Re-Introduce Myself

[angelo49]

OK, this is where I left off on 4-2017
''Monday morning I go in for an angioplasty and possibly another stent.
Tuesday or Thursday they'll install a Defibrillator.
Then maybe I'll work up the courage for at least the knee replacement.''
KEEP IN MIND THAT I RARELY WENT TO THE DOCTOR'S,
SO I THINK THAT THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO CATCH UP TO ME. (?LOL?)

Did the angioplasty, didn't need a stent, (I have 2)
Thurs the 13th they did the defibrillator implant. (ICD)
Had to wait about 5 months for the icd to settle in, then get clearance for the left total knee replacement (TKR)
After a nuclear stress test and echo cardiogram the cardio doc cleared me for surgery.
Had the knee replaced Feb-2018 and went thru 4 months of physical therapy (PT)
The knee didn't turn out too bad but by walking a little differently and the fact that I'm pretty much loaded up with arthritis,
my Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) started giving me problems.
To the point where the pain was so bad that I was unable to walk.
I ended up getting SIJ injections in Aug-2018, they helped quite a bit but feels like it's starting to wear off.
I'm told you can do this 3 times a year.
The next problem was that for the last year or so I would wake up in the middle of the night with severe numbness, tingling, and pain in my right hand. (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
Well, I'm a pretty tough guy, so ''it'll go away''
Yeah Right..........this Sept I had CT Surgery and I'm still getting over that.
My bad right ankle is still bad but there's not much I can do about that.
I got into kitless pens lately, aluminum, brass, stainless, and acrylic.
I'll try to post some photos.

 

[fortress]

Welcome back Angelo,
I remember you were having issues with your health, there are some wonderful people out there that have and will help you.
You are a brave man and I wish you well. Thank you for posting and giving us some insight into your conditions.

 

[Morse]

Glad to see your back with us turning again.
You've had plenty of time to think about createing your designs.

Dave

 

[angelo49]

I forgot this, I cringe every time I look at it.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Hi Angelo and welcome back. You make my recent knee replacement surgery look insignificant compared to the issues that you make gone through. Hope all goes well for you mate and I look forward to seeing more of your posts

 

[angelo49]

Hi Vic,
When did you get yours done, how is it now?
8 months later and I still get that ''tight ace bandage'' feeling around my knee.
I read that some people have this years later!!
At least the knee pain is mostly gone.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Hi Vic,
When did you get yours done, how is it now?
8 months later and I still get that ''tight ace bandage'' feeling around my knee.
I read that some people have this years later!!
At least the knee pain is mostly gone.

Only had this one done about 3 months back mate so it's early days but seems to be going ok still a bit painful. I had the other knee done about 10 years ago and from the onset I was having problems. They had me back in and made some adjustments but it has never been right. It looks like I am having to get a Revision Surgery operation done on it which means removing the one they put in and replacing it. I spoke to my Consultant last week and he is going to refer me to a Specialist Team for them to assess which way to go with it. Apparently a Knee Revision is much more complex than an initial replacement and the operation is a 3 to 4 hour job. I have to make the choice of whether to go ahead or not as they only give me a 50/50 chance of improvement

 

[angelo49]

Only had this one done about 3 months back mate so it's early days but seems to be going ok still a bit painful. I had the other knee done about 10 years ago and from the onset I was having problems. They had me back in and made some adjustments but it has never been right. It looks like I am having to get a Revision Surgery operation done on it which means removing the one they put in and replacing it. I spoke to my Consultant last week and he is going to refer me to a Specialist Team for them to assess which way to go with it. Apparently a Knee Revision is much more complex than an initial replacement and the operation is a 3 to 4 hour job. I have to make the choice of whether to go ahead or not as they only give me a 50/50 chance of improvement

Vic,
I've heard this many times.
These surgeries are not as great as they claim.
I wish I could give you some 'advice' but I can't.
50/50 chance of improvement, I'd have to think about it.
But thats just me.
YMMV!

 

[Cumbrian Craig]

You've certainly been through it!!!! Glad your on the mend and turning again.

Best wishes

Craig

 

[Penpal]

I need two hips and two knees but holding out against. I supplement my movements by using a Disability Scooter frequently,its a life saver for me and is in the boot of the car or 4 wheel drive continually. Shopping 3 hr visits are a breeze now. Our local Mall is enormous,its quite fun to negotiate on the Scooter. Looking at getting a big one in advance of the need with a canopy over the top for sudden downpours. At the last Floriade (recent) the major supplier firmed up the tiller on my scooter and I made a pen for him, he straitway offered to look for a ripper scooter for me. Always said The Power of a Pen. Thanks for sharing your probs mate and really rapt in your pen making.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[wm460]

Welcome back Angelo, Glad your on the mend again.

 

[silver]

Yeah! Excellent news. Glad to see you are back my friend.

You are back to tell the story, and what a story it is as well.

But onwards and upwards, chin up plod on is what I say.

Getting old is a privalidge and any aches and pains from it are a virtue.

I have many of my old school friends and colleagues over the years not here to even tell a story, so in my view is make the most of it and enjoy the ride..

 

[silver]

Apparently a Knee Revision is much more complex than an initial replacement and the operation is a 3 to 4 hour job. I have to make the choice of whether to go ahead or not as they only give me a 50/50 chance of improvement

My Son specialises in knee revisions, yes it's more complex but causes more problems for the surgeons than the paitient.

The NHS are trying to save money so in reality are putting people off surgery and managing the outcomes rather than recommending surgery.

in reality for them to say 50/50 I would ask what the surgeons success rate is in revisions as it sounds to me like he hasn't done many if he says 50/50 prognosis going forward or he is using the wrong type of fittings.. its as simple as that.