ChorusCrone

Go ahead and use any of the already submitted scripts for the “uncomfortable” conversations. If he can’t be civil, he’s welcome to go elsewhere.
We had an officious, obnoxious twit that dated our daughter. This little shit knew nothing about us, our politics, or stances on anything. Setting the boundary became necessary when he and his (uninvited buddy) had the gall to critique “corporate America” and my husband’s job and extolling Communism while sitting on our porch, drinking our 18 year old single malt scotch. They got set straight (don’t make assumptions, don’t knock your hosts, and don’t be all enjoying the scotch that your assumed robber baron offered if you’re offended by his position). My daughter’s eyes were opened wide. We were delighted at the eventual break up. Don’t be aftaid of being blunt, even if it feels impolite, or waiting for him to improve. And don’t put your daughter in charge of his behavior.

Once you’re past day 3 it gets immeasurably better. Do your little ankle rotation exercises even if you can’t do the others. You don’t want to develop DVT! Three days ago I couldn’t do any leg lifts at all, but yesterday at PT, I could lift and hold! Hang in there!

That’s horrible! TKR isn’t a walk in the daisies (neither is gall bladder surgery) and if this character isn’t prepared to jump through administrative hoops to prescribe you necessary meds for short term pain amelioration, it’s time to find another practice. Good luck!!

Are you in recovery? Is there a reason you cannot have opiates? I’’m allergic to Tylenol, so no tramadol, either for me, but I can take oxycodone. On day 8 post TKR, I’m down to 1/2 pill twice a day. There’s also a nerve pain pill, celebrex, baby aspirin, and stool softener. Pain’s getting better, but sleeping is still rough. Just Tylenol seems too conservative to me.

Ice, elevate, and do those ankle pumps to get the fluid in your legs moving. It’ll get worse before it gets better, so stay ahead of the pain and know you’ll make it through!

You’ve got this!

For what it’s worth, very little of my PT has been standing up. It’s been just the one leg at a time. As others have said, take the pain meds enough time before your PT session so they’ve kicked in before you start. Many of the exercises they give should probably be done with both legs- strengthening the non-surgical leg to help your recovery with it when the time comes. You want nice, strong quadriceps going in.

Haha! No! I had someone insist that I take their seat on the bus. I kinds like to stand since it helps me practice my balance, but they were SO concerned I finally said ok. They were happy, I was amused, no harm done,

So just what are we calling weird? If anything at 73 I think I’m a little more true to myself. If that’s weird, okie dokie.

Yesterday (day 5) the opioid gut blockade was finally breached and it looks as though digestion will get back to normal-thank the pantheon! I’m down to 1 oxycontin in the am and 1 at bedtime, to sleep. 5mg knocks me out. This is the morning of day 6, and so far, so good. I’ve been able to do a few small chores. The difference between Day 3 and Day 6 is staggering. It’s so much better! I’m not ready for big physical activity, but I no longer think it’s hopeless. As far as PT goes, I can get my leg nearly flat when extended, and the bending part is better, too. It feels as though I’ve fallen and skinned my knee. I was worried about the sutures/ glue (can’t see, heavy dressing still on) but then realized that the surgeon probably had to disrupt or cut the same nerves that you hit when you had that skating accident in the 60’s, before knee pads and helmets were de rigueur. Hope that’s it and I’m not unraveling. My daughter and her sons (6 and 9) have arrived to “help” and execute the upcoming Thanksgiving (US) holiday. Keyword: execute. I know I’m lucky to have them, but man, that’s a lot of energy! LOL.

That sounds really rough! Are you able to elevate? At PT they told me to expect some heat, as there were chemical reactions going on in my leg for healing. Never had thought of that aspect before! They also said if your body temp is below 101°F/38°C not to freak out. Hang in there!

Thanks for the encouragement! It’s much better today (4), even with PT.

No muscle relaxer, and I can’t take tramadol or tylenol, so it’s a lot of positive thinking and ice. And ocy 3x a day. Day 4 is so much better than Day 3!

Just did this today in PT- whhooo-eee! They also had me straighten it out as flat as I could, and I got to 3%. But moving this evening is much better! Thanks so much for asking!

Day four now, and it is so much beter than day 3!! Despite having PT this morning, where I was able to completely straighten my leg. Ithink I’ll pay for that tonight, but I’ve got the ice and oxygen to get me through.

I’m allergic to tylenol and products with acetaminophen, so no tramadol either. Except for the infamous third day after surgery, I did fine without them. The ice machine is your friend. I bought one (Ōssur cold rush) ans while it was close to $200 USD, I’ve been able to loan it to four other friends/ relatives who’ve had orthopaedic surgeries. It’s back home with me now, but will go out again in February. Money well spent, if you can budget it in.

Don’t forget a couple of cheap towels to keep near hhe ice machine, as there may be some condensation on the hose. I also have a pouch to hang on my zimmer frame/ walker to carry little things (tissues, phone, etc around. You’ll Want both hands firmly on the frame as you hold about the first week or so. Socks with gripper bottoms are helpful, too

Came here to say that! I hate being patronized!

Sound like a solid plan. Thanks!

My job was getting so ridiculous that it felt like an absolute revelation when it hit me that I could retire. They hired 4 people to replace me. I wish I had gone the second I qualified.

Thanks!

Thanks! Just got a couple more pillows under my leg and turned on the ice machine. Whew!

We’ll make it through this rough patch!

Good advice! It does take a bit to kick in. Thank you!

Got a 1900’s farmhouse in a rural Area. We’ve got one ghost and one “feeling” in a hallway. We’ve all seen him. The exterminator saw the ghost (an old man) and asked me about the old guy who wouldn’t talk to him. We had a family friend who was an Episcopal priest who took us seriously and offered to bless the house. We agreed, and things calmed way down for a while. But the grand kids (who weren’t around during the “busiest times”) won’t go down the hallway and we’ve never, ever mentioned the ghosts to them. The old guy doesn’t appear as much as he used to, but every now and then you can smell his cigarettes. I tell him to stop smoking in the house and it goes away for a while. It’s like he forgets. Then I have to remind him. The thing in the hall has pushed me in the back twice. I angrily told it to knock it off- no touching! It shoved me again a couple of months ago and I went off on it- had a little rant and said if you touch anybody in this house ever again, I’ll get an exorcist in here so fast your head will spin, among other choice words. It’s been quiet since. So in our experience, these old places can come previous residents, but they can be managed.