So I told you I was sick and got better, right? Oh yeah. Here.
But I didn’t tell you about the drama.
Here’s the scoop:
After flinging myself in bed Monday and parking myself there until Thursday (I was so sick I couldn’t even watch anything!) I started to panic I’d never be able to move again. That’s when I remembered my new knees. Uh oh. No physio for days. All I’d done was sleep. And I was right to worry. Everything was super stiff. I couldn’t extend or bend my legs. So much for all that hard work. Just gone. PANIC #1.
So I hopped up and started forcing my knees to move. Squats, lunges, and stairs, oh my. A lot of bending. Even some kneeling.
And then I went back to bed because I was still really sick. And when I woke up it felt like I had smashed my kneecaps with a hammer. I couldn’t walk. So much pain. I started to imagine I’d broken my new knees and I’d have to have surgery again. It’s not unheard of. A friend fell on the ice on her new knee and had to have a second round of knee surgery. I wondered if I’d have to wait for this now-needed (in my head) second surgery. I wondered when the surgery would be. Should I move any of my research travel? PANIC #2.
Finally, I took a deep breath. I took a few painkillers. I gently stretched my knees through their usual range of motion. I went to bed. They were still sore the next day, but less sore. Day two was more deep breaths and more painkillers, more gentle stretching. It took a few days but soon, no more pain and no more broken knees. Phew!
I went to physio last night and everything is fine. They’re just knees. They’re working. I didn’t break them. So unlike me. So much unnecessary drama. But in the end I’m fine and my knees are too.
Happy to hear your knees are fine and that you are feeling better!
You know, I gotta say, I don’t think it’s drama at all to feel worried when you’re sick generally — especially when it’s as “can’t leave my bed” bad as you felt. And if I felt like my body was also shutting down in other ways? That worry or anxiety is reasonable. I send you a hug and I’m really glad you are on the mend.
I’m with Cate–not drama, except for the part where you were being hard on yourself and deeming your feelings unnecessary and too much. I’m so glad that the rest and painkillers saw you to the other side.
New knees do have a “breaking-in” period. I hope your doctor told you about needing to take an antibiotic just before any teeth cleaning. Your new knees can be affected if there’s an infection anywhere in your body. Apparently, the infection will gravitate straight to the new knees. This could also be a source for your pain. In any case, a quick call to your doctor’s office might be in order, especially since you’ve been sick. I hope you’re feeling better each new day.
Phew indeed! So glad things have calmed down.
Scary! Glad it turned out fine!
Man oh man, what a week and some you’ve had. It’s so hard to do reality checking and inference-to-the-best-explanation when you’re so sick and also getting used to the new knees. Getting blammed with the feelings and sensations, it only makes sense to wonder what in tarnation is up with the world. Glad you and your knees are back to work(ing).