Getting Loose Ends Tied up Before My Surgery on Monday
By Marsha
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
Midland, Michigan
February 22, 2017 5:11pm CST
As many of you already know I'm having knee replacement surgery this coming Monday, February 27. It looks like I might be the first scheduled but I won't know for sure until Friday afternoon. Once I can sit at my desktop again I'll have more free time for mylotting, but I'm also hoping to get a lot done around the house especially throwing old business paperwork away. Well, actually, I won't be throwing it away, but separating it to be shred. That's not something I'll be doing myself while off, but I take it to one of my banks as they do it there.
Today, I spent a bit of time cleaning out my work van. I still have a little bit to take care of but it's almost done. We're planning on taking it to a salvage yard later tomorrow and if not then soon after. It needs too much work to get fixed and it's about time we got a newer used vehicle to use for the business. We won't be looking until later in March once I can get around better.
If I have my knee surgery early Monday, they may get me up and walking the halls by the afternoon. Then Tuesday and Wednesday there will be joint camp both in the mornings and the afternoons and then I'll be discharged to go back home Wednesday afternoon sometime.
I plan on having my tablet with me, but I'm not sure how much time I'll be mylotting then. I do hope to stop by one of those days for at least a little bit.
I have two more days cashiering, Fri and Sat and tomorrow I'm doing two more window jobs. Sunday will be a free day doing laundry and packing and making sure there's enough space at home to move about with a walker.
18 people like this
19 responses
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
23 Feb 17
Best of luck with your surgery, I can't wait to hear how you evaluate it.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
23 Feb 17
@MarshaMusselman Yes I think the first two things are my main interest.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
What will you want to know? How the pain compares before and after or how quickly I heal and can get around again? I already have my physical therapy set up for two months and kept my planet fitness membership open in case I want to continue with that. I'm hoping to be able to use their different leg exercise equipment rather than just the weights which is what I've mostly used there.
3 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Feb 17
@BelleStarr Are you in the market for one yourself sometime down the road perhaps?
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
Thanks for your good thoughts that day, Janet. Yes, it's knee replacement surgery. I edited my post to reflect that better.
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@LadyDuck (502464)
• Italy
6 Mar 17
@MarshaMusselman I hope you do not feel pain and that you will be able to walk a little more every day. Good luck and get well soon.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
11 Mar 17
@LadyDuck Other than when I get up after my legs are raised a bit, my PT said I'm walking so good that I could put my Walker into a closet. I'll keep it close until my ankle doesn't swell so much that it hurts to walk. Once I've taken about four or five steps I'm a lot better.
I've had almost no pain since surgery, but now my knee hurts a bit more since we're massaging it to keep the scar tissue minimal.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
6 Mar 17
I would have been able to walk that same day but I was woozy and dizzy so they only got me to my chair and I stayed there until it was time to sleep. The next two days I was able to walk to the room we had pt in and back again. We went both morning and afternoon tues and wed. I have my first, outside the home pt tomorrow morning.
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@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
24 Feb 17
Best of luck with your surgery. I wish it was me...I postponed mine until the fall because and this is the truth, I want to camp in July and since I couldn't get it done in Jan or Feb, I postponed only because I know it takes 4 months of therapy to get my mobility back and that is important to me. I have seen too many people who didn't do the therapy and did not get their mobility back.. Do your exercises and don't stop until you can move it like you could before the pain... You will feel like a new woman with a new knee that works. 
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Feb 17
You postponed it until next fall? I've been needing one for over eight years but it didn't get as bad as it has been until this last July. At that time I could no longer bend it while walking after standing for two hours cashiering or if I sat for too long. When I'm home and can move around when I want it will stay bent most of the day, but rarely am I able to do that.
Yes, I've heard all the stories about exercising afterward. I've already begun doing many of them, so getting into it should be easier, I'm hoping.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
25 Feb 17
@PainsOnSlate The cortisone shot seemed to work better for me than some of the other newer type, but I don't know whether it did last six months or not since it's been eight years since I had shots. Exercising the specific muscle groups work pretty well keeping the pain at bay too.
My knees hurt worse between July and the end of October than they have since. I joined a gym in November so that I'd be able to work until my surgery and I began doing the exercises they gave us that we'll be doing after surgery, I started those last month and can see a considerable difference already in the pain management.
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@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
25 Feb 17
@MarshaMusselman Good luck with the recovery, I was very pleased with my first replacement and i know I will like the second knees done later. I am still mobile, it is sore and hurts at some times and Its hard to do stairs. I do have a brace and its on today because of yesterdays pain but I don't need it all the time. I am going to ask my surgeon about the shots that last about 6 months, it will be worth getting it. I live to camp and want to be there in July so I put off the surgery but will pay dearly for the shot that is not covered in our universal coverage...
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Feb 17
Once home I'm not sure how well I'll do getting up and down just yet, but I already know that if I stay seated too long it will be harder for me to move. So, I will probably do as I am now and make sure I get up every hour or so. How much I can do in the beginning remains to be seen. It could take two week of pt before I can accomplish some of my list of tasks. But, I've saved plenty of projects in the living room so I won't have to go too far to get some of those things done.
My husband is concerned about how I will eat when he's at work, but I'll have to keep it simple when he's not here. I may have a bag handy with a good bottom for easy things to be put in, must not things like soup of course. We have a counter near my desktop so if I get that cleaned off completely beforehand I can use that somewhat.
I figure I can wait and eat bigger meals once he returns home, he only works 5-6 hours at present.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Feb 17
@HazySue I expect I'll be just fine too.
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@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
24 Feb 17
@MarshaMusselman you'll figure it all out. I know I get stiff if I don't get up often. Just don't get too rambunctious. You can pack a lunch like you would take to work and fill up a thermos with your favorite drink to set next to you. I have a feeling you will be just fine.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
26 Feb 17
You are working right up to the last minute! I will be interested in hearing how it all goes too. I possible will need it at some time too. I have painful knees and my mom had surgery. Right now, I ought to lose weight, that can only help all my joints.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
26 Feb 17
It's also helpful if you can afford time at some type of gym. We have planet fitness centers in certain cities here and they provide quite a bit different ways to exercise. I've found that when I've done certain ones that it's made a big difference on how well I do. When I stay away then things, meaning my knees, begin hurting again.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
27 Feb 17
@paigea My regular doctor told me a few years ago that if I'd exercise my quads those muscles would better support my joints. I didn't listen to him at the time as I didn't think it would make that big of a difference. Now, in hindsight and after using the gym just a little bit and doing some minimal exercises I've noticed enough of a difference that I wished I'd listened back then.
I'm hoping that as I do the exercises for the affected knee and the other one that isn't quite so bad that maybe the other leg/knee will last several more years before needing it done too.
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
27 Feb 17
@MarshaMusselman We just live too far from the gym to make it worth joining. I have to go see the orthopedic surgeon and see what he/she recommends. I didn't go when the Doctor recommended as I knew I would not be interested in surgery now. But after discussing with a few people I realize I should go and find out what is going on and what I should and shouldn't do. The doctor did tell me exercise can't help the particular problem I have. But exercising my quads could only be a good thing.
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@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
27 Feb 17
As I read this you are probably out of surgery and I pray for you a speedy recovery.
Not long ago our bank gave us 200 rewards points on our card if we brought a box of papers for them to shred. Actually I suppose it was last April for Earth Day. Time flies.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
5 Mar 17
I'm glad I didn't delete this message after liking it last week. Because I would have forgotten to ask the bank when their shred drive takes place. Hopefully on a tues or wed so my husband can work in the am and take my shred material after work. I doubt my daughter would be able to take care of it. She works there but only get one 1/2 lunch break for the whole day.
Unless the drive isn't until the last of the month. If it's then, maybe I'll be able to drive by then and do it myself.
I'm sure neither of my banks offer any reward points for bringing our shred to their drive. I'm just glad they even do this. Otherwise, I could take mine in box by box, but that's a lot harder than merely driving up to the shred truck and unloading my several trash bags full.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Feb 17
I expect that they will. I've been doing some of my exercises almost in my sleep in the hopes that I'll awaken from surgery doing them. Not sure if that's far-fetched or not, but it doesn't hurt hoping. Although I know I'll be in pain from the muscles getting cut, it will be different and at least the bones won't be rubbing together any longer.
Thanks for stopping by.
@Marilynda1225 (91086)
• United States
25 Feb 17
Best of luck with your knee surgery. Hope you have a quick recovery
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
26 Feb 17
Thanks. I'm hoping the same thing also. Since I've sort of been exercising since November, it should be easier for me than it is for some, but we won't know for sure until after I'm awake of course.
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
23 Feb 17
Good luck with your surgery and recovery. I know a 85 year old who had it and she is now walking like a 20 year old.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
26 Feb 17
I doubt I'll be walking as good as I did in my twenties since that was before any arthritis hit, but at least I'll be able to bend my knee while walking and manage the stairs like most people rather than one step at a time which is how I've been doing it for several years already.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
6 Mar 17
The surgery itself was successful and last Friday when I had my assessment for PT she said I was doing great, but I feel like I back slid during the weekend. Unfortunately the floor where the patients for joint camp reside is closed on the weekend. Any surgeries that get done before the weekend, the patients are sent to a different floor than the one we used and they only come down for joint camp.
There were a few times this weekend when I wanted to call the hospital and speak to one of the nurses that do the joint wing, but none were available since it was shut down, so I didn't bother.
I would have asked about some swelling that may have developed after my pt assessment on Friday that I've been concerned about. If I still have questions, I'll ask tomorrow after my session of pt and maybe they will know too.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Feb 17
Everyone I know that had done this gets arund good and fast
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
If they do their exercises. But, I expect that I will since I've already been doing them somewhat and I've gone to planet fitness a few times this month too.
@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Feb 17
It is great to hear that you have planned ahead so well. Will look forward to hearing from you and how you are doing.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
23 Feb 17
Hope this will be quick and easy for you! It seems you are well organized and will be able to do all things that must be done.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
Well... I'm also a procrastinator, so I'm hoping that won't play too much of a part in my doings. I may get some reading done too and in the spring maybe some weeding if I can manage standing for that length of time.If I didn't procrastinate, I wouldn't have anything do do after surgery or not that much for it would already be done.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
23 Feb 17
Early is great unless it happens to snow early that morning. If that happens we may be doing some snow removal before leaving for the hospital.
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
24 Feb 17
I hope that your surgery is successful.
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