It’s my aim to document most of what I go through during the recovery phase, so people who are getting knee reconstructions in the future know what to expect. Hopefully they’ll find my blog, read through my updates and be able to then prepare for what lays ahead. Feel free to ask me any questions at all – I have NO problems in sharing.

First and foremostly, I want to say I was completely naive in thinking this would be a breeze. I definitely didn’t consider how completely and utterly dependent I would become on other people. The pain – I can deal with it, no worries. But being dependent? Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do by far!

Today I struggled just to even get off and on the couch, and that was a huge blow to me. I hate having to ask help for every little thing. I like to think I’m independent, can stand on two feet and do whatever I need to do, when I want to do it. It’s just the way I’m built, and in everyday life if someone offers to help me it will take a bit before I say yes. So my advice to anyone getting a knee reconstruction? Be prepared to ask for help. Simple as that.

I have to admit, I cried a little bit today. Out of frustration more than anything. Mum came to visit this afternoon to drop off my painkillers and some lasagne she had made for us (vrey very kind, her lasagne is AMAZING. I tried to get off the couch, refusing help, because I wanted to walk her outside. So in the end I hurt my knee greatly in the area where I suspect there are stitches. I tried to hide the pain, and using the crutches walked to the side door. That was as far as I could get. I told her I would have to give up, and just go sit back down. Then promptly cried. Mat gave me a dirty look and told me to just sit down and stop pushing myself. Mum reiterated the point. I called defeat, tried to get back onto the couch, hurt myself again and promptly sweared and yelled for the next minute while Mat got up and helped me get back onto the couch. He’s been so patient, I love him dearly for it. Mind you, he’s also injured with a dislocated shoulder, so everything he’s been doing to help me has been one-armed. We’re the perfect pair aren’t we? He can be the legs, I’ll be the arms.

As previously mentioned, Mum picked up my painkillers today for me as well, as they weren’t available from the hospital when I checked out. It turns out the painkillers are called “Endone“, or oxycodone. It’s basically an opiate, and replaces morphine and heroin! Woah mumma. Knowing that, and also knowing the effects of drugs on my sister after she became addicted, I resolved to take them only when necessary. e.g. before going to bed so I can sleep without feeling my knee etc. I just don’t want to risk my health and well being. I think I possess the self control not to become addicted, but I just don’t know. I’d rather not take the chance.

Other than that today hasn’t been that eventful. I got out of hospital today, which I’ve already blogged my diary on that event. The only pain I am really feeling is when I try to get off/on the couch, which we can probably solve tomorrow by moving to a different part of the couch. The chaise might be just a little difficult for me at the moment. I’ve got a sore throat, which is probably from the tube they had to run down my throat during the operation to keep me ventilated. I’m sure that will go with time. It’s not unbearable, it’s just when I swallow that I notice it. I’ve also got to do a few exercises the physio taught me, two of them I’d done with my previous physio so nothing new there. The only one that I find difficult is the bend, where I’m bending my knee by pulling my thigh into the air. I’m guessing my knee is really quite swollen, so it’s a bit difficult to do it at the moment. And putting it back into the straight position can be a bit of a mission, and hurt a little. That’s the only exercise I really have problems with..

So all in all, I think it’s easy to see that I’m impatient and wishing it was all over already. My aim for day 2 is to accept people’s help, ask for it when I need it, and stop trying to do so many things myself….let’s see how it goes shall we?

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