Knee Surgery

[MaggieMouse]

DH will be having laser surgery on his knee 11 days before we are scheduled to leave for Disney. Supposedly he will be up and around on the next day. His Dr. is not to thrilled that we are going on this trip. However, the nurse said to just keep plenty of ice and make sure he fills his painkiller prescription before he goes. We are renting him a ECV because there is no way he will be able to do the walking.

We are driving down, with me doing most of the driving. We have a luxury van, so there's plenty of room to stretch out even if he's driving (it's his left leg).

I don't know what to do, I really want to go, but DH's health is much more important. He's insisting on going because he's has a six week recovery period and doesn't want to sit around the house. My son (8) said that he just wants his dad to be well and have the love of his family and that's Christmas enough for him (isn't he sweet!).

What would you do?

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to the disABITIES Board.
My opinion: I would find out from the doctor what part of the idea doesn't thrill him. Is he most worried about the long drive, is it the walking (which you are taking care of with renting an ecv), is it maybe jostling around on rides, general fatigue, etc. And be careful about advice from the doctor's "nurse" that contradicts what the doctor has told you. Sometimes the person referrred to as the "nurse", is not a nurse by training, but is a medical assistant trained by the doctor to do things like take temperatures and blood pressure. I am and RN and sometimes have been given advice from a "doctor's nurse" that was way out in left field; only to find out that that "nurse" had basically no training at all.
After you know what concerns the doctor, you can decide if you can work around that or if it sounds better to cancel the trip.
This thread might help you to know which rides have extra room for his leg, recent broken leg thread.
one of the other things that might be a concern is sitting too mcuh; his knee might stiffen up and there are concerns about blood clots from sitting constantly. If the doctor gives him some exercises or stretches to do, make sure he does them. If not, just getting up once an hour and walking around for a few minutes will help.

 

[MaggieMouse]

Thanks Sue,

She definitely was a nurse. She's been working in the DR's office for over 10 years too. She was giving us an opinion based on her experience. They both said it really depends a lot on the person too.

We mentioned to the Dr. that we were renting an ECV but he was still kind of iffy. He said to make sure we can cancel if we have to.

My DH has a high threshold for pain, which I'm not sure is a good thing! but has promised me that if he doesnt' feel up to going, he will let me know by the 17 which is our five day cancellation deadline.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

[SueM in MN]

That's good about the nurse. She probably hears more from the patients than the doctor does. There is a lot of difference between people. Sometimes you hear about football players that have knee surgery that I'm sure would lay me up for 2 months and they are back playing football the next week!
Anyway, maybe the doctor's advice includes being aware that your DH has a high threhold for pain. Maybe he's worried your DH will do too much even if in pain.
Whatever you do, here's some pixie dust for his recovery and a "good luck".