Well, I was too busy on Sunday to think about my blog, so that must be a good thing?
Anyway, still taking the dread iron tablets, but still feeling wiped out in the afternoons. Have made a batch of chilli sauce, but it was a slog making it. One bottle has now gone to the finals.....
I also await the results of the GTA on Friday. maybe if I get an award, I'll have more enthusiasm for SR.
We have decided to go away this weekend (as long as I'm fit to drive) in the caravan, so we spent Saturday loading her. We decided to put her to the test, as I thought I'd have to sleep on the lower bunk bed. I tried it, but not for long, when I knew just a few yards away was a comfy big bed next to Bri. Ok, so I couln't kneel on the edge of the bed and climb over him, but a slither sorted that out and I fell asleep no problem! So that's another hurdle out of the way - we can caravan again!
Anyway, on another plus point, went to the doc today and got the Ok to drive, which will be a welcome thing! We went out for a posh meal to the Glan-yr Afan to celebrate.
Also, my blood pressure reading was 140/80. Fantastic! Now, is that the lack of pain or is it 'cos I'm not working? Time will tell!
We're away this weekend, so my next post will be after that and I can report how I get on camping, just 6 weeks after major surgery!!
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Sunday 28 June 2009
Sunday 28 June
Some mixed progress and news this week!
Monday saw the diagnosis of anaemia and the issue of some hateful iron tablets. At least that explains the ongoing tiredness, so I wasn't unduly worried. I added all sorts of iron-rich food to the shopping list and settled down to some 'unguilty' sleep!
On a positive note, I finished the Clexane injections. Neither of us will miss those!
The knee itself continued good progress and we went out to the pub for a meal on Thursday. By Friday, I was feeling dejected as I hadn't heard from the True Taste awards. Not the end of the world, maybe, but I certainly began to wonder if it was worth continuing with SR. However, the letter arrived on Saturday - my chilli sauce has made it through to the next round! Yesss.....
I even drove up to the college in the afternoon; though I coped well and didn't experience pain, I think I'll give things another week or so before seriously contemplating it again.
What will be my goal this week? Maybe make a batch of chilli sauce...
Monday saw the diagnosis of anaemia and the issue of some hateful iron tablets. At least that explains the ongoing tiredness, so I wasn't unduly worried. I added all sorts of iron-rich food to the shopping list and settled down to some 'unguilty' sleep!
On a positive note, I finished the Clexane injections. Neither of us will miss those!
The knee itself continued good progress and we went out to the pub for a meal on Thursday. By Friday, I was feeling dejected as I hadn't heard from the True Taste awards. Not the end of the world, maybe, but I certainly began to wonder if it was worth continuing with SR. However, the letter arrived on Saturday - my chilli sauce has made it through to the next round! Yesss.....
I even drove up to the college in the afternoon; though I coped well and didn't experience pain, I think I'll give things another week or so before seriously contemplating it again.
What will be my goal this week? Maybe make a batch of chilli sauce...
Sunday 21 June 2009
A week later....
I can defintely see/feel an improvement.
For a start, I am sleeping better - sometimes too much now, especially during the day. I am limiting my painkillers to paracetamol, in an attempt to regain a more appropriate sleep ratio.
I have been advised by the physio to walk with sticks and have been for my first walk - to the Red Lion for lunch. I only used one stick and felt very positive when I managed to get there and back!
The scar is healing well and I can see the return of the knee, instead of just a painful blob. I am also planning to start driving again in about two weeks and have made an appointment with my doctor in order to be able to be 'signed fit to drive'. This doesn't mean I can go back to work yet, though!
So, three and a bit weeks on from the TKR, I feel more optimistic. Reading the posts elsewhere of others who've been through the same thing, it seems I haven't been through the similar experiences - I haven't cried, for example. I have, however, experienced consipation, something hitherto unknown. Cereal and linseeds with dried fruit has become my breakfast of choice!
The weather forecast is better for this coming week, so maybe I can sit out and enjoy some sun. The only sun we have seen so far this summer was when I was in hospital!
I look forward to progress; I stop my Clexane injections this week!
What will I write in a week's time?
For a start, I am sleeping better - sometimes too much now, especially during the day. I am limiting my painkillers to paracetamol, in an attempt to regain a more appropriate sleep ratio.
I have been advised by the physio to walk with sticks and have been for my first walk - to the Red Lion for lunch. I only used one stick and felt very positive when I managed to get there and back!
The scar is healing well and I can see the return of the knee, instead of just a painful blob. I am also planning to start driving again in about two weeks and have made an appointment with my doctor in order to be able to be 'signed fit to drive'. This doesn't mean I can go back to work yet, though!
So, three and a bit weeks on from the TKR, I feel more optimistic. Reading the posts elsewhere of others who've been through the same thing, it seems I haven't been through the similar experiences - I haven't cried, for example. I have, however, experienced consipation, something hitherto unknown. Cereal and linseeds with dried fruit has become my breakfast of choice!
The weather forecast is better for this coming week, so maybe I can sit out and enjoy some sun. The only sun we have seen so far this summer was when I was in hospital!
I look forward to progress; I stop my Clexane injections this week!
What will I write in a week's time?
Saturday 13 June 2009
First post
5am, Sunday 14th June 2009.
Another sleepless night, with nagging doubts about having done the right thing.
The last 2 weeks have been, without doubt, the most painful of my life to date. Here's a quick run-down of how I got to this:
Wednesday 27th May, into hospital for tests - all positive and the op scheduled for the morning of the 28th. I elected to have an epidural, as it promised the better pain management option.
Thursday 28th May - down to Theatre just after everyone else had eaten - someone else managed to scoff my lambs' liver dinner. Back to 'high care', where I seemed to be awake far sooner than everyone else. I was attached to a morphine pump and various other guismos, which were checked regularly by the wonderful nurses.
Friday 29th May - back to the 'real' ward, but right by the nurses' station. Suffice to say, the day blurrred into the next, when I was moved back up the ward.
Saturday 30th May, a scorching hot day. The nurses got me up and moving, though I was limited by back pain.
Tuesday 2 June - out of hospital and home on crutches. I'd managed 'the bend' to a sufficient degree that I was deemed suitable for 'release'.
Various other small milestones have happened in the interim 2 weeks - visits by my therapist and nurse, who carefully removed all clips last Thursday, 2 weeks after 'the op'.
So, I'm now one step closer to recovery, to do all those things I've missed out on over the last few years. We have bought a puppy for those all important walks and everything looks good.
Except I can't sleep and the pain nags away.
Another sleepless night, with nagging doubts about having done the right thing.
The last 2 weeks have been, without doubt, the most painful of my life to date. Here's a quick run-down of how I got to this:
Wednesday 27th May, into hospital for tests - all positive and the op scheduled for the morning of the 28th. I elected to have an epidural, as it promised the better pain management option.
Thursday 28th May - down to Theatre just after everyone else had eaten - someone else managed to scoff my lambs' liver dinner. Back to 'high care', where I seemed to be awake far sooner than everyone else. I was attached to a morphine pump and various other guismos, which were checked regularly by the wonderful nurses.
Friday 29th May - back to the 'real' ward, but right by the nurses' station. Suffice to say, the day blurrred into the next, when I was moved back up the ward.
Saturday 30th May, a scorching hot day. The nurses got me up and moving, though I was limited by back pain.
Tuesday 2 June - out of hospital and home on crutches. I'd managed 'the bend' to a sufficient degree that I was deemed suitable for 'release'.
Various other small milestones have happened in the interim 2 weeks - visits by my therapist and nurse, who carefully removed all clips last Thursday, 2 weeks after 'the op'.
So, I'm now one step closer to recovery, to do all those things I've missed out on over the last few years. We have bought a puppy for those all important walks and everything looks good.
Except I can't sleep and the pain nags away.
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