surgery. They are planning for me to “graduate” to a cane sometime this week. I’ll be glad. The walker is great, but I can’t do anything with my hands while I walk and it’s hard to get in and out of some doors. While I’m on the cane, they will help me learn to walk without it.  That’s the ultimate goal.

I had home physical therapy starting the day I got home from the hospital.  I did that for two weeks then started outpatient PT.  I had heard all the horror stories about PT following knee replacement and I was a little apprehensive. It hasn’t been fun, nor pain free, but it’s not as bad as I expected.  A week before the surgery, my doctor prescribed an additional rehab program for me consisting of a stationary bike with a touch screen that is connected to wifi.  It has a program designed to help with range of motion. I do 15 minute sessions up to 5 times a day. It has really helped with movement and reducing stiffness.  

All in all, it hasn’t been as bad as I’d been told or that I was expecting. It hasn’t been fun or easy, but it’s tolerable. I’ve been really trying to do everything they tell me to do. So far they tell me I’m doing great.  My range of motion is ahead of where the doctor wants me to be.  My pain level has steadily gotten better.  I just have to kept it up for 3 more weeks.   

And as if this weren’t enough fun, I had outpatient skin cancer surgery last week!  Thankfully, they got all the cancer and I won’t need any further treatment. 

I need a break!  

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