Diary of a Demented Woman 2 Weeks Post-Knee Replacement:

The old knee has officially retired, and the shiny new one is nicely in situ. Two weeks down, and according to the medics, I’m doing everything by the book: Before the surgery I decided to keep a diary of sorts which I now realise is taking a life of its own.[ I'm revisiting my old blog page for this and its interesting tsay the least to read over some of my old posts ]

I set out on this journey aiming to be a model  patient but it has its challenges and I'm up for the challenge [with great help I might add!!]. The main instructions were.....

• ✅ Do the exercises

• ✅ Take the pain relief

• ✅ Slow and steady wins the race

• ✅ Be patient

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I'm following all of the above to the letter… but here's what they didn't include in the discharge notes: I'll get back to all that later but I just need to clear my head!!

Lesson 1: Patience is so much more than doing  the above — it's a daily challenge.

When the consultant said “be patient,” I’m  sure he meant “take it easy, listen to your body  do the exersises etc etc

“Sure I know all that” sez I nodding my head confidently.

2 weeks later I’ve discovered a whole new meaning to being patient.

Lesson 2: Worktops

 Is it just me but I love nice clean  worktops wiped down every evening, dishwasher emptied and everything in its place. Then I relax and wake up to a gleaming kitchen. It’s the simple things really, I’ve always said that keep me happy.  Men and women are different that way  but I’m adjusting

Lesson 3: Clothes Lines

When I hang put clothes I like to  shake them  out before hanging . sure everyone knows they won’t dry if they are all scrunched and crumpled up

• Did I tell you I’m adjusting. I’m doing my exercises counting 1 2 3 4 as I repeat 3 times a day. I've added deep breathing to my list, its helping… a bit 

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Lesson 4: The Curious Case of the Empty Loo Roll

I’ve discovered something : If a toilet roll reaches its end and no one is around to change it… it simply becomes invisible. Apparently, this is very real to many

Lesson 5: Shopping – A Mystery Adventure

You make a list. You specify the brand. What returns?A surprise bag of “close enoughs” and one thing you didn’t even ask for — but apparently it was “on offer.”

Lesson 6: Crutches – More Than Mobility Aids

They double as:

• Reaching sticks

• Pointing at just about everything. Sometimes with more strength than is needed for directing someone else to do the thing you’d normally do yourself

• Great for a bit of guilt-inducing ..... when someone asks if you can “just grab that quickly”

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Lesson 7: Ice is for Knees, Not G&Ts (Well... Sometimes Both)

Ice packs are my new best friend.Although, by 6pm, I do start to wonder if they’d also be useful in a nice tall glass with a splash of something medicinal.

So yes, I’m doing what the professionals told me — healing, moving, breathing, resting.

But I’ve also learned that recovery has many forms.Sometimes, it’s doing your physio. Sometimes, it’s biting your tongue when another loo roll goes ignored.

And sometimes… it’s just laughing about it all — it’s either that or cry.

And I’d rather not cry. I'm doing really well with the support of my wonderful family

I was asked if I find the days long. Its amazing how time flies, You see everything is a slower pace By the time I get up, have breakfast, shower, dress myself . do my exersises, which are repeated x 3times daily. Watch a bit of tv, listen to the radio /podcasts/read /write......I don't have a minute.

To be continued....

Bernie