ONE YEAR ON
As for our knees, well we all agree that we are much better off, and intend to make the best possible use of the chance we have been given.
We have all been discharged by our surgeons for around 3 to 5 years.
However, we are still experiencing different symptoms and all find that humid weather... whether hot or cold, is the worst for affecting our new bionic joints
All of our group are off anti-inflammatory drugs and most of us are off painkillers, except for the odd occasion, or when we know we are about to undertake some serious exercise
- We can now run, well some of us;
- we can climb up on stepladders & stools;
- we can scale styles over deer fences & five-bar gates.
- we can mow the lawn and weed the garden;
- we can reclaim the remote control;
- we can enjoy a busy social life;
- we can shop until we drop; and
- generally lead a full life.
One thing that is worth mentioning is that we were all inpatients in Barnwell B Ward of Kettering General Hospital. During the past year the unit moved to the 4th floor, to Ashton Ward which is cleaner, brighter and airier, and all the staff from Barnwell B transferred too, as we recently discovered - see D's story for more detail. If you are apprehensive about having knee replacement surgery there, you can be sure that you will receive excellent care from all the staff, from surgeons down to cleaners. No matter how busy they are, the staff are all helpful, courteous, encouraging and supportive and they have a ready smile and time to spend with any patient.
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This is my left knee bend just before I was discharged (for three years only) by my surgeon. Pretty good isn't it? My right knee is even better.
