Day 13 - July 15 - Post-op Day

I was unable to post this yesterday because I was up all night, literally ALL night (ie 5:30 am) working on making sure everything was ready for court today.

So anyway, Tuesday night I had a really tough time sleeping because I was nervous how the DR visit would go. I stayed up pretty late (ie 2am) doing my exercises. Then I used my CPM machine for an hour, than iced my knee and slept for a few hours. I woke up at 5....walked around some. Iced knee again and tried to go back to sleep. Than woke at 7 and used my CPM machine again, to loosen up my knee. Than I did my exercises for an 1/2 an hour. Than Honora, Elizabeth, and I went to their WIC appointment. (I can not drive yet so I get other people to drive me around)

Than after the WIC appointment we raced over to my appointment. We were a little late, but that was okay because the office always is running late and thus we ended up having to wait anyways.

When I got to the office a lady asked me if I had surgery at Sky Ridge (I did) and she saw me on my surgery day and she said I am walking WAY better than I did before surgery. I still used my walker, but I am walking really well. While we waited my leg started aching and the best thing to do is get up and move, so I did.

Than they finally called me back. Everyone was VERY impressed at how well I was doing. Dr Harrison (the PA) measured my flexion and it was...... 103!!!! It was so exciting. I told the nurse and the PA that I was worried about the staples because of the bad experience last time. She said the same thing "it will only pinch a little" I was like "the last guy told me that to and I almost punched him in the face when he took the first one out." I told him "don't tell people how it will feel if you have never had it done."

These are the tools they used to remove my staples. Then that PA came in. He washed my knee up really well. He had me lie down. Then he removed the first staple...... IT DIDN'T HURT!!!! It was great. Only a few of them stung a little.

Then he put some sort of glue and then covered the whole incision with steri-strips. These will fall off on their own in 5-7 days. I am suppose to use alcohol on them 2x's a day and after every shower. I can take a normal shower (except I can't wash that specific area) and pat it dry. I took a shower last night, the hot water helps relax my muscles.

I showed the DR I could walk without anything! It was exciting. I am doing so well.

I got my questions answered:

1. When can I stop the Oxycontin - within the next week or 2 I have a new script for vicoden
2. can I use a cane instead of a walker - yes as soon as you feel you are ready
3. how am I doing - very good
4. when can I swim and go in a hot tub - 6 weeks after the surgery :( this was sad since hot water really helps the muscle pain
5. Am I doing better/worse than expected - much better
6. can I use lotion - no :( when can I use lotion - after the incision is completely healed (ie scar no scabs)
7. can I use anything help to moisturize, my skin is so dry - not right now, after incision heals after steri-strips fall off can use vitamin E - but don't use too soon, can cause bacteria to grow
8. more nausea script - yes
9. How long do I use the shots - till they are gone (I have 5 more left)
10. How long do I take my antibiotics - till they are gone (I have 3 more left)
11. when can I start to take anti-inflammatory - after shots are done
12. When can I use stairs like a normal person - when I am ready
13. is it safe to kneel on my knee and when - after incision heals and it is fine
14. Home PT or Clinic PT - outpatient clinic PT starting next week (I have a script and set up my appointments for the next 2 weeks)
15. there is a weird sound in my knee is it normal - yes, it will eventually go away
16. when can I stop worrying about blood clots and infections - blood clots by week 6 post-op infection the rest of my life
17. when are bad side effect like pulmonary embolisms, etc no longer an issue - after week 6 post-op
18. Wound care for my knee steri-strips - no lotion, pat dry, 2x day alcohol
19. When do I start scar massage - PT will probably start it next week
20. do I need to use more steri-strips - probably not they are glued down and will fall off on their own

After the Dr appointment we came back home. I was pretty exhausted. I wanted to take a nap but my PT was coming.

My PT came, she was great like always. My knee was much better than Monday. She did her hands on a lot, showed me new standing exercises and showed me how to walk with a cane.

When she left I took a little nap. Meghan, Daniel, Honora, and Elizabeth all headed for her house. they moved her furniture back, took a dip in the pool, and brought back dinner. I took a 2 hour nap. than woke up and wrote a reference letter and finished a work project I had forgotten.

Honora, Elizabeth, and I went for a walk. We discovered that I walk MUCH better without anything. So I am walking independently on my own...no cane, walker, or crutches and it is only week 2 post-op!!

I discovered that I lost my videos of my Meghan when she was little... :( :( it was very depressing.

Than I spent the night getting ready for court......

I did my exercises and went to bed...I did not get much sleep