right knee done!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017, my right knee was replaced by Dr. Stitt at Overland Park Regional. I was going to write about the ordeal because I hadn't really found much good information during my search.

Once the decision was made and a surgeon was found, the appointments were made and the day came. I checked into the hospital. I walked back to my little waiting room and did the second sponge cleaning with their antibacterial sponges and put on my hospital gown. I laid down and waited for the anesthesiologist. They took me back to do a nerve block. I was so nervous about the nerve block but it was painless. They gave me some sort of gas and then they activated the nerve until they found what they were looking for. They did something to the nerve and then asked me to breath deeply. The next thing I knew I woke up in the recovery room. I don't remember being in any pain. I seemed to wake up pretty quickly. They took me to my room.

Once in my room I asked about getting up to use the restroom but I was connected to so many things. We decided on a bedpan. The next morning I got up to use the restroom using the walker and a brace. My knee was still not awake from the nerve block. My pain was managed pretty well until I started to have muscle spasms. This is something I've had for quite a while. Once I was able to get those under control then I was good that first day. Come that night though I woke up in pain that caused tears to flow. (I hate crying in public. But they wouldn't stop.) The nurse decided to add tylenol to my oxicodone and he bumped the timing from every four hours to every three for the oxi. My knee had woken up and it hurt all the way into my hip.

I had a lot of trouble with throwing up. I could not keep food or pills down. I kept asking for heartburn medicine. It felt as if there was a shelf in my throat that was not allowing food or pills to pass. I finally just took some that I had brought. Then I was healed! I still didn't feel like eating though. I think it had more to do with the food than anything.

They gave me a breathing thing that would help keep my lungs clear. I hadn't really used it until I started spiking a fever. The nurse told me that if I would just utilize that apparatus that my fever would go down. I knew in my heart that she was lying to me but I did it. Yes, the fever did go down. :)

Since I was doing so well they decided to kick me out on the second day. I was scared of leaving but they had run out of veins to put things into. My arms were bruised and ugly. To compound things there was a lady with dementia in the next room who was making me feel as if I was in hell. So I decided it was best if I did leave.

I was not impressed with Overland Park Regional. They stretch their staff too thin. My Doctor did not come see me afterwards. I felt quite abandoned.

Jess came and picked me up. I adore this woman. She knew what to ask for and she gathered everything up and had me straightened up and the nursing tech straightened up. We were packed up and out of the doors in record time. Jessica is a wonder woman.

Lindsay and her kids were waiting for us at my house. Lindsay had rearranged everything. She had packed up herself and her kids. She had brought food and drinks for the kids. She was ready when I walked through the door. She took care of me until this afternoon. It is Saturday. The kids were running her ragged. Ky was so full of energy. He really needed to get back to his farm. But the kids took such good care of me. So heartwarming. Lindsay never did sit down. She amazes me. She took such good care of me. I love her so much. Michael and Jess came out and installed some hand brackets so that I could have something to grab hold of in the restroom and in my bedroom. I love how God sat us in family so that we can care for each other.

Last night I noticed that my leg was really warm. I pulled up my pant leg and sure enough, there was a yellow spot shining through my bandages.  Not quite the size of a dime. I called my doctor and he sleepily told me there was nothing to worry about until I ran a fever. I was thinking that there is plenty to worry about because I like having this leg but I did go to sleep after prayer with our heavenly Father.

I guess I should talk about physical therapy. In the hospital I had two therapist. One was the occupational therapist. She made sure that I knew how to put my clothes on, brush my teeth, etc. I had another therapist and he made sure that I could walk. Once home I had a home therapist call and he came over on Friday. He checked my home and explained what was going to happen. We stepped through some exercises and he said that my therapist would call on Sunday to set up the visits for next week. A cool thing happened. I wasn't able to lift my foot by myself. But if the therapist touched my heel my leg popped up. There is one exercise that I need help with. Lindsay and the kids helped with one session. Mendy and Mia helped with another.

My knee does hurt. I won't lie to you about that. Today was the first day that I was able to turn on my side. That felt good. I've been doing the exercises. I wish that my knee was more flexible but I know that this will come in time.

P.S. to my friends who feel they have to tell me each and every time that we talk that I must do my exercises or horrendous things will happen to me. S T O P please. I'm not an idiot. My therapist said that I am doing very well. The hospital said that I am doing very well. Thank you for your concern but you don't need to treat me like I'm a child. At least, not yet :)

Update: Tonight my able and foot is swelling. I feel nauseous and I have pain from my knee to my hip.

I have my knee up higher than my heart. And I have ice along my knee to my hip.