Knee Surgery (scared and overwhelmed)

[AbbyGirl]

Hi Guys.  I know I haven’t been around much.  I’ve had a lot going on.  I’ve been helping the shelter a lot.  I’ve been posting their adoptables on other websites that they don’t have time to keep up with.  My husband is actually home every night and every weekend!  It’s been wonderful to have his help since my knee is in such bad shape.  We’ve also been able to get those little things around the house finished.  You know, the ones you just never get to but you know need to be done…..lol.

Anyway, I just found out that I need to have surgery on my knee.  I have torn the cartilage in my knee because I am missing my ACL.  So they want to go in and clean out the torn cartilage and do a reconstructive ACL procedure where they will you a graf from a cadaver to give me one.  That totally freaked me out.  I’m told it’s 3-4 months of intensive rehab with a 6 month recovery time. 

I couldn’t schedule it because I was so scare, upset and overwhelmed all at the same time.   I’m needing some process time so I can make a decision.  I’m also looking at talking to someone who has had a similar procedure.  I know football players do it all the time!  It’s shouldn’t be this difficult. 

[Sarita]

I don’t have any experience with this but I’m sending you vibes to make the right decision and healing vibes too.

[Deleted User]

Two of my friends had the ‘knee clean-out’ surgery done and it is straightforward. I think the cadaver graft is actually really cool; think about it, it’s just protein…. I would just think of it as that. My mother has a knee injury but it happened decades ago, she couldn’t have surgery done at the time and it never healed right. So she ended up with chronic pain and lack of mobility on that side for the rest of her life. But I understand it is scary to undergo the surgery, so I am sending you vibes too!

[LoveChaCha]

Amy, my boyfriend is in his 3rd year of Athletic Training. I can ask him how its possibly done and the recovery time. He has had surgery on his knee before because he was lacking something in it (I forgot).

I know from what he told me, the technology for knee surgeries has come a long way and is done quickly.

[babybunsmum]

i don’t have experience with knee surgery either but i can imagine that it would be scary to face. i hope you find some information and become more comfortable with the idea soon! *vibes*

[AbbyGirl]

Thanks Brittany. It’s weird that I’m so afraid. I’ve already had surgery on this leg. I had it lengthened almost 3 inch. I had 3 halos, 6 pins and a wire through my knee. I did that when I was 11! I hate being put to sleep (it’s a fear of not waking up) and I’m also afraid of how much pain I’m going to be in when it’s done.
Thanks for all the positive thoughts and for listening! I really needed that. I know I really have no choice but to have it done or not be able to enjoy my girls. I can’t even get up the stairs to my bedroom anymore and I can barely load the dishwasher. I just don’t know how to do it when I’m this afraid and not ready……

[kralspace]

Those decisions are scary and over whelming!

Try to think of the graft as a supreme Random Act of Kindness. Some kind soul (or their family) decided that they wanted to help others even after their death and offered to donate what could be used and you are lucky enough to receive the gift.

((((healing vibes and calming nose bumps to you)))

[Beka27]

Hugs Amy!

I agree, that is a little bit scary. Surgery is never fun, but it sounds like you have a very strong support system to help you thru.

Healing vibes!

[Beka27]

Posted By kralspace on 01/11/2011 10:14 AM
Try to think of the graft as a supreme Random Act of Kindness. Some kind soul (or their family) decided that they wanted to help others even after their death and offered to donate what could be used and you are lucky enough to receive the gift.

Absolutely!  I am an organ and tissue donor.  I think that is the best gift you can give.  When it comes down to it, I want anything and everything that can be used to be passed to those who need it.

[Monkeybun]

We were scared I would need surgery on my knee after the accident a couple years ago, luckily so far I haven’t needed it. I did have some intensive physio though, and it gets rough, but you feel better after it all Don’t worry, you’ll do great!

[Deleted User]

Posted By Amy&Hugo on 01/11/2011 08:32 AM
  I’ve already had surgery on this leg. I had it lengthened almost 3 inch. I had 3 halos, 6 pins and a wire through my knee.

 

tell me again: why are you afraid?? — you are really tough… ‘tough as nails’

just think, when you get that scared feeling, you are doing it for your girls.

[AbbyGirl]

Thanks everyone!!
Thanks Petzy! I needed that. I just got off the phone with the insurance company and it looks like I’ll have to wait till Feb to have it done. At least that gives me more time to process and make sure I’m ready.

[LoveChaCha]

I agree with everyone else!

I spoke with my boyfriend and he doesn’t want to be credited for wrong information.
He works with injured athletes and takes them to the hospital. Some athletes required surgery and they were well, despite having to sit out a few months.

My boyfriend was put under for his knee surgery too. He said some pretty funny things from what his parents told me.

I hope everything goes well Amy I’m glad your hubby is home more now

[Elrohwen]

I can understand why you would be scared and overwhelmed! Just think of how much better it will be after it’s done and you’ve healed – that will make the whole thing so worth it. I also hope you can get it scheduled soon so you have less time to think and fret over it. Get it done quick and get on to the recovery!

Healthy knee vibes!

[AbbyGirl]

Thanks everyone! I feel a little better about it now.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Amy&Hugo on 01/11/2011 08:32 AM
Thanks Brittany. It’s weird that I’m so afraid. I’ve already had surgery on this leg. I had it lengthened almost 3 inch. I had 3 halos, 6 pins and a wire through my knee. I did that when I was 11! I hate being put to sleep (it’s a fear of not waking up) and I’m also afraid of how much pain I’m going to be in when it’s done.

Fear can be so different when you’re an adult from when you’re a kid. Adults would be thinking about so many more things (sometimes to our detriment). You have your kids and husband you are likely thinking about now.  Careful not to go into the fear too much. Listen to positives. Focus on the desired outcomes. Listen to the surgeons and others that have had this surgery and come thru so well. Get distracted by some bunniness! Plenty of it on offer here at Binky Bunny! : )

[Beka27]

Did you ever adopt that rabbit you were looking at?

[AbbyGirl]

Thanks Jersey. =) I had a lot of different fears and emotions about all of this. I’ve had to try to separate them from each other and work through them one at a time. Last night I was sitting here just wishing I could hug Hugo. He always made me feel so much better. Or any bunny for that matter!

Beka: No we weren’t able to get that to work out. Which looks like it was a good thing right about now. The first 4 weeks of the recovery is pretty rough. Hopefully when all this is done (April or May after all my rehab) there will be a bunny waiting for me.

[Beka27]

Yes, in retrospect that is probably best. Hopefully he finds a fantastic forever home.

What’s meant to happen, will happen.

[MarkBun]

I’ve never had it but I’ve had two friends who have had it done and they have said that they were also scared going in but after it, and they began PT, they were amazed at how much better their knees felt and how much more freedom of movement they had.

[AbbyGirl]

I scheduled my surgery. Almost had a panic attack while doing it though! lol The big day will be Feb 9th.
Too bad I can’t help the shelter with the 7 Flemish Giants they got in yesterday! I did donate all my things to them just in time. Litter boxes, about 40 lbs of hay, food, treats, toys, everything I had. I couldn’t bare to see it sit in my basement for the next 6-7 months when they could be using it.

[babybunsmum]

oh you’re sweet for donating and helping out. 7! wow!

i will be thinking of you on feb 9th… good girl for getting it scheduled! i know it was hard for you.

[ScooterandAnnette]

Try not to think of the surgery as something scary, think of it as the next step to a better, more functional life!
– Annette

[Author]

Messages