Monday, April 25, 2011

KNEE REPLACEMENT DIARY: A SMALL DOSE OF REALITY

Last week, during an interesting conversation with Christine (PT), she told us that it takes SIX days to recover from ONE day spent in bed.  By “recover”, she meant to regain muscular strength and energy, to get back to where you were prior to becoming bedridden. 

This took on real meaning for me yesterday, when Odel had his first big outing – a visit to Sydney’s and Frank’s house for a family get-together.  He walked 20+/- yards to our car, rode for 50 minutes, walked another 20 yards into their house.  There he sat in a comfortable chair with his leg on a footstool watching golf on TV, except when he went a few steps to the table for our brunch.  Then back to the chair… back to the car… 50 minute ride…back inside our home.  We were gone six or seven hours.

We ate dinner at 6 pm, and he fell asleep on the couch at 7 pm – just like he used to do when he walked 18 holes (several miles, carrying his clubs) on the golf course! 

Because Odel has been making good progress on his rehabilitation, it slipped our minds that there are consequences to surgery for more than just the affected joint.  The surgery itself is such a trauma, to say nothing of the side effects of all the drugs AND the loss of strength and energy simply due to lack of movement.  What seemed to us like a day of relative inactivity seemed to his body to be the equivalent of walking several miles during a round of golf.

We have a few more outings planned this week, and I know that getting out of the RV and into the company of friends is good medicine.  After yesterday’s outing, though, we’ll be a bit more realistic about fatigue.

Odel’s surgery was just three weeks ago.   Over the past several days, he has cut his pain pill consumption by about half.  Swelling is way down.  He still has a problem find a sleeping position that is comfortable for a prolonged time.  He continues his prescribed active exercises at least three times a day, along with some passive stretching to straight his leg.  He ices and elevates his leg after each set of exercises, and uses ice from time to time to reduce pain.  It is easy to see that the last few degrees of flexion and extension will be more difficult to attain than the first many degrees, but we are both very determined!  :)

Thanks again to everyone for your useful and encouraging comments.  So many of you have gone through this before, and many of you more than once.  We have many things to treasure in our lives, but GOOD HEALTH is right up there at the top of the list these days!

13 comments:

  1. Yes, good health is very important. All of what you and Odel is experiencing reminds me of my husb who broke his heel bone in '08 -- surg with metal plate & 9 screws to hold it together. He could not put ANY weight on it for 9 wks and missed 4 1/2 mos of work. At the same time, he was diagnosed as a diabetic & had an infection set up in his back. The good thing is it helped start our fulltime adventure a year later -- and much sooner than we anticipated!

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  2. You are both very determined and an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for sharing the continuing story of Odel's recovery. I wish you both all the best.

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  3. Ah the sweet spot. Trying to find a position for sleeping. Know it well. I found that sleeping on my side with leg bent with a folded up blanket or small stiff pillow worked well. It does take time, don't rush it. The only drawback was when I went to straighten my leg the tendons in the back didn't want to cooporate. Would have to manually move the leg. Somewhat painful, but am now 5 mos. out from surgery and no problems. Odel you can do this. Just pace yourself. It's going to be awhile before you can play golf but you will get there.

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  4. You are so right about surgery being very tough on a person...It does sound like Odel is really doing great...and eventually he will be right up to speed...BUT...BABY STEPS,EH???

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  5. Three cheers for recovery - besides, we have so many places and so little time! Get well, and let's all enjoy each day as best we can!

    We'll be on the road ourselves come Thursday - oh boy!

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  6. Keep up the good work Odel. Wishing you a speedy recovery. And Laurie, when it's all over make sure you get your rest too! It's a lot of work being a caretaker. Odel is lucky to have you! Cheers! ~M

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  7. There truly is a law of physics called the law of inertia. Simply stated is says, a body at rest tends to stay at rest and a body in motion tends to stay in motion. Both unless acted upon by an outside force. This is true of the human body as well! You go Odel. The prize is too great to stop now and the consequences are a ditto!!!!
    \

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  8. Hi Laurie & Odel, Just sending greetings & hugs. We've been following your blog and progress on the knee and wish the best for you! With all of your work & determination, we know that only good things are in store for you. J&C

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  9. Ice is a great helper! And yes, those last few degrees are a true challenge, but we know Odel is up to it!

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  10. Keep up the good work. This rehab part is the worst part...but it'll make all the difference! Odel (and you) are doing great!

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  11. This is where it helps to be too stubborn to give up. :)

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  12. Good health is paramount. Glad to hear Odel continues to improve each day.

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  13. We are happy to see Odel recovering so quickly! Keep pushing!

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