So let's check in:
Scars: The scars look great - I don't scar well, so I reckon this looks pretty good:
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| Bilateral TKR Operation : 4/12/12 |
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| Four months later : 4/4/13 |
Numb areas: Its normal to feel areas that are numb / slight pins and needles around the knees. I think the size of the areas is getting smaller.
Swelling: The swelling is going down because there are days I can clearly hear the knees clicking - totally normal sound of the prosthetic at work.
Movement: I still use one crutch for "stairs n chairs" and for uneven areas - rather be safe than sorry. I was rather down mid-March because I was still using the crutch. My biokineticist pointed out that it was only 12 weeks after the op and I should stop being impatient. I aim to be "crutch-free" by end of April - going downstairs is till going to need some work and I still cannot manage the top two steps at the gym's pool - especially getting out! We'll get there - with much laughter - and with starting up the bed exercises again - physio bed exercises! I'm sure my thighs would be much stronger if I had kept up these exercises - I may even have been climbing stairs unaided! I also need to work out more in the pool!
Pain: I stopped using the opiates at the end of February. March - I used Stilpayne as needed (usually at night) and have eased down to occasionally using Panadol during the day and Stilpayne only at night if very sore. Most of the time I find that if I do a few stretches, it eases itself. So pain is now totally manageable.
Comfort:
Walking: Walking is great, though I do get tired after a while - but my world is so, so much bigger! I've been to places I've not seen for more than two years! We went to Riebeeck Kasteel and Riebeeck West one weekend recently. I was able, for the first time in years, to park my car and then walk up and down streets in a ±500 m radius, rambling through shops, walking up to a restaurant (enjoyed a delicious pizza at Mama Cucina) and then walking back to my car! I have not been able to do that comfortably for more than two years!
Stairs:I even manage stairs quite well - though using the crutch for support. Going up is a heck of a lot easier than down and I still have to remind myself to alternate legs.
Sitting: I find that I still to prefer sitting with my knees at a greater than 90% angle and often sit on cushions on low couches. There are times I still prefer sitting in the shower chair which now seems to have a semi-permanent spot in the lounge!
Challenges: Baths. At home I shower. At the Riebeek Valley hotel the en suite only had a deep, divine bath. Sadly I could not enjoy it as I would not have been able to get out. So, solution - sit on the side of the bath, use the hand-shower and get everything wet!
Sensitive viewers - skip the next bit - it gets graphic: My worst are toilets. My loo at home is a decent height but its amazing how many toilets are really low. I was at a Toastmasters meeting last night and the venue's loos were really low. What to do? I had to go, but it was too low to sit down (who the heck are they accommodating!!!) and impossible to get up (have I mentioned I'm Rubenesque ... would definitely not have wanted to be part of that rescue mission!!!). So I just had to quasi-squat, use lots of loo paper and hope for the best! The disabled loos had the requisite handles, etc. but the loos were still really low!
Would I do this again? It was flippin' sore, but YES, YES, YES! Quality of life has improved dramatically. People keep on telling me how great I look (one never realises how old and tired pain and constant medication can make one look!) and I'm getting to see more of the world.
Back in due course with further updates!
Hey Ho Silver!!
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