I think one of the things that is helping me the most is informing myself about what I am getting myself into.
I am preparing my mind, body, house, everything for the upcoming events.
I think pre-planning is VITAL to this process. I know you can not prepare for every contingency, but it is important to have all your ducks in a row.
I am reading about many things
Pre-surgery
pre-op
surgery
post-op
recovery
physical therapy
...are just a few. For me knowledge is power and I am less scared and anxious when I know what is going to happen, why it is going to happen, and what I can and should do during this process!
Here are some websites I used to help me prepare:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneereplacement.html#cat26
http://orthopedics.about.com/od/hipkneereplacement/tp/kneereplacement.htm
http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/totalkneereplacement/TKR_exercises.html
http://www.nih.gov/niams
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/postoperativeexercises/qt/TKAFlexionEx.htm
http://arthritis.webmd.com/knee-replacement-surgery
Friday, June 12, 2009
Dentist
One down a million to go. :)
I had my dentist appointment today to make sure I have no dental issues. If you have dental issues when you have a joint replaced the bacteria and infection could travel to the knee and cause serious problems. It is very important to get your dental health checked out so that your surgery and recovery go well.
Great news!!!
I have NO DENTAL issues!!! My dentist was able to give me a clean bill of dental health.
Now on to the million other things to do :)
I had my dentist appointment today to make sure I have no dental issues. If you have dental issues when you have a joint replaced the bacteria and infection could travel to the knee and cause serious problems. It is very important to get your dental health checked out so that your surgery and recovery go well.
Great news!!!
I have NO DENTAL issues!!! My dentist was able to give me a clean bill of dental health.
Now on to the million other things to do :)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Things to do Before the Surgery
Get handicap parking placard
Go to dentist to get medical ok -done
Go to Primary DR to get medical Ok -done
move bed into living room
Total joint preoperative class -done June 24 - went well
Autologous blood donation - don't need better not to get
Pre-op with DR
Pre-op with hospital - done June 29 - went well
clean house - almost done
Go to dentist to get medical ok -done
Go to Primary DR to get medical Ok -done
move bed into living room
Total joint preoperative class -done June 24 - went well
Autologous blood donation - don't need better not to get
Pre-op with DR
Pre-op with hospital - done June 29 - went well
clean house - almost done
get supplies - almost done
mail my mom's stuff to her mom in CA - DONE Thank God I can relax now! June 29
long day
today was the last day of school....it was very tiring. Chronic pain is very exhausting.
I went to a graduation tonight and had to sit in a chair that made my leg hurt so bad. Then driving home was such joy! I am excited that my Meghan will be doing the driving tomorrow!!! :)
I tried to get up this morning and go do my water exercises, but after the excruciating episode this morning I did not have the strength or energy. :(
I read about the many things to do to prepare for after the surgery.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneereplacement.html#cat26
I now have many more things to add to my list... :) being prepared is SO important that I have decided to make a list of all the things I am suppose to do before surgery!!!
I went to a graduation tonight and had to sit in a chair that made my leg hurt so bad. Then driving home was such joy! I am excited that my Meghan will be doing the driving tomorrow!!! :)
I tried to get up this morning and go do my water exercises, but after the excruciating episode this morning I did not have the strength or energy. :(
I read about the many things to do to prepare for after the surgery.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneereplacement.html#cat26
I now have many more things to add to my list... :) being prepared is SO important that I have decided to make a list of all the things I am suppose to do before surgery!!!
Pain
"That which we call (pain). By any other name would (suck) as (bad)"
Honestly....I was awakened by a shearing, blinding, horrible pain in my knee this morning....
Just gives me one more reason to thank the powers that be that I am getting a new knee!!!!!!
I am off for a very busy last day of school today. I have 3 graduations to attend, offline grades to pick up, a beautiful baby to watch, and a lovely daughter to help get to her very busy life...though Meghan has helped tremendously with this...she does most of the driving when she is with me :)
Well have a great day!
Honestly....I was awakened by a shearing, blinding, horrible pain in my knee this morning....
Just gives me one more reason to thank the powers that be that I am getting a new knee!!!!!!
I am off for a very busy last day of school today. I have 3 graduations to attend, offline grades to pick up, a beautiful baby to watch, and a lovely daughter to help get to her very busy life...though Meghan has helped tremendously with this...she does most of the driving when she is with me :)
Well have a great day!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Time Line
March 27, 2009
Met Dr Xenos scheduled surgery July 6, 2009
June 10, 2009
Talked to MA of Xenos rescheduled surgery July 2, 2009. Picked up paper work for everything to do before surgery
June 12
See dentist and get required clearance for surgery -went well no issues (ie cavities, infections, dangerous issues)
June 17
See Dr and get required tests: blood work, EKG, etc and clearance for surgery - went well no issues
June 24
Pre-op class about Total Joint Replacement (very cool! It is really nice that the hospital offers such a great service for free...or has how Honora puts it "included" lol) - very informative! :)
June 29
Pre-op at hospital - went well. Everyone was nice, even though it took longer than anticipated! :)
July 1
Pre-op appointment with Xenos
July 2, 2009 1:30pm
Right Knee Total Arthroplasty (ie knee replacement)
http://www.edheads.org/activities/knee/
(I had fun exploring and learning about knee surgery here!)
Met Dr Xenos scheduled surgery July 6, 2009
June 10, 2009
Talked to MA of Xenos rescheduled surgery July 2, 2009. Picked up paper work for everything to do before surgery
June 12
See dentist and get required clearance for surgery -went well no issues (ie cavities, infections, dangerous issues)
June 17
See Dr and get required tests: blood work, EKG, etc and clearance for surgery - went well no issues
June 24
Pre-op class about Total Joint Replacement (very cool! It is really nice that the hospital offers such a great service for free...or has how Honora puts it "included" lol) - very informative! :)
June 29
Pre-op at hospital - went well. Everyone was nice, even though it took longer than anticipated! :)
July 1
Pre-op appointment with Xenos
July 2, 2009 1:30pm
Right Knee Total Arthroplasty (ie knee replacement)
http://www.edheads.org/activities/knee/
(I had fun exploring and learning about knee surgery here!)
Time Line - History
Summer 1991 (14 years old)
I fall an injury my knee multiple times at summer camp, do not think it is a big deal
Fall 1991
Foster mom takes me to DR diagnosed with "water on the knee" have an MRI done put in immovable leg brace continue doing marching band, take off brace, push through the pain, discomfort, knee giving out, very swollen - nobody thinks it is any big deal - will resolve on its own
January 1992
Mother sees my knee for the first time and freaks out. It is still very swollen, I still fall all the time because of it. Takes me to a DR. Dr thinks I have a torn cartilage and will do exploratory arthroscopic surgery. Blood work showing weird things.
February 1992
First arthroscopic surgery. When looks into the knee sees something he has never seen before - PVNS (Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis) ttp://www.kneeandshoulder.md/pvns_02.html It was completely covering all areas of my knees, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, it was very prolific all over, around, and in my knee. Once inside my knee the DR did an arthroscopic synovectomy. Within a month the disease was back.
June 1992
Second arthroscopic synovectomy - it was suppose to be open knee but once I was put to sleep he changed his mind and did it arthroscopic. The disease was back within a month. Every few months had the fluid drained from my knee. Radiation is not done since I am still growing. I fell down seriously 2 times once down a flight of stairs and once down bleachers because of my knee.
December 1992
I got pregnant. The PVNS was my constant companion during my pregnancy. It caused me to fall down another flight of stair, this time cement ones when I was 5 months pregnant. Thankfully Meghan stuck like glue inside me! :) I also felt myself fall so I ducked and rolled :) DRs told me that was VERY smart thinking.
September 1993
Had my beautiful baby daughter!
However, during pushing my PVNS impacted and swelled the joint so much that I could not walk and it was hot and hard to the touch.
October 1993
New DR!!! Dr Eckhoff had seen PVNS the most of any DR in Colorado. It was him who told me how rare my condition was, how devastating it could be, how hopeless the situation was, how crippling it was, and how he was going to do everything possible to try to give me relief for as long as possible from this crippling disease....how I loved that man :) I owe that man so much. Because of his skill and dedication I have been free from PVNS since that surgery!!!!! However, the damage was already done. He also had to remove healthy tissue as well to insure that it would stay gone for as long as possible. He gave me hope when there really was none.
November 1993
Surgery - complete and open synovectomy. It was a very painful surgery. I was put in a immobile knee brace for 2 months (trying to prevent the PVNS from coming back). I then had physical therapy for 2 months to regain the use of my leg.
2002
Ex-rays done showing my knee was "70" years old. I was told at this time I was too young for a knee replacement that the soonest I could get one was when I was 35.
November 2008
Went to see a knee surgeon with Kaiser. I was told they would NOT do it until I was AT LEAST 40...more rejections. It was hard. But she did give me shots of the "good stuff" it helped to take some of the edge off, but it has consequences of its own.
1993-2009
Over the years I have been in a lot of pain with my knee. I can not do things a normal person my age can do. I can not bike, run, walk, pretty much anything. I have tried injections, narcotics, nerve blocks...nothing gets rid of the pain. Injections take some of the edge off, narcotics make me high and sleepy, and nerve blocks make me feel weird.
March 2009
I got new insurance. Went to get more shots for my knees. Dr took one look at the x-rays and told me there was really no option EXCEPT total knee replacement. It was like he was trying to convince me... lol... :)
March 27, 2009
Meet Dr. Xenos... :) Wonderful DR. I am so excited!!! Surgery is scheduled for July 6, 2009. FINALLY a DR listened, understands, and cares about how much pain and suffering I have been in for 16 years!!! "quality of life is important, when you can not even walk without excruciating pain how can you live?"
I fall an injury my knee multiple times at summer camp, do not think it is a big deal
Fall 1991
Foster mom takes me to DR diagnosed with "water on the knee" have an MRI done put in immovable leg brace continue doing marching band, take off brace, push through the pain, discomfort, knee giving out, very swollen - nobody thinks it is any big deal - will resolve on its own
January 1992
Mother sees my knee for the first time and freaks out. It is still very swollen, I still fall all the time because of it. Takes me to a DR. Dr thinks I have a torn cartilage and will do exploratory arthroscopic surgery. Blood work showing weird things.
February 1992
First arthroscopic surgery. When looks into the knee sees something he has never seen before - PVNS (Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis) ttp://www.kneeandshoulder.md/pvns_02.html It was completely covering all areas of my knees, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, it was very prolific all over, around, and in my knee. Once inside my knee the DR did an arthroscopic synovectomy. Within a month the disease was back.
June 1992
Second arthroscopic synovectomy - it was suppose to be open knee but once I was put to sleep he changed his mind and did it arthroscopic. The disease was back within a month. Every few months had the fluid drained from my knee. Radiation is not done since I am still growing. I fell down seriously 2 times once down a flight of stairs and once down bleachers because of my knee.
December 1992
I got pregnant. The PVNS was my constant companion during my pregnancy. It caused me to fall down another flight of stair, this time cement ones when I was 5 months pregnant. Thankfully Meghan stuck like glue inside me! :) I also felt myself fall so I ducked and rolled :) DRs told me that was VERY smart thinking.
September 1993
Had my beautiful baby daughter!
However, during pushing my PVNS impacted and swelled the joint so much that I could not walk and it was hot and hard to the touch.
October 1993
New DR!!! Dr Eckhoff had seen PVNS the most of any DR in Colorado. It was him who told me how rare my condition was, how devastating it could be, how hopeless the situation was, how crippling it was, and how he was going to do everything possible to try to give me relief for as long as possible from this crippling disease....how I loved that man :) I owe that man so much. Because of his skill and dedication I have been free from PVNS since that surgery!!!!! However, the damage was already done. He also had to remove healthy tissue as well to insure that it would stay gone for as long as possible. He gave me hope when there really was none.
November 1993
Surgery - complete and open synovectomy. It was a very painful surgery. I was put in a immobile knee brace for 2 months (trying to prevent the PVNS from coming back). I then had physical therapy for 2 months to regain the use of my leg.
2002
Ex-rays done showing my knee was "70" years old. I was told at this time I was too young for a knee replacement that the soonest I could get one was when I was 35.
November 2008
Went to see a knee surgeon with Kaiser. I was told they would NOT do it until I was AT LEAST 40...more rejections. It was hard. But she did give me shots of the "good stuff" it helped to take some of the edge off, but it has consequences of its own.
1993-2009
Over the years I have been in a lot of pain with my knee. I can not do things a normal person my age can do. I can not bike, run, walk, pretty much anything. I have tried injections, narcotics, nerve blocks...nothing gets rid of the pain. Injections take some of the edge off, narcotics make me high and sleepy, and nerve blocks make me feel weird.
March 2009
I got new insurance. Went to get more shots for my knees. Dr took one look at the x-rays and told me there was really no option EXCEPT total knee replacement. It was like he was trying to convince me... lol... :)
March 27, 2009
Meet Dr. Xenos... :) Wonderful DR. I am so excited!!! Surgery is scheduled for July 6, 2009. FINALLY a DR listened, understands, and cares about how much pain and suffering I have been in for 16 years!!! "quality of life is important, when you can not even walk without excruciating pain how can you live?"
Countdown begins.....
I got the call from the MA (Medical Assistant) today! We have been playing phone tag for a few weeks. My surgery is moved up from July 6 to July 2. I am nervous and excited.... I decided to blog so that I can have a memory of the process of this whole experience as well as share what happen to me to others out there who are considering this.
I have to give credit where credit is due and thank my sister for inspiring me to do this. She is currently on a round the world trip to many different destinations and she is blogging about it. It has been wonderful reading her blogs and it has given me the idea to do so as well. Though my blog will not have her wonderful sense of humor and funny antidotes...My hope is that my experience will help others as well as give me something to look back on and think.....wow look at that, I made it!!!
It will also be a way to help my family get up to date information (hopefully) on how I am doing. I will be asking my daughter (she is absolutely wonderful and a great writer) to do this while I am in the hospital as well! :)
This is going to be a long and hard process, HOWEVER quality of life is very important. In another post I will explain this history of why I am doing this at such a young age (32). For now...I just wanted to get started....
I have to give credit where credit is due and thank my sister for inspiring me to do this. She is currently on a round the world trip to many different destinations and she is blogging about it. It has been wonderful reading her blogs and it has given me the idea to do so as well. Though my blog will not have her wonderful sense of humor and funny antidotes...My hope is that my experience will help others as well as give me something to look back on and think.....wow look at that, I made it!!!
It will also be a way to help my family get up to date information (hopefully) on how I am doing. I will be asking my daughter (she is absolutely wonderful and a great writer) to do this while I am in the hospital as well! :)
This is going to be a long and hard process, HOWEVER quality of life is very important. In another post I will explain this history of why I am doing this at such a young age (32). For now...I just wanted to get started....
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