How can you accept that you can’t play the same sports anymore, work the same job, dance a night away? It’s all really depressing and overwhelming. I’m not ready to say good bye to everything yet..
Hi,
I was an avid runner and had to stop after bilateral knee replacements. I went through a severe period of mourning and self-pitty. I now bike and the runner void is almost filled. It takes time for your mind and body to adjust. Hope this helps. Hang in there. It will get better.
It is a life changer. For me the misery I felt every day and my inability to live life made the decision for me. I hope when I am through this I will be able to take my grandson to the park by myself. My new normal is different than I imagined however I am still working toward my goal, one day at a time. Never give up that is what I am learning from this group.
I just learnt to adjust, I got depressed after my second arthroscopy when I was told there was nothing else they could do apart from a TKR but because of my age they wouldn't do it. I took up cycling and changed my job to one that didn't involve running around as much. 12 years on and I've had the TKR and I've found that I've had to adjust again, but you just have to look at things you can do and not the things you can't x
I had my TKR on the 12th Jan 2018, I am just about managing to get back to the activity I did before. I’m now doing yoga, body pump, swimming, walking and gym,I am able to do more things now than before due to the arthritis. I can now actually clean the house and change the beds. Something I couldn’t do before surgery. I guess everyone is different but my TKR has given me a new lease of life. I hope that as time passes you to will achieve the results you are hoping for. Good luck xx
Had my hip replaced in '09 (that's before the knee and all the spine hardware). Two weeks later, went back to the doc for a checkup on the op. Everything was fine. Then I asked him when I could get back on my skates. "Skates?" "Yeah...skates. I've been playing hockey for 45 years." Ready? Wait for it............
"Sure, you can start again tomorrow. But instead of lasting 25 years, you'll need a new hip in about three."
Sold all my gear the next day. The decision was a no-brainer. Do I miss it...desperately at times? Ohhhh yes! But there is really no other choice. Now with the metal knee and two spine fusions, and their accompanying metal, you just accept it and move on. You go through the five stages of grieving in 10 seconds...and then get twinges from time to time.
No hockey, no lifting bags of fertilizer anymore...can't even bend over to pull a weed out of the garden. Bending has been replaced by squatting. Heavy items now go on a handcart. You make changes...substitutions. For those with just a knee, singles tennis is replaced by doubles tennis. Or you get real good at darts.
Yes, you have to leave parts of your old life behind but there are sooooo many new things to try and fall in love with. The world is a huge place. Walk your path not looking down at your feet but with your head high searching for the new possibilities that surround you. Mourn the dead, if you must, but there is no mourning when you have life in your body and light in your heart.
This made me cry haha. Thank you!
Hi Louise! What age are you if you don’t mind me asking?
Beautifully explained chico
All great advice Maria. But it is hard, bloody hard. I try to remind myself how lucky I am. Luckier than others I know with cancer and other worse problems.
Also try to adjust like everyone here is advising....
I think it was Darwin that said 'It's the not the strong or the toughest or the brightest that survive, but those that can adapt to change' (or something like that).
Take care,
Alan
Hi Marie
Yup , right there with you. I was a runner prior. Knee became to bad I could barely walk at times . Could not do stairs without hanging on and dragging myself up. Ridiculous when I think of how it was.
Now I can get up and down on the floor with my grandkids. I am a business owner so am always running around with that. Busy Busy Busy ! It is great to not be thinking about the knee and its "non function" any longer.
Yes I had to mourn running. But when I really think about it , it is so bad for you anyway !! Bad on the knees !.
I have tried other things at the gym. Bottom line is nothing that pounds the knee anymore if you want it to last.
It stinks but you can do this !
Debbie
Y
Love this Chico
I’ve never liked change. I hate it, but sometimes we have no choice. There’s people out there who don’t have legs anymore, so I should man up.
Chico’s counsel made me cry too, Maria, when l felt like you. It was crying with the realisation that patience and acceptance were the qualities needed to move forward and experience other good things in life. All best wishes to you.
I know what you mean. I am 51 and 12 months ago had my left TKR and 12 weeks ago had my right TKR. I now never feel comfortable in my own skin. My prosthetic knees just don’t move like my old ones but they are not as painful. I feel a grief that I can’t be as flexible as before. I think I must be unlucky with the feeling as I can feel them all the time and never get comfy. I can’t imagine doing body pump anytime soon.
However the lack of arthritic pain is a relief.
I don't think I'll ever be the old me. I can't do 75% of what I could a year ago. Gardening is going to be very difficult. Golf, who knows.....
That’s so unfair... why can’t we all have a problem free life?! Try to do what you can don’t give up☹️
I know it is frustrating how I used to be able to move like a ballerina and now I go downstairs like a bot lol. It’s good that you can still work and do other stuff at the gym.
Thank you so much!
Maybe you need to give them more time. Perhaps they will feel more normal in time, but it is what it is...you weren’t born with them so it’s only natural to feel them a bit off.