One small step......

Evening all smile

A step further forward today, Ive received my Pre-Op assessment date. Monday 23rd February, so less than 4 weeks, then I cant imagine it will be too much longer after that for the TKR eek

Id be lying if I said my tummy wasnt in knots, and Im feeling very nervous, but I cant help feeling that it hasnt quite sunk in......

They've advised I should allow up to 4 hours for the assessment - does this sound about usual? I know everyones different, I think Im just waffling on......

Ive also got to take lots of measurements, height of mattress, armchair, dining chair, dimensions of the bath, toilet etc.......which kind of puts my mind at rest that Occ Health will provide any aids I need......

I hope everyone is well and happy.

Terri - about to begin The Final Countdown xx

 

Hi Teri at least you have your pre op now.  I waited about six weeks later before I went in after pre op in the end.  I don't think you will be in there 4 hours I think mine was 2.  I had to do all the measurements but didn't get any sides.  I wax quite fortunate in the end as I work in nhs and was able to borrow stuff from work.  I saw the occ therapist too at pre op assessment.  Let's hope you don't have to wait long for your knee replacement.   Good luck x

I have got my assessment on the 6th March then the op on the 28th I feel the same have got knots in my stomach

Hi Terri. Your on the road. The op will be within 6 weeks of your pre assessment because they do a routine swab for MRSA which is good for only 6 weeks.

Robert

Thanks Robert, thats really useful information and something I hadnt even thought of (although Ive thought of MRSA!)

Hi Terri - I was in for 5 hours at the pre-op assessment - basically as I tired to talk them out of doing it, as after 20 years of pain & being told I was too young (64!!) - they really hadn't been too bad for the 6 months leading up to getting the assessment! So the consultant insisted on a re-take of all x-rays - which took ages! You will see a nurse, the consultant, & also the anesthatist, which all takes time as they will be thorough. The extra x-rays proved them right, so the deed was done 13 weeks ago.  Good luck!

Welcome my pre assessment is 6 th feb op 26th feb. I have been told preassement is the morning then we have lunch then attend a joint class where we meet everyone involved and have the process explained the letter has said that all in all we will be there all day. Will let you know. I to have the fors and against fight going on in my head! That is until the knee plats me up then I think bring it on Let me get on with the next part of life. Hopefully when this is all done I can get back to my 10 - 12 mile walks! Good luck 

Isnt it strange, as the operation grows ever nearer, our knees start to behave themselves?! Mine is trying to con me at the moment, but I know that at any minute it will start misbehaving again! And I sure identify with the "too young" mantra, Im  48 and the number of sharp intakes of breath and head shaked Ive had..... sheesh, do they thinlk we REALLY want to go through the op? Thanks for your reply, Im looking forward to being the one posting at 13 weeks post TKR! 

Oooh Louise, not long for you now! As Ive just said to Veronica, I think our knees conspire when they realise theyre about to be dumped! 

I totally get what you mean about getting things back - Im not in your league, but was regularly walking 5 miles a day just in the normal course of a day, now Im just hobbling about, waiting for the deed to be done! 

Good luck, i'll be interested to hear how your Pre-Op goes.

I will let you know how it goes take care

hi Terri

4 hours sounds about right for assessment  although I didn't have to take any measurements with me of bed etc....

but on coming out of hospital they provided all the aids I needed ...some on loan and some to keep 

I can't remember exactly how long I waited after assessment but I know it wasn't all that long.

take care 

Jean 

ps .....are you in the UK? 

oh yes you are right it is about 6 weeks from the assessment and I remember having the MRSA  swabs 

Hi Terri. .. I got a call on the Thursday to come for pre assessment .. The following day... It did take a few hours. .and as I left on the Friday. .. They said my surgery was being done on Monday. ... no time to think about it so mad rush buying new dressing gown nightdresses. ... don't take pyjamas not practical ... good luck. X

Good morning Jean.

Yes, Im in the UK - Derbyshire. Got some heavy snow on the way if we are to believe the weather forecasters......

Everyone seems to be saying much the same thing, that once the pre-op is done, then things start to move fairly quickly. 

Terri

Good morning Mary

Wow! You must have had a real rush on to get everything prepared -. But at leat you werent left with loads of time to be too nervous. I think Id better get everything done in the next 3 weeks in case mine is as speedy!

Thanks for the tip about nightdresses - I had planned on taking short pyjamas, simply because thats what I usually wear. On reflection, that probably wont work on a practical level, so I'd better get nightie shopping! 

Take care x

It's funny how things differ between hospitals.  I waited quite a while for my op because it got cancelled twice in those six weeks before it was done.  Also at pre op all I saw was a staff nurse to take details and occupational therapist.  I think because I was in a general hospital as opposed to a private hospital the beds get taken for emergencies.  It's nice when you don't have to have time to think about things too much and they have you in quickly.   The aftercare is different too.  I have physio once a week whereas other people have it a few times.   It seems in some parts of the country the physio visits you; again down in South this doesn't happen.  I hope everyone waiting for their ops get them done quickly.  I think you are right about your knee improving once you know you are having your op - I know mine did for a while, making me question whether I needed it!  Even 8 weeks down the line I walk better without that awful pain so it is worth it. 

Hi Terri

I live on the border between sheffield and Derbyshire  about a 10 min drive from Clowne

 this morning we have a blanket of snow and it's still snowing 

so once again I'm a prisoner in my own home.

take care and don't worry too much about the Op 

Jean 

 

good advice about the PJs Mary 

i think I waited about 4 weeks but I honestly can't remember .

hi Susan

like you I went into a general hospital ...and had physio just once a week for 5 weeks nowhere near enough in my opinion

and I live in South Yorkshire so it seems it's pot luck on the after care wherever you live  and I'm supposed to be on a survey with a designer knee ...

Jean 

You sound so excited I do hope you are prepared for after the op. I wasn't !! I thought I'd just miss a couple of my weekly Pilates classes and then be back to normal and pain-free. The first couple of weeks is really tough especially coping with lack of sleep, pain and the frustration of trying to do the exercises and get your knee bending. Its a real roller-coaster, some days good and the next bad and you feel you're going backwards. But you need to be patient, persevere and keep doing those damn exercises and then you suddenly get a break-through and can start to believe it will get better. So sorry if I sound like some prophet of doom, but I wish I had known what to expect !! I am now 10 weeks postop and have a good bend, can sleep okay and rarely take pain killers unless I have been stupid and overdone things !!  Good luck.