Hi Christine!
I am five weeks out from my Total Knee Replacement on my left knee.
Here are some things I found helpful to have:
1) My husband's belt that I made a lasso of so I could put it over my foot like a stirrup of a horse. I had trouble LIFTING my leg at first, so this handy tool helped me get my leg into bed, onto the ottoman, and into the passenger side of the car
2) a grabber. When stuff falls, a grabber helps SO MUCH!
3) PILLOWS, PILLOWS, PILLOWS! You will be happy that you have a collection handy of all sizes because at first it is challenging to get comfortable.
4). a cool wet washcloth. There is something VERY SOOTHING about a cool wet washcloth. Just wiping off my face from time to time refreshed me.
5) a bedside tray with "stuff" like journal, pen, cell phone, mints, pain meds, a bottle of water, TV remote, cell phone charger, helps you feel independent and not constantly having to ask for things.
6) a warm blanket. I was taking blood thinners and would get VERY COLD sometimes quite suddenly. Having a nice blanket at the ready was very helpful!
7) shower stool. This was really helpful because it is difficult at first to stand and take a shower, wash your hair, shave your legs, etc. Be sure to MEASURE THE INSIDE OF YOUR TUB OR SHOWER carefully before purchasing a stool or chair
8) Crutches. I found a railing on one side and a crutch on the other side made it quite easy to go up steps. We leave the crutch at the top of the stairs so all is ready when I am ready to go down
9) Frozen peas!!! These make THE BEST ice bags and conform to your leg quite well. They can be refrozen again and again, too.
10) compression BANDAGES. These you will probably come home wearing. Your foot, ankle, knee will swell, and ice can only do so much. By putting on the compression bandages, it will help with the swelling. Stockings are just WAAAY too hard to get on and off in the early days, weeks
These are MY top ten helps! Hope they will HELP YOU!!!!