Amber Carr-recover from knee replacement surgery

Hi my name is Amber Carr and I’ve decided to set my pride aside and put my vulnerable self out there. Im writing this with tears falling so bare with me.

I have my own pet sitting and dog walking business called Avery’s House of Paws that I started in August 2016. I named my business after my sweet pup, Avery. That’s her in the cover photo. I’m a one woman operation. I love what I do but unfortunately I’ve had to have some surgeries the past couple years and also help with taking care of my parents the past three years. One of the challenges with being self employed in my line of business is not having an income when you take time off for the above mentioned or taking time off period.

In May of 2021 I had lateral epicondilis (tennis elbow) surgery on my right elbow. October of 2021 I had major spine surgery—>L4/L5 fused, laminectomy & synovial cyst removal. On October 19, 2022 I had total knee replacement surgery of my right knee. A little backstory…I tore my lateral meniscus in my right knee senior year (1998) of high school playing soccer. I had to have surgery and the doc removed 70% of my lateral meniscus and I was told I’d have early onset of arthritis. I did. It ached here and there but nothing serious until my knee started bothering me in Nov of 2018. I chalked it up to overworking myself with dogwalks, etc. On November 28th 2018, I went to go sit down on a bench at a dog park and I heard my knee go crunch crunch crunch. I was unable to walk and had to go to the ER. I had an MRI and was told I have severe arthritis and there is nothing they could really do. I’ve had countless cortisone shots, customized knee brace, hyaluronic acid injections, medial branch blocks, radio frequency ablation, etc etc. my knee just hasn’t been the same since that day. I developed a limp and that has thrown off my body mechanics.

I’m struggling with this recovery in regards to controlling my pain. I had terrible sciatica Before my back surgery last year and thankfully after that surgery the sciatica disappeared but unfortunately it came back a couple weeks before my knee replacement surgery. When I woke up from my knee replacement surgery I of course had the expected knee pain but also the sciatica was in full force. I’ve been to the ER three times 11/3, 11/5 & 11/7. My surgeon says my knee looks good and that my range of motion is great. PT agrees. In addition to sciatica I have this ugly shin pain that feels like a super intense shin splint. It can be incredibly debilitating.

This has been one gnarly rollercoaster. I’ve cried probably everyday multiple times a day since October 19. I’m exhausted. My family is exhausted. I cannot thank my friends and family enough who have been there for me over the phone while I cry to them, picking up written prescriptions for me and dropping them off at the pharmacy and picking them up from the pharmacy, etc etc. my sister Kelly dropping me off at the Er, picking me up and dropping off again at the ER a couple days later. She also picked up Written RX for me etc.A sweet friend ordering me a Lyft home from the ER at 230am. My mom and my sister Jenifer who flew out from Ohio helped me the first two weeks. It was ugly. I exhausted my sister and mom completely. Unfortunately my sis, Jen had to go back home to Ohio. My poor Mom was so exhausted. Her poor immune system. From Oct 2019-May of 2021 she had pneumonia sometimes double & sepsis and septic shock FIVE times. In the Summer of 2019 my father had a minor stroke and lost so much of his vision that he can’t read anything unless it’s with a magnifying glass. He no longer can drive. He also broke his neck (c2) that summer. Feb of 2020 he fell and smacked his head on the kitchen tile. Summer of 2021 he had a psychotic break and was seeing and hearing things. Months later he returned to “normal.” Summer of 2022 he had another psychotic break. Split his head open on the kitchen tile, got stitches, blood transfusion, blood sugar dropped to 28 one night in his sleep, etc etc. My dad Has helped me the best he can as well. He gets me ice packs etc.

I know that was long winded but I wanted to give you some history. Recovery is a good 2-3 months at least. Everyone is different. I’m not sure exactly when I’ll be able to return to my li job full time given that it can be a physical job and I have to be extra careful

I’m struggling. If you would like to help me in any possible way I would so greatly appreciate it. I know this too shall pass. thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you prefer to donate thru Venmo, zelle, etc…feel free to reach out to me @ [email redacted]

This was not easy for me to do but I felt it was ok to do therefore gave myself permission to be extra vulnerable. I’m sure there are plenty of grammatical errors etc. it is what it is.

Thank you.

Amber “Sparkles” Carr