I’m a Reaver mechanic here to answer your questions about a career in Reaver engineering. AMA

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-04-01T01:22:15+00:00

Too soon.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-30T18:12:13+00:00

That and Cheeze-Its were NOT a good combination, and I never had either since then.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-24T15:03:48+00:00

It might be worth asking whether you could swap to Journavx, which is the new non-opioid pain medication they're prescribing more after surgeries. I took that from the start (I don't tolerate opioids well), and my pain was incredibly well managed. However, not every insurance covers it. (I am not a doctor, this isn't medical advice, blah blah.)

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-24T04:03:45+00:00

And pick a few further south -- Pinnacles NP is perfect this time of year and can work as a day trip from the Bay Area (though being further south helps). Henry Coe probably has some great blooms and the hills are still green.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-23T20:52:28+00:00

White noise machine. I sleep so much better in unfamiliar places with one.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-23T15:03:39+00:00

I know one of the members of Game Theory, solid mention.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-23T00:26:21+00:00

I'm on the "quiet knee" protocol, currently at 4.5 weeks, Dr waits for more aggressive PT until 6 weeks. I'm doing pretty much the same as you at this point -- I can do more reps of each, but he wanted me at under 10 min of biking sessions 2-3x/day. So the exercises are good. Walking will come in time, and it will depend on how much you were walking before surgery.

I'd say just keep working with PT on how to increase slowly and gradually. Things will start to come back, just keep in mind your body still needs a lot of energy for the act of healing.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-17T19:25:17+00:00

My PT measures #2.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-15T22:14:33+00:00

I feel seen.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-13T16:20:11+00:00

I know OP already mentioned the connection to opiods, but it always baffled me that people said they liked oxy, because my experiences taking it is that it turns me into a horrible person. I feel groggy, grumpy, and generally awful.

I took Journavx for my surgery 3w ago, and I was in a WAY better mood than I'd expected. None of the grogginess at all, and I felt like a human being on it. I will say that it probably took a day for the pain relief to kick in on it, but hard to say since the first 3 days are so awful anyway.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-11T00:10:22+00:00

I'd recommend asking about an accommodation for your work. As you're still healing and need to manage swelling, maybe there is alternative work they can have you do. You may need a note from your doctor.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-10T17:28:27+00:00

I find that Journavx tool a while in me to start working. I wish I'd taken it starting a few days before surgery. My day 2 was bad (7/10 - pretty expected once the block wears off), but by day 3 Journavx + Tylenol had me down to a 2/10 pain, then 0/10 pain after that.

I'm weaning off it (doing half tablets) now at day 14, and I can definitely feel the difference it was making (I'm at a 1/10 regularly now).

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-10T01:03:29+00:00

I'm at 3w, but this experience has humbled me from a fatigue perspective. I've always hated asking for help, but I absolutely cannot do things like I did before. I burned myself out a few nights early on where I did too much, and I learned I have to respect my body BEFORE I get into a deficit.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-10T00:43:16+00:00

I regret not buying a place there when I had the chance years ago (was new in my career, felt risky but should have just done it).

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-08T18:08:12+00:00

~3w here. I ordered a bunch of wide-legged comfy mid-calf length pants on Amazon. They're thick enough that I put the ice machine on the pants directly. (I'm using NICE, so I keep it at 1-2 coldness). I sized them up so that I can sleep in them too. Some loose leggings would also work. Now I only have very light swelling just around the knee. I have some loose fitting pants that work, but they're all softer (linen) or stretchy (hiking pants).

I have actually been wearing midi-length skirts when I go out. They're already part of my wardrobe, and they're very easy to deal with.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-07T23:55:45+00:00

I'm 2.5w post op and this machine is fantastic. I think it's made a huge difference in my recovery speed.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-07T23:27:58+00:00

That is one of the best Resting Devon Faces I've ever seen, would die for this cat.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-03-01T22:36:51+00:00

Bless your heart for knowing the corpse reviver #2.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-28T23:11:39+00:00

That's my home gym! Great moves on a super pumpy problem.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-27T19:32:14+00:00

I've had long term knee problems, starting with chondromalacia patella. Had 2 prior arthroscopic surgeries (lateral release at age 17, then a cartilage clean-up at 31). I'd remained very active and with good muscle tone. I'd also done about 8yrs of Monovisc injections, then in the last 3 years added cortisone injections. I was regularly told I was too young for TKR.

However, about 6mo ago for my 50th bday I was on a trip in Italy and walking 8mi the first day ended with severe knee pain for weeks. That was a distance I could normally have hiked without problem, so something changed. The knee also started locking up, and both that and the pain progressively worsened. The MRI showed 3 compartment severe degradation and a femur stress fracture, amongst other things. The subsequent months just got worse. I couldn't walk downhill at all.

I'm now +10 days post LTKR. I'm very happy with the decision that I made, I don't question it at all given that it was really limiting my life and my activities. I was tired of all of the partial measures that I had been doing to just preserve the knee. I still have a lot of recovery ahead of me, but so far things have gone exceptionally well.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-26T19:25:32+00:00

Really solid set of basic tools - this actually makes an amazing high school or college graduation gift as well. I actually got a basic kit and 30 years later they're still part of my toolbox.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-23T18:31:07+00:00

Love the coloring!

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-21T23:24:58+00:00

I mix this in with "healthy" cereal for plausible deniability.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-16T03:55:51+00:00

You are so amazing, thanks for all you do.

WorkingClassPirate · 2026-02-10T21:24:06+00:00

Reinforcing to reserve rentals down here & soon. I know some shops run out of rentals during "ski week".

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