The time has come...

Well, my long wait is over, and the time came for my full knee replacement surgery scheduled for September 10th. We woke up early for the drive over to Duke Med and

 got all checked in. I sat down and within a few minutes I was called in by a nurse. She took my vitals and then took me to my pre-surgical room where I got into my lovely hospital gown. 

Next, I was hooked up to several machines and given an IV. While waiting for the doctor I got to know the nurse who was in charge of me really well. I met the doctor once again who was performing my surgery as well as the attending fellow. Also swinging by to meet me was the anesthesiologist who would ensure I felt no pain, at least for now. 

Before I knew it they were giving me a spinal block and that is about the last thing I recall before waking back in post-surgery recovery. 

Surgery took a total of only 55 minutes.  2 hours was scheduled and I'm sure glad they didn't need all 2 hours of it. In recovery I was a bit groggy but totally aware of my surroundings.  I was also aware of the long road ahead of me. 

Once home I realized how tough this was going to be especially with all the inactivity I must endure. I started my pain regimen to stay ahead of the pain and on day 2 (post-surgery) my PT (daughter Katie) took off my ace bandage and exposed the bandage. All in all it looked okay no for the long road of healing.

And here I am about 6 days post-surgery. To say the last 6 days have been unpleasant would be an understatement. I am lucky if I sleep 2-4 hours a night, usually less. The pain hasn't been too horrible and I'm already off the oxycodone originally given for pain. It's mostly the lack of sleep, random nerve pain and the dull ache in my back from laying in the same position 24 hours a day.

I have started my PT which for me now means painful time and not physical therapy. I'm looking forward to getting the first two weeks out of the way as I understand that's the most challenging. 

I know I too will survive this challenge as many others who have had this procedure done before me.  From here on out it will be one day at a time as I begin day six today. I am fortunate that our daughter is a PT who assures me I am progressing normally and the whole family is trying to make life as comfortable as possible. I really look forward to getting back to my normal life and seeing my friends on the road of retirement sometime soon.