Cindy,
It is so good to hear from you and I am happy to hear that you are at home already! I know that you still have a long road ahead of you, but as any of us who have had surgery know, you immediately start recovering faster once you get out of the hospital and get back in your own home, at least from an emotional and mental point of view. Yes, the physical side of the recovery can sometimes be harder at home, but for me at least, the benefits far outweighed the negatives, and I hope and pray it is the same for you.
It sounds like you had one dedicated doctor and team of specialists there to help you during the operation, and that is so good to hear after all you have gone through. The operation does sound incredibly tough, and I certainly have no time believing the amount of pain that you are in as a result. Be sure that your doc is giving you enough pain medicine now that you are home--don't you dare suffer needlessly just to try to be brave Cindy!! You're already being brave enough, believe me! Last thing you need is extra pain hampering your recovery.
I had to smile when you mentioned your living room becoming your bedroom for the next couple months. After I had my spinal osteotomy surgery, I went through the same thing, sleeping on a hospital bed in my living room. Well, if you want to get technical, it was actually the "dining room" of my apartment's living area, but I never had a table there, so I always considered it an extension of the living room. I was single at the time, so my mom and dad took turns staying with me for a couple months, until I could get around by myself. (Well, my mom came and stayed with me, with my dad providing a day or two of relief from time to time when mom simply needed a break--dad was working, sure, but it was mom who really had to disrupt her life during that period; consider this a heartfelt "thank you" to moms everywhere who help out and become the caregiver in situations like this!) Like you, I had a very hard time getting around then, as I too suffered a flare after that surgery. I know exactly what you mean when you say it would be easy to just stay in bed each day, but it's clear you understand how much damage that would do to you and your new knee in the long run and are doing all you can to walk around and move each day. Good for you, and know that we are thinking of you each day and sending more positive vibes your way every day.
Don't worry about staying online for long periods and leaving us long responses--I'm only rambling on here to give you something to read that can take your mind off of your pain for a few minutes, so no need for a response. You just worry about getting better right now. It is great that your son set you up with that laptop so that you can keep up with your KA reading--that was nice of him. Like your doctor, I am a bit worried about that fever you have that won't go away, but here's hoping by the time you make your next post that it has passed and everything is fine.
Once again. so glad to hear that you are home and that your doctor and his team tried so hard to finally get your knee right--I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that when you finally do get to try it out, it works like you are expecting it to.
Best,
Brad
