An update on my knee recovery and a pic of my almost drowned out peonies. ( The insert is a comparison of my knees)..
By Marsha
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
Midland, Michigan
June 26, 2019 1:12pm CST
Today marks the beginning of my fourth week after having knee replacement surgery for my right knee. I am so much further along than I was after my left knee was replaced in 2017.
I was sitting at my computer desktop within the first week after surgery and two years ago I don't think I was able to even try to work there for a month or more. The swelling is really coming down. It's still fatter from the swelling than the other side but nothing like it was even a week ago. My staples were removed last Tuesday and did hurt a bit this time because it had to move through small sections of scar tissue.
Once the staples got removed they cover the seam with small strips that fall off. By next week if they've not come off themselves I can remove them.
The one benefit to sitting at my desktop so early is it allowed me to get more used to putting weight on my new knee each time I got up. Granted I did that when getting up from bed or the recliner too, but at the computer I got practice sitting with my knees pulled in closer and closer as the days progressed.
At present, I've been measured at 105 for bending my knee and am still at zero for straightening. They are trying to get me at 120 before I'm done. Personally, I'm fine where it is now. I know that once more of the swelling comes down the bend will be easier.
I'm hoping to see my mom tonight. My sister will take me since I'm not ready to drive just yet. I did drive home after getting the tires replaced. But I ended up using my left foot for breaking. I think I need to do some extra exercise movements mimicking me moving my foot from one pedal to the other.
I hope everyone is doing well and I plan on getting around to see anyone I've not seen in awhile soon.
13 people like this
13 responses
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Jul 19
glad you are coming along so well. good for you with so much determination. 
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@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Jul 19
@MarshaMusselman well hang in there girl. better days coming I am sure
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
18 Jul 19
@bunnybon7 definetly and every week is better.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
12 Jul 19
I need to still work for a few more years and when the patient isn't determined then the leg doesn't do as well as it could have. It doesn't hurt so much when I bend it anymore but my calls is still swelling up which impressed the bend somewhat.
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@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
27 Jun 19
sounds like you are recovering well
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@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
29 Jun 19
@MarshaMusselman I'm sure the time will go quickly
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Jun 19
I'm a lot further along than I was the first time, yes. I will still have the three months off work to give my new knee plenty of time to heal properly.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
5 Jul 19
@arthurchappell I'm sure you're right on that one. If I can accomplish some things at least I'll have that plus a working knee to keep track of the time flying by better
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
26 Jun 19
so delighted to read 'f yer progress! i know such's a load off yer mind 'fter the 1st'un didn't heal 's fast. jest keep with yer 'xercises 'n all should be jest fine. kinda dangerous, that left footed breakin', so glad yer sis's gonna take ya to see yer momma.
bummer 'bout yer beautiful peonies. many 'f my flowers're sufferin' from wind burn.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Jun 19
@MarshaMusselman 'tis the winds here, if'n thingies survive that, then they've the hail to deal with. many plants're too delicate fer such abuse.
yes ma'am, 'tis dangerous 's many times folks ferget'n put that foot'n the wrong pedal. 'n elderly lady ran through mcdonald's here a few years back thinkin' she'd hit the break...luckily nobody 'twas seriously injured.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
27 Jun 19
I've not had a year yet when my peonies didn't get pushed around by the weather.
I have to reread my text as I'm not sure what you meant by the : "kinda dangerous, that left footed breakin', "
Brb. So you were talking about me using one four for the gas and the other for breaking. That way it's safer than expecting my new knee to do the work already. I know some people that drive that way normally but since I don't use my feet that way I may as well wait until I'm more comfortable doing it correctly.
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@garymarsh6 (24138)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun 19
I am pleased to hear about your great progress. Best wishes for further improvement!
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@garymarsh6 (24138)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun 19
@MarshaMusselman Yes you do not want any set backs!
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
26 Jun 19
Thanks. The hardest part is knowing when to stop doing stuff so I don't overdo things. But it's also important for me to remember to get up often enough so my knee continues to strengthen.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
26 Jun 19
@garymarsh6 I doubt I'll have any now, but I do still get tired standing while cooking or preparing my meals, but I also need to get my endurance levels up again. So, sometime I'll need to push to stand for longer periods of time.
I did spend time cleaning three burners on my gas stove yesterday while standing and did fine.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Jun 19
Thank you. This knee was never as bad as the first although the meds they give out aren't what it used to be. But even when it's bothersome I know it will continue to get better every day where before I never knew how long I'd be able to work with the inflammation I had.
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@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
29 Jun 19
@MarshaMusselman The second one's the charm.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Jun 19
Thank you, yes I am doing much better. I'm coming at the but to go downstairs, drive and return to planet fitness. I'm hopeful that I will be cleared to do the first and last this next week and I'm also going I can be done with therapy.
They want me to get my knee bent to 120 degrees. I'm happy it's at 105 and I expect as the sewing continues to lessen I will get it bent more soon enough.
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@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
29 Jun 19
@MarshaMusselman I have heard the recovery is slow. Take it easy.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
30 Jun 19
I am glad your recovery is moving along at a quicker pace than last time, That is very good news.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
30 Jun 19
It is good. I'm hoping to get cleared to start going back to the gym but I may have to wait until after my last PT session.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
5 Jul 19
That is so true. And with it be sunny more this time of year I'm hoping as I get better that I can motivated to do more cleaning, organizing and filling. I am finally getting back to reconciling my business account for this year. I've tried doing it there times already but this time I've succeeded in getting an extra two months some. Then I do need to files the last few years of forms away too.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
28 Jun 19
Congratulations on the surgery and the way its working for you. I've had both of mine done and the nurses babied me and it took forever to get my first knee back. This last time I went to a therapy company once a week for about a month and got well and moving so fast and so easy. I think I was not driving for a while after my last surgery, it took a while for me to feel comfortable driving. Thankfully my husband likes to drive...
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Jun 19
At the hospital in our town they have a floor just for knees and hip replacements. If possible for those having surgery first thing they get them up and possibly to physical therapy after lunch. When I had my first surgery two years ago, I was too nauseated that first day to do more than sit in the chair in the room. But the next two days I had therapy for both the morning and afternoon sessions.
We are given exercises prior to surgery and those are the same ones we do after surgery too. The only difference is I had one day of therapy when I went both morning and afternoon does everyone .
Last time my outpatient therapy was there times per week for six or more weeks this time it's been twice over week and hopefully next week I'm done.
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@responsiveme (22923)
• India
27 Jun 19
Real glad to know that you are doing so well after your surgery...To a lot of extent it's because you are making the effort.
Those exercises should help.
Hope you got around to seeing the people you wanted to
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
27 Jun 19
That may take a bit especially since I'm not friends per se with all of those I've not seen in a while. That means that I hope to find many in the pages of others that I visit to help spur my memory .
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
26 Jun 19
Everything is very fine. And I get to be off work for three months. My goal is to get more done around here without overdoing things.
Thanks for being my first responder, Sophie.
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@sophie09 (34230)
• Indonesia
26 Jun 19
@MarshaMusselman glad to hear that :)you are welcome :)
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