OK, the walker situation is sorted. I got the one I used when I broke my ankle (from Mom and Dad's). I know it fits where I need to go, and I can keep the fancy one around at the house for in case my friend visits so she can see it and think I am using it. Mom says I won't need it long, anyway.
I'm down to the really small, though important, stuff - stocking up on groceries and cat supplies, haircut, setting up things like a power strip so I can have all of my rechargeable stuff by my bed, etc.
I can no longer take Advil or use my NSAID topical stuff until after surgery. On Monday I will put on my scopalamine patch. I have to go have my blood typed and cross-matched tomorrow. It's getting real, people!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Pre-op Day
Tuesday (8-21) was my pre-op day.
First, I met with the therapist at McLean County Ortho. We went over the exercises and they measured my current ability to bend and straighten the knee. That day I could not get to 0 (straightening) - I got 17 degrees. I don't know that she said what the bending measurement was. My first therapy appointment will be just five days after surgery! And actually, therapy will start on day one. Supposedly, they get you up within a few hours after surgery. I couldn't make an appointment for the therapy because they were having computer issues, so I have to call them back next week.
In the afternoon, I had my pre-op testing and new knee class at the hospital. It was interesting. I sat in the room, and everyone came to me. Lab came and drew two vials of blood, the anesthesia guy came and asked a bunch of questions, then the EKG lady came in. After that it was time for my class.
The class was really informative and helpful. We got really nice zippered 3-ring binders with all of our exercises, procedures, rules, some sticky notes, a pen, a calendar/schedule, and a day-by-day guide to what will happen in the hospital. We also got a set of exercise clothes - shorts and a t-shirt. We are supposed to take our binders with us to the hospital. I got to see the actual pieces that are installed. It sort of both reassured me and scared me a little. They take less bone off than I thought, but they still take off bone, you know? They also gave us some special soap to shower with the night before and the morning of surgery.
After the class, I had to go get a chest xray but I'm not sure why, since not everyone did.
So, it's actually going to happen. As it gets closer, I am actually having some real....I don't know....fears, worries, whatever. OK, I'm scared, and it was really lonely being by myself at the class when everyone else was with their "coach". Kym will be available 24/7 through the weekend and possibly Monday, though she doesn't have to commit to that, so we will see.
I picked up a shower chair and fancy walker I am borrowing from a friend, but I discovered that the walker won't fit through the space between the dishwasher and the corner of the fridge (my route into the house) because it is wider than standard. It also won't work well in the bathroom, so....back to the drawing board on that.
First, I met with the therapist at McLean County Ortho. We went over the exercises and they measured my current ability to bend and straighten the knee. That day I could not get to 0 (straightening) - I got 17 degrees. I don't know that she said what the bending measurement was. My first therapy appointment will be just five days after surgery! And actually, therapy will start on day one. Supposedly, they get you up within a few hours after surgery. I couldn't make an appointment for the therapy because they were having computer issues, so I have to call them back next week.
In the afternoon, I had my pre-op testing and new knee class at the hospital. It was interesting. I sat in the room, and everyone came to me. Lab came and drew two vials of blood, the anesthesia guy came and asked a bunch of questions, then the EKG lady came in. After that it was time for my class.
The class was really informative and helpful. We got really nice zippered 3-ring binders with all of our exercises, procedures, rules, some sticky notes, a pen, a calendar/schedule, and a day-by-day guide to what will happen in the hospital. We also got a set of exercise clothes - shorts and a t-shirt. We are supposed to take our binders with us to the hospital. I got to see the actual pieces that are installed. It sort of both reassured me and scared me a little. They take less bone off than I thought, but they still take off bone, you know? They also gave us some special soap to shower with the night before and the morning of surgery.
After the class, I had to go get a chest xray but I'm not sure why, since not everyone did.
So, it's actually going to happen. As it gets closer, I am actually having some real....I don't know....fears, worries, whatever. OK, I'm scared, and it was really lonely being by myself at the class when everyone else was with their "coach". Kym will be available 24/7 through the weekend and possibly Monday, though she doesn't have to commit to that, so we will see.
I picked up a shower chair and fancy walker I am borrowing from a friend, but I discovered that the walker won't fit through the space between the dishwasher and the corner of the fridge (my route into the house) because it is wider than standard. It also won't work well in the bathroom, so....back to the drawing board on that.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
CopayUpdate
The CT copay stands alone, it turns out. I will have an additional copay of $300 for the hospital. Oh, well. I'm still better off than a whole host of other people.
The room is coming along, but still have a number of things to do. They are small things, though. Physically, I'm getting to the point where I just want to get it over with so it can start feeling better. Now I find myself trying to bend it more, like I'm trying to rehab it. Then I realize that it isn't going to get better that way. And new knee or not, I may never again be able to stretch my quads so far that I can touch my butt with my heel (not that I really need to do that). What it tells me, though, is that I will work it afterward in the same way - unconsciously stretching and bending all the time - which is good.
I received two more votes for "do the exercises like they tell you" from a couple of people at BCPA. In spite of being more ready to get this done, I am still a little anxious about it. I have never been in the hospital overnight, except when I have had babies. As for the pain, I can handle that. And I can use both legs, no crutches. So why am I scared, when the recovery seems like it will be way easier than my ankle? Is it because I'm afraid that I might be minimizing it and will be unpleasantly surprised? I don't know.
I got an email from HJ, my "knee buddy", today. At five weeks after surgery, they say he is at the six-week point, and can bend the knee to 128 degrees (120 was his goal). In addition to the Vitamin E oil he suggested for the scar (after it is healed over), he said I should get an 8" ball to use for therapy - not sure for what, exactly, but I found one that will work.
The room is coming along, but still have a number of things to do. They are small things, though. Physically, I'm getting to the point where I just want to get it over with so it can start feeling better. Now I find myself trying to bend it more, like I'm trying to rehab it. Then I realize that it isn't going to get better that way. And new knee or not, I may never again be able to stretch my quads so far that I can touch my butt with my heel (not that I really need to do that). What it tells me, though, is that I will work it afterward in the same way - unconsciously stretching and bending all the time - which is good.
I received two more votes for "do the exercises like they tell you" from a couple of people at BCPA. In spite of being more ready to get this done, I am still a little anxious about it. I have never been in the hospital overnight, except when I have had babies. As for the pain, I can handle that. And I can use both legs, no crutches. So why am I scared, when the recovery seems like it will be way easier than my ankle? Is it because I'm afraid that I might be minimizing it and will be unpleasantly surprised? I don't know.
I got an email from HJ, my "knee buddy", today. At five weeks after surgery, they say he is at the six-week point, and can bend the knee to 128 degrees (120 was his goal). In addition to the Vitamin E oil he suggested for the scar (after it is healed over), he said I should get an 8" ball to use for therapy - not sure for what, exactly, but I found one that will work.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Copay
I got a bill today from Bloomington Radiology for $100 - copay for the CT scan. I wasn't aware that there was a copay for radiology (there didn't use to be) so I will call the insurance to ask about it. Correction: the bill was from the hospital, since the CT was done there. Is this my only copay for the hospital? Maybe so.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
One Month Countdown
One month from tomorrow is my "big day". I have done a lot in the past month to get the room ready, but there remains so much to do, and I am beginning to feel the pressure of the looming deadline.
I am still ambivalent (though less so) about the surgery. There have been days when it has been so painful, sometimes coming on suddenly, sometimes the grinding pain, sometimes the swollen feeling that radiates down to my ankle. But other days it has been downright OK. I need almost no Advil, I don't limp. Those are the days that I think maybe I really don't need to do this yet. Maybe I'm being overdramatic. What was I thinking? I know, though, that those days are just illusions - in fact, I usually figure that out before the day is over.
Standing is hard, and it makes me feel so old and useless. I used to stand all day at work. Yes, my legs got tired, and yes, my feet hurt, but I did it. The standing issue is partly why it is taking me so long to get the bedroom done. I just can't stand long enough to get much done. I feel like I'm being lazy, but it's all I can do.
We have been discussing creating a platform outside the door from the kitchen to the garage to take the place of the step that is there now. It would basically create a wider step going into the kitchen. Like one that a walker could fit on. The one that is there now is so narrow that I don't know if I could manage it, and the front door, with no handrail and one step that needs to be jacked back up, is out of the question. I already have a grab bar at the back door, anyway, from when I broke my ankle.
I have a list of a dozen projects that need to be completed before The Day, and I need to be a bit more methodical about getting one thing done before starting another. But I just feel so scattered, almost panicky. But if I don't make better progress, the panic will be real. The deadline is real.
I am still ambivalent (though less so) about the surgery. There have been days when it has been so painful, sometimes coming on suddenly, sometimes the grinding pain, sometimes the swollen feeling that radiates down to my ankle. But other days it has been downright OK. I need almost no Advil, I don't limp. Those are the days that I think maybe I really don't need to do this yet. Maybe I'm being overdramatic. What was I thinking? I know, though, that those days are just illusions - in fact, I usually figure that out before the day is over.
Standing is hard, and it makes me feel so old and useless. I used to stand all day at work. Yes, my legs got tired, and yes, my feet hurt, but I did it. The standing issue is partly why it is taking me so long to get the bedroom done. I just can't stand long enough to get much done. I feel like I'm being lazy, but it's all I can do.
We have been discussing creating a platform outside the door from the kitchen to the garage to take the place of the step that is there now. It would basically create a wider step going into the kitchen. Like one that a walker could fit on. The one that is there now is so narrow that I don't know if I could manage it, and the front door, with no handrail and one step that needs to be jacked back up, is out of the question. I already have a grab bar at the back door, anyway, from when I broke my ankle.
I have a list of a dozen projects that need to be completed before The Day, and I need to be a bit more methodical about getting one thing done before starting another. But I just feel so scattered, almost panicky. But if I don't make better progress, the panic will be real. The deadline is real.
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