Post Op--4 months

Good news! It's over! It has now been 4 months since my knee replacement surgery. And, as I've mentioned, those first few weeks were horrific. They were worse than I ever could have imagined. I've gone through childbirth, one natural, 2 cesarean sections, and several other surgeries. However, nothing prepared me for this. The pain, the swelling, the crying, the pills. I just didn't know what to expect. Now I do. I can advise, I can help, I can caution others. I am an expert.

The first month is bad, horrible. The 2nd month is a bit better, and so on. As I am 4 months post-op, I am doing much better. I can walk without a limp. And that's a big deal. I actually had to train myself not to limp. It was a learned behavior. After all my years of painful walking, I had developed a true limp. After the knee replacement and the pain subsided, I had to practice not limping. Sounds easy enough, but it's more complicated than you think.

I do still have bad days—some swelling and pain—but Tylenol and an anti-inflammatory seem to do the trick. I try to remember to take those meds on days that I'm going to be walking a lot. I haven't had to take a "big dog pill" in several weeks now. I am so proud of myself!

I am walking well, getting in my 10,000 or more steps daily, and am looking forward to (ok, not really) getting back on my bike. I am very afraid of bike riding. Although I rode the exercise bike during physical therapy, I have yet to get on a real bike. That's coming soon, though.

One thing I highly advise is physical therapy. Go. Go no matter what. If it's the only thing you do, go! I had therapy for 3 1/2 months. That is why I am progressing so well. More than anything, you want that range of motion back in your knee. I worked long and hard for mine, and I finally got it. 121, pretty darn good!

I've been asked several times if I'm glad I did it. Hmmmm, I guess so. I couldn't walk towards the end. I couldn't walk my dog around the block. I couldn't even walk through the mall. You know it's bad when I can't shop! So, am I glad I did it? Yes, I am glad. I can shop, I mean walk again. I am getting around better than ever, and I do know now, from experience, that it will only get better. Each week is so much better than the last.

We had planned a trip to Europe this Fall; however, we've postponed the trip until Spring. I need just a few more months to recuperate, and then there will be no holding me back. I will be walking and shopping with the best of them!

In the meantime, I am unpacking and having fun with our new home. That's another blog, though. Wait until you hear about that!