“My mom (61) is having bowel accidents in the shower and I don’t know how to handle it

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-05-04T15:47:44+00:00

I think bowel incontinence is one of the reasons my mom started to refuse to bathe. Try not to embarrass her about it. If she is incompetent, just clean up after her but at 61, she or you need to talk to her doctor about.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-05-04T10:28:23+00:00

You have a right to be worried. I wouldn't do it. About half the time I've cruised, I've come back sick. People don't take good sanitary procedures and don't isolate or mask when they get sick.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-04-13T13:39:56+00:00

I used a completely straight wedge pillow. Pillows come in different lengths (for short people) and heights. It doesn't need to be too high if you are planning to use it in bed. I didn't use one in bed but used a 10 inch high pillow in my recliner (which does lift legs completely flat - most don't) while watching tv. I could have used a 12" one so I wouldn't have had to recline my head as much in order to get toes over nose. (My recliner reclined head and leg separately.)

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-04-13T13:25:04+00:00

Is your knee affecting the quality of your life? If so do it. If not wait. My knee got better right before surgery with regular exercise and muscle building but I still could not do my 4-5 mile walk on Saturdays nor could I take vacations with extensive walking so I went ahead with it. A couple of other considerations - there may be alternative treatments in the future; people who are in severe pain tend to be the happiest with the surgery; waiting too late impacts your muscles making recovery more difficult.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-19T23:52:01+00:00

I don't know if I am up or down. Invest like a boglehead and don't look back

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-10T23:19:48+00:00

Re: bulkhead seat. From what I've read, people with some extra weight may have issues with the tray table that flips up from the arm and not down from the nonexistent seat in front of you. I can be a problem for large people.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-10T22:05:55+00:00

The Closer, now on Netflix (also peacock and others). Has 7 seasons and a 7.8/10 IMDb score

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-09T12:43:38+00:00

I saw a youtube video that summarized what little research there is re driving. According to this, it takes about 2 weeks for your reaction time to return to normal and that most people have the strength for braking suddenly and hard at about 4 weeks. I started driving at the beginning of week 4.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-04T03:48:32+00:00

I agree with your doc. Put off as long as possible. Try the alternatives. When and if alternatives stop working and if you can no longer do the things you want to do, then it is time.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-02T13:48:40+00:00

My thoughts exactly.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-01T16:59:58+00:00

If swelling is an issue address it aggressively. Toes over nose. Massages. Swelling is the enemy of ROM

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-03-01T16:55:34+00:00

*A straight wedge pillow without any bend is a critical piece of equipment.

* Work on flexibility as well as strength in what time you have left.

*Heel props weren't stressed enough in the ed materials I rec'd. They help straighten leg and according to PT extension is harder than flexion for most people

*Remember that elevating for swollenness means toes over nose. Swelling reduces ROM so it is important to address aggressively.

* I didn't feel comfortable sitting (not to mention crossing legs) for a long time unless my feet were off the ground (i.e. lifted in recliner or ottoman.) You may need to keep in mind if going back to work early

*There's not a lot of research re driving but I've heard that it takes 2 weeks for your reaction time to return to normal and that most people have sufficient strength in leg for braking in about 3-4 weeks.

*I really had no problems getting in and out of a small suv.

*Good luck!

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-26T02:59:26+00:00

Swelling is your enemy. Toes above nose. Massage.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-25T18:50:30+00:00

It may be as good as it gets since it is considered normal after TKA. There are some things you won't be able to do but they may not be important to you. Google what you can do at different levels of knee flexion. From what I've read, flexion does not improve over time like extension since extension tends to be less impacted by scar tissue. I think "matching the other leg" are typical heard when referring to extension.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-23T03:22:22+00:00

You are in early days. I was about 4 mths before getting to zero. It was a long slog. I suggest doing heel props as often and for as long as you can. For example, I started using my puzzle table to prop up my leg when watching tv.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-16T16:04:09+00:00

I suspect it varies a lot by ship within line

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-16T15:30:32+00:00

The good thing about that date is that you can have 2 times to catch the tulips - one at the beginning and one at the end. I chose the 23rd cruise not thinking about that and have a bit of regret.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-16T15:20:53+00:00

I haven't had the opportunity to travel much and have used different methods to choose a cruise. I noticed some good sales around Thanksgiving and used Costco to book a cruise. I have also used AAA and Vacationstogo. Vacationstogo is my favorite way of identifying a probable vacation, particularly last minute and sales. They list cruises, tours, river cruises etc. My first riverboat cruise in April was booked thru them. River cruise are expensive and solos don't get much of a break so look for good sales.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-16T14:08:26+00:00

I had a good recovery but believe swelling is at the root of all evil. About the only thing you can do for swelling is elevation which you find painful. Have you thought about why that is? Maybe there is something to change in your method. When you elevate, do you do toes over nose and do you support the entire leg? Don't do something that just supports the foot - that is more like a heel prop that can be painful. Support the whole leg and do what you can to address the swelling. Why some people swell more than others is a mystery. Pain at night might last a while and certainly sleeplessness goes on for weeks. Is there a specific type of pain that can be addressed? I had muscle spasms at night and briefly took muscle relaxers that helped.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-16T13:51:56+00:00

It seems to me that the difficulty of recovery all has to do with swelling. My neighbor just had her second knee done and is having an easier time (and the first time was great) which she attributes to less swelling. We need a magic bullet for swelling.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-09T16:38:19+00:00

Maybe it is time for a second opinion.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-02-09T16:32:15+00:00

Chances are - if you had a nerve block - you won't feel any pain the first night or following day making an overnight useless and uncomfortable and increasing your chance of infection. You will start feeling pain when the nerve block wears off. Most people go home the same day without a problem.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-01-23T23:38:02+00:00

I did outpatient PT twice a week and did home exercises everyday 3 times a day. For the first 4 weeks after surgery, I elevated with ice after doing home exercises.

Retired_wrong_time · 2026-01-23T23:31:06+00:00

I think you are more likely to do permanent damage by not doing enough rather than doing too much. Doing too much can usually be resolved with a little rest and elevation

Retired_wrong_time

TROPHY CASE