August 25, 2014

Went to the doctor today. I no longer have to use the CPM machine so the representative came and picked it up. Before the appointment, I thought I was going to be told by the doctor that I could go down to one crutch, and possibly not have to wear the brace at night. Nope. 

The doctor did say that I didn't end to wear the brace in the shower, but I still had to sit in a chair while showering. He also said I can remove the steri strips that are covering my incisions

He looked at me knee and said everything looks great, and asked me if I could do a straight leg raise. Now, I can do a straight leg raise with my brace on, but without...not going to happen.  I couldn't do it and felt a little defeated. He told me that this is normal for someone that is almost a month post op and that I shouldn't worry. Also, I told him that I was weaning myself off the pain medicine. He told me that was not a good idea because I was about to start physical therapy. He's right. So I'm back on the pain medicine cycle. Not as much as the first week post op, but I'm back to taking them. Slowly, I am starting to realize that this is going to be a long process. The reason I had the surgery is because I wanted to walk without pain or my knee dislocating and messing up my foot and ankle; and lead a normal life.

I still have to wear my brace at night because my quad is starting to wake up and twitch and I need to be protected. However, I have learned that if you put a pillow between your knee, you can sleep on your side sort of comfortably. Sort of. I should have mentioned I have 3 cats who like to sleep next to me. So when going to sleep, I have to make sure my knee is protected, I am comfortable, and there isn't a cat around. Yet, I still end up on my back. And wake up a couple of times during the night to reposition my leg. Now, when I first had surgery, I was waking up every 4 hours on the dot to take pain medicine and go back to sleep. 

Found a physical therapy place and start physical therapy on September 2 ( this coming Tuesday). Also, they will be picking up my cold therapy unit on the 3rd. I'm sad to see that thing go. It's been a lifesaver, but I am fully stocked up in frozen peas.

Deep thoughts by Jenn

I did not realize how slow the healing process was going to be. I thought it was going to go by a lot quicker. So far it hasn't. I'm struggling with trying to be patient and take my time.

Every day, Kris makes sure I have everything I need before he goes to work, including carrying the cold therapy unit from the bedroom to the living room and moving the CPM machine to the couch before he goes to work. He even makes sure there is a computer chair in the kitchen so if I want something to eat or drink, I can do it myself.

With that being said, now it's time for my thoughts

First off, it gets boring. All I do is watch tv, play around on Facebook and Twitter , read and use the CPM machine. Also, when I want to get up, I have to unhook the tubes for the cold therapy machine and position myself on the crutches. I'm pretty slow getting around, especially when I have been sitting for awhile. I'm used to being able to do things for myself. Also, I am used to being able to make something to eat, and go to the living room and watch tv.  Having crutches makes it harder, I know it's the best for me to relax and not rush this. Also, it's going to take 6 weeks from the time of surgery for the screws to fix into the bone.

If you are in this predicament or know someone that has had surgery realize that it's very difficult for the person. They are having to relearn how to do things that normally are pretty easy tasks. Also, always say yes to company. It's easier to ask a friend to go in the kitchen and bring you food instead of feeling like you are a burden or isolated.

I need to work on patience and not being stubborn. Trust me. 

August 11, 2014

Go back to doctor and get stitches removed. I have never had stitches removed before, so I didn't know what to expect.....

A few of the stitches came out without a problem, however, when they got to the larger one....I was squeezing Kris's hand so tight so I wouldn't cry. Apparently, my skin started to grow over the stitches. They had to cut my skin a little bit to get the stitch out. Thank god I took pain medicine before the appointment. However, I should have taken the good ones ;)

I am at almost 80 degrees on the CPM machine which they were happy about. They also said that I was walking a lot faster in the crutches, which is reassuring. They told me that I can lay on my side if I want to know when I go to sleep, but I still need to wrap the brace in a garbage bag if I want to take a shower. The next visit, we get to talk about physical therapy. Yay

Kris reminded me that after this appointment, they can't hurt me anymore. Felt better after hearing that. 

After the appointment, we went to Target. I got in one of the motorized scooters and went all around the store. Felt good to get out of the house. And have Starbucks. Me driving the motorized scooter...ran into two racks, and missed a few corners. Got some books, and snacks and went home.

August 4, 2014 first post op appointment

Went to the doctor today for my first post op appointment. The removed the bulky dressings and changed out the bandages. They asked me how I was doing on the CPM machine. I told them I was at 45 degrees. That made them happy

Ok. So there is something funny that happened in this appointment. When I got into the room, I decided to sit in the chair, instead of laying down on the exam table. Big mistake. I was fine when they took off the bandages, but when they changed out the steri strips, I kinda got lightheaded. Yep, that just happened. Kris and the PA's Mike and Tom immediately helped me onto the exam table and gave me cold compresses. Not my shining moment, lol....

Another note: after I had surgery, my brace was locked at 40 degrees. If you read other blogs some of the patients braces were completely locked, and they were locked for a few weeks. I must be a special case, because right after I had surgery, I was able to partially put weight on my repaired knee, which is why I had my brace locked at 40 degrees instead of completely locked.

They told me that I can start bending my knee, with the brace on of course, and they unlocked my brace. Also, they showed me how to walk heel to toe gait with my crutches. I get to come back next week for the stitches to be removed.

August 1, 2014

Had a visitor today. It was a representative bringing the CPM machine to my place. CPM is a continuous passive motion machine which helps my injured knee bend so I can regain flexibility and decrease swelling. I get to use this machine for 6-8 hours a day for 3 weeks or I can stop when I get to 90 degrees

Side note: the machine makes your leg hurt. It is normal. This is the second time I have had to use this machine. It gets better. And a piece of advice: try to increase flexion by 5 degrees every day. If it hurts, go down 3 degrees. It took me about 2 1/2 weeks to do this.

Surgery results

When I left the surgical center, I was given paperwork that detailed what the doctors did during my surgery along with pictures from the arthroscope. A few days later, I decided to read it

If you were to google MPFL reconstruction, it is described as a very painful procedure. Hard to believe that something so small could be that painful. 

When I read the report, I found out I had some other work done....

I had some work done on the posterior lateral corner, an LCL (lateral collateral ligament) reconstruction, and a lateral release. The lateral release was previously done in 1999. 

So, I had 4 different surgeries at the same time. Awesome. 

Meanwhile, the doctor, nurse and PA weren't kidding, this is extremely painful.

July 30, 2014 surgery day

Had to wake up around 5 am. We had to be at the surgical center by 6:15. I wasn't really that nervous on the ride there, but when we got there shit got real.

Signed in, then I was called in. That was around 6:45 am. Went to the operating room area and put on the garments that they gave me. Then I went through the questions from the nurse, anastetiologist and finally my doctor came in. They saw that I was starting to get nervous, so once my doctor signed my right knee, they gave me something in my IV. The nervousness stemmed from me starting to realize that this was happening and I just needed to be calm and go through with it.

I woke up and the first person I saw was Kris, he said that the surgery took a little while longer because there were complications. I was so loopy and tired that I couldn't really understand what he said. I don't even remember the nurse putting the clothes I originally wore on, or really leaving the surgical center. I dozed off on the ride home and when we got home, Kris fireman carried me and brought me inside. That was all she wrote.

Probably should have said this first...

It has taken me awhile to set up this blog. The title of the post are the corresponding dates that have passed. Once I get caught up, I will come up with some clever titles

One of the most important thing I have learned throughout this journey (sounds better than process) is that I now know who my true friends are. I have friends that I have known for a long time and that I know that they will always be there for me. However, there are some that will say they will be there for anything you need, and once you ask them for something..they magically aren't there anymore

Also, there are the friends you didn't expect would be there through thick and thin, but when you are in a crisis...they jump in to help and support.

And there are the friends, that in a group will say that they have been there for you just to make themselves  look better. The two things I think about them are karma and making the Kermit the frog face ( you know that face..the one where he is drinking the tea memes)

I remember a quote a friend of mine said..."if you are in crisis or in need, you want someone that will ride or die for you". Yep, that's what I need. People who I can count on to "ride or die" and know that I feel the same way.  Note to self: probably need to clean out some Facebook friends.

"Ride or die"

Things you should know before surgery

First off, there are things that I have learned from this surgery. You definitely need a great support system. You have to have that because for the first couple of days, you are going to be pretty helpless.

On that note, I should give a few shout outs to my support system:
My awesome boyfriend, Kris (who has definitely helped me out to when I was at my worst), and keeps me laughing, calm, and gives me everything that I need. I really do appreciate this and love you for all that you have done

Cameron, for checking up on me every day and seeing if I need anything, along with visiting me and keeping me company

Joyel, for being there with your funny picture texts, fb chats, and texts checking up on me in case I need anything, whether it was coffee or ice cream

Heather, again thank you for getting me out of the house and texting and checking up on me and seeing if I need anything

Tammy, you have always been there for me! You texted Kris while I was in surgery, and texted and messaged me to make sure I didn't need anything. Even though you live farther, I do appreciate that you truly care about me! Love you!!

CJ, every time I see a post about your writings and projects, I kept saying to myself that I am going to do this. Even though some of this is written after the dates, I am doing it!

         Ok. Things I have learned--trying to put a little humor into this
Crutches suck. Maybe because I am not all that coordinated, but they suck. Especially when you go to the kitchen and make a cup of coffee and realize that you can't take that cup into living room to watch tv. They really need to invent/create the neck basket instead of spoofing it on TruTv. Same goes for if you need to make anything to eat. I had to have a computer chair in the kitchen so I could sit down and eat.

With my knee brace, the only position you can sleep is on your back. I was told after my 2 week post op, I could sleep on my side if I wanted to. Tried that, it isn't easy when your quad is pretty much atrophied and weak. So, back to sleeping on my back it is.

The portable cold therapy machine is one of the best inventions ever!! It's a pad that wraps around your knee and has 3 hoses that connect to a machine that circulates 42 degree water to your knee. For the first 2 weeks, I used that thing 24/7. It was always by my side. Million times better than a bag of frozen peas, trust me on this one.

You are given pain reliever for a reason. I was given good ones along with some that weren't as good. For the first few weeks, I had a notecard that Kris wrote the times and which medicines I needed to take. Also, when you go to the doctor they will ask you if you need more meds. Make sure you have enough. On that note, make sure you buy fiber supplements...tmi I know, but trust me on this one

Make sure you have things to entertain you, whether it is books, tv, Facebook, Twitter, or people. You get really bored fast, especially when you can't do a whole lot. On that note, thank god for the never ending Simpsons marathon :)

Have patience. I am not a patient person. I remember my mom always telling me "Jennifer, patience is a virtue that you clearly do not have".

Little things you take for granted: showering, eating, sleeping, changing clothes, and walking.
You can't take a shower until you go to the doctor for post op appointment where they remove the bulky dressings. Make sure you have dry shampoo, and baby wipes. Also, when they say you can take a shower, you have to wrap your leg in a garbage bag---with the brace on since you can't get your stitches wet.

With the bulky dressing and brace on my knee, I found it was next to impossible to change clothes. Mainly because nothing of mine would get over the brace. Kris to the rescue! He got me a couple of dresses (kinda like swimsuit cover ups, but if needed, I could wear in public) and some of his boxers and t shirts. His boxers are very comfortable and go over the brace without any problems.

July 24, 2014 Pre Op

Went to doctor today for pre op testing before I have surgery on July 30, 2014.  I have done pre operative testing before, however,  I was really nervous this time. I have had knee surgeries before, but they were all done arthroscopic. This time, I had to have my knee cut open in addition to having arthroscopic surgery on my knee.

Little background info: I have had problems with my right knee for a good portion of my life. I played tennis and volleyball throughout high school and into college. Had to stop playing when I was advised by my doctor that if I chose to continue playing sports, I would have to have a knee replacement. Something you do not want to hear when you are 18 years old

Fast forward to 2014: I went to my orthopedic surgeon because I was having problems with my knee. I felt like it was catching a lot, and I was losing my balance and falling a lot. I had an MRI and a RKT done which showed that my knee cap was not tracking properly and it was sliding laterally and medically (their words, not mine). They said that I had to have surgery. At first, I was OK with having this done because I have had surgery before and I thought that I would be able to walk and return to work within a week. Not the case, the doctor said full reconstruction was necessary if I wanted to walk again. I started crying, this was not what I expected. However, it needed to be done. The PA explained everything to me and assured me that they were going to fix everything so I could be 100%. The surgery is scheduled for July 30, 2014. This gave me a little time to get things ready in my apartment.