Going into this endeavor, I was so afraid. As in scared out of my wits. I had nightmares. I had so many unanswered questions. So much fear of the unknown. How bad would it hurt? How long is the recuperation? Will the painkillers work, as in will they really take my pain away? With so many unanswered questions, my stomach was in knots. I'm sure that my blood pressure spiked with each passing anxiety-ridden day.
I needed the surgery though, as my knee was bone on bone, and the pain was beginning to become unbearable. I went from hiking 4-5 miles and riding my bike 20 miles at a time to being unable to walk around the block in less than a year. In fact, I didn't walk, I hobbled.
My orthopedic surgeon told me that I would know the time. I would call him one day and say--I can't take it anymore. And that's exactly what happened. I was scheduled right away, which was good, not enough time to really change my mind. I went in on a Tuesday morning and was released on a Wednesday evening. They don't want your stay in the hospital to be long for fear of infection. What is hard about that idea though, is that you go home with the nerve block still in effect. And when it wears off you are already home and the pain that hits is overwhelming.
Yes, let's talk pain. First off, I hate pain, and yet, I've been told I have a high threshold for pain. Lies, all lies. I don't, I really don't. My threshold was not high, it was low, oh so low. My pain was off the charts when that nerve block wore off. I seriously would have used a hacksaw to cut my leg off--that's how bad the pain was. Let me describe it for you. Let's say that someone took a sledgehammer and pounded your knee with it, then took a branding iron and burned your knee inside and out and then took a long sword and rammed it through your leg from hip to ankle. That's kind of what it felt like. I kid you not.
The pain meds I was sent home with did not work. Nope, not even a little. So, I called and begged to get stronger meds to be prescribed. I was honestly a little (ok, a lot) perturbed about the pushback for stronger meds. I was in pain, a lot of pain, and was promised by my doc that he would keep me comfortable. I wasn't comfortable. I was in misery! They finally agreed though and I got something a little stronger--they worked, however, they also made me sleep a lot. That's ok though, I needed the rest. Boy, did I need the rest.
I learned a lot about my knee and myself over the next few weeks. I learned that sheets are heavy, the bathroom is very far from my bed, I hate sleeping on my back, I can read and comprehend while on drugs but I can't knit, cars are bummy and uncomfortable, roads have too many potholes, most of all, And, I learned that without my awesome husband and my wonderful supportive friends, I wouldn't have made it through this ordeal. I needed them more than I ever thought possible. One person, in particular, deserves a shout out for sure. And that is my cousin's wife. She had a knee replacement a few weeks prior to mine. She along saved my bacon. Any time day or night that I needed her, she was there for me. Even though she's on the other side of the country and in a different time zone, if I messaged her, she answered back and helped me walk through this horrific experience. She answered questions, offered suggestions and was a great comfort to me. Again, the word thankful doesn't begin to cover it. She was a constant presence during my recovery.
Am I exaggerating a bit? Perhaps, but not really. My recovery was extremely difficult. And yet, I've talked to some who've had it much easier than me. My pain was excruciating. It was hard to get it under control, my physical therapy was and still is hard. I hated that while on narcotics, I couldn't drive. I felt very dependant on my husband and friends for rides, etc.
Each week things did slowly improve though. Week one was horrific. I cried a lot, was in constant pain, had to use a walker and was very sleep deprived. Week two, was a bit better, with my pain a little better controlled. Weeks 3-5 were kind of a blur. I read, prayed, watched TV, just tried hard to get through each day without too much complaining. By week six, I felt that I had finally turned a corner. I was able to ditch most of my meds, was using a cane, began driving again and feeling like I had my life back--for the most part.
Would I go through this ordeal again? I don't know. I guess I would have to, as I wasn't able to walk. However, wow, I would think long and hard about it. I would plan better, now that I know the ropes. I'd have an ice machine ready, (my doc didn't send me home with one) I'd ask for the appropriate drugs to be at the ready, and I'd have a good many books downloaded to my kindle.
I also learned a lot about my husband and my friends during this ordeal. First off, my husband is the most amazing person that I have ever known. He was and is so loving and kind. He got up with me multiple times the night--taking me to the bathroom, getting my meds, ice, water, kindle, iPad--whatever I whined about, he fetched it for me. That fact that he still loves me boggles my mind. He is my hero.
And then there are my friends. Wow, who knew! I'm sorry to tell you this but I have the best friends on the planet. You don't, I do. They were/are awesome. They brought me dinners, lunches, flowers, gift cards, books, etc. They came over and knitted with me, and then when I could concentrate a bit better, they came and played canasta with me. Once I was up and about, they became my Uber drivers. Picking me up and driving me all around--lunches, shopping, Bible study, meetings. I can't say enough about them. I was blown away. My heart swells every time I think of them. Words can't express my love and gratitude for my friends.
My kids were also such a huge part of my recovery. Making sure that I was ok, that I had what I needed, offered to pick up prescriptions, run to the grocery store, just whatever I needed. It just touched my heart. I have been truly blessed.
So, there you have it. The story of my knee replacement surgery. The good, the bad and the painful. And since I am a blogger, I thought it would be appropriate to share my experiences. I am so thankful that God got me through this ordeal. So many nights I laid awake praying, crying, waiting for the pain to subside. Now, I am able to lay in bed and pray and thank Him for getting me through this, for blessing me the way He has. I don't deserve it. But, I am so very grateful for all He has done for me!
