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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Mike Bolin on November 22, 2016, 08:00:00 PM

Title: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Mike Bolin on November 22, 2016, 08:00:00 PM
With my bi-lateral knee replacement scheduled for  Nov. 28, I decided that I was going to take the next ethical shot that was presented to me. Last Tuesday I was covered up with small deer so I shot a little "eatin' deer" for the freezer and I still had almost 2 weeks to kill a big buck! I'd seen 2 mature 8 points and a really nice 10 point and I was fired up!

I mentioned in previous posts that I was having a tough time either sitting or standing for any length of time because of my knee stiffness/pain. The pain is worse now because I had to quit taking my arthritis medicine 10 days before surgery. Had a pre-surgery "class" this morning where they explained all the different things that could postpone my surgery....open wounds, injuries to ankles and injuries to hands, shoulders, elbows. Anything that might cause infection or hinder my upper body from supporting my body weight.

I decided that I would only hunt from the ground so that I had less chance of doing something stupid and hurting myself. Set up in a deadfall this afternoon, really proud of myself for being so careful! After 2 1/2 hours of sitting motionless and even seeing a young buck and a doe I found that my knees were so stiff that I had to crawl over logs on the way out that I had stepped over on the way in. So, I am done for the year. Too close to surgery to mess it up now. Good year overall! Saw three really nice mature bucks and had a close encounter with one of them. Knees got me on that one too, but it's a long story! I will keep on hunting through you folks here on Trad Gang, so keep the reports coming in! Hunt hard, hunt safe!
Mike
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Friend on November 22, 2016, 08:08:00 PM
May you get healed up soon and be ready for action.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: carbonflyr on November 22, 2016, 08:13:00 PM
here's hoping for a quick complete recovery  :pray:
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: fnshtr on November 22, 2016, 08:31:00 PM
I have a replacement in my near future. Hang in there, heal quickly and thoroughly and be ready next season.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Dry Creek on November 22, 2016, 08:42:00 PM
Smart move to take care of your body!
Prayers for a speedy recovery!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Ray Lyon on November 22, 2016, 08:46:00 PM
If I lived closer I'd offer to keep your spots warm for you.  Good luck with the surgery.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: ron w on November 22, 2016, 09:08:00 PM
My second knee [partial replacement] is on Dec. 5th. I'll keep you in my thoughts if you keep me in yours.......   :biglaugh:  If you are having that much trouble and pain you are doing the right thing.....trust me. Work hard on the rehab and you will be amazed at the results.....but it takes time. At least you had some action.....I have to even see a deer yet this year.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: on November 22, 2016, 09:20:00 PM
Hope everything goes well and you heal up fast and complete!

Bisch
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Basinboy on November 22, 2016, 09:23:00 PM
Follow the Dr's orders and work hard in rehab. Your doing the right thing as hard as it is...
Best of luck to you!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: ranger 3 on November 22, 2016, 09:27:00 PM
I've had a partial and a friend had both knee replaced at the same time and recovered great.

Good luck
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: abbatoys on November 22, 2016, 09:31:00 PM
Best of luck..
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: frank bullitt on November 22, 2016, 10:08:00 PM
Best to you, Mike!

Pray that you heal quick, and you will be enjoying your family, friends, and shooting arrows that puts happiness in your life!

God bless!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: CRM_95 on November 22, 2016, 10:13:00 PM
Hope you have a quick, complete recovery!!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Captain*Kirk on November 23, 2016, 12:02:00 AM
Best of luck, Mike!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: achigan on November 23, 2016, 08:47:00 AM
Hey Mike, glad you got some meat in the freezer!. Thoughts and prayers your way as you go under the knife.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: chris K. on November 24, 2016, 03:10:00 AM
Sorry to hear that
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Yohon on November 24, 2016, 03:29:00 AM
Best of Luck Mike, possible infection is the worst part of surgery like that, you get thru that part you'll be a happy woods walker again in no time!!!!    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Bowwild on November 24, 2016, 06:34:00 AM
I hope your surgery goes terrific. Everyone I've heard of that had knew replacement reported great results.

Congrats on the deer!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: SteveB on November 24, 2016, 06:45:00 AM
Get my 2nd done Dec 12 - 1st was last year Dec 21. Couldn't have written a better recovery and fully expect this to be the same. Good luck with yours. Besides the PT appointments, stretch several times a day and ice a lot! Check out the Breg Polar Care machines - make icing a lot easier.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Mike Bolin on December 06, 2016, 01:31:00 PM
I have been keeping up with everything here pretty regularly and really enjoy the hunting posts since I am sidelined for awhile. Really miss shooting the bow too, but that should happen again before too long! My bi-lateral knee replacement surgery was Monday the 28th and I was released to go home on the 30th. For the most part things are going really well. I have in home therapy 5 days a week and go back to the doctor on Dec. 14. The therapist seems to be very pleased with my progress. Getting the bend back into my knees was a concern for me since I haven't had 90 degrees in either knee for a long time. They checked me yesterday at 92 degrees on the left knee and 97 degrees on the right knee and the goal was to be at 90 for both knees by my Dec. 14th doctors visit. I haven't heard any reports of much happening in the way of deer movement around here and although I hate it for my fellow hunters, it definitely softens the blow of not being able to get into the woods!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Frenchymanny on December 06, 2016, 02:09:00 PM
Good luck!

F-Manny
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Michael Arnette on December 06, 2016, 02:28:00 PM
Hope you have a great recovery
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: GRAYBEARD on December 06, 2016, 02:59:00 PM
Good luck with knees, you have more in the freezer than I do!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: ron w on December 06, 2016, 07:06:00 PM
:thumbsup:  Just got home from my knee surgery. All went well so far.....
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: achigan on December 06, 2016, 11:21:00 PM
Mike, e-mail sent...
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Ouchigan72 on December 07, 2016, 12:04:00 AM
Had knee surgery in Feb. of 2015 after putting it off since 1991.... it now doesn't even bother me. Hope yours goes as well and your back in the woods soon.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: smokin joe on December 07, 2016, 09:57:00 AM
Good luck, Mike. I am convinced that joint replacement is a modern miracle. I have had a hip, a knee and a shoulder installed. The shoulder was just 4 weeks ago.

Do your exercises and use lots of ice. It takes about a year to be completely healed up, strong again, and able to not think about your knees. But you will be doing great long before then.

Be patient with the recovery.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: yleecoyote23 on December 07, 2016, 10:35:00 AM
Hope your recovery continues!! Glad to hear everything went well, and I hope you are back at those bucks next year....

Wish I had a deer story or two to share, but I have to live vicariously through TG for now as well....
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Mike Bolin on December 08, 2016, 11:10:00 AM
Thanks to all for the well wishes! Just keeping a positive attitude now and making the best of the therapy sessions. Felling good enough now that I am getting bored sometimes, but visiting here helps with that! Thanks again! Mike
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: hitman on December 08, 2016, 06:50:00 PM
Good luck in your recovery.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Dry Creek on January 08, 2017, 09:52:00 PM
Smart move to take care of your body!
Prayers for a speedy recovery!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Mike Bolin on January 09, 2017, 11:22:00 AM
Thanks for the well wishes! I am doing well...just got off the exercise bike where I put in 10 minutes. Doesn't seem like much but I am beat! Walking without a cane now, but am supposed to carry it with me for stairs/steps and slick conditions. I put the knee replacements off way to long. My biggest issues with rehab have been with trying to get my leg muscles to "fire" correctly. I limped around and compensated using my back muscles for so long (5+ years) that I had to learn how to walk properly again. Therapists are working with me on my lower back as well. If you have knee or hip issues, see a doctor and get them taken care of as soon as you can! I will be ready for spring turkey and summer 3D shoots and I am looking forward to being able to enjoy them without the pain.
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Sam McMichael on January 09, 2017, 12:03:00 PM
I hope your surgery and recovery go well. Do your rehab diligently so you can tromp around the woods again. Good luck!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: ron w on January 09, 2017, 02:07:00 PM
Glad your doing well. I just got back from PT for my new knee. Up 110 degrees, riding a bike and working everyday to get back to "normal". Keep doing your PT and you'll be as good as new......   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: Bowwild on January 09, 2017, 07:23:00 PM
Good to hear Mike!
Title: Re: My season is over...recovering now!
Post by: 30coupe on January 09, 2017, 10:11:00 PM
Good luck with your surgery, Mike. I had my right one replaced in 2002. Next to marrying my wife it was the best decision I've ever made! It had gotten to the point where hunting and even most fishing was out of the question. Finally, even sleeping was getting to be difficult at best and impossible at times.

Just do what the doctor tells you to do after surgery and you will be amazed at how you feel, and how much better hunting and fishing, etc. will become again. It takes 12 to 18 months to completely recover, so don't get down if it feels like it's taking too long. Mine felt great at 12 months and even better at 18.

Keep us posted on your progress.