Day 1
The operation to completely replace my knee took about two hours. I felt no pain afterward but that was due to the nerve blocking medication. After day two I was reduced to Vicodin and a walker, unable to lift the leg at all.
No regrets. It was to the point where nothing was between my knee bones. They were grinding together into dust.
Day 7
With Connor, my stepson, gone I was on my own. I had prepared meals in advance but found I needed more supplies. My coworkers volunteered to help in whatever capacity and only once did I need help to purchase groceries thanks to David Sigafoose. After that day I managed to drive to the store, work and rehab but it was still touch and go. I can get around in the open with a cane but need a walker around the house.
Day 10
The staples are out. The doctor said I was making excellent progress. The risk of infection is almost nil by now.
Sleep is fitful. The rehab center puts me through basic leg lifting and stretches. After a week of therapy I am able to lift my leg.
Day 25:
The swelling is reduced to the knee region, making flexibility problematic. To remedy this I hit the stationary bike at work, bending the knee as much as possible. I am finished with rehab after realizing my day to day routine at work far exceeds what I get at the rehab facility. It figures, people go in there after a day of senescence but I'm on my feet for hours as well as carrying, stooping and putting my knee in positions that ultimately make it stronger. I'd say I'm at 60% power level which effectively leaves me drained by 1700. For a time I needed 10 hours sleep to recoup. During the night I awake to ice the knee down then go back to sleep. The process is repeated after work. Meds are reduced to 95% and taken mostly after hours of pushing myself physically. The background pain which has drained me physically and mentally is dramatically reduced from previous weeks. There are times I don't notice it and times when I move instinctively without worrying where to place my leg. Every day is incrementally better albeit still frustrating. I remain positive I'll pass the fire physical fitness test in April but if now I'll keep trying. I need to remember that a lot of physically disable folks never get better.
The operation to completely replace my knee took about two hours. I felt no pain afterward but that was due to the nerve blocking medication. After day two I was reduced to Vicodin and a walker, unable to lift the leg at all.
No regrets. It was to the point where nothing was between my knee bones. They were grinding together into dust.
Day 7
With Connor, my stepson, gone I was on my own. I had prepared meals in advance but found I needed more supplies. My coworkers volunteered to help in whatever capacity and only once did I need help to purchase groceries thanks to David Sigafoose. After that day I managed to drive to the store, work and rehab but it was still touch and go. I can get around in the open with a cane but need a walker around the house.
Day 10
The staples are out. The doctor said I was making excellent progress. The risk of infection is almost nil by now.
Sleep is fitful. The rehab center puts me through basic leg lifting and stretches. After a week of therapy I am able to lift my leg.
Day 25:
The swelling is reduced to the knee region, making flexibility problematic. To remedy this I hit the stationary bike at work, bending the knee as much as possible. I am finished with rehab after realizing my day to day routine at work far exceeds what I get at the rehab facility. It figures, people go in there after a day of senescence but I'm on my feet for hours as well as carrying, stooping and putting my knee in positions that ultimately make it stronger. I'd say I'm at 60% power level which effectively leaves me drained by 1700. For a time I needed 10 hours sleep to recoup. During the night I awake to ice the knee down then go back to sleep. The process is repeated after work. Meds are reduced to 95% and taken mostly after hours of pushing myself physically. The background pain which has drained me physically and mentally is dramatically reduced from previous weeks. There are times I don't notice it and times when I move instinctively without worrying where to place my leg. Every day is incrementally better albeit still frustrating. I remain positive I'll pass the fire physical fitness test in April but if now I'll keep trying. I need to remember that a lot of physically disable folks never get better.
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| Keep Positive!!! |
