Hello everyone

I have not posted often but I am having a very bad day and just need some advice or maybe a few shoulders to lean on. I am having major doubts about going through with this surgery and need to know if these feelings are normal or is something really trying to tell me not to do it. I have battled with this knee pain for so long and have gone through every possible treatment with no positive results and have been told more than once that TKR is what I need. I have basically been in tears all morning and so afraid that I am going to regret going through with it and then where will I be? I know that ultimately this is my decision and I am the only one who can decide what to do - I just want to know if you all had this feeling or am I really not ready for this.

You have all been so helpful and encouraging on my previous post about post surgical pain and I was convinced I was up to the challenge however today every post I read about pain on the recovery board just jumps out at me and now I am not sure.

Thank you for letting me vent and I really do not want to be such a baby about this but I just was not expecting to have such strong doubts and yes panic attacks at this point.

Thank you for reading,

Susan

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RTKR February 22, 2010

Susan,

Perfectly normal behavior---after all, you would have to be crazy to WANT to go through major surgery with 6 months of rehab!!! Just shows that your brain is actually working!!

I can say this---I am 10 months out and don't even think about my left knee. I ski on it, snowshoe, hike, walk the dog 2 to 3 miles per day, dance and plan to golf this summer. Take your pick---pain or no pain!!!

I think this is a good time to learn to knit---I did a lot of knitting those first few weeks when I was bored out of my mind!! Kelly

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LTKA 5/13/2009
RTKA 4/8/2010
Kelly

Hi Susan,
I know just how you feel!! My surgery is the 26th and I am so nervous! I know that I have to do this, but it is just so scary. At this point I can hardly walk. I have to take my dog to the vet in a few minutes and I am wondering how I will manage just walking from the car to his office. It is getting ridiculous. Maybe we could keep in touch during our recoveries? I am thinking of you, as are all of us!

Nancy

Well, Kelly said it! Of course the recovery is painful but no more painful that what you are experiencing now. And at least it will be a pain that is going to reduce and eventually disappear! And it's a pain that will respond to pain meds. I promise you'll not regret it.

As for did I feel like this? Well, sitting in the pre-op room, all tarted up in the op gown and black marker marks on my leg, I was almost ready to skoot and go home! But they'd taken my clothes away so I couldn't and just as I was thinking I'd go to the desk and demand they fetched them back again, they came and took me down to theatre! After that I was kept too preoccupied to think about it again!

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Please post in forums; PMs and emails for personalized help are not community oriented and will not be answered. Also search the Library and other threads for information.Thanks.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.

Administrator is an orthopaedic nurse of 50+ years experience in joint replacement.
Left arthroscopic menisectomy 4th October 09
RTKR 17th March 09
Right arthroscopy June 06

One thought that helped me clear my nerves about my PKR was to think to myself: did I really want to spend the rest of my life with this horrible knee pain and be forced to hobble around? I was in my early 50s (now smack in the middle of them) and I just couldn't imagine having to do that, and it was very clear I needed to do the surgery.
I hope that helps you.

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September 17, 2008: Biomet Oxford Partial Knee Replacement (Right knee)
April 21, 2010: Biomet Signature Series Total Knee Replacement (Left knee)
http://mysocalledorthopediclife.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much everyone!

I did have the thought today that I have been in pain for so long that I have forgotten what it is like to feel good. I really hope for the day where I can stand up and not be bracing for the pain that surely comes every single time I start to walk.

I am so ready to be on the other side of recovery - 2 weeks seems like forever right now and I really had some weak moments today.

I have my joint camp tomorrow so now I will just focus on getting ready and try to stay busy until the 22nd.

Thanks again - you are ALL wonderful!!

Susan

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RTKR February 22, 2010

Susan
You will be so glad you got the knee fixed.
I am much older than you and my knee was such a pain for several years and then it got to the point I could hardly walk.
I decided to have it done and I never looked back.
I had mine on 3/27/09 and sure I have some stiffness or some pain but I don't really notice it.
Spent New Years Eve dancing the night away it was great for sure.
I know you will be so happy you had it done.

Good luck and best wishes.

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Pat
RTKR 3/27/09

It is normal for you to be scared and nervous. This is a major surgery. But the way I looked at it is...I would have my life back after the surgery. The pain I was in before the surgery was so severe. Now I don't even think about the pain because it's not there. Once in awhile I feel stiff so I just stretch and do some walking. Having the surgery was the best thing for me. I was scared and nervous but once it's over you'll feel soooo much better.

Good Luck!!!

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Cindy BTKR 7/20/09
Cupcake Queen

Susan, you are just like all of us....we ALL had thoughts and doubts as surgery day drew near. People aren't kidding when they say the waiting is the WORST part of the whole process. It's the time when your mind can work on you and make you doubt your sanity. I hope when you meet some of your co-patients in joint camp it will help. Let them know about BoneSmart and maybe you can all come online together and support each other as you wait!!! You'll find they will be experiencing the same feelings you are.

This will be a real life-changing procedure for you. Keep focusing on what you want to do once you get through the worst of the recovery. Keep busy getting your "recovery nest" ready....make and freeze meals, get movies to watch, stock up on magazines you like....anything to keep you on a productive path as you wait!

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RTKR - February 29, 2008

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - Moderator comments on this web site are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician or surgeon.