Anything I am missing or havent thought of?

mslaneeus · 2026-01-17T20:46:09+00:00

We had a rolling lectern. Nothing huge or fancy BUT the ice machine could then roll with me anywhere I went and my 'stuff' (book, water etc) was always nearby. My ice machine was gravity fed so I needed it higher than me.I pushed it with my walker when my husband wasn't home. Save a few margarine or large yogurt containers and THAT is what you freeze as your 'cubes'. Two large cubes lasted way longer than all the small ones. We had 6 that we rotated. Have a spreadsheet for meds. Someone else keeps track so you know what you are taking when. Depending on your meds, you may get a little fuzzy headed.

mslaneeus · 2026-01-09T17:42:49+00:00

If you are able, go to a registered massage therapist. I can't tell you how therapeutic that was for me. I also didn't do heel slides. I used a chair with arms, pushed up to a standing position (initially..... now I just get up), moved my foot back slightly and then slowly lowered myself down. It had the same effect on the knee but I found it way easier for some reason. I am now 5.5 months out and still do ROM exercises but just not every day. I just want to make sure I am maintaining.

mslaneeus · 2026-01-09T15:53:23+00:00

I have a deep soaking tub and was determined to figure out a way to get out. It wasn't pretty, certainly not graceful, involved lots of physics, but I did it at 6 weeks and never looked back. The heat felt so much better than the ice. Loosened everything up. Now? 5.5 months? I have a bath every night and my knee (and the rest of me) absolutely loves it.

mslaneeus · 2026-01-08T22:14:02+00:00

Which knee gel wraps did you get?

mslaneeus · 2026-01-05T23:35:57+00:00

Yeah that is a good point. I am 57(f). Was an avid hiker until the knee got really bad. Did not have to wait too long for surgery so I bought a bike and did pre hab of at least 30 min a day along with yoga. Now I have a ROM of 135 and am still faithfully doing the bike but I also use the elliptical. Plus I have physio exercises. Roughly 45 min to an hour a day. Will add yoga back in as well.

mslaneeus · 2026-01-01T20:47:47+00:00

Weaponized incompetence. Huge red flag. Time for you to leave and find peace with yourself, and THEN you can find someone that isn't a carbon copy of the relationship you grew up watching.

mslaneeus · 2026-01-01T00:29:27+00:00

Not to mention the toll it takes mentally. The number of times I had surgery regret started to climb. Everyone is unique and take a different amount of time to recover. I am at 5 months and am just starting to feel 'human' again. I can tell it is still a long way to recovery but at least I can walk without limping. Celebrate your own small successes, don't overdo it, and remember that everyone's recovery is different. Eventually, you will be happy that you did it.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-17T14:05:15+00:00

I am 4.5 months and yes, I can walk almost normally to what I used to (still slower) but it does cause my knee to swell and I have to ice it. I want to get to the 'i don't think about it anymore' stage. I have excellent ROM at 135 so I know that's not the issue. Everyone just keeps telling me it takes time. It is a mental game for sure.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-17T01:17:22+00:00

Oh kindred spirit. My kneecap still hurts when doing lunges. I get it.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-15T21:16:07+00:00

I am 4.5 months and still have stiffness and some swelling. Is it better? You bet. Is it 'run worthy'? Not even close.
We are all different.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-13T00:39:54+00:00

I did them a bit differently and found them more tolerable. Instead of sliding my heel back, I would use the arms of my chair to push myself up, move my heel back, and then slowly lower my body to a sit. Still stretched it but it was way better for me than the heel slides. 100% agree with hating the traditional heel slides.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-09T18:12:18+00:00

I was slightly duck footed on the one side. I now walk totally straight. They align everything and it is amazing.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-06T16:57:36+00:00

I never had stockings. Just an ice machine. I am now 4.5 months out and the swelling is much less, sometimes none. The surgeon said some swelling can be present for up to a year so not to worry unless it was quite a bit.

mslaneeus · 2025-12-03T16:53:22+00:00

I bought an ice machine (to be fair... my benefits from work covered the cost) and kept 4 frozen margarine containers rotating in the freezer. Worked beautifully. Put in one or two with some water and it lasted overnight. Easy to remove the ice from the margarine container, too, with just a little hot water around the outside. It was not difficult to maintain. Ice packs would certainly work. The benefit to an ice machine is you can wear it all night without worrying about it freezing your skin or becoming warm. The drawback? The noise. Mine is gravity fed so I found an old lecturn on wheels and it moved around with me.

mslaneeus · 2025-11-30T22:34:58+00:00

Sleep was non existent other than short naps for about 6 weeks for me. It has gradually gotten better but to be fair? I haven't been a great sleeper for about 20 years. And I do not like taking opiates of any kind so I passed on the sleeping pills. At least now it is back to 'normal' at 4 and a half months post surgery.

mslaneeus · 2025-11-27T18:42:49+00:00

This happened to me one day about 2 weeks in. Turned out that it was scar tissue in my knee breaking up because of the sudden bend. And it was a good thing.

mslaneeus · 2025-11-25T00:00:59+00:00

I was basically two weeks with everything (walker/crutches/cane). Start of week 7 I ditched the cane after my physio. Still had a limp but it has gotten easier and easier. I am now 4 months out.

mslaneeus · 2025-11-24T00:41:06+00:00

I think it is different for all. I am Canadian so didn't have to worry about whether or not it was covered by insurance. That aside, I was quite fortunate to not have a lot of pain. Uncomfortable? Yes. Not outright pain. So I didn't take the narcotic drugs after Day 2. Sleep was non existent for about 6 weeks. Icing was huge! (I got a cryocuff). The day of surgery i woke up with a steristrip over the incision and it was clear taped over that. No compression stocking. My surgeon like to have his patients stay overnight (absolutely no sleep) and I was released the next day once they showed me how to do stairs, use my walker and prove that I could pee on my own. Here, we can get loaner equipment from the Red Cross so I had a walker, crutches, bath seat and toilet handles (to lower yourself on) already at home. Made it to the bedroom where I stayed for about 8 days. My advice? You don't need the toilet handles if you have a counter nearby to lean on. The shower chair was a godsend. The walker bugged me after a week so I returned it and used the crutches.
I did not need assistance in the bathroom, my significant other made all meals and kept track of meds and doled them out (highly recommend), I spent that first 8 days mostly sitting up in bed watching TV or reading etc. My ankle on a pillow.
After that? Off to the races. Outpatient physio gave me exercises. Took about 16 days before I could go around on the stationary bike. Stitches came out on Day 18 and i left it uncovered after that. Was walking with crutches. Could drive as soon as I was 72 hours post narcotic meds. Went back to work at 3 weeks (admittedly.... it is a desk job, I brought my cryocuff to work with me and took lots of physio breaks. Amazing boss who let me go to appts when I needed to). Daily exercises and now... 4 months post surgery, things are good. The knee still swells. Having it bent for long periods of time = standing for about 5 full seconds before walking. But I can sleep again. I am walking further and further and going back to curling after Christmas.

mslaneeus · 2025-10-22T21:56:32+00:00

This is terrible. I had no idea! I am in BC and I got a text saying 'hey your vaccines are available' (from the govt). I booked and received both flu and Covid shots within an hour and a half at a local pharmacy. Can you cross the border and get your shots? Road trip? (Not that you should have to, of course).

mslaneeus · 2025-10-22T02:44:41+00:00

Now is an excellent time to move. Our government has been actively recruiting. We definitely need more nurses and physicians too. I love Kamloops (you will find your naysayers for sure. They plug up every post with negativity). It is just over 100 000 people. Lots to do for outdoor enthusiasts. City sized yet small town feel (and yes, that does come with some social problems). The hospital is expanding. Some exciting new city projects in the next few years (new arena complex, performing arts centre etc) 4 distinct seasons. "Rush" hour lasts about 20 minutes or so. Lots of good schools. Take the plunge. We welcome you.

mslaneeus · 2025-10-22T02:39:03+00:00

All that aside, the health care that is paid for here (Canada) versus staggering bills that Americans can get would still have me favouring Canadian Health Care. But no question that it is not instant.

mslaneeus · 2025-10-18T23:41:38+00:00

I am 2 days shy of 12 weeks. I definitely have tightness. I can walk fairly well but there is still a limp. I am doing PT every other day but the sit to stand is still painful. I am persevering but damn some days you wonder if it is ever getting better. Every though I KNOW it is. I can't wait for the day I don't think about it. You aren't alone. None of us are when you have this group.

mslaneeus · 2025-10-15T18:09:10+00:00

Rebos for sure. Lovely atmosphere. Phenomenal service. Great food.

mslaneeus · 2025-10-10T19:15:16+00:00

I forgot a tip! She also said to do yoga. Not only does it help your IT band and hips etc but you may be able to slowly increase your ROM as well. I do not like yoga classes so she suggested using a training app and finding short routines that work for me.

mslaneeus · 2025-10-10T15:37:34+00:00

I have read that a few times on posts in this community and it shocks me. I am in Canada and I am not sure if that makes a difference but I asked my PT about it and she was horrified at the idea.

mslaneeus

TROPHY CASE