As you know, I will be having my first knee replacement surgery tomorrow on my left knee. My surgeon is well respected and came highly recommended by physical therapists (PTs) we know. He works only with knees and has the semi-warm manner of a true surgeon. I trust him and am very happy that this day has finally come. Regardless, I am extremely nervous and can't wait until the anesthesia takes effect, so I can no longer change my mind and run screaming from the hospital. That said, I will take a deep breath... bring it on!
I have been practicing walking with a walker since Patty and I met with the PT in a classroom setting, along with 4 other folks up for knee surgery and their prospective caregivers. The PT told us to get and use our walkers to practice walking, sitting, standing up, rising from bed, etc, before having our surgeries. This has been a strange, but practical exercise. The first thing I discovered is that I actually walk with more ease with the walker, as opposed to my cane (pre-surgery, of course.) I should have suspected as much, since I also walk easier with a shopping cart, because it offers a two handed grip.
It has also been a frustrating exercise, because none of our chairs allow me to rise from them with ease, either because they are too cushioned, or too low to the ground, or both. We discovered a perfect chair at Shamrock Medical Supply on SE Foster Rd, but it was not for sale. It was merely for the use of their disabled customers while shopping. We did measure it, to use as a reference point while searching for a chair to use at home. It was 18" from floor to top of the hard cushioned seat and 24" from floor to top of the arms. Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate a chair, new or used, or even one to borrow, that we can use at home. Arrrrrgh!
Nevertheless, I am ready for the adventure to begin. Truly, truly ready. This morning I received a message from a friend who had read yesterday's blog post. She assured me that the first 2 weeks would be extremely hard to bear and that I was allowed to scream when the physical therapists push my leg under the table. Scary words from someone who went through this surgery last year. Then she added, "Keep your eye on the goal, it does get much better, and you'll be pain free in no time without drugs."
Thank you, my friend. That is what I needed to hear.
So, now after a day of sterilizing everything in the house per instructions, Patty has changed the bedding so that I will sleep in fresh, clean, sterilized sheets tonight. First, I have to take a shower and scrub my entire body with soap and shampoo. Then, I have to apply Hibiclens all over my body and scrub yet again... leaving it on for 5 minutes before rinsing it away. In the morning, I am to shower a second time, in the exact same way, again paying special attention to my left knee, and again leaving the Hibiclens on my body for 5 minutes before rinsing. From there, I put on loose, extremely clean clothing and head to the hospital.
While in the hospital, Patty will come home at some point and change our bedding again, putting on fresh, clean, sterilized sheets for my first nigh home. The coming days will be a dance of sterilization... fresh sheets, fresh clothes, fresh bandages, fresh, fresh, fresh. Sterilize your hands before even thinking of coming near my knee... and that means me, too. I may actually be more worried about the sterilization process, than the rehab exercises... lol.
Fortunately, I have a partner that is well versed in sterilization. She knows her cleaning products and the techniques necessary to make my recovery, without infection, not only possible, but probable. I will be in good hands.
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