Day 25 - Walking without a Cane (sometimes)

I've got to check back to see when I was able to stop using the cane, but I don't think it was this early. However, once I'm sitting for a while, I wish I had it!

I'm still icing quite a bit - and elevating - since the left knee is still swollen. I saw Dr. Chris on 5/7 - and he was pleased with my progress on both knees. Steve R measured me at 115 and -1 on Friday. I've started using the bike on level 1 and the NuStep on level 4 - 10 mins each. I really enjoyed the Aqua Therapy - 25 minutes of moving my legs and knees in 95 degree water!

I'm still sleeping erratically - maybe a total of 2 hrs at a time, then I flip and flop til I get comfortable again - and get another 2 hrs.... Went back to the Darvocet for night time - although I'm not sure how much good it actually does....

We leave for "vacation" next weekend - a 5 hr/4 hr two day drive to the OBX in NC. Not sure how this works with being on Medical leave, however, I'm sure the HR/Medical guys can help me with this one.... We're a little worried about the long drive, will be bringing the EBIce machine, and a converter for the car - and figure out a place I can stretch out and elevate my leg (the back seat?) during the icings. Sitting for a hr or so it just starts to ache...

More on that after our ride down next weekend!

Day 21 - Day by Day

I think your mind is an incredible thing - I realize that a mere 8 weeks ago, I was at the same stage for my Right knee, however, I don't remember the "bad" stuff. I keep thinking I was much further along in the healing/movement cycle, but it is not so.....

Michele tells me that this knee is much more flexible than the first - and that I'm really progressing well. However, my nights are restless, I am sleeping for more hours at a time, but am still struggling with the increased pain at night. One thing that is very different from the first knee, is that I am not sleeping as late - on the first one, I did my best and deepest sleeping from 7 to 9 or 10 each day. Now I'm waking up at 7, and laying in bed til 8, thinking should I take one more Darvocet? Deciding not to, and then getting up....

I went cold turkey off the Darvocet on Saturday, since I only had a few pills left, and knew I'd run out before I could get a refill. I decided to try Tylenol (well the Walgreen's generic) Arthritis formula, but I had a pretty rough day, I went along in the car with JD as he did errands, and by the end of the day, I was feeling nauseous, and a little car sick. My knees (yes both of them) were stiff, and swollen - and I spent the rest of the day and evening icing. I then tried the Tylenol PM formula, and it worked for about 4 hours, then restless...