[Hopeful Camel]

I’m having both of my knees replaced in two weeks. I will be unable to drive for two months, and will be basically homebound except for trips to Physical Therapy and to see my therapist and pdoc. I am already depressed [have been for about 6 months...], and am very afraid that I am going to go into a tailspin after the surgery.

I would like some thoughts on things I can do to keep my sanity while I am stuck at home. One thing I am thinking of doing is getting on Psych Central and being more active, just to make some connections with other people.

I do not have any support network in the town where I live...I just moved here two weeks ago. Any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Sandra

[wildflowerchild25]

Maybe take up a craft? Knitting, beading, painting, something like that. You can start now and get all your supplies now so you don't have to worry about getting out to get them.

[*Laurie*]

Do you enjoy reading? I'd order a bunch of books from the library. I expect you'll be quite tired from all the post-op recovery & meds.

Best of luck with your surgery, HC~

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I spent 6 weeks on bedrest after surgery last summer and 16 weeks with very limited mobility. For 6 weeks I was in bed except for orthopedist appts and therapy after a several week break from that. For 10 weeks I was rarely out of the house except for those things but the last 4 weeks I could drive so I got out a little more although I was still in a big cast and couldn't get around well. I didn't even get to start PT until 10 weeks out so I missed that excuse to leave home until later on as well.

I found an online message board for people going through the same kind of surgeries I was (on healthboards) and that really helped. I did a good bit of knitting (I knit on looms which is easier and you can get looms cheaply at Walmart or a craft store and learn how to use them on youtube). I got a huge pile of books from the library before surgery and kept renewing them all summer. I watched a lot of netflix and youtube videoes. I learned youtube has a lot of documentaries and even some full movies on it. I like figure skating and read and watched enough that I now understand what I'm seeing when I watch, at least to some extent. When I was really doped up on pain meds I went through awkwardfamilyphotos.com and laughed my head off; later that proved less funny without the drugs.

The thing that helped me the most was focusing on one small goal at a time. I went to the orthopedist about every 2 weeks for new casts so I tried to never think beyond those 2 weeks because if I did I got overwhelmed. Keeping everything in small increments really helped me feel in control and not as overwhelmed as the bigger picture would have.

I forget what else I did. I'm sure I read about all kinds of random stuff online because I do that. But I kept busy and don't remember being particularly bored at all. I got tired of being in bed and was glad whenever I got a chance to get out of the house; therapy was one of my favorite things last summer. It will go faster than you think.

[~Christina]

Try to put yourself on a schedule.. and I agree a hobby would be a really good idea .

[Shadesofdark]

Not really any new ideas, books or computer games you might have been wanting to read or play. Really just wanted to wish you good luck on your surgery!

[Hopeful Camel]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I spent 6 weeks on bedrest after surgery last summer and 16 weeks with very limited mobility. For 6 weeks I was in bed except for orthopedist appts and therapy after a several week break from that. For 10 weeks I was rarely out of the house except for those things but the last 4 weeks I could drive so I got out a little more although I was still in a big cast and couldn't get around well. I didn't even get to start PT until 10 weeks out so I missed that excuse to leave home until later on as well.

I found an online message board for people going through the same kind of surgeries I was (on healthboards) and that really helped. I did a good bit of knitting (I knit on looms which is easier and you can get looms cheaply at Walmart or a craft store and learn how to use them on youtube). I got a huge pile of books from the library before surgery and kept renewing them all summer. I watched a lot of netflix and youtube videoes. I learned youtube has a lot of documentaries and even some full movies on it. I like figure skating and read and watched enough that I now understand what I'm seeing when I watch, at least to some extent. When I was really doped up on pain meds I went through awkwardfamilyphotos.com and laughed my head off; later that proved less funny without the drugs.

The thing that helped me the most was focusing on one small goal at a time. I went to the orthopedist about every 2 weeks for new casts so I tried to never think beyond those 2 weeks because if I did I got overwhelmed. Keeping everything in small increments really helped me feel in control and not as overwhelmed as the bigger picture would have.

I forget what else I did. I'm sure I read about all kinds of random stuff online because I do that. But I kept busy and don't remember being particularly bored at all. I got tired of being in bed and was glad whenever I got a chance to get out of the house; therapy was one of my favorite things last summer. It will go faster than you think.

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. You have a lot of good ideas here and it helps to know that you went through a similar experience. I appreciate that you wrote.