Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

Mary Beth,
Max must sense that these people are there to help you. Daisy was the same way once she learned that mom's home healthcare aids were there for good reason. Sometimes the PT makes things hurt more but it's necessary. Feel better soon!

Hi Mary Beth-

Looks like you're right on schedule....sorry to say.:(:mad:
I have had too many surgeries to count in my lifetime, but knee surgery pain takes the cake. Most people cannot understand the level of pain, unless they've been through it themselves. The doctor cut through some important muscles in order to get the prosthetic in there. Those muscles are very unhappy right now. :eek:

I see you're trying different pain meds. They do work differently. I used Oxycodone every 4 hours...which was how it was prescribed. And I did not wait until 4 hours plus 1 minute! I do think that after two weeks, you will notice a positive change. The PT is very important, but I remember how maddening it was to be made to do those exercises so soon after the surgery and while experiencing so much pain. Be sure you medicate just prior to PT. And pt will exhaust you, so don't expect to do much but recover from pt afterwards. Icing is very important to keep the swelling down. I acquired a case of those packs that go in the freezer. I think that was 12 of them. That way I could keep 4 or 5 in there and one would always be frozen ready to go.

I remember the not sleeping bit. That is most annoying. I can remember sitting in a recliner and just saying to Bob, this pain is incredible. And that was with my Oxy. If you keep your leg elevated so that the knee is above your heart, it helps. Your whole life becomes all about recovery and once you understand and accept that.....that that is what your job is for now......for me it got easier.

Try to keep in mind that the worst is behind you. You still feel lousy, but the worst is behind you. :)

I'm sorry this is so hard.
-Susan

Hey Mary Beth,

I am so sorry this is such a rough time for you. I can't imagine the pain you are dealing with. And I pray this is the last time you have to face this ordeal.

It seems a tad bit as if your body is doing what mine is - reacting to the years of devotion to our baby girls instead of it. We hold so much at bay for them without even being aware that when the need to hold our ills in is gone, the body rebels with a vengeance. Now it's time for us to learn to give ourselves a little bit of that TLC we so freely gave our baby girls.

Please take care of yourself, Mary Beth.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Thanks, everyone. I truly appreciate the encouraging words. Susan, thank you for sharing your experience with me. I am a little over 3 weeks post surgery and cannot believe the amount of pain I am still in. I have a high threshold for pain, so I was not expecting this to be so difficult, for so long. I am in constant pain and have gotten no relief. After the surgery in December, I kept saying something was wrong and it turned out I was right (that surgery did not work). I am terrified that maybe something is not right, although the doctor has said the x-rays look perfect.

I hope I just need to be patient. Thank goodness for Maxwell. He has kept me sane through this and I don't know what I'd do without him. He never leaves my side.

My torture treatment, I mean PT, is coming in a few minutes. Yay.

I sure hope nothing else is wrong, MB. I hate to hear that you are in so much pain. Maybe try like Susan did with the ice and keeping your leg elevated. I remember Sus was in a recliner for a long time.

And don't be afraid to take the pain meds, you need them. Take them faithfully, don't wait an extra minute!!

Kisses to Maxwell- Maxwell take care of Mama just like you have been doing, such a good boy!!!!

((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))

Gosh knee surgery takes it out of you, poor thing Mary Beth. Hopefully you turn the corner soon and it feels better. I hope there is nothing else going on with it. What a sweet boy your Maxwell is, such a comfort when you are feeling poorly when you can reach out and have a cute fluffy boy to pet... good for recovery I say!! You take care and yes I agree, those meds to be taken right on time so the pain does not blow out! xx

Hi Mary Beth, checking in to see how recovery is going.
I do hope the pain has lessen somewhat for you and is reaching more tolerable levels.

I'm sure Maxwell is being an angel with you.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Thanks for thinking of me!

I am still having more pain and swelling than I anticipated. Burst into tears at PT the other day, as I convinced myself that there was something not right. They tried to reassure me that I was making progress and that I needed to be patient. I saw my surgeon on Thursday and he said he is not surprised by the pain and swelling at this point. He said it is a "cumulative effect" from the prior surgeries and that it will take time and patience. He was very impressed that I have been walking without a cane or assistance for almost 3 weeks. Not perfectly and still can't do steps normally, but I can walk. I can't drive, yet, so I feel pretty confined. The hospital has a shuttle that takes me to and from PT.

Max continues to be an absolute sweetheart. He used to be "iffy" around my grandkids. He was afraid of them and they of him. Now he is totally fine with EVERYONE. My daughter says he is a changed dog. Anyway, he has been a real joy and has kept me sane these past few weeks. He is always right by my side and has done wonders with keeping my spirits up.

Just for fun, I did a DNA test on Max and am waiting for the results. He is a JRT, but groomers and vets always say his teeth are the size of a German Shepherds! Coincidentally, the breeder I got him from also bred German Shepherds. He is also a bit stockier than most JRTs. Anyway, I just thought it would be fun to read the report.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying their summer!

Hi Mary Beth

So hard to see the small improvements but sounds to me you are coming along, walking unaided is a huge positive step so GO YOU!! I hope that swelling keeps coming down and you feel better. I guess when you had such a hard time of it for the last surgery your kind of expecting that again but reassuring the surgeon was kind of expecting it.

Wondering what Maxwell will turn out to be too, that will be fun to hear the results!! Have a good week you two, you boy is doing you proud being such a supportive wee man! Pats for Max and big hugs for you! xx :)

I remember Susan, Bailey's mom, had some tough PT sessions. I think those are pretty tough to get through sometimes. You're being a real trooper yourself though, walking on your own and going to the PT and doing the things that you have to do to make things better and it will get better, so patience grasshopper. :) :)

Awww, Maxwell is a real love isn't he. Isn't that amazing how his personality has changed so much and he's become more socialized. I think maybe he has had to adapt since Allie is gone and he has likely taken his cue's from you on how to do that. That is a good thing, he is adapting and well it seems.

Now just concentrate on getting better yourself.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin