not so bad really

All in all this knee replacement thing has not been terrible. I mean, I had forgotten about the bad day when I almost fell. Well, that day wasn't bad but the next one certainly was sore. Every since then though I have had a steady gain for the most part. Home Physical Therapy ended last Friday. I've not had any therapy for these last two days but I have been keeping busy. I only take pain pills at night. For some reason that is when the ache sets in my bones. Although last night I only woke up once and took a pain pill. Much better than usual.

The blue writing from the dr still shows. April 2, 2017

Tonight I've noticed a yucky color in my surgical cut where the stitch was left in. I'm still mad at myself that I let the nurse use her not so well hidden staple remover. She doesn't wear gloves and there is no way she had time to wash her hands in between patients. She hides the staple puller in between two packages of gauze. I know she isn't sterilizing it at all. If this yucky color turns out to be an infection I will not be happy.

I've been driving for quite a bit and today I went into the office and took out all my personal stuff from my cubicle. Roger said they are moving my desk since CDB is growing. Back to the drafting pool I go when I return to work. I do take things slow though. I haven't removed the stuff from my car. Hopefully I will do that tomorrow.

So, I had my surgery on March 14th. After my two week visit I was given the okay to drive - as long as I wasn't taking any narcotics. I only take the percocet at night. During the day I use acetaminophen and meloxicam and I can't forget ice. Ice really does help with pain it seems.

To anyone who is reading this who is considering knee replacement surgery I need to mention the struggle with constipation because of the narcotics and less exercise that I had because of the rest and recuperation. I was throwing up for a good 24 to 48 hours after surgery. I knew that I needed an antacid but the hospital wouldn't allow me to take one. When I finally took one then the throwing up ceased.  I made sure to keep drinking water and I did use Preparation H and coconut oil in hopes to keep things so that I wouldn't inflame hemorrhoids. (I know too graphic for those who are reading this for other reasons. But I want you to know there is a way past some problems without going to laxatives.) A good diet that consisted of fruits and bran helped me get past everything for the most part. I had little cups of applesauce that I had gotten for my grand-kids for snacks. I mixed in a little raisin bran into the applesauce and that seemed to help me quite a bit. My doctor noticed that I needed iron. So I did take a multivitamin with iron and I have increased black beans, etc., to get the added iron.

I'm not sure how long I will go to outpatient therapy. I think as long as I keep moving and I learn what I can from the sessions I do attend that I will be okay. Lindsay said she had a stationary bike that I could use.

I am so thankful to God that He has allowed me to do so well throughout this surgery. The prayers of my friends I will be forever grateful for. The help of my children .  . . such love I don't deserve. God is so good.

My old knee