Mrs. Major’s Knees

Well, here you go. This is what Mrs. Major’s knees looked like yesterday when I changed her dressings ¹You can click on the picture or title to get a large sized photo if you care to.

All in all, she’s doing very well. Monday, the home care nurse and physical therapist were amazed at her mobility and flexibility. She’s walking around on her own using a walker, but she can get herself anywhere in the house she needs to go.

Yesterday, the home health care company delivered a constant physical motion (CPM) machine. We put her leg in it and it flexes and extends her leg from fully extended to whatever degree she chooses to have it flexed. The scheme is to keep increasing the flex as time goes on. She started at 70º at the hospital but is now up to 90º. The physical therapist was here today and said she’s way ahead of schedule.

This morning her left knee was very stiff and painful. She was a little worried because she thought it was a setback, but after her exercises, the knee loosened up and the pain subsided. The PT said that it was normal considering she didn’t move her legs all night long. Maybe we’ll put her on the CPM tonight while she sleeps.

The only disadvantage of the CPM is that she can’t get into or out of it without help, so she’s not as independent as she was on Monday, but the therapy is doing tons of good, so the inconvenience is worth it.

She has been working very hard at her exercises. She’s very determined and courageous. I’m proud of her.

She has appreciated all the cards and calls she’s been getting. Thanks to all of you who’ve sent your well-wishes.

Hallelujah, we’re home. Charlene did so well, she didn’t have to go to a rehab facility. In fact, she just got herself out of the chair and headed for the bathroom refusing any help from me. 

I think that will be it for now. Tomorrow, we have the first visit from the home health care folks and I’m going to try to compose my thoughts on the last three days. 

Suffice it to say, Mrs. Major has been a real trooper during all of this. 

Again, we appreciate all of your prayers, thoughts, and encouragement.

Mrs. Major had a much better day today. She’s getting herself to the bathroom without help (or groaning). She went to PT twice today and did better than the women who had only one knee replaced. Everyone was amazed. She’s in much better spirits and not so goofy from the pain meds (She’s on pills now, no IV drugs).

We expect she’ll come home tomorrow afternoon.

By the way, I wore jeans and a sweatshirt today. Very comfortable.

Mrs. Major had her ups and downs today. Around 4am the morphine from her spinal began to wear off. She failed to tell the nurse so by 7am her pain was beginning to get severe. They started he on a morphine on-demand drip, but since she’d been 3 hrs without pain meds, things got worse before they got better. By 9am she was feeling better. Read more