topic Re: Life changes on a dime in Wellness

Life changes on a dime

smoochy — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:38:17 GMT

got my first handicap parking placard today. Saw my doc for follow up on the miserable gastrointestinal infection I picked up in Thailand which is still present. But symptoms are improving on the new antibiotic he prescribed a few days ago. 🥳Then I was telling him how I had to use a cane during the entire three weeks there. Chronic, worsening knee pain from three replacements plus a fourth unrelated surgery; lots of scar tissue and residual pain that can't be remedied. I cannot walk more than a very short distance with sitting down or holding onto something. Need help stepping off curbs because of knee pain and can no longer do stairs. Balance has become a big issue also. I've had several near falls lately. Frequently stumbling, losing my footing. Getting lightheaded (meds). So doc hears this and tells me I absolutely need the handicap sign. I need to use my cane despite how embarrassing it is. Im really tempting fate to stay in denial. So in my determination to age gracefully, I'll proudly utilize all resources available to me.
My cane is a pretty purple and blue floral pattern. Might even get another 😉 Anything to prevent a fall!

Re: Life changes on a dime

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:01:32 GMT

@smoochy

Ancient Chinese Proverb:

It's better to have cane and not need it than to fall because of no cane in your hand.

Re: Life changes on a dime

happilyretiredgirl — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:09:22 GMT

@smoochy So sorry for all you are going through. please don't be embarrassed by a cane, consider it a better quality of life by utilizing it to avoid a fall. When life throws us lemons, make lemonade. Prayers for a recovery.

Re: Life changes on a dime

on the bay — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:16:31 GMT

@smoochy,

I'm glad the antibiotics are helping some! What an awful grueling month!

I wanted to ask you how you were doing.

Think of yourself as a very classy Poirot or something with the purple flowered cane!

There are so many pretty and neat canes out there.

I hope your knee feels better.

Maybe a knee brace when you have to walk?

Re: Life changes on a dime

1Professor — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:50:18 GMT

@smoochy: Sending you buckets of energy for the tough moments,

Re: Life changes on a dime

jubilant — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:56:22 GMT

@smoochy Yes, life can change on a dime for sure but there is always hope for days ahead. I'm sorry for all you are going through. I hope and pray that soon things will start looking up for you. The cane is necessary it sounds like....so it might as well be "fashionable"!

Re: Life changes on a dime

meallen616 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:19:58 GMT

@smoochy,

Don't be embarrassed by your cane, whatever helps! plus you have a trendy one!

Re: Life changes on a dime

EastCoastGal — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:35:37 GMT

@smoochy ... Oh my gosh! I'm glad to read you got a handicap parking placard !! ...and if anyone takes your space you can hit him over the head with your pretty flowered cane!!! 😊

You've been ill way too long but the new antibiotic the doctor gave you is working! That's good to hear!

l know I don't really know you very well but l felt so sad for you when you said you returned from seeing your daughter in Thailand and got so sick!! 😞

Please don't be embarrassed about using a cane... especially when yours is so pretty!! You don't want to take the chance of falling especially since your knee hurts so badly. Aww... l feel for you. 2024 has been difficult for you but I'm hopeful it will get better a little each day. Take care❣️🌷

Re: Life changes on a dime

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:16:18 GMT

@smoochy

So sorry to read that you got ill from your recent trip! And all of your chronic issues that you are currently dealing with must be very taxing. I have a lot of empathy for you. I have been fighting the acceptance of a lot of long-time chronic issues and the idea that yes -- I truly am a senior citizen and beyond! I recently got a placard also. I never thought this would happen to me. I try not to use it unless I am having a really bad day and absolutely must. I think with regard to your cane, better to have that extra security.

Re: Life changes on a dime

kaydee50 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:31:21 GMT

@smoochy Re the cane I hurt my foot over 3 years ago. Took awhile to be able to walk. Started using a cane. I love it! The streets here in Chicago are so uneven the cane gives me a sense of security. Plus people defer to me and I use the front seats in buses for seniors and disabled!!

I am not embarrassed by using a cane at all. Even though I really don't need it, I'm grateful I am able to walk and I'm 74.

Good luck to you and hope you completely recover.

Re: Life changes on a dime

CalminHeart — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 12:58:48 GMT

@smoochy

I hope you get better soon. Keep working with your doctor and an orthopedic surgeon. Yes, indeed, life changes on a dime.

Do you have a support type sleeve to wear on your knee? I wore one for a long time and it helped....before I qualified for insurance to have a knee replacement.

Have you had injections in your knee? The kind I had were available every 3 months.

I also had to use a cane for a long time because of a bad knee which affected ankles and hips. I fought it for a long time but finally gave in. I didn't want to feel so old.

I finally got a knee replacement in December. It's so nice not have constant pain. Even my ankles and hips feel better. I'm curious why you had 4 knee replacements.

Take care.

Re: Life changes on a dime

Franell — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:01:16 GMT

Once you get used to having the cane and the placard I think you will be glad that they help you get around better and more safely. Congratulations on your desire to move forward with style and grace.

Re: Life changes on a dime

deb5555 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:21:07 GMT

Another option is jeti poles for stability, they are comfortable to walk with and keep you upright. I read about them from Bopper and ordered a set and love them.

Re: Life changes on a dime

CJC — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:24:07 GMT

@smoochy May I ask why you still have such terrible knee pain following 3 replacements? I am at the crossroads of having my first TKR due to osteoarthritis. I know the recovery is brutal and, although I'm in very little pain right now, I've developed a knock knee and balance issues that make walking difficult. Don't know if the replacement will help solve those problems.

Re: Life changes on a dime

SaveTheTurtles — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:31:49 GMT

@smoochy No shame in doing what you need to do to stay safe.

Re: Life changes on a dime

smoochy — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:40:27 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@smoochy

Ancient Chinese Proverb:

It's better to have cane and not need it than to fall because of no cane in your hand.

haha that's funny and true 😁

Re: Life changes on a dime

smoochy — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:00:57 GMT

little update to answer some questions. Also to thank you guys for lifting me up. These boards can be so hateful sometimes, but you have encouraged me with your kindness and sweet natures.
Why four knee surgeries? I was born with defects in both knees resulting in chronic dislocation. Since childhood. My right knee would suddenly and random dilocate. Horrible pain. In my mid twenties I'd had enough so surgery number one corrected the problem. I knew that in my later years, that joint would be much more prone to osteoarthritis because of the surgery. Which happened. So, full replacement in 2015. That one failed within five years. We moved to Florida. Next surgeon said it had been done wrong and he replaced it. That was also wrong from the getgo. I could literally feel the spiky portion that was drilled into my tibia moving around with every excruciating step. Dr was dismissive and arrogant. "You'll be fine" over and over. Finally I decided to get a second opinion. That Dr took X-rays and immediately saw the problem- distal portion of implant was loose and yes it was moving I did my leg bone with any wt bearing or movement. Six hour surgery and what I called a brand new NASA level replacement implant. Has been working fine. But as he called it, a very complicated proceedure due to so much going on in the joint from previous surgeries. Someone here suggested a brace- good idea I hadn't thought of.

Re: Life changes on a dime

smoochy — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:05:47 GMT

one last update, the gastrointestinal infection seems to be, dare I speak it out loud, resolved. No diarrhea today. No nausea or vomiting or fever in several days. I feel SO MUCH BETTER. Thank you Lord.

Re: Life changes on a dime

Nataliesgramma — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:36:53 GMT

I bought a Campbell Cane. It used to be here on QVC, but they are sold now on Amazon. It looks more like a walking stick.

I can't tell you how much this helps me on days when my knees are bothering me. It also helps with my balance when I am walking outdoors on uneven ground.

I have 6 friends my age (67) who said they wouldn't use a cane and wonder why using mine doesn't make me "feel Old". Well, guess what.....each of them have taken falls and broken wrists, arms ankles and one lady friend got a concussion on top of it.

I would rather use my "stick" then EMBARRASS myself by falling and then miss out on things because I have to heal from broken bones.

Re: Life changes on a dime

Love my grandkids — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:44:37 GMT

@smoochy Shoot, I'm 76 today and have been using a cane, due to arthritis in both knees, for some years AND have had a disabled parking card for just as long.

I'm not the least bit embarrassed about it. This stuff happens. I like being able to park thisclose to the entrance to Safeway and I can't go outside without my pretty cane, which is swirl of black and shades of blue.