After postponing the surgery due to Norma's funeral, I was finally able to get my partial knee replacement done on my left knee. The procedure went well, and here I am, typing up this blog post after completing my rehab exercises. It’s day three post-surgery, and I’m required to do three sets of exercises a day. The exercises are painful, as expected, given the work done on my knee joint. After each session, I need to ice the knee for forty minutes.
I also have to wear calf cuffs on both legs. These devices inflate and deflate every few minutes to help prevent blood clots. Unfortunately, I need to keep them on for twenty hours a day for the first fourteen days after surgery—a tedious but necessary precaution. The doctor prescribed a range of medications to aid my recovery, with pain medication being the most essential. However, the downside of this relief is dealing with the accompanying constipation, so I’ve also been taking stool softeners and Metamucil. In addition, I’m on a course of antibiotics to prevent wound infections, aspirin to promote blood flow, and Prednisone—though I’m not entirely sure what its specific role is in my recovery.
Reflecting on the past few days, I can understand why some people hesitate to go back for the second knee. Despite the challenges, I’m determined to proceed with the right knee when my left leg is strong enough to support the process, Lord willing. For now, I’m adjusting to using a walker for the first time in my life, and I sincerely hope that once both knees are fully healed, I won’t need it again. Navigating the house with it is no easy task.
One thing I’m especially grateful for during this time is my wife, Cathy. She has taken on the role of my nurse with such dedication, and she’s doing an amazing job. I try my best not to be cranky during this process, as I know it’s a significant strain on her to take care of me. Her support means everything to me.
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