Best Wishes, Gem

[Daisy]

Gem, that's all very good news. I hope they told you that you're a model patient. It will be good to get out a bit, apart from being good for your new knee. I bet S and the rest of the family are pleased for you. xxx

[Lizzie48]

That is good news Gem, at least you can out and about!xxx

[Plantaholic]

That is great news Gemini

[Oma]

So pleased it’s going well Gem , as you say walking outside you can guage better how much and how far you are walking ,
Im sure by time you go again there will be a great improvement,
My SILs sister is still in hospital she contracted a virus and is feeling very poorly,
Her first replacement went really well but this one not so good ,
Well the replacement went well it’s the after not so good .

[Gemini]

I hope she soon recovers Oma.

I have rested all afternoon. All the knee bending, physio and extra walking this morning has left me with a swollen painful leg.
My not at all slim right leg looks slim alongside the left one! They assure us swelling is normal especially after more exercise and not harmful. Damned uncomfortable though. I have rested on the bed with leg raised most of the afternoon.

Hopefully after rest things will be back on track tomorrow so I can carry on with my physio.

[Gemini]

15 days now.

I went back to have my leg checked again at 13 days as I was worried about the level of swelling, which rather than improving was worse .
It was normal, and they removed my dressing and all good there.

A friend whose sister has recently had the same op said her knee was swollen for 4 weeks, and another told me hers is still slightly swollen 4 years later!

DD2 cheered me up the other day when she told me I already looked straighter and taller!

I am far more self sufficient now, finding various ways ( shoulder bag round neck, dressing gown pocket , little wheeled dolly thing) for transporting things.
OH still has to do our main meal, but I can easily do my own drinks , snacks, breakfast and lunch.
I still need OH's help to support my leg in and out of the over-bath shower but feel I will probably manage alone soon. I don't want to rush that though.

[Plantaholic]

Gemini, No rushing take it slowly

[Daisy]

Gem, all progress is good, but you are absolutely right to follow doctor's orders and take care. It will be worth it in the long run, and it sounds as though you are already feeling the benefit with your posture.

I've heard of several people who've had failed knee replacements, and it's been because they haven't done their exercises or done too much too soon. You know we would all nag you rotten if you weren't being a model patient. xxx.

[Gemini]

I have a supply of codeine now, which should make sleeping a bit easier.
One of our friends who came round last night said she needed codeine from the GP for a while after her knee replacement in 2019. The hospital had told me to contact my GP if I needed more pain relief once it ran out but I hadn't. OH went in today and our surgery ( for once) was very efficient and I have 2 boxes . I will only use them as long as I need and only at night as they make me sleepy.

I impressed myself today with how high I can raise my operated leg. A week ago at the physio I was showing him how I could hardly lift it off the bed!

I also got into and out of the bath for my shower today with no help. I made sure OH was right next door in the bedroom in case I needed help, but I didn't.

All the walking about and exercises are paying off

[Daisy]

Gem, you really ARE a model patient. That leg lift sounds most impressive, and you must have been chuffed to get in and out of the bath today without help.

Keep up the good work. xxx

[Plantaholic]

Gemini, that is amazing, well done, keep up the good work.

[Oma]

Gem
Being able to get in and out of the bath along is a massive achievement, well done .
I bet your posture is much improved as your not compensating for your painful knee .
Well done keep going 🥰🥰🥰

[Gemini]

I am mostly getting around with one stick in the house now.
I went for a short walk down the road with one however and feel two would have been better at this stage as my hip on the other side started to ache a lot .

The pain is improving, but not the swelling yet
I need codeine at bedtime then at 4 to 5 am. Apart from that I may take paracetamol around midday, but the rest of the time nothing needed.

Tomorrow ( 3 weeks ) I can start to gently massage bio oil into the scar. I am looking forward to that as it may help it feel more supple and less tight

[Lizzie48]

You seem to be moving around more Gem, as you say, the 2 sticks could have been better, you know for your next walk.

[Daisy]

Gem, you are making great progress. I can imagine the wound is sore and uncomfortable, so hopefully the bio-oil will help it to become more supple. You are being very brave, as well as sensible. xx