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Tuesday, 26 February 2008

I've been bionic for a year.....


Twelve months ago today I had a total knee replacement! If you want all the gory details you can read them here.




It was painful, and was never easy, but I did my exercises religiously, and four weeks later I had my first outing. You can see before and after photos here. I got out and about a bit more after that then, after six weeks, I went back to see my surgeon who gave me the green light to be more adventurous on with my knee.


In April we went to a birthday party and I had my first dance on my new knee. By June I was walking the length of Southport Pier which is 1,112m long. Admittedly I was using one crutch but I wasn't really leaning on it!


On 7th July I finally got rid of my crutch and we went abroad on holiday then finally at the beginning of September I went back to work. Since then my knee has gone from strength to strength and I am so glad I had the operation. The life expectancy of me knee is approx 15 - 20 years, then I may need a new one but I'm not even thinking about that, I'm too busy doing all the things I haven't been able to do for such a long time.


To anyone who has been told they need a knee replacement my advice would be 'go for it' it will change your life!



Now, where's that dance floor?



UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU


Julia at A piece of my mind tagged me for the Six Unimportant Things About Me(me).

The rules are:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you. Check, see above.
2. Post the rules on your blog. Check, see here.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself. Errm I'll try.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry. I'll have to do it by sticking a pin in my blogroll.
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs. No probs.


This is easier than thinking of important things about oneself, which could be construed as being up one's own A***e!

1. I wear glasses for reading.
2. I used to bite my nails - I know YUK!
3. I love reading. I mainly read blogs now but I have been known to read the labels on jars when I don't have a book to hand.
4. I can't resist buying shoes. Move over Imelda.
5. Did I say I wear glasses?
6. I love shoes. Have I already told you that?


It was harder than I thought. I was going to say I tag the first 6 people to comment but if you read this, you won't comment will you???? So if you want to do it go ahead.

42 comments:

Flowerpot said...

I wear glasses too, Ak! Very glad yiour knee op was such a success. Sounds horrible.

buffalodick said...

Congrats on the successful surgery! My sis had one, so I'm pretty sure I know how much pain you were in for awhile!

Elaine Denning said...

I think you've made a brilliant recovery. There'll be no stopping you now...I just wish I could get to the dance floor you and Queenie will be frequenting!

Dianne said...

congrats on the knee - I imagine it took a lot of strength to go thru with the surgery and a lot of discipline to heal. well done!

I have reading glasses and distance glasses and at any moment I'm probably wearing the wrong ones ;)

MarmiteToasty said...

What happens if cos of circumstances one can only have 3 weeks at the most off of work?

some things no matter how bad one needs something, just are inpossible.....

I need glasses now for driving .... when I turn up to pick me maties up (cos I have the 8 seater car) and I aint got me glasses with me they make me drive back home LOL

x

CG said...

I wear glasses and love shoes too! Can hardly believe it's a whole year!!

Smalltown RN said...

Oh I do love the Southport pier...I have a cousin who lives there...and we had a lovely few days there...

As for your knee....wooohoooo...you must be so happy...my sister had a total hip replacement last year....she is 57..up until she had her hip done she was wheelchair bound...last summer she was the maid of honour at my sisters wedding and was walking down the isle and dancing....you how wonderful for you both...

bindhiya said...

Dear Akelamalu,
Am glad to know the operation was a success!...
Nice to know a little more about you..
take care
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi

Akelamalu said...

It was horrible Flowerpot but oh so worth it!

Oh you'll know all about it then Buff. Though I have to say the pain I had before the op was much, much worse and relentless!

You know what Miss U when Queenie and I get together for that dance you must come and stay with me and join us!

Steeling myself for the surgery was the hardest part Dianne the recovery was just hard work. Do you need to wear one pair of glasses to enable you to find the other pair? ;)

3 weeks would be no use at all Marmie. Eventually you won't have a choice of whether to have the op or not - you will be in a wheelchair honey! Glasses for driving - that's what I'm dreading!

I know CG a year has just flown by!

Southport pier is absolutely lovely RN. It's amazing what a difference a new hip or knee can make to your life.

Thank you Bindi x

TopChamp said...

aye, I'd have been off and would have come back to comment after 6 people had taken the tag.

Fascinating stuff - I wear glasses too.

The knee bit is good news though - congrats on your anniversary!

Pam said...

your a scorpio, so of course you weren't going to be held down for too long by a knee op! :) i read the op story and was thinking how can she giggle when they're sawing her bones? lol i think i would be weirded out by it, but like you, i don't like to be down from sickness/surgery too long.

haha unimportant things about yourself...i'm probably up me own arse cuz everything about me is important. lol just kidding

storyteller said...

Sounds like the knee surgery was just what you needed to reclaim your active lifestyle. My BIL wasn't quite so fortunate, but I have friends whose experiences are much like yours. My knees are good ... thus far! (knocking on wood here)

I wear glasses to read these days ... especially at the computer with the tiny fonts some folks use ... but otherwise my eyes work just fine. (I'm far-sighted like my Dad was ... so my arms just aren't long enough). LOL

I used to be like you with books and shoes ... but I control myself by staying out of stores these days! Blogging eats up time I would spend reading books and I need to figure that one out soon.

Seems like we've all done this one MANY times. I suspect people know more about me than they care to once they click the link in my sidebar and read my list of 101 Things on my 101st Post. (heheh)
Hugs and blessings,

MarmiteToasty said...

They say I have no choice now.... but they dont understand, its more then just the time off work.... so much more....

Anyways on an upbeat note :) the weather here today has been JUST GORGEOUS.....

x

Akelamalu said...

Ha ha I knew it would be a mistake to tag the first 6 commentators Topchamp! Thanks for the good wishes.

Yep you can't keep us Scorpios down for long Ciara!

I do consider myself lucky that my knee op went well Storyteller, I have a friend who had 3 on the same leg and he still couldn't walk! I was a bit frightened to say the least! Blogging really does take up a lot of my time - but I love it!

Akelamalu said...

I can understand your dilemma Marmie being a single mum and all. I hope you can work something out so you can get your op - you would never regret it.

It's been a gorgeous day here too! A bit windy but gorgeous. x

Unknown said...

Time really flies. It has been a real learning experience for you this past year. You have not only learned more about life and yourself you have taught all of us also.
Thank You
NAMASTE

Dumdad said...

That's great about your knee. What about break dancing?

I also wear glasses for reading and fall into that category of "readers of jar labels if there ain't anything else." My son has been known to read a book while brushing his teeth!

david mcmahon said...

That's an amazing recovery. So wil you be waltzing or doing the foxtrot?

Or BOTH?

Akelamalu said...

What a lovely thing to say Dave, thank you my friend. x

Break-dancing Dumdad? Go on then I'll give it a go! ;)

Both David, well I would if I could foxtrot! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I didn't realize it had been a year. Guess time flies like the wind. House flies like the wall.

MarmiteToasty said...

Maybe I'll explain in an email..... but I dont wanna be a pain in the arse......

x

Barb said...

I found your wonderful blog sometime after you had had this surgery, but not too long after. Your determination to get back on your feet (literally) has been inspiring.

Huh? What? I didn't see a meme... (Laugh.)

the rotten correspondent said...

We're all going to start calling you the bionic blogger. Watch out, here she comes!

Akelamalu said...

It certainly does Josh!

Email me Marmie you could never be a pain in the a***e!

Yes you've been with me from almost the beginning Skittles, thanks for putting up with me. x You missed the meme? ;)

LOL you can call me what you like RC just don't desert me! :)

Mother of Invention said...

VERY encouraging! My knee only has mild arthritic change but I do seem to have pain still so it must be mostly tendons etc. I started swimming a bit..well mostly walking in deep water with a lifebelt.

Glad you are so mobile today!

Akelamalu said...

Hopefully you won't need a knee replacement MOI but if you do I can recommend one!

Akelamalu said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ron said...

Oh my, Akelamalu...I can't believe it's been a WHOLE year!?!

Time FLIES!!

This is when you and I first met and became blogger pals!!!!

Hey, not only are you BIONIC...but in my eyes...you're also WONDER WOMAN!!!

Ok, now let's see you TAP DANCE!

the mother of this lot said...

Sorry I couldn't comment earlier - the keyboard was playing up. Came to say thank you for visiting, and what agreat blog! I love your slideshow!

~ej said...

glad your knee has done so well :)

and lol, i love shoes too!! :D
i read lots of blogs but don't always comment right away. sometimes i am logged in under my other gmail name and can't be bothered to type in the boxes...lol ;-)

Julia Phillips Smith said...

So glad your knee replacement worked out so well. I had knee surgery 8 years ago and it really, really made a difference.

I've been known to read jar labels, too...

Akelamalu said...

LOL I used to be able to tap dance Ron! Hasn't 12 months just flow by?

Oh thanks for calling in Mother of this lot, so glad you've enjoyed your visit. :)

Another Emelda eh Elena Jane? LOL

I didn't know you'd had knee surgery Julia was it a replacement? I'd had a bit operation on the same knee 20 years ago. It's great when it makes such a difference isn't it? :)

Anonymous said...

When I first stumbled on your blog, you were slowly recovering from the surgery. Now you're like the six milion dollar woman.

Akelamalu said...

LOL I wish I had six million dollars citizen! :)

Heather said...

I'll meet you out on the dance floor! Good for you!

Akelamalu said...

It's a date Heather!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

a year already??? i think that is how long i have been reading your blog then because i remember it... wow!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Akelamalu said...

Yes Bee a year has flown by!

Travis Cody said...

Congratulations on your wonderful new knee!

Akelamalu said...

Oh cheers Trav x

Jo Beaufoix said...

WOw, those before pics look very painful. I'm so glad you have your dancing shoes back on though Akela.

Cath said...

Aha! I found it! Great thing this search function. I wish I could write a list like this that didn't take hours to read! Great list. Do you like shoes then? ;0)