Week 1 ACL Surgery Recovery

Prepare yourself for some oversharing.... because, I'm not going anywhere, and I have plenty of time to think and write.  Plus, before my surgery, I searched and searched for any firsthand information from a woman over 50 having this experience.  Seems all the blogs and vlogs I found were by 20-year-old, super athletic, influencer Wanna-Be types...not exactly my demographic.  After starting this post, and adding to it little by little, I would say my "carpe diem" approach to life before surgery may have backfired on me.  Going from golf 3 days a week, a trip to Italy, and walking over 60,000 steps a week to staying home an entire week and moving from one room to another and walking about 2,000 steps in a week, is an abrupt change!  Things can only go up.

4:30 a.m.
April 6, 2022
How long until I stand, unassisted, on both legs?
Also, very glad I wore the jacket!  It was cold!

April 6

Up at 4:15 a.m. after sleeping pretty well...all things considered.

We were at the surgery center at 5 a.m. along with the first employees who opened the doors for us. I will say, being the only patient at "dark-o'clock" was a luxury.  I had well rested nurses in the quiet of early morning and it made for a very gentle experience.  The staff was wonderful, and I felt very cared for.

I received a nerve block in my right leg.  That may have been the most painful part of the day.  Getting the injections for the nerve block in the crease of my upper thigh was painful...and ticklish!  It was also the only place I felt pain, post-surgery.  But...the nerve block was luxurious!  For any women who have had an epidural, it was that kind of localized relief for at least 24 hours.

7 a.m. surgery- no idea how long it was or what happened!  I hear it went well and the doctor showed TJ pictures of his work and said my knee looks great!  The meniscal tears were very small and he cleaned them up as well as grafting my new ACL.

9:40 a.m.- I woke up in recovery.  I was shivering like I was in a blizzard!  Full teeth-chattering, shaking, shivering.  Thankfully, the lovely nurse administered some Demerol and some other IV drug to stop the shivering and calm me down.  Ahhh

My leg was in what will from here on out be referred to the "big black brace of torture".  A long, black, brace, locked in the straight position, very rigid and digs into my leg in awkward places.  It is heavy (2 lbs.) and I do not like it at all!  As much as I hate it, I must admit, I have had no trouble at all sleeping in the contraption.  Which is a miracle!  

Yup, that is me, now I am a "fall risk"  whoo hoo!

Day 1 

flew by since we got home at 11, ate something for lunch after fasting from the night before. Then someone came over with a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine and set it up on the sofa, so I can watch TV during the countless hours I will be spending having my leg moved back and forth.  I am supposed to do the machine 6 hours a day for 2 hours at a time.  I assume my heart is supposed to be below my knee for this, which makes reclining for that long every day, uncomfortable.  The motion does not hurt at all and mentally, I find myself feeling like it is helping.  To quote the fellow who delivered it, "motion is lotion".  I'm going with that!

So between my 6 hours in the CPM, followed by 30 minutes to an hour strapped to the ice machine, my day if done!

By the end of day 1, I did find I was suffering from all kinds of stomach distress.  Thank to anesthesia, pain pills and antibiotics.  Ugh!  This is the part no one tells you about!  Meanwhile, the knee is still enjoying the nerve block. 

Day2

Woke up, after a medium night of sleep.  

Started with the CPM, ice, rest.  

Pain level- still not feeling too much pain, unless you count stomach cramps and gas pain.

Mood- not too bad, looking forward to spending my day watching the Masters and very happy for the lovely spring weather and the open windows.

This may have been the easiest day in hindsight.

Day 3

Slept like a baby.  I think I figured out how the sleep solidly with the brace on and when to take that nighttime pain medicine.

The nerve block has definitely worn off.  I am not feeling any knee pain aside from feeling a few stitches which I assume is where the incisions are pulling.  I was surprised by this.  I expected much more pain.

Again, what I did not expect was the stomach distress (constipation).  

By the end of this day, I was done.  I was getting grumpy and my armpits were sore from using the crutches.  I think this is the day reality set in.  Yes, it was beautiful outside.  Yes, my husband is working overtime and doing his best to do it all. Yes, the Masters is on...ALL day long.  But man, I feel like crap...or just wish I could.  hahaha!

Day 4

Slept fine until 5:30 a.m. when severe stomach cramps woke me up.  Back to sleep and then...sweet relief.

Decided to give up the pain meds in hopes of some intestinal relief.  Transitioned to ibuprofen.  The knee pain is still minimal so I don't really need heavy duty pain meds.

Things are feeling a bit Groundhog Day-ish.  6 hours in the CPM, several hours in the ice machine, and golf on the TV all day long.  I guess it could be worse, but at this point I am wondering how.

By the end of the day, my stomach had calmed down but I was pretty grumpy.  I do think it was my lowest day.  I was just over it.  I guess you have to hit rock bottom to turn around and come back.  

Day 5

Still sleeping well and thankful.  Extra thankful for the calm stomach. 

Final day of the Masters, which I can thank for taking my mind mostly off my first week of recovery.  It was great to have hours upon hours of golf to vicariously experience.  Congratulations to my new hero, Scottie Scheffler!  And did you see that bunker shot Rory McIlroy made...followed by the one his playing partner, Colin Morikawa, made?  Watch here.  Amazing!  Made me love and miss golf even more!

The knee feels a bit battered from the "big black brace of torture".  After 3 years of never being sick, I have found sitting in the same room for 5 days a real challenge!  Other than the day after my Covid shots, I have been super healthy...except that day I tore my ACL.  Even then, the pain was very localized, and I didn't feel sick or helpless.  This being on crutches is for the birds!  I have had to devise all kinds of methods of carrying things from here to there.  I am not used to being waited on and he is not used to waiting on me.  Talk about a role change.

Pockets double as drink holders now.

He is doing his best.  I am finding out just how particular I am about so many things.  Having to "let it go" is humbling.

Day 6

I took a shower!!! Best feeling all week, by far!  Washed my hair, shaved one leg...it was awesome.  It took both of us and some creativity, but it was totally worth it.  Never underestimate the power of a shower!  I am already building up strength for the next shower!

Day 7

Today is TJ's birthday.  Probably not going down as one of his favorites.  It just is what it is.  He did get to play golf, although poorly.  I am cooking tonight...with my credit card.  I had a very nice friend come over for lunch and had the house cleaning people clean the house today.  Pretty banner day so far.

Had to go in to the dr. office to have them adjust the "big black brace of torture".  I saw stars this morning after my "treadmill" time on the CPM when I put the thing back on.  They adjusted it and it didn't hurt as much, but when I got home, I realized one of the locks was unlocked and flexing therefore forcing the brace to dig in on one side.  So much better, if there is such a thing with the BBBT.  Bonus...getting out of the house.

End of week stats:

Pain level- minimal, managed with ibuprofen

Weight loss/gain- minus 2 pounds   (sadly, probably all in my right leg!)

Mood- hanging in there and anxious to get out...to real physical therapy.  (yeah, I know, be careful what you wish for)  Very thankful for everyone who has reached out by calling or texting or sending care packages, it really means a lot!  Makes me want to be a better friend to those in need!

Accomplishments- took a shower!  Off the pain meds!  Figuring out how to get myself and some stuff from here to there.  Consistently doing CPM machine and increasing flexion, currently at 75 degrees.  Doing leg lifts and quad isolations daily.  Have not killed my husband yet.  Have not sunk into deep depression yet.  Zero wine or other alcoholic beverages for 8 days...but who is counting?  

So there it is, everything you never wanted to know about week 1, post ACL surgery.  Congratulations for getting to the end of this, it is a bit long, but I have nothing else to do! Working on staying positive and engaged, even though it is a challenge.  Looking forward, more and more, to being able to use both legs unassisted.  That will be a banner day!

I think for my next post I will have to go back and live in the past...as in Italy!

Oh....and HAPPY EASTER!!!