A New Knee

On the 14th of May I voluntarily walked into Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge to have my right knee replaced!  I was anxious about it, even fearful.  As it turns out, those fears were pretty justified.

The surgery went well but coming out of the anesthesia was a very different matter.  The typical pain management protocol didn't work.  The nurses spent the better part of that day trying to find something that would give even a modicum of relief.  They finally hit upon a dilauded drip and Demerol.  It was just agony.  I think I actually had a little bit of shock...teeth chattering, cold, tense, extremely low blood pressure.  Dr. Robbins said that now we've been down that path they will just start there when they do the next one...right now I'm not so sure when that will be.  I had thought I wanted it done ASAP but right now I'm not convinced!

Once the pain was more manageable I started therapy at the hospital.  Things went well but I was surprised at how stiff and swollen I was (am).   I was black and blue from ankle to hip - the entire circumference if the leg.  I am told some people just react that way...and I guess I'm lucky like that! Lol. I had no appetite for several days and just spent the time trying to get comfortable, dozing, in therapy, or zoned out.  By my second day I had learned how to climb stairs and I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was.  I had not expected that!  It was a relief to know that I would be able to manage the steps at home.

Surgery was Tuesday and by Friday I was ready to come home.  It felt so good to get home.  Rich left shortly after getting home to get prescriptions filled.  He had a terrible time doing that!  I've been on Percocet for a while now, to manage the arthritic pain, and I had a prescription filled the week before surgery.  However, after the problems in recovery, Dr. Robbins had prescribed Demerol for me to go home with...the pharmacy didn't want to fill it and Dr. Robbins wasn't in his office!  Rich finally got it taken care of but again, I was behind the pain due to the problems, and struggled for the next few hours to get control of the pain.  The nurses had me on a three hour interval and had counseled me to get on a schedule around the clock so I set my phone alarms and that has really helped.

The weekend passed with me hardly getting out of bed.  Ice and elevation were my best friends.  I found myself sleeping a lot and not coping real well.  I wanted to chat with the kids or Rich, but found I reverted to hermit mode with everyone else.  Just didn't want to have to put on a brave face...just wanted to cope the best I could...without having an audience.  I was somewhat surprised by that response but I can only liken it to being in transition in labor...knowing it would eventually end but at that time it was taking all the reserves I had just to endure.  I found myself reflecting on the Savior in Gethsemane or on the cross...how much harder was what he had to endure made by the "audience"?  The mocking and scorn would be hard enough...but trying to endure and be strong and provide comfort for those he loved...wow!  I am humbled by the very thought!