3 weeks later

 

January 31st I had a full knee replacement.  In and out of the hospital within 24 hours. Not the best hospital experience I've ever had!  The hospital unit that I was supposed to go to after surgery was full to over flowing.  So I was sent back to the day surgery unit where I started out, only that unit was full so I was sent to the overflow unit from the overflow day unit.  This was a unit that is used for overflow DAY surgery, except myself and 19 others were staying overnight but it was definitely not set up for overnighters.  There was one toilet and sink for 20 people. 

 Instead of a bedside cupboard/cabinet I had a chair to put my glass of water etc. on.  

On the other side of the bed right up against my bed was a large linen cart on wheels.  Because it was a day unit the overhead light did not turn off at all, all night, and the ice machine is in use (right across from my bed) from 6a.m. on. Needless to say I was quite happy to go home when physio gave me the all clear. 

DIL Rhonda was at the house when I got home and stayed until yesterday. I don't know what we would have done without her.  For the first several nights she was even setting her alarm for in the middle of the night so I got my pain meds on time. She was cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, putting my splint on and coming to all physio appointments so she knew exactly what I needed to be doing and we even got to have there dog Sadie here all the time.

This is how it looked when I came home.

By about the third day there was quite a bit of bleeding.

Not to mention all the bruising which is even worse today. Even the side of my foot and the back of my knee and below the staples to my ankle are bruised and very very swollen.

There were 36 staples that were removed after 2 weeks.

Steristrips were then applied, there were several areas that were still oozing. The oozing continued on for many days but appear to have finally stopped today.

During this entire time I have had to wear compression stocking 24 hours a day and that will be for 6 weeks. I also have to wear a big splint every night in bed for four weeks.  It's like having a log wrapped around my leg and is not exactly conducive to sleeping.

Over the years I have had several surgeries but this one takes top place for the most painful by far.  I doubt I would want to go through this with my other knee if I had to.

Things can only get better!!