What Made You Decide to Have Knee Replacement?
The pain in the knee greatly compromised my active life style and energy level! The 'injections' were no longer affective which added to my decision.
What Were You Not Prepared For?
My doctor did not feel that it was necessary to 'bank my own blood.' Consequently, I needed a blood transfusion due to blood pressure dropping. I was in a 'trauma hospital' for my surgery and my first roommate added to the difficulty of my recovery due to her threatening and intimidating statements, some of which were addressed at me. You are helpless right after surgery and this should never have occurred. Only due to my 'out of character behavior......extreme but rational anger' was I moved! Thus, be your own advocate!
Lessons Learned
- 'Bank your own blood' to have it on hand if needed during or after surgery. Work as hard as possible during rehab and continue with the exercises. 'Graceful ascending and descending' stairs is by far the most challenging. I am still working on this eleven months after my surgery.
