Post Surgery Week 10: Grumpy McPouty Face

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Today marks the end of week 10 after my Total Knee Replacement surgery.

I should be grateful that I’m finally making progress.

I’m walking - as much as a couple of miles in a day.

I’m stationary biking up to 18 minutes at a time, soon to be 20 minutes and more.  One of these days I will get on a real bike and ride somewhere real, as opposed to just spinning in place.

I have a new PT who is keeping me honest in my exercises, pushing me to keep my extension straight, and helping me to walk without a limp.  She’s also allowing me to start doing some Pilates exercises, and soon - I hope, maybe even within weeks - I’ll be able to join my Pilates class again.

Speaking of my Pilates class, my last PT appointment butted up against my old class time, and I got to see all of my old classmates.  They were all smiling and welcoming and curious about my progress post-surgery.  It was grand to see them.

But.

In the face of all that is good, I feel like Grumpy McPouty Face to point out what is not good.

And what is not good is the freaking pain.

The pain seems to have a life of its own.  The current incarnation of the pain-that-won’t-allow-me-to-sleep is the screwdriver that is being driven into my knee on a constant, non-stop basis.  It’s on the inside facet of my knee, down below the bend.

Somebody has apparently stripped out the threads on the screw, and they keep turning the screw, and it hurts.  

It. Just. Plain. Hurts.  

All. The. Freaking. Time.

People keep greeting me with stuff like “it’s so good to see you walking pain-free again!”  It feels rude and a major downer to point out that while I am walking, it’s still pretty far from being pain-free.  I mean, really:  what use it is to keep complaining?  

I have had moments when I’ve thought that I was past the worst of the pain, but then, this.  Many nights - again - of a completely achy knee.  Many nights - again - of the screwdriver-in-the-side-of-the-knee.  Many nights - again - of not sleeping.

Dammit.  I did not sign up for this.  Crap.  Damn. F*&^.

Here’s praying that when my doctor’s office calls back today or tomorrow, they’ll have yet another trick up their sleeve.  Until then, I’ll just go sit in my corner and pray that the next ice pack brings some relief. 

Damn.