1. Introduction
Walking Beside You
Support through lived experience
I offer support from my own experience of total knee replacement surgery. I know the pain I experienced, how tired I became, and how much support I needed. While your journey will be uniquely yours, you don't have to walk it alone.
I'd like to walk beside you on your journey, so that you have someone who understands and someone you can reach out to. I will suggest movement practices that supported me in the lead-up to surgery and during recovery. Some of these practices may help you too.
I'll listen. I'll share what helped me before surgery, during my hospital stay, and throughout recovery—not only the physical challenges, but the mental and emotional ones as well.
Your orthopaedic surgeon's role is to prepare you for the operation and guide your medical recovery. My role is different.
Walking beside you is built on lived, real and recent experience. I’m here to support and encourage you throughout your journey.
I created Walking Beside You because, during my own recovery, I realised how valuable it would have been to have someone who had recently walked the same road.
You don't have to do this alone.
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2. My Story
For many years I lived with bone-on-bone arthritis in my left knee. Like many people, I gradually adapted. I accepted the pain, changed the way I moved and convinced myself I could keep going.
Then my right knee suddenly failed.
At that point, surgery was no longer something to think about—it became my only realistic option.
Like most people, I had countless questions.
Which orthopaedic surgeon should I choose? Should I stay in Bundaberg or travel to Brisbane? Was it worth paying more for the surgeon I felt most comfortable with? Every decision felt important because I knew there was no turning back once I committed.
The next decision surprised even more people.
Rather than having one knee replaced and waiting six weeks before having the second, I chose to have both knees replaced during the same operation.
Some people told me I was brave.
Others—including one physiotherapist—thought I was making a mistake.
My orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Murray, looked beyond my age. After watching me get down onto the floor and back up again, he quietly said, "You'll be fine." His confidence gave me confidence.
Three weeks before surgery, my dog scratched my leg. The wound became infected and my operation had to be postponed for a month.
I can't adequately describe how disappointed I felt.
One small scratch changed everything.
It taught me my first lesson: in the weeks leading up to surgery, protect yourself. Even something that seems insignificant can delay the operation you've been preparing yourself for.
The surgery itself was only the beginning.
Recovery demanded far more patience than I expected.
There were good days and difficult days. Pain, stiffness, interrupted sleep, swelling, tiredness and frustration all became part of the journey. There were also small victories that nobody else could see but meant everything to me—the first comfortable night's sleep, walking a little further, standing a little taller and realising that, slowly, I was getting my life back.
Four weeks after surgery, I forgot for a moment that my body was still healing. I instinctively bent to lift a heavy bag of garden soil. The extra strain went through my shoulder instead of my recovering knees, and I suffered a serious injury that has since led to the need for reverse shoulder replacement surgery.
That experience taught me another important lesson. Recovery isn't just about determination. It's also about patience. Even when you start feeling better, your body is still healing.
The moments I remember most weren't during the day.
They were often around 3:30 in the morning.
Nothing was wrong. I simply couldn't get comfortable. I was tired, restless and sore. Those quiet hours felt surprisingly lonely.
It was during those nights that I realised how valuable it would have been to have someone who had recently walked the same road. Not for medical advice. Not to fix anything. Just someone who understood and could simply say, "I'm here."
Throughout my recovery I kept reminding myself of one simple truth.
The pain was temporary.
The stiffness was temporary.
The sleepless nights were temporary.
Every day I was healing. Every day I was getting stronger. I was going to be fine.
That experience became the foundation of Walking Beside You.
I can't walk your journey for you.
But I can walk beside you.
3. Who This Is For
People who are preparing for total knee replacement surgery.
If you are recently home from hospital and struggling.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain or alone.
Anyone wanting practical guidance from someone with recent lived experience.
I created Walking Beside You because I would have loved someone to simply say, 'I'm here for you.
4. How I Walk Beside You
Walking Beside You is simply one person walking with another.
I can't tell you what your journey will be like because it will be different from mine.
I will listen
I wont rush to solutions
I wont offer advice
I will share what worked for me
Support maybe just a chat, encouragement, gentle reflection or practical tips that worked for me.
I will keep you company when when you are hurting, feeling alone and simply want someone to talk to.
5. Why this matter to me
I'm someone who has walked this path and understands the preparation required and what recovery feels like. I offering to walk with you.
6. Why you could ring me
The first conversation is completely free.
No obligation. Just an opportunity to meet, hear your story and see whether we’re the right fit for one another.
7. Important Disclaimer
Walking Beside You provides lived-experience support only and does not replace advice from your surgeon, GP, physiotherapist or other healthcare professionals.
8. Contact
David Chauncy
Phone: 0402 262 202
Email: david@eljs.au
Website: www.eljs.au