I wish I had something super spectacular to tell you about my first day after my doctor-imposed "house arrest". I went to physical therapy this morning, came home and took a Percocet nap and tried to have some lunch.
The first highlight of the day was my going to the gym to do my first workout since surgery. Imagine trying to lift weights while your right leg is in HUGE bandages (and it hurts like I can't explain) and you're using crutches. I would include a photo, but I looked way to silly to publish on the Internet.
The second highlight was going out for dinner. I have been having a small problem with food (like keeping anything down and actually liking the taste of anything). It has gotten to the point where I have started drinking Ensure (that's right, the same stuff your Grandma drinks. Between the Ensure and my walker I'm pretty sure I could get an AARP card now). Anyway, we went to out to get fish and chips and it didn't taste horrible, so I'll take that as bonus. If I could go two days in a row eating some food, that would be great, but I'll celebrate the little victories. One day at a time.
Like i said, wish it was more interesting, but that's all I got.
And, no, the laundry still has not gotten done. Maybe tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
WARNING...IF YOU'RE QUEASY, DON'T READ THIS POST.
28 April 2008...6:25pm
We took some pictures at therapy today. They're of my good leg compared to my bionic one. I think they look pretty cool. Other people, not so much. I'll let you decide.
We took some pictures at therapy today. They're of my good leg compared to my bionic one. I think they look pretty cool. Other people, not so much. I'll let you decide.
Massive Wardrobe Adjustments (not the Janet Jackson kind)
28 April 2008
As most of you know, I'm all about my wardrobe. Unfortunately, much to my chagrin, fashion has had to take a back seat to function since my surgery. I have to wear a thing called a Polar Pack for part of the day. It's got a big tube that sticks out of the top of my bandages and attaches to an ice pack that runs all day. Since my bandages are so thick and this Polar Pack tube has to have somewhere to go, I can't wear pants. Or jeans. Or sweats. Or just about anything else I used to wear.
To remedy the situation, my oh-so-smart-mom came up with the idea of taking a pair of sweat pants and cutting off the right pant leg so there is room for the bandages and Polar Pack tube. And much to my surprise, it works. So now I have not one, not two, but five pair of these fabulous pants. Not exactly like the pair of D&G pants I got from Saks a couple of weeks ago, but what can you do? Take a look at the fabulous photo so you can get the full picture of what a fashion plate I have become. I am destined for the cover of Vogue any day now. Good look, huh?
As most of you know, I'm all about my wardrobe. Unfortunately, much to my chagrin, fashion has had to take a back seat to function since my surgery. I have to wear a thing called a Polar Pack for part of the day. It's got a big tube that sticks out of the top of my bandages and attaches to an ice pack that runs all day. Since my bandages are so thick and this Polar Pack tube has to have somewhere to go, I can't wear pants. Or jeans. Or sweats. Or just about anything else I used to wear.
To remedy the situation, my oh-so-smart-mom came up with the idea of taking a pair of sweat pants and cutting off the right pant leg so there is room for the bandages and Polar Pack tube. And much to my surprise, it works. So now I have not one, not two, but five pair of these fabulous pants. Not exactly like the pair of D&G pants I got from Saks a couple of weeks ago, but what can you do? Take a look at the fabulous photo so you can get the full picture of what a fashion plate I have become. I am destined for the cover of Vogue any day now. Good look, huh?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
House Arrest...or Just Like It
So...it's 20 days post surgery. So far, I have watched 132 episodes of CSI (NY, Las Vegas, Miami, take your pick), 82 episodes of Clean House, 1236 episodes of Law and Order (again, pick a version, any version). And I have become slightly addicted to a cartoon called Manny's Tools.
I have an awesome picture of my scar (22 staples, a bunch of stitches, about 14 inches long), in case you want to see it.
A couple of days ago I went to see my doctor and he said I am doing too much too soon. My grandiose plans to do knee rehab in the AM, go home and have a Percocet nap/lunch, then go to the gym for a little upper body workout has been vetoed by my entire medical team. I'm not sure if it was the trips to Wal Mart or Kroger or the fact that I have been driving my car that put them over the edge.
Instead, since last Thursday I have been told I have to stay home until Monday (tomorrow) and do basically nothing. I could go to rehab one day, chiropractor one day and church one day. Once you deduct those activities and some sleep, that left me 61 hours to fill with something less mind numbing than Bobby Flay's Throwdown.
To give you an idea of exactly how exciting life can be during knee replacement recovery, today I went to 9am Mass, then headed to Kroger. Yes, I did ride a motorized cart. Yes, several people asked if they could help me do my groceries. No, I did not use my walker at the Kroger today (though it is my favorite medical implement at home. It's just like your Grandma's. I may pimp it out to make it a little cooler. Maybe a paint job or some stickers). After an hour at church and another hour at Kroger, I had to come home and take a Perco-nap. Thank goodness for Schedule II narcotics. It's a darn good thing that I have been weaning myself off all my narcotics otherwise learning to walk again could be a challenge.
In case you're wondering what excitement tomorrow will bring, I'll be at rehab for a couple hours in the AM and coming home for my Perco-nap. After that, it might be an attempt at laundry. Talk about living it up!
Drop me a line or give me a call if you're bored. Goodness knows I can probably make room in my busy schedule. My email is emacdonald13@yahoo.com and my cell is 312.953.3896. I'll let you know if the laundry gets done. Good gracious...look what my life has come to.
I have an awesome picture of my scar (22 staples, a bunch of stitches, about 14 inches long), in case you want to see it.
A couple of days ago I went to see my doctor and he said I am doing too much too soon. My grandiose plans to do knee rehab in the AM, go home and have a Percocet nap/lunch, then go to the gym for a little upper body workout has been vetoed by my entire medical team. I'm not sure if it was the trips to Wal Mart or Kroger or the fact that I have been driving my car that put them over the edge.
Instead, since last Thursday I have been told I have to stay home until Monday (tomorrow) and do basically nothing. I could go to rehab one day, chiropractor one day and church one day. Once you deduct those activities and some sleep, that left me 61 hours to fill with something less mind numbing than Bobby Flay's Throwdown.
To give you an idea of exactly how exciting life can be during knee replacement recovery, today I went to 9am Mass, then headed to Kroger. Yes, I did ride a motorized cart. Yes, several people asked if they could help me do my groceries. No, I did not use my walker at the Kroger today (though it is my favorite medical implement at home. It's just like your Grandma's. I may pimp it out to make it a little cooler. Maybe a paint job or some stickers). After an hour at church and another hour at Kroger, I had to come home and take a Perco-nap. Thank goodness for Schedule II narcotics. It's a darn good thing that I have been weaning myself off all my narcotics otherwise learning to walk again could be a challenge.
In case you're wondering what excitement tomorrow will bring, I'll be at rehab for a couple hours in the AM and coming home for my Perco-nap. After that, it might be an attempt at laundry. Talk about living it up!
Drop me a line or give me a call if you're bored. Goodness knows I can probably make room in my busy schedule. My email is emacdonald13@yahoo.com and my cell is 312.953.3896. I'll let you know if the laundry gets done. Good gracious...look what my life has come to.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Cruising Wal Mart in Style
22 April 2008
OK, so I finally need some supplies. My sister had told me that Wal-Mart had those automatic carts that you can use to cruise around, so I headed there. I had to giggle at what I must have looked like cruising around Wal-Mart trying to get just enough supplies to fit into my backpack. I'm not sure if I looked cooler in my motorized cart or with my walker, but maybe I'll post some pictures and you can decide for your self.
I went to the doctor's after my Wal-Mart trip and have been told I am no longer allowed random excursions for a couple of days. They're sucking the life out of me. They were not impressed with my motorized cart story. So now I will ne ordering everything online on trying to find it at the Walgreens around the corner.
OK, so I finally need some supplies. My sister had told me that Wal-Mart had those automatic carts that you can use to cruise around, so I headed there. I had to giggle at what I must have looked like cruising around Wal-Mart trying to get just enough supplies to fit into my backpack. I'm not sure if I looked cooler in my motorized cart or with my walker, but maybe I'll post some pictures and you can decide for your self.
I went to the doctor's after my Wal-Mart trip and have been told I am no longer allowed random excursions for a couple of days. They're sucking the life out of me. They were not impressed with my motorized cart story. So now I will ne ordering everything online on trying to find it at the Walgreens around the corner.
Fireman, Paramedics, Doctors, Oh My!!!!
18 April 2008
My visiting nurse is coming at 10am to do some physical therapy. Since I have been using copious amounts f drugs to get any sleep, getting up is a bit of a challenge. Anyway, I manage to get up at 9:40am to get dressed before Dan the Visiting Nurse shows up. At 9:43am, I reach for my crutches so I can get to the kitchen and get a snack before he gets there. At 9:44am, I lose my balance and fall down.
When I was in the hospital, I asked the doctor if there was anything I could do that would ruin my new knee. He told me 1)don't get hit by a car and 2)don't twist my knee. It doesn't twist yet. Since there wasn't room for a car accident in my bedroom, I, of course, chose the twisted knee. As I am in the process of falling down, I am trying to decide how to fall with the least amount of damage. I am telling my leg to pick itself up off the ground so it doesn't twist (too bad that my leg didn't cooperate since it doesn't follow directions yet. So I ended up falling on my butt first, then my elbow and finally hitting my head on the frame of my bed.
That's when Dan the Visiting Nurse shows up and we decide to call 911 and get some paramedics to take me to the hospital. Three minutes later, some firemen and paramedics show up in my house. Please keep in mind that there are two full loads of semi-wet laundry laying all over my living room floor. Enough that they had to push some stuff around so they could get the stretcher in to my bedroom. I'm sure that will make for good conversation at the fire house.
After a short visit to the ER, found out there was no permanent damage to the new knee. Just some trauma and lots of extra swelling and fluid that they couldn't do anything about. But I did get some more drugs out of the deal, so no complaints there.
My visiting nurse is coming at 10am to do some physical therapy. Since I have been using copious amounts f drugs to get any sleep, getting up is a bit of a challenge. Anyway, I manage to get up at 9:40am to get dressed before Dan the Visiting Nurse shows up. At 9:43am, I reach for my crutches so I can get to the kitchen and get a snack before he gets there. At 9:44am, I lose my balance and fall down.
When I was in the hospital, I asked the doctor if there was anything I could do that would ruin my new knee. He told me 1)don't get hit by a car and 2)don't twist my knee. It doesn't twist yet. Since there wasn't room for a car accident in my bedroom, I, of course, chose the twisted knee. As I am in the process of falling down, I am trying to decide how to fall with the least amount of damage. I am telling my leg to pick itself up off the ground so it doesn't twist (too bad that my leg didn't cooperate since it doesn't follow directions yet. So I ended up falling on my butt first, then my elbow and finally hitting my head on the frame of my bed.
That's when Dan the Visiting Nurse shows up and we decide to call 911 and get some paramedics to take me to the hospital. Three minutes later, some firemen and paramedics show up in my house. Please keep in mind that there are two full loads of semi-wet laundry laying all over my living room floor. Enough that they had to push some stuff around so they could get the stretcher in to my bedroom. I'm sure that will make for good conversation at the fire house.
After a short visit to the ER, found out there was no permanent damage to the new knee. Just some trauma and lots of extra swelling and fluid that they couldn't do anything about. But I did get some more drugs out of the deal, so no complaints there.
17 April 2008
My sister had left earlier that evening. Before she left for the airport, she decided to put two loads of laundry in. Great idea, except for the fact that we didn't exactly figure out a way for me to get the laundry back to my apartment when it was done. My laundry room is about 40 feet from my apartment door. I remembered about the laundry at about 11pm, well after I had gotten into bed, taken a Valium and prepared for the narcotics nap that I was so looking forward to.
Now picture this. I take my walker (that's right, I said walker. The kind your grandma has. I even have a little bag in the front of it so I that I can carry some things as I'm scooting along. I don't, however, have tennis balls on the bottom of my walker. I have to draw the line somewhere).
Anyway, I take what turns out to be two full loads of semi-wet laundry, tie it all up in a giant sheet (also semi-wet), and take the giant wet ball back to my apartment. For those of you keeping track, it took me a full 25 minutes to walk the 40 feet from the laundry room to my apartment. Once I managed to open the door to my place, I took the entire wet wad of clothes and threw it on the floor of my living room. I tried to spread it out a little so there would be a prayer that they would dry, but suffice it to say that I managed to cover about 800 square feet of semi-wet laundry. I would have done more (like hung some stuff up), but the Valium was kicking in and Valium wins over good housekeeping every time.
My sister had left earlier that evening. Before she left for the airport, she decided to put two loads of laundry in. Great idea, except for the fact that we didn't exactly figure out a way for me to get the laundry back to my apartment when it was done. My laundry room is about 40 feet from my apartment door. I remembered about the laundry at about 11pm, well after I had gotten into bed, taken a Valium and prepared for the narcotics nap that I was so looking forward to.
Now picture this. I take my walker (that's right, I said walker. The kind your grandma has. I even have a little bag in the front of it so I that I can carry some things as I'm scooting along. I don't, however, have tennis balls on the bottom of my walker. I have to draw the line somewhere).
Anyway, I take what turns out to be two full loads of semi-wet laundry, tie it all up in a giant sheet (also semi-wet), and take the giant wet ball back to my apartment. For those of you keeping track, it took me a full 25 minutes to walk the 40 feet from the laundry room to my apartment. Once I managed to open the door to my place, I took the entire wet wad of clothes and threw it on the floor of my living room. I tried to spread it out a little so there would be a prayer that they would dry, but suffice it to say that I managed to cover about 800 square feet of semi-wet laundry. I would have done more (like hung some stuff up), but the Valium was kicking in and Valium wins over good housekeeping every time.
17 April 2008
I was home for a couple of days with my mom, dad and sister helping out. Since my family is all from out of town, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to figure out how to do things on my own. That day was 17 April. Since I was still on a lot of drugs, being by myself was no big deal. I sleep, I wake up to take some meds, and go back to sleep. I'm pretty sure I missed a couple of days due to my drug induced haze. I did manage to wake up when the visiting nurses would come every day.
I was home for a couple of days with my mom, dad and sister helping out. Since my family is all from out of town, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to figure out how to do things on my own. That day was 17 April. Since I was still on a lot of drugs, being by myself was no big deal. I sleep, I wake up to take some meds, and go back to sleep. I'm pretty sure I missed a couple of days due to my drug induced haze. I did manage to wake up when the visiting nurses would come every day.
Can You Really Have a Good Time in the Hospital?
7-10 April 2008
Surgery was on 7 April. No big deal...they take my old crappy knee, saw my leg in half and add a new one made of titanium, plastic and rubber. If you aren't of the queasy type, Google "total knee replacement" and take a look at the pictures. They're pretty cool if you're into that kind of thing. After a little stint in recovery I got moved to a room where I would stay for three or four days.
For those of you that don't know me, I'm a bit of a hotel snob. I travel for a living, flying three weeks a month every month, so I'm all about staying in a nice hotel. Needless to say, in case you're wondering, there's no good way to do a hotel to hospital comparison. No reviews with stars to do a comparison, no Mobil guide for consultation. You kind of have to take what you get.
I get moved into a room where there was already an older woman in the other bed. She was such a sweet little thing. Every time someone came to visit her she made sure they came to say hello to "the 20 year old little girl in the next bed who just had her knee replaced." My mom told me that she had a sign over her bed that she was visually and hearing impaired, but I didn't care. She said I was 20...and since I'm almost 40, she became my favorite roommate very quickly.
The hospital I was at is a teaching hospital, and the staff was just great. There were these great student nurses there that I got to know pretty well. Since they usually only had one or two patients, it was like having a private duty nurse. Not bad all the way around.
In case you're wondering, hospital food is still as vicious as you would expect it to be. A step above or below airline food, depending on which airline you fly. But since I was taking a LOT of narcotics, most of my days were spent taking drugs and sleeping. Food was definitely not on my top ten list of concerns.
Surgery was on 7 April. No big deal...they take my old crappy knee, saw my leg in half and add a new one made of titanium, plastic and rubber. If you aren't of the queasy type, Google "total knee replacement" and take a look at the pictures. They're pretty cool if you're into that kind of thing. After a little stint in recovery I got moved to a room where I would stay for three or four days.
For those of you that don't know me, I'm a bit of a hotel snob. I travel for a living, flying three weeks a month every month, so I'm all about staying in a nice hotel. Needless to say, in case you're wondering, there's no good way to do a hotel to hospital comparison. No reviews with stars to do a comparison, no Mobil guide for consultation. You kind of have to take what you get.
I get moved into a room where there was already an older woman in the other bed. She was such a sweet little thing. Every time someone came to visit her she made sure they came to say hello to "the 20 year old little girl in the next bed who just had her knee replaced." My mom told me that she had a sign over her bed that she was visually and hearing impaired, but I didn't care. She said I was 20...and since I'm almost 40, she became my favorite roommate very quickly.
The hospital I was at is a teaching hospital, and the staff was just great. There were these great student nurses there that I got to know pretty well. Since they usually only had one or two patients, it was like having a private duty nurse. Not bad all the way around.
In case you're wondering, hospital food is still as vicious as you would expect it to be. A step above or below airline food, depending on which airline you fly. But since I was taking a LOT of narcotics, most of my days were spent taking drugs and sleeping. Food was definitely not on my top ten list of concerns.
Day Prior to Surgery
6 April 2008
My mom and dad decide they are going to come up from Florida for a couple of days to help me out after I get out of the hospital. This poses interesting issues namely 1) they live in Florida and will need to stay in Cincinnati for a week, 2) my mom is a retired nurse and 3) my dad, though he worked around hospitals and doctors his entire working life prior to retiring, get completely grossed out by being in hospitals. Especially when his own kids are involved. This will be the least of my problems.
My mom and dad decide they are going to come up from Florida for a couple of days to help me out after I get out of the hospital. This poses interesting issues namely 1) they live in Florida and will need to stay in Cincinnati for a week, 2) my mom is a retired nurse and 3) my dad, though he worked around hospitals and doctors his entire working life prior to retiring, get completely grossed out by being in hospitals. Especially when his own kids are involved. This will be the least of my problems.
Percocet, Valium and other ways to pass the days after surgery
Some time in March 2008
OK, so it starts like this. A little bit of background. Long story boring, over the past 20 years I have had a zillion knee surgeries on my right knee. Problem is that I hurt it playing softball when I was 12 (1982 was a good year, except for that infamous game at Eisenhower Junior High when slid into third base and dislocated my kneecap. ) Because of my age, they waited to do surgery until I was in college. I've had a surgery every couple of years to clean out my knee and try to make it last a little bit longer before I have to have it replaced. My time has run out and it's time to get myself a new one.
OK, so it starts like this. A little bit of background. Long story boring, over the past 20 years I have had a zillion knee surgeries on my right knee. Problem is that I hurt it playing softball when I was 12 (1982 was a good year, except for that infamous game at Eisenhower Junior High when slid into third base and dislocated my kneecap. ) Because of my age, they waited to do surgery until I was in college. I've had a surgery every couple of years to clean out my knee and try to make it last a little bit longer before I have to have it replaced. My time has run out and it's time to get myself a new one.
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