Best Wishes, Gem

[Gemini]

Consultant very happy with everything and doesn't want to see me again unless I need to see him.
He says I am fine to do aquafit or anything within reason.
Physio pleased too. He has booked me for one more session in 3 weeks time.

[Daisy]

Gem, that's great news. Your hard work with the exercises is paying dividends. I'm sure you will be glad to get back to Aquafit and your other normal activities. When will you go back to volunteering at the library? Don't be tempted to do too much too soon. xx

[Oma]

Good news Gem
You will be like a new woman soon 😁❤️

[Gemini]

Daisy, I am thinking of starting back at the library on 21st. I have said I will let them know when I am ready.

[Daisy]

Gem, it's good there is no pressure on you. I'm sure they are very grateful that you are still going to volunteer there. x

[Gemini]

It is my new knees 7 week birthday.

I rely heavily on the support of members of a FB group for knee replacement recovery. It helps so much to know that everything I am going through is normal and that recovery is hard for everyone, and a longer road than most expect.

I am pretty much carrying on my life as before the surgery now, but with plenty of rest. The rest is essential as I have very poor nights. I have resumed the Tuesday and Friday school pick ups for the GC this week, and I am going to aquafit tomorrow morning . I will let you know how that goes! I take my turn with cooking our main meals again, but sometimes need to do it in bursts with a sit down in between! I am hoping to start back at the library in 2 or 3 weeks time.

The only thing I feel uncertain about is taking care of GS3 alone from next week. OH will be here for a little but but away playing golf for many hours. I can do everything for him now if we were on one floor. He needs a least one nap a day, preferably 2, and his cot is upstairs. I can probably get him up there, as he can walk or crawl with me behind keeping him safe. OH will usually be here to carry him up for his morning nap. I know I can't walk downstairs carrying him, not yet. If this was my job I would have had many more weeks off work.

I have thought of trying a travel cot downstairs, staying upstairs with him after his nap until OH gets in, and trying to find a friend or neighbour to come and carry him down. None of these are ideal.

I need to discuss this with DD.

[Daisy]

Gem, despite the pain and sleepless nights, you're making a very good recovery. Don' put that in danger by trying to manage GS3 up or down stairs until you are stronger. Could your DD or OH bring his usual cot downstairs just for those days. It would make such a difference for you not to have the worry. xx

[Plantaholic]

Gemini, You really shouldn’t be considering looking after GS3 yet but I know you will find a way. Cot downstairs is the better idea if you have somewhere to put it.

[Gemini]

Thanks Plant, that's what we have decided on, travel cot downstairs. If Thursday golf is ever rained off then OH will take him up to to the proper cot.

[Gemini]

14 weeks now. I have updated on the knee thread I started, so you may read some of this twice!

I have had a rough time sometimes, but knew I would feel differently in time and in fact now at 3 months I am beginning to see the benefits.
Although there is still pain it is different. Post operative healing pain not the bone on bone pain of arthritis. I can walk with no knee pain in that knee. Back pain is still the problem but that may improve.

I can walk a lot faster, can do the majority of the exercises at my aquafit class and keep up with the work on my library morning. The main benefit is not being awake at night with knee pain . That went on for a very long time and was hard. I still need a cushion between my knees, but I am so much more comfortable at night now.

This week I am feeling more confident about everything. I left my stick in the car today and walked to and from the pool from the car and did my class with no problem.

The baby sleeps downstairs in the travel cot when OH is at golf, but due to wet weather she has been here a lot so able to carry him up to his cot. The course will be closed tomorrow so he can sleep upstairs again.

[Daisy]

Gem, you have done so well. You were in pain for a long time before the surgery, and I think in a way you have to recover from the effects of that pain on your whole body as well as the post-operative pain in your knee.

It's wonderful to hear you are feeling more confident, and that you took full part in your Aquafit class. Well done - you've worked hard on getting better and it's paid off. xxx

[Plantaholic]

Very encouraging news about your recovery from the op.

[Gemini]

Things have been improving all the time.

No sleepless nights, walking is much better and I can get in and out of the car normally, not getting in bottom first!
I can walk upstairs normally now, but it feels and probably looks a bit unnatural, but it's early days yet.
I find it easy moving about the library and I can do more in Aquafit.
I still do my physio exercises, and have ordered a measure from Amazon like the ones physios use. I can then check my degree of bend. I think it's quite good but I can find out if I need to work harder to get there.

I'm looking forward to spring and hopefully being able to walk more than I have been able to for several years.

[Enfys]

Caught up with all this, Gem. Glad to hear all is going well, you will be a new woman with your new knee.

[Daisy]

Gem, it's so good to hear your knee continues to improve. xxx