Have just returned from my trip to America. Had a wonderful time just being with my daughter. First time I'd seen her since my TKR in June.
Just to let you know I didn't set off any alarms with my new metal knee. Forwarned the security staff both at Heathrow and Denver and was taken through a separate secuirty screening. No embarrassing moments, thank goodness.
As my other knee is playing up, I used mobility assistance. Have to say, Heathrow was much more on the ball and I sailed through without any problems. Thoroughly advise any of you with painful knees to do the same.
Using mobility assistance is something I recommend to anyone with possible mobility problems - there is nothing worse than having to rush for a connection and thinking you will collapse for whatever reason.
Glad you had and good Thanksgiving - and even more to be thankful for!
Hi Lynn, welcome home and so glad you had a nice time with your daughter. That is great that you did not set off any alarms or have any embarrassing moments. I also had told security about my metal knee and that the alarm would probably go off, but they just looked at me like " yeah, right" and told me to go through. So I did and sure enough the alarms went off and I had to be pat down. It would have been so nice if they had taken me through a separate security screening like they had you do. I guess it depends on whose on duty at the time and the kind of mood they are in!
Anyway, seems your trip went quickly but good to have you back on the forum
Good you made it back safely. Most airports are courteous when they know the situation unlike my sister in law traveling internationally and forgot she had an under wire bra on. Created a real search by TSA people in an uncomfortable area of the terminal. One of life's learning moments that she vowed never to repeat.
As you say, back to reality, but looking forward to seeing my two gorgeous grandsons.
Been keeping an eye on the forum whilst away and see you invested in the peddling machine I suggested. Hope it's of some benefit to you! I put mine away before we went on holiday. No doubt the bl..dy thing will be back in action again come April, 2015!
I was wondering how your TKR was feeling now after 23 weeks? Do you feel pretty back to normal now or do you still have stiffness and the other various aches & pains a lot of us have been experiencing?
I had given up crutches by the time I left hospital (after 4 days). I came home with sticks, but was soon down to one, only using two when outside because they gave me confidence. And kept people away!
Stopped using sticks completely by around eight weeks, I think.
Just wanted to comment when you said how quickly the days go & how difficult to fit in the exercises. I'm at 19 weeks & still having to do the stretches ( I pay for it if I don't) and try to get a walk or biking in too, and from day one, by the time I get the exercises done, then get myself together, half the day is gone!
My surgeon told me the exercises would be a full time job, and he was not kidding! He also told me if I did not do the exercises, then the TKR would have been for nothing.
I have to remind myself of that every day while I'm cursing all these darn exercises.
Well we just had two days of very heavy rain ( which was a welcome sight as California has been in a serious drought)
and when the weather turned damp & cold, oddly I felt the achiness in my hips more than the knee itself. ( probably a sign of more fun times to come)
But it is true, the weather really does affect our joints!
This may sound completely silly, but are you able to bend or lift your feet up enough to wash them in the shower? I have an awful time as I can't raise my leg enough to wash that far down! It's also difficult sitting on the bed and bending over to put my socks on. How is it at 23 weeks??
Hope that's not too silly to ask, but it's a real issue for me
Must admit bending the knee enough to put on socks or shoes can be a struggle, but I can manage. I love a bath and, luckily, we have a corner seat in the bath so I can lower myself, and then lower myself again. Not too bad getting in, but getting out is NOT a pretty sight!
Needed to have showers whilst away and washing my feet didn't seem too much trouble. I always use a rubber bath mat though as I'm scared of slipping.
I'm intrigued, can someone enlighten me: will you be able to kneel on your bionic knees? I made a major mess of one knee 20 years ago - absolutely CANNOT kneel on it. The other is the result of torn ligaments and it isn't so hot on kneeling either. I wanted to vacuum under the table in the campervan this morning and tried everything - even the good knee and a thick cushion didn't do it! I was afraid to sit or lie to get at it in case I couldn't get up again as I was on my own and space is restricted!
And: what's a bath? Terrified of not being able to get out again - showers for me!