Day 27: Set-Back

My incision continues to be itchy and stiff. I am massaging it, and gently rubbing it to desensitize and soften it. But this morning I noticed a red bump on each side of the incision at the very base. It isn't very big..but as I massaged it mid-day I found a tiny bit of pus coming out of it. So I canceled going to Zumba Gold class (bummer!) - and called the doctor. Then waited until late afternoon to go see my doctor.

His assessment: "It is not unusual for this spot to have a problem, because there isn't much blood supply here. If we are lucky, it is just a stitch that hasn't dissolved yet. If we're not, then we have a joint infection." 

He didn't say what happens if it is a joint infection, and I am not asking, because I am hoping for the best! So it's shower/betadyne solution/anti-bacterial creme/bandage for the next two days, then I see my doctor again.

It is quite uncomfortable, and a bit discouraging, as I was just starting to feel like I could move about a bit more, and now I need to be "very quiet" - not quite "go to bed" - but close to that. And no more Zumba for "a couple weeks." 

Bummer! - - - - but hoping for the best; and for now, back to my couch.

Day 26

Not much to report today. Still feeling the frustration of wanting to do more, and not able to do so. I did manage a half mile walk...in two pieces: one in the morning and one in the evening. But each time I get back to the house huffing and puffing like I normally would be at the end of 15 minutes of medium-high intensity low-impact aerobics! Disgusting. 

Must practice a LOT more patience!! 

I spent part of the day locating a physical therapy out-patient clinic. So at least that job is done. I am on my own though, for a week and a half.

Day 25: Mother's Day, 2013

I wish I had known how tired I would still be at this point of recovery! I would love to take today to hop in the car and go spend some time with my mom. Fortunately, my mom is a sweetie and has had both knee and shoulder replacements, and understands recovery.

So. Another day of laying around on the sofa. I took a bit of a walk, got tired. I had visits from my children, a phone visit with my mom. My son came and cooked barbecue dinner..scrumptious! And sitting at the table for half an hour, the thermometer at 80 degrees inside and 92 outside, was enough to send me back to my couch to put my feet up. We all had a good time, and then watched the ending of the movie "Ever After" together. It was a GOOD day.

Unfortunately, at this point I am daily fighting frustration, because I want to get busy again, my brain fog is clearing, but I am quickly reminded that my body is just not ready! Fortunately, I am surrounded by people willing to remind me to take it easy and heal.

I am moving better, and the scar is softening and allowing a bit more movement. The outer side of my knee, where the prosthesis is, has a funny kind-of-numb feeling. The bottom of the scar, and the spot where the IT band was detached and reattached is still very sensitive to touch. 

For a page with a good illustration of the IT band, click here.

Day 24: Sabbath

What a lovey morning!!! I awoke to find that the sheet on my knee didn't bother me at all! It feels so lovely, that I just lay in bed and enjoyed it. Then I sat up to read a bit, and when I did, I pulled both knees up to support my iPad.....wow! It bent!! Without any effort at all! And no sense of having to work to hold it in that position.

Now THAT's what I call progress! So apparently the "desensitizing" and the massage worked wonders. 

I will be playing my flute at church today. Church is quite a challenge, especially since I still don't feel up to sitting normally yet. 

Everyone is so happy to see me and how well I can walk. However, in the process of getting ready driving over, visiting before services, I am quite tired by the time church starts. After I play, I move out and sit in the lobby to listen to the rest of the services from there. That way I can sit on the landing of the stairs, with my legs extended and lean my back on the wall. It's more comfortable than you would think! 

After services, I visit with a few more people before heading home to grab an ice bag and put my feet up.. It has been a good day. This is probably the most activity I have had yet. It's amazing how tired I am!

Day 23

Today was my last at-home physical therapy. I have to say I thought I would be much better by this point in time. I really expected to be back to almost normal in a month. This may seem unrealistic but considering my fitness level and background, I just expected to heal much faster.  

So this is my reality: I still spend most of my time sitting with my feet up..not above my heart, but level with my hips. (I have had very little swelling. If I had more, then I would be long down with my feet above my heart.) I can manage about 90 minutes up and about, and then I am quite tired and need to rest and apply ice. 

I can't bend my knee much beyond 90 degrees without feeling a lot of resistance from my incision, and it is so sensitive to touch that even the sheet laying across it at night is painful. The area where the new joint is in place is mostly numb. The spot on my shin where the computer leads were feels bruised. The spot just below my knee where the IT band inserts feels bruised. I can walk without a limp...as long as I think about every step.

Today my therapist taught me how to "desensitize" my scar..by gently brushing it with the softest fabric I have available. I think I am going to go through the roof as she demonstrates this technique for 2-3 minutes! 

And she showed my how to gently massage and move the skin on each side of the scar to loosen up the scar tissue which has developed as a natural part of healing. This process will ensemble the scar to stretch and help me to bend my knee.

I still need a lot of help! I hope my insurance will consent to out-patient physical therapy. 

Day 22

My physical therapist yesterday told me, "It's ONLY three and a half weeks since your surgery! If you said you wanted to take the next week and do nothing but rest, that would be perfectly normal!" 

Every fiber in my fitness-professional-being rebels at that!! I want to be up and doing. I want to start building muscle, work up a good sweat don't aerobic exercise! 

Here's my reality: I am not your average person. I am more fit in my age group than most people. I could be better, however the last few years have limited me...but that's not the point. I expected to be almost back to normal four weeks after surgery. I'm not going to make it. That frustrates me. So I must adjust my expectations and move forward.

I went to my Zumba Gold class today, and was able to do the entire class..no sitting down. No, I didn't work as hard as I want to. For now, I am just happy to be able to be there. After class I stopped at a store for a short shopping trip, then home and apply ice pack to my knee. Not pain afterward, so that's a good sign. 

The weather, and needing the rest up after doing too much a week ago, have stopped me from my daily walk. It's supposed to clear up in the next few days, and I feel back on track, so I will be back at working toward that one-mile-a-day goal.  

Have discovered that the improvements to my performance have made practicing the flute a joy again. (See my other blog: FluteSoloMusic for details)

Other thoughts:

• I am very glad it's my left leg! If it were the right, I would not be able to drive yet
• It is going to take longer to heal than you think! 
• One day of over-doing can lead to several days to recover
• Patience is key to recovery

Oh, and the last of the scab is off..so it's looking much better! Life is good.

Day 21--Things are looking up!

I have really been looking forward to today! The stitches came out...such a relief! Also, most of the scabs are off. The doctor is happy with my progress and answers questions:

• Is it called a prosthesis or an implant? -- Both
• What is the metal? -- titanium on the lower bone, cobalt chrome on the top, polyethylene cushion
• Can I put vitamin E oil on the incision/scar? -- Yes
• What activities should I never do? (Other than running, which I know is bad for joints) -- Doctor G's Law: if it hurts, don't do it.  Basically, my body will tell me what works for me and what doesn't. He tells me that his body rebels at walking for exercise, but likes stationary bike. Interesting...
• Why does the spot just below the knee hurt so much? -- that is where the IT Band connects, and it had to be detached and reattached...in other words, it is still healing!
• When will it stop being uncomfortable to have clothing touch it? (I have lived in shorts for 3 weeks!) -- Unknown. Some scars stay sensitive for years, but you get to where you don't notice it so much. Every body is unique. 
• What were the little incisions above and below that had stitches? -- That's where the computer leads,robot connections and reflectors go. It allows for the practically perfect alignment that makes this surgery so successful.
• Can I abandon the TED stockings? (compression stockings) -- They are for circulation, so mostly you need them when you are sitting with the legs down. 
• Now, come back in a month and we will check your progress.

I am now walking with no cane. I don't need the ballistic pain pills, but an occasional acetaminophen. I ice it when it aches--1-3 times a day. And today, I go to Zumba Gold. I am very, very cautious in my movements, and only stay for 1/2 of the class...it's enough! It does feel wonderful to see my "girls" again, and to be able to enjoy some activity. 

A real red-letter day.