I had my post-op appointment for surgery yesterday. Released back to work Monday!

Wanna see my cute popliteal cyst baby? …. warning gruesome pictures ahead…

I feel good, up and down stairs no issue. I do miss my hour long yoga. Can’t get on my knees or squat for another 6 weeks. 😓

They say “nobody will ever die from pain.” My pain before surgery wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I never felt the need for narcotics. But it did restrict movement. Straightening my leg was impossible for weeks. And the shooting nerve pains into my foot, which seemed to baffle all the doctors, did not help walking properly.

I heard a saying “Good Health is a Golden Crown that only the ill can see”. I took my ability to move properly for granted. It really knocked me down into a depression hole. It’s fascinating how pain and physical restrictions affected my mental health.

I was told that surgery was unnecessary by one doctor. Another said he would clean up the knee with an ordinary scope, hoping the popliteal cyst would resolve itself. Finally the third doctor suggested the cyst needed to be surgically removed as to not keep coming back.

After the first two opinions, I really struggled with the decision for surgery. Especially because in my profession I was lead to believe surgery was the last resort. But it made the most sense. I’m so glad I chose removing the cyst with surgery.

In post-op I remember telling David, “it may be the drugs, but this is the first time I haven’t had pain in weeks!”

And besides the usual post-op aches, I felt better after surgery then I had in so long. I did use pain meds for the first 24 hours, but they make me irrationally angry and irritated. Ibuprofen works just as well for me, although I really restrict any meds for a limited amount of time. Side effects are everywhere.

I was up walking without crutches in two days. And within a week I was hiking our 30 acre lot without difficulty. Well, definitely out of shape due to not moving correctly for months. But the leg worked great!

I’m still swelling and achy if I’m up on it too long, but I’m out of pain and recovering is so much easier then I expected. Hallelujah for modern medicine and competent doctors. Thank you Dr. Liljenquist!

Published by KaGardn1

I'm trying to live the most meaningful and intentional life possible. Minimalist, Vegetarian, Fierce protector of a full night sleep, Mother, Wife, Daughter -caretaker, Sister, Friend, Nurse. Sharing day to day life with family and friends. A quest to minimize effects of Alzheimer's Disease. View all posts by KaGardn1