Day 3 Post Surgery

I am doing really well and still only marginal pain. I am up to 85 degrees of flex on the CPM machine, and I think 90 is where I am suppose to be for the rest of the 7-10 days post surgery. I watched my DVD today and it was very cool.  You could really tell the spots that needed the microfracture repair, and the rest of the surfaces looked good.  Loose pieces of cartilage and other stuff were vacuumed up and won't bother me any more, and the previous cartilage repairs are holding up nicely. 

My surgeon says I will be able to run again once healed, but I am going to think about that for a while.  I may decide to start bike riding instead ~ at least for the rest of this year.  I intend to keep active...just need to decide in what way.

I would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive. It means the world to me.

Day 1 Post Surgery

Still feeling pretty darn good.  My pain level was up a little this morning, but most likely because I increased the degree of flexion on the CPM machine from 40 degrees to 65.  I had some pain and burning under the patella and along the inside where the microfracture repair was done, but it is better tonight.  Tomorrow is my post op appointment and I should have a better idea of how things will move forward and a good timeline of how long I will be on crutches and how long for the brace.

The biggest problem is really lack of sleep.  Even though I am not in pain I can't sleep.  It's nearly 10:30 PM and I am WIDE awake!

Surgery Day 1

Surgery was completed at about 12:10 PM this afternoon and so far so good.  They did end up doing microfracture repair in two separate spots - one on the femoral head of the condyle & one sort of at the top and just underneath the patella.  The Doc said he had never seen damage quite like mine...not sure if this one of those places where unique is good?  I did get a DVD of the surgery and can't wait to watch it.

I should probably sign off for now...but of course I am wide awake...but thankfully no pain.

Here is a pic of my leg in the torture machine...I mean the continuos passive motion therapy machine...

Tomorrow is the big day...

Tomorrow's surgery was just moved out from 9:30 to 11:15, with a check in time of 10:00 AM.  My anxiety level is increasing and I am worried about my mobility afterward.  I could be on crutches for up to 12 weeks if they go ahead and do the microfracture surgery.  That is going to be very difficult...but could aid in my weight loss program.
Saturday a CPM machine was delivered to the house and I will need to use it 6-8 hours per day, and it has been rented for 21 days.  The guy who delivered it thought I would most likely need it for 10-12 days only.  CPM = Continuous Passive Motion, and it will keep the leg and joint moving and over time increase the degree of flexion so I have my full range of motion when all is said and done.   Below is my machine of torture...

I will let you know how I am doing as soon as I am able.

And the beat goes on...

Counting down the days until my surgery.  Tomorrow Anneke is going to stay with with my friend until the end August or thereabouts.  Anneke is going to have a great summer at the QuiXand Ranch Summer Training Camp.  She will have a bunch of other dogs to play with and will get taken to race meets and most importantly the National Race Meet in Squamish BC.  HotRod will stay with me cause he will be pretty good without her here to get him crazy.  It is going to be a long month without her...but I'm pretty sure she won't be missing us too much.

How am I going to do everything...

With a big straight brace on my leg. It covers a whole lot more than just my knee. For instance...just to get out of the driveway I have to get in the car, drive to the gate, get out of the car,  open the gate,  get back in the car, drive through the gate, get out of the car, close the gate, and finally get back in the car.  At this point I have only gone about 50 feet.  Then getting out of the shower will be a real trip - possibly literally a trip!  First I step up and over the edge of the shower, then step down about a foot to a raised step, and then step off that to the floor.  Bella, my cat, is always right there trying to trip me up to get my attention.  She will need to be locked out of the bathroom.  Anneke will go stay with my friend, Susan, who is her breeder until I get comfortable on my feet.  HotRod gets to stay because he won't be a problem with her gone.   Another friend, Shirley, will take HotRod if I need her to - but I'm pretty sure he won't bump me too much...Thank You so much Susan and Shirley.  Most likely I will have to stay upstairs in my roommate's spare bedroom so I don't have to climb stairs and make sure I don't fall and can't get up. Thank You to Gail for taking care of me.  I think I will need to practice with the brace before the surgery to see what I can and can't do.  A cane might be the right thing to help me get safely out of the shower.  Only 26 days and counting til my surgery.  I don't think I am looking forward to this at all.