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The New Knee Notes ~ Week 3

10/25/2021

As I have been healing from the knee surgery, folks who have had the same surgery have reached out to me. Most of them have been older than me when they had the surgery. They have been sharing their stories of triumph, victory over pain, renewed mobility after a year or so, and back to doing things regularly with pleasure instead of agony. So, I have a lot to look forward to! I have to keep reminding myself that Rome wasn't built in a day.

DAY 15: Today I walked up and down the stairs with a cane 2 times, and down the street towards the 7/11. At the corner I turned around, but I really wanted to cross the street. I knew I would not make the light in the cross walk, and my PT suggested we not venture across the 5 way crosswalk just yet. As I haven't had much of an appetite, a slushie sounded so good right at that moment... Walking with a cane takes some getting used to. I must put the cane on the good side, as support for each step forward on the healing leg. I repeat the words as I go up stairs, "Cane, good leg, bad leg, cane, good leg, bad leg."

DAY 16: My friend came over to Queen Sit, instead of babysit! I think I moved around too much today, and tonight my leg is on fire from the hip all the way to the ankle. I cannot imagine the pain one must endure if one didn't have all of the pain medications. I am on 4 pain medications and still have intense pain daily, even as I am getting better and better.

DAY 17: I slept in until 3 pm! Finally got some wonderful deep sleep, and even though there was pain during the sleep, I feel refreshed. Didn't do much of anything outside of the bedroom today, as the little walk yesterday tuckered me out. I feel like I am losing control of my fitness level. I must be kinder to myself.

DAY 18: The head games we play with ourselves...I should be able to do more because I am a fitness instructor. I know so much of the science and healing techniques that the PT is helping me with. So why am I feeling so weak, tired, and whiny? My husband says it is the drugs and my hormones combined together putting me in a funk and a brain fog. I am not allowed near a stove, and I am forgetting what day it is. Feels like the movie GROUNDHOG DAY.

DAY 19: I had another night of great sleep, 12 hours in all. I think I have turned a corner on the rest. Now to turn the corner on pain. My PT took my staples out today with a special scissors. It took about 3 minutes. My PT said that normally it takes about half an hour due to the patient screaming or asking for breath breaks. I am in so much pain 24/7 that this doesn't feel like anything to me. My range of motion is better and better too. I can bend my leg backwards towards my buttocks at 120 degrees. This, in turn, changes my mood and my attitude today! Having my first cup of tea (decaf) in 19 days to celebrate!

DAY 20: I am stretching out the length of time that I take the Oxy pain medicine. I began this journey at every 4 hours and now I can wait every 6 or 8 hours between doses. The Ibuprofin is off the table as well. I am still taking Tylenol and aspirin. I think I will be able to go back to work at the yoga studio in November, even if I only teach the yoga where I talk and do not do the poses. Thinking good thoughts.

DAY 21: Three weeks. It seems like one looonng day. My bed is definitely getting cozy. I used to be so busy, 4 jobs before the global pandemic, and taking courses on line as well as expanding my private clientele during the pandemic. Now, I am perfectly fine with walking around the house for a few minutes and going back to bed for a binge watching of tv series. Have the drugs allowed me to master the art of relaxation?

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If you have had a surgery and want to share the healing and recovery process with me, I would love to know your story. Please feel free to ask me questions that are not addressed on this page as well. I can only share my experience and I am not a clinician. I am a patient, just like you are.

Blessings,
KJ Landis

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The New Knee Notes ~ Week 2

10/18/2021

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The journey towards a complete recovery from total knee replacement surgery is long, about 6 months to a year. The surgeon said that if my fitness level serves me well in the physical therapy sessions, I should recover much faster than the average adult. The second week is not what I expected. The roller coaster ride of recovery is that I feel great for a couple of hours, the medicine is working and I can do my PT. Then a few hours later, I can barely put any weight on the foot at all, my back hurts, my ankle is on fire, and I want to throw up. New symptoms appear as other ones diminish, only to rear their ugly heads again, similar to a WHACK-A-MOLE game at an amusement park. Here are some notes from week 2.

DAY 8: All of a sudden I am awakened with a knife searing pain in my ankle. Where did this come from? I shout bloody murder, frightening the cats and husband. For some reason the pain pills, Oxy, Motrin, Tylenol, and aspirin do nothing to quell the shooting pains in my body. I have no appetite, which is not good for the pain pills affecting my stomach lining. Hubby is patient and kind. Heaven surely awaits him.

DAY 9: The visiting nurse comes again, telling me my black ankles and purple hips are from the tourniquet that was strapped around my hip flexor and thigh, cutting off blood circulation to the leg. Why am I only finding out about this now? Nobody told me a tourniquet was part of the procedure. Nurse J removed my dressing, allowing me to count 26 staples. They look like staples for construction paper, only thicker. Finally, I can scratch my leg! Looks like a zipper. Walking was easier yesterday than today. I feel like a beginner all over again. I must remember, no craving and no aversion, for everything changes...

DAY 10: I am seeing the swelling go down in my calves after a few rounds of putting my legs upside down, against the wall, buttocks close to wall as I can get them, feet flat towards the ceiling. Walking is even harder than yesterday, ankles on fire, heels and ankles swollen more, even as the calves have subsided somewhat. I must keep remembering that the only thing consistent in life is change, for that is the universal law of nature. I learned so much about this in my meditation retreats, so why do I feel entitled to comfort and progress through my efforts?

DAY 11: My first visitor arrives, bringing me joy and diet tonic water, laughter and the beauty of deep friendship. Maybe the visit will distract me from my misery for a little while. My body has betrayed me once again, no poop for another 4 days! Aaaaggh!

DAY 12: I am happy to say that despite feeling in pain underneath the surface of each 24 hours, I slept well last night. I am remembering to be grateful for the little things in life at this moment. The PT came today and I walked up and down my stairs with a cane and the handrail. Feels easy, so the challenge for me is to not do too much. Hours later I may feel the repercussions.

DAY 13: Thirteen has always been my lucky number. More than 13 miracles and coincidences have happened on the 13th of a month in my life. Today my constipation subsided. Finally! I am learning the way of true empathy through this experience. The doctor told me this is one of the most painful surgeries there is, as far as recovery and healing. I am definitely humbled in so many ways.

DAY 14: Today my niece is Queen Sitting. My name is Mama Queen to the kids because when they were little I taught them that if they called me Mama Queen while we were out and about, I may say yes more readily to the toys they asked for. Today I report that am walking with a cane up and down the sidewalk (with my PT)! It feels so good to walk outside than to be in the house, sitting or lying down.

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If you or anyone you know is having a total knee replacement surgery in the future and wants real feedback from my experience, please reach out to me. I am here to help.

Blessings,
KJ Landis

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The New Knee Notes ~ Week 1

10/11/2021

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I have been chronicling my total knee replacement surgery in my head. It is time to share. Week 1 has been a surprise, as I thought I was super strong, being a fitness and healing arts professional. The expectations I had were that I would have the surgery, easily go home the same day, and have Daddy Day Care (hubby) seamlessly care for all of my needs. I thought I would be able to write my blogs, newsletters, and coach my clients from the bed, while doing exercises for the knee simultaneously. As my mother used to say, "We make plans, and God laughs." This experience has been the single most painful one I have gone through in my life. The doctors and pre-operative care team did not tell me the surgery and aftercare time would be more painful than my 73 hour labor and delivery with my first born.

DAY 1: The admitting department called me in early, as another patient was released early. I went to the hospital, checked in, similarly to a hotel check in, and was whisked away to anesthesia. I was poked, prodded, drawn on, and repeatedly asked why I was there. They didn't know? Made me giggle a little on the inside. I wasn't nervous at all. After 6 years of chronic arthritis pain, worsening every year, I was ready to be on the other side. After an epidural, a knee nerve block, and drowsy IV medicine, I went to La-La Land and woke up 4 hours later in recovery. I had pain in my pubic bone and the nurse said it was urine building up. I asked for a catheter and a liter of urine was removed. The numbness from the epidural didn't wear off, so I was given a private room to stay in overnight.

DAY 2: The doctor making morning rounds said I am good to go home after my first physical therapy (PT). Walking with a walker made me tired after a few steps. Then we went up and down 4 stairs with a cane. I was so proud that I could do it. Second time down, however, I felt weird, nausea, saw stars, and my entire body released a bucket of sweat, dripping on the floor. The PT called for a nurse and I was wheeled back to bed. Blood pressure being too low, they waited until the afternoon to try PT again. Successful the second time around, I was sent home!

DAY 3: A visiting PT came to my home. I had been crying, whimpering, and sleepless yet another day. I was not pooping either. The pain was too intense. The PT called in another strength of pain medication, and maybe that would help. It did, and yet still no sleep that evening. I'm tired, stomach hurts, and in pain so much in the leg and hips. Even my skin hurt all over to the touch. Hubby says I have to eat more than a couple of spoons of apple sauce to buffer drugs and add fiber. I had 3 kinds of laxatives in my protocol!

DAY 4: Slightly high from the medication, and generally miserable, no sleep, no pooping, and thirsty as hell. The calls and texts of love come pouring in. It made my day. I am binge watching Fantasy Island and the Witches of East End on my iPhone. I take a daytime dozing nap, half awake and half asleep. My husband helps me to visualize my pain free future.

DAY 5: Another PT home visit, and positive vibes from my family. I finally slept for the night, waking up to take medication, and back to dream land. The range of motion in my right leg gets stronger day by day, still no poop, and after the PT leaves, I vomit for the first time, filling up half a garbage bag. Finally, the pressure in my tummy goes away!

DAY 6: Waking up to shooting pains running through the right hip flexor and calf, the entire leg is purple, swelling is worse in calves. I feel like if you poked my calf, it would burst like a balloon. My leg is hot and red all over. Fever off and on all week, and today I can barely walk. Nurse visits me at home, and we buy yet another type of laxative. Two hours later, elimination! I feel as if I won the lottery.

DAY 7: Another night of good (comparatively) sleep. I am having back pains from the lack of regular exercise, and trying not to project my misery. My cousin Annie calls me, and she takes me through a guided meditation for pain and healing. She had a total knee replacement surgery 6 months ago, so I am feeling like she really understands what is going on. I feel so loved with her words.

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If any of you are having a knee replacement surgery in the future, know I am here to share my journey and hopefully help you in your mind and body with preparation. I can only tell you what I experienced, and every body reacts and responds differently. How healthy, fit, and mentally prepared one is affects the healing and recovery period. Add my journey to your toolkit so you can be more knowledgeable of others' passages. Ask me anything.

Love,
KJ Landis

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The New Knee Notes ~ Week 3

The New Knee Notes ~ Week 2

The New Knee Notes ~ Week 1

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