Bad Knees

[heehaw]

she had the cpm on for about 2 hours: then it was time for her to get out of bed an sit up for a while: she is just now getting back in bed: not sure how often she will get the cpm but as far as i know thats it for tonight: tomorrow she goes to a couple physical therapy sessions, an i figure thats when the pain will start: she also has some kind of leg booties on that air up an then release: they are suppose to help prevent blood clots: she has been telling them all day that there was nothing happening on the leg that had the surgery: an when they just put her back in bed, turning off the machine must have rebooted it, for the first time all day they are both operating..when she goes home she will have to take a shot every day in the stomach to prevent blood clots: this is because both of her parents have had trouble with blood clots:
heehaw

 

[Bird]

Yeah, in spite of all the information I've been given, there are of course still things I don't know. They've already given me some kind of long stockings that are supposed to help prevent blood clots. They said to wear the left one when I come to hospital and bring the right one with me (the right knee is the one they'll work on), I was given a prescription for a single coumadin (blood thinner) pill to take the night before and they tell me I'll have weekly blood tests for 4 weeks I think to make sure the dosage is right of the blood thinner they're going to give me. And they gave me a bottle of an antiseptic liquid for me to scrub the right knee and at least 6" above and below the knee every day when when I shower or bathe staring tomorrow, up to and including Monday morning, as an infection prevention measure. They even took a nasal swab Monday to be sure I'm not a "carrier" of MRSA bacteria. They seem to be going far beyond anything I've heard of in the past to avoid infections, and of course, I'm all for that.

 

[MarkV]

Bird it is sounding like you are in competent hands. i don't recall as much pre-surgical efforts when my MIL had her knee done 3 years ago. She is also a good bit older than you at 84 presently. The CPM machine is the one that puts the knee through it motions, isn't it? They did start working with that right away and we even had one at home for several weeks. I don't recall it being and all night thing though.

MarkV

 

[Bird]

Mark, I'd never heard of that CPM machine, but saw it in a brochure I picked up at the doctors' office, so I asked him if he uses that and he said, "Yes, in the hospital." I didn't ask how long or how much.

 

[dmccarty]

... And they gave me a bottle of an antiseptic liquid for me to scrub the right knee and at least 6" above and below the knee every day when when I shower or bathe staring tomorrow, up to and including Monday morning, as an infection prevention measure. They even took a nasal swab Monday to be sure I'm not a "carrier" of MRSA bacteria. They seem to be going far beyond anything I've heard of in the past to avoid infections, and of course, I'm all for that.

MRSA is every where according to our kids Dr. Both of our kids have had MRSA skin infections at least twice than I can remember. Our youngest has a knee scrape, how many of those did we have as kids, that we are watching very carefully. The first time the kids got MRSA the DR said they get a couple of cases a week.

Scrub Scrub Scrub :thumbsup:

Later,
Dan

 

[Bird]

Yep, Dan, I'm glad they're going to such extremes.

 

[heehaw]

the wife has to use the cpm for 6 hours today: she has done 3 so far: i am pretty sure we take it home with us: i wish i had put up a temporary ramp into the house to cover the 4 steps: but may do that this wk-end. she had the nose swab too: had some kind of cloths that she had to go over her whole body with the night before surgery: all good precautions...glad to see them doing all they can to keep down the infections:
heehaw

 

[jinman]

BIRD UPDATE

I sent an email to Bird's daughter this morning and got the following progress report from his daughter, Holly:


""He did GREAT! The surgery went very well and he was in a little
discomfort, but not any true pain yesterday. I had to come to work
today so I haven't seen or talked to him yet, but will be there tonight.
He will be in the hospital until Thursday and then we will get him home."

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I was sure everyone would want to know this good news.

 

[texbaylea]

Jim

Thanks for the update on Bird. I was just thinking about him.

Vernon

 

[MarkV]

BIRD UPDATE

I sent an email to Bird's daughter this morning and got the following progress report from his daughter, Holly:


""He did GREAT! The surgery went very well and he was in a little
discomfort, but not any true pain yesterday. I had to come to work
today so I haven't seen or talked to him yet, but will be there tonight.
He will be in the hospital until Thursday and then we will get him home."

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I was sure everyone would want to know this good news.

Thanks Jim, I was wondering how things went. If you communicate with Holly again be sure and tell her a bunch of us here are thinking of Mr. Bird.

MarkV