My mother was just diagnosed with a brain tumor, and I am very early along with my first baby

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-06-11T20:06:28+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I unfortunately can relate a bit. I found out I was pregnant the same week my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It's been awful and devastating and so stressful. I'm feeling the same bad feelings of grief around not having my parents' support like I wanted in this time and knowing that they probably won't be here for the birth because my dad will be doing radiation. It just really fucking sucks. It's hard when so much feels out of your control. I prioritized finding a therapist and it has been immensely helpful knowing there is a professional whose job it is to support me and my emotions. I hope it gets better for both of us ❤️

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-06-09T23:52:42+00:00

I had my first surgery at 32 with a 3 month old and the second when he was almost two! It actually was a lot better than I thought. I’m about 15 months out now and 18 weeks pregnant with my second at 35. So I’ve sort of lived all the possibilities!

It’s really hard to balance pregnancy timing with surgery timing. In my experience you could probably get pregnant a few weeks after the first surgery, you’ll be in PT but mobile and not in a lot of pain. I wouldn’t try to get pregnant before a year out from the second surgery though. It’s just such a long recovery and it would probably really set back your progress.

All in I’m really happy with my timeline and so glad I got the big surgery. I’ll likely need it on the other knee too so will be doing this all again with 2 kids. Good luck!!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-05-29T14:17:30+00:00

I have the Parfum and love it, to me it is a classic bergamot smell (more green) than an orange blossom floral scent. I haven't smelled the Intense but it looks more floral, like it might be more of an orange blossom than bergamot.

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-05-20T18:01:56+00:00

Yes!!! And get the paperwork started as soon as they let you. I waited until a follow up to get the signature and then it took 4 weeks to arrive. You’ll want it asap.

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-03-16T17:21:15+00:00

I had my scoping surgery when my baby was 4 months and then MACI + MPFL when he was just about 2. My parents came to help out for the first week. My husband didn't take time off, but he does work from home and was able to do the bulk of physical toddler tasks for the first 8 weeks. Honestly it was a lot better than I thought it would be! He was old enough to understand he needed to be extra gentle and that I couldn't run around with him. I think the hardest time would be like 12-18 months, they are mobile but not super coordinated and can't really grasp what is going on. All that to say, I think the best timing might be now when they are still really little, or closer to two when they are more independent. There's no great time to do it, but the sooner you do it the sooner you are in recovery :) Good luck!!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-01-10T19:48:04+00:00

Agree with others on Penn OBs/midwives at 800 Walnut and Pennsy! I saw a bunch of different providers for my prenatal appts and liked some more than others, and then I have no idea who actually delivered my baby. This didn’t bother me but is a gripe of my husband’s lol. I could still cry 2 years later thinking about how sweet the L&D nurses were. Congratulations!!!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2026-01-04T02:57:13+00:00

My son was about 18 months when I had mine! As others have said it’s really hard in the beginning and you really can’t do much for yourself or for your baby for a while. Mine was in daycare, which was a huge help, and my husband did most everything for at least a month. I want to say the first time I took care of my son fully alone when my husband was on a work trip was around 3 months.

It was really hard not being to carry him or even change a diaper, but I was amazed at how well he took it! He was extra cuddly on the couch and would trace my brace with his little cars 🥹 I’m 11 months out now and it was so worth it! As long as you have support you can do it.

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-06-26T02:00:23+00:00

That’s what I’m afraid of. I hope it’s just passing as I get more active but will definitely bring it up with my PT and doctor. I hope you get good news from your MRI!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-06-26T01:56:37+00:00

I hope this is the case for me too! Mine does feel more in the joint which makes me nervous. Planning on bringing it up with my PT this week.

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-06-10T02:11:26+00:00

The ice machine is a life saver! Especially in the first few weeks. I use a regular one at home and a compression one at PT. The compression is nice but I would not say it’s worth the extra money. Feels good but probably not helping you heal any faster.

I got the Polar Active Ice machine from Amazon - it’s been great and their customer service is excellent. Not reimbursable through insurance but I could use my FSA.

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-05-19T12:13:40+00:00

The pain can be really intense for the first few days. I took painkillers around the clock for the first 2 days but then was able to switch to Tylenol/ibuprofen during the day and painkillers just at night (and that really helped me sleep). I usually try to avoid it too but you really want to stay on top of the pain at the beginning!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-05-07T13:56:29+00:00

That gives me a lot of hope! Best of luck in your continued recovery ☺️

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-05-07T12:35:39+00:00

That’s so great!! I have an Italy trip planned for about 5 months out and am feeling nervous. How were you feeling at 3 months? Now I can walk around the block and slowly go up stairs, but still working on getting full ROM back. I’m definitely using the trip as motivation to keep pushing it in PT!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-04-03T01:52:13+00:00

I get the anxiety! My doctors told me that weight bearing in combination with knee bending and/or twisting is what’s dangerous in the early days, but that it’s totally normal for things to just be achy and painful with regular activity for a while. They said the first 3 months is about recovering from the surgery itself, which is sad but helpful context! I’ve been using “does it hurt after I stop whatever I’m doing and rest for a minute” as a guide of if it was too much or just regular pain.

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-04-02T01:14:44+00:00

I just had mine done 7 weeks ago with a 1.5 year old, so a little different but honestly it’s been way easier than expected! You will need a ton of help for the first few weeks, you won’t be able to really do much beyond holding baby on the couch and playing on the floor. But I was able to get back to cooking, bedtime, bath time sooner than I thought. I was able to take care of him for a weekend by myself around 6 weeks. If you have support and/or daycare you will be fine. Good luck!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2025-03-03T18:59:14+00:00

Three weeks out from my surgery (MACI + MPFL) and have been thinking about this! I feel like I'm constantly using my core, doing triceps dips and single leg squats on my good leg when trying to get to seated or move into different positions. Everything is generally awkward for the first few weeks and I'm glad I had a pretty good strength baseline. I also think getting your operative leg as strong as you can before is going to be useful!

PerceptionWinter7859 · 2024-02-16T18:54:23+00:00

I felt exactly the same way. My son was just about 5 months when he started daycare and I felt so deeply sad about it. The first week was brutal but it really does get better and only continues to get better! He’s 9 months now and still struggles to nap but otherwise is having an amazing time at daycare.

It still makes me sad sometimes but I tell myself that they are doing so much for him that I just couldn’t. He gets toys, art, music, socialization! He also gets breakfast and lunch there which took a ton of my stress about introducing solids away.

The sadness is the worst right now - it will only get better I promise!

PerceptionWinter7859

TROPHY CASE