Day 23 - July 25 Running around

WOW...today was a rough day. Honora needed to go to the airport and we all woke up late. So it was a crazy scramble to get out the door. The stuff needed to be loaded into the car, the baby needed to be feed and dressed, we all needed to get dressed.....We would have been even later if I had not raced around getting everything into the car. Honora had to feed Elizabeth, then I drove us all the the airport (very quickly) and we all raced in to get her checked in and to the security check point....owe...

Than Meghan and I went home. I had to take some Vicoden for my knee, iced it up and took a nap. Meghan was very sweet and let me cuddle with her so I could sleep better. When I woke up a few hours later, I got a call from Meghan's grandma. Honora lost her phone at DIA, could I try to find it.

So I called DIA and found that they did have the phone and I could come get it. Meghan needed to still drive us because I still had Vicoden in my system, but she did not want to leave yet, so I fell asleep again.

When she was ready, she woke me up and we went back out to the airport. We had to walk a long, long way....to get to lost and found, picked up the phone and went back to the car. Than we drove to Meghan's grandparent's house because they are out of town and we picked up their mail and put it in their house. Than we drove to Honora's house and watched some cable TV for a while (been a long day since we did that).

Now we are home and I need to do my exercises (at least 1 time today) even though my leg has had a VERY hard work-out (i.e. run-walking in the airport because we were late, than walking back to car than walking to lost and found - in the most obscure part of the airport possible - and back to the car) I still need to do my exercises. My knee was a little more swollen today, than it has been in a while. Well off to exercise than try to sleep....

Day 22 - July 24 PT was awesome!

I got chosen for a special assignment at work so I got to do some work today! As a result I had to change my PT time. I was suppose to go in at 9:30 but I was worried PT would last too long and I would miss a lot of the meeting. So I called and asked if there were any spots open, yes there was at 7:00!!! So I woke up early today and ran over the PT. It was great.
He put me on the bike first for 10 minutes.
Than he measured my flexion it was 104!
Than he did some deep tissue massage on my knee, massaged my scar, and did some patella massage! - I have one word for all this....OUCH!!
Than I did my leg exercises..but this time he added 1 1/2 pounds to my leg.
Than I did some new exercises!

• You are attached to the wall with a rubber-band like rope and you do 20 leg kicks to the back, side, front, and other side, with the surgical leg.
• He had me stand on my surgical leg for 1 minute 3 times
• He had me do 2 sets of 20 squats
• He also had me do calf stretches where you stand on this wedge to stretch your calves
• He also stretched my leg. He took my leg and held it straight and lifted it straight up and pushed...ouch... :(
• I also did this exercise where I put the leash-like thing on my ankle and pulled my leg into a bend as far as possible. (I will definitely do this at home!!!)

Than he had me ice my knee with it elevated for 15 minutes. It was sad after 5 minutes my knee was not liking the position...but I had to stay in it for 10 more minutes.

He also let me know the 2 exercises I was worried about...not to be. He showed me how to find my patella, but he said the important thing was to just get it moving. :) Yeah no more depression because I am failing!

PT lasted 1 1/2 hours! WOW but it was good. He works me really hard, and pushes me! BUT I LOVE IT!!!!

Need to do my exercises. Honora is leaving for Florida in the AM and I am taking her to the airport! She is going to pick up her babies...she misses them so much.

Day 21 - July 23 3 WEEKS!!!

It has been three weeks today that I had my knee replaced. It is crazy...I am starting to not remember what it was like to be in chronic pain. Meghan and I had an argument about what pain is...I think I am more of an expert than she is.

The adjectives that I use to describe what I feel sometimes feel in my knee and leg is: achy, stiff, and sore.

The old adjectives were: throbbing, shooting, sharp, stabbing, excruciating, horrible, chronic, grinding, sucking all energy, pain...

Total different. My knee did well today, it did not ache as much as it did yesterday. I only went to the Y one time today. But I did my exercises, but only 2 times....

BUT tomorrow I have physical therapy at SEVEN AM!!!! Than I am going to work on a special project at the Hope Office tomorrow!!! Cause I am not on Drugs and I can drive!!!!

I took a long hot shower, it really helps my leg, especially since I put it on massage, extra hot, and I use it to massage my very sore muscles!!! I also ice my knee EVERY time I do exercise!

Gotta go to bed, see you tomorrow!

Day 20 - July 22 - Hard day

Did you ever have a day where you feel like it is too much. Well that was my day today. I really have been getting depressed because 2 of the things my PT wants me to do I can not do them. It is 2 patella exercises. I can not find the top and bottom of my patella (Honora says cause it is too swollen) that I feel like giving up...mind you I don't but it feels like it.
The achiness is getting to me to. It is like...why am I not healed yet...Honora gentally reminds me, "it has only been 3 weeks." So it has been one of THOSE kind of days.
It started out rough because I woke up stiff, sore, achey....and best of all SICK. :( my nose was running and stuffy and I just did not feel good. Needless to say, I did not do all of my exercises this morning.
We ran to the library, YMCA, and the store.
Even with all the "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE..." I still managed to make myself go do the bike for 10 min at the YMCA....I drove to different places today with...and to the store and such.
I rode the wheelchair at the store because I did not want to walk and I was icing my knee from biking.
I did not take a walk today....
I did not do my exercises 3 times...only 2....
:( I really had a hard day.
But I did make myself do my exercises 2 times with the wonderful help of my Honora the first time... :) she shouted the numbers to me and encouraged me :)
and my Meghan...she softly encouraged me and told me how well I was doing! for the 2nd set...
I love my Honora and Meghan they really helped me today!
Sometimes...you just need a little encouragement...
I was also depressed...because I can not go swimming for 3 more weeks... :( and I have to be strong about this...even though I really really really really really want to soak in a hot tub...DR orders...6 weeks... I can not risk an infection in my knee...sigh.....
Oh well...I am done exercising..I was not even going to blog today...but I think it is good to write the good AND the bad...that way it will help me push forward, keep going, and NOT GIVE UP!!!!!

GO CANDICE

Day 19 - July 21 - A day of Firsts

Wow today has been great. It has been a day of firsts!

1. Went for a walk ALL BY myself!
2. Did not take ANY narcotics only Ibuprofen 2 times all day!
3. Was able to read some of a book!
4. Went to YMCA and rode a bike for 15 minutes
5. Drove home from YMCA!!

It was a great day! I have done really well today and the knee is keeping up really well. There is some pain, but not too bad maybe a 2. Usually there is no pain, but when I move it, it is really stiff sometimes. Then I move it more and it feels better and is not so stiff.

The knee is still achy and stiff, but exercise still helps!

I am so happy I am doing so well!

Good night! Did all my exercises already so I am going to read a little more (it is nice to have a clear head) and go to bed (I hope I'll be able to sleep!)

Day 18 - July 20 Outpaitent PT!!

Had my first out patient PT today and it went GREAT!!!

But before I get ahead of myself, let me start from the beginning.

I did not sleep again last night. I was up every 2 hours...for one reason or another. :(

When I woke Meghan at 9, than I took 2 9am meds because I was having PT today and I did not know how much pain it would cause my knee. I also wanted to prepare my knee so I did my exercises than iced my knee.

Then about 9:30 I made sure Meghan was almost ready to go...we left on time and made it to my appointment on time.

It was a long session today. 10-11:30

First, he played with my patella (moving it and such) but no tissues massage :( Then he measured my extension and flexion. The first time was only 94 than we did more stretches and patella moving..measured it again 95. Did some more patella stuff than had me get on a bike for 10 minutes. The first few minutes I could not go all the way around so I was suppose to go back and forth until I could make it around. PT said it would probably be easier to go backward first..and it was...I was able to go backward. Than I also was able to go forward. I did it a little longer than required (about 14 min instead of 10). Than got back on the table and he had me do some new exercises and a few old ones modified a little.

1. quad sets - tightening muscles in quad, push down, and tighten muscles in butt, all while pulling toes toward knee
2. straight leg lifts - lying on back, one leg bent, keep leg totally straight, knee locked, muscles tight lift leg straight
3. Hip Extension - lying on stomach lift leg up keeping leg and knee straight and tight
4. hip abduction - lying on side, one leg bent, leg kept straight and in line with back (this is hard) lift leg up keeping knee locked and muscles tight
5. hip abduction 2 - lying on other side, bend leg over straight leg, tighten and keep knee lock and lift straight leg.
6. heel raise bilateral - stand up and rise on ball of feet

These are the new exercises I am suppose to do at home in addition to the ones I did at PT.

1. using left leg to bend and straighten right leg when sitting up
2. using a bike for 10-15 minutes a day (will be going back to YMCA!!!)
3. Knee wall slides - walking up and down the wall while lying on back with knees bent
4. Patella massage and stretching - side to side and up and down. (when he did these at PT it did not hurt cause I was high... When I did them tonight...OUCH!!! :(

I am suppose to do each exercise 20 times for each set, 2 sets for each session, and 3 sessions a day! I am adding these exercises to the exercises I am already doing!

Than we came home. I was very tired so I took a long, long nap! Than we got to watch Elizabeth again while Honora had 2nd shift.

Meghan had color guard practice today, so instead of her riding the bus Elizabeth and I went with her! It was fun, we packed a blanket and sat on it and watched her practice and played together. It was great. She loves to be outside and it is good for me to get out of the house.

My knee/scar is looking great. The Steri-strips came off (so itchy) and it is healed so well I did not put any new ones on, I might still...

There was a bad storm tonight, so I could not go for a walk.

My Game Plan for tomorrow.

I want to go to the YMCA tomorrow to do the bike, the library to return and check out more books, bank (deposit money), and store (I need to buy a few things), go for a walk, go exercises 3 times...

Well I already did my exercises a 3 times today..but I might do them one more time before bed! Good night!

Day 17 - July 19

Well I had to sleep last night, I just had too. I have been getting MORE AND MORE exhausted...so I took 20 mg of my meds again. I went to bed earlier (ie finally was able to fall asleep at about 12ish). Meghan let me cuddle her so I was able to relax easier before I fell asleep! I was not awakened by aching, discomfort, or pain last night!!!! I woke up kinda early this morning (5:30am) but then cuddled with Elizabeth and went back to sleep! I finally got some great sleep last night!

I woke up tired...and I am still a little tired this morning (11ish am) but doing much better. I decided to take 20 mg again...I am feeling much better. I do not have many Oxycontin left so I need to go fill my prescription of vicoden very very soon! We are also almost out of toilet paper...YIKES!!! So I really need to go to the store today. I still also need to get my alternator tested to see if I need a new one (PLEASE NO!!!!)

I gave myself my last blood thinning shot today! So tomorrow I can start using anti-inflammatory to see if that will help reduce swelling and pain in the knee tomorrow!

We are planning on going to Harry Potter today...I hope that works out too...

As I was playing with Elizabeth my nausea hit me hard. I ran out of pills today and did not take some with my meds this morning. I had gotten a new script from the Dr, but for some reason I have not filled it yet. Elizabeth fell asleep so I laid down with her cause I threw up in my mouth a little. When Honora walked in the door, she was like, "let's go get your meds." She was my savior! She saved me from the horrid nausea. We ran to Wal-mart they said it would take 25 min, so we went to get toilet paper because we were out of that too. Then we hung out next to the pharmacy (me trying not to vomit, Honora feeding Elizabeth). Finally, it was done. We got it, Honora went for the car and now we are home!!! YAhooo...oh yah..I took my nausea meds as soon as he handed me the bottle!

Now I am waiting for it to kick in...

My nausea meds worked, mostly, but I had to take some Tums as well. Honora made us a YUMMY dinner of homemade Alfredo sauce with pasta and chicken. She also made a yummy cucumber and tomato salad. Than Daniel came over so we could all go see Harry Potter. We were waiting from Daniel's friend Trey (he works at the movie theater and got us 4 FREE movie tickets! So we got to go for free!) So since we had to take Trey with us, Honora and Elizabeth followed us to the movies. We go the movies and it watched it. Elizabeth was SO good! But bad news...stupid me did not remember to bring her 9pm meds....Movie started at 7:30...got over at 10:30...dumb me. By the time I got home I was in pain.
I took 2 9pm meds and Honora did a trick with my PRN med and soon I was not feeling any pain. It was important that we got the pain under control since it was a 6 and rising.. (VERY BAD). Got the pain under control, made myself high (DO NOT LIKE!!!), did my exercises and went to bed!

VERY TIRED!!!