Postponed Surgery!!

I saw my orthopedic surgeon this morning. He had consulted two other surgeons. One suggested that my repaired leg break needed to heal more before doing a knee replacement. The other one suggested that a knee replacement could be done at any time. Well, my surgeon left the decision up to me, but I could tell that he really thought it best to wait for surgery another 3-4 weeks. Mind you, I was supposed to have surgery NEXT TUESDAY! Well, I decided that I would WAIT for another 3-4 weeks....meaning 15-16 weeks total from March 5th's leg/knee break and 13-14 weeks after having had my leg (Tibia bone) repaired. I do not yet have the final date for surgery.

I'm not happy about being in a wheelchair and wearing this long leg brace for another 3-4 weeks but Psalm 18: 30-36 in the NIV translation has some thoughts that have been good for me. God's way IS Perfect!

30 As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

One thing has changed. I will have Outpatient Physical Therapy at the hospital three times a week until my yet unknown surgery date. The PT will be on my Quads (upper leg), above the knee and also my left ankle, both of which are weak from no or little use. I figure that having the PT before surgery will mean less PT need AFTER surgery!

Today's Positives:
1. After having two Doctors' visits today my friend Su and I went out to eat lunch.
2. Tomorrow I'm going to a Meeting at a Club House...and with my TOPS friends. I've not seen most of them since my "accident". TOPS is "Taking off Pounds Sensibly". Each time that I return from Africa I go back to the same TOPS club to help me keep my weight stable during my U.S. time.
3. I am very glad that I have a Handicapped Bus pass to be able to use for getting to and from the hospital for Physical Therapy. These three times a week sessions will start this Friday.

Thanks everyone for your many prayers over the past 11+ weeks. As you see, they are still needed. Bless you.

Woodbridge Village Photos and "Joint Camp"!

Here are a few photos I took yesterday. The first one is of my apartment building.


Here is a photo of me in the Lobby-Library at the entrance of the apartment building.


Here is friend Nancy with my grocery cart of items bought. The cart is at the entrance of the building so residents can get their groceries to their apartments.



Today's Positives:
1. I heard today that the Omaha bus company accepted my application to take handicapped transportation (Moby). As soon as my bus pass arrives in the mail I will be able to have the bus arrive at the door for me and my wheelchair or walker. My pass will be good for six months.

2. I attended "Joint Camp" today at the hospital. It was an hour long lecture with information needed by me before my total knee replacement surgery which will be on May 29th.

3. After "Joint Camp" Friend Nancy and I went out to Village Inn for lunch. It was free "pie" day at the V.I.

BBQ and more!

Yesterday noon here at the apartment complex we had a BBQ Potluck dinner. Here are a couple of photos.


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Today's Positives:
1. I knew one person in these apartments before I moved in. She invited me to have KFC dinner with her and her family this afternoon. I spent a couple of hours with them.
2. My cell phone quit working today but I took the battery and SIM card out and then put them back in again and my phone started working again.
3. Tomorrow I have a blood draw at my Dr. office and my friend Nancy will take me. I do not know what we'll do afterwards but I suppose we will go somewhere. She's off work tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!

Knee Replacement Surgery Planned!

Three weeks ago I had the metal fixator taken off of my leg...the bar which had held my knee in place. Xrays showed that my knee was in good position.

Last week the Xrays were redone. There was a marked difference in the Xrays done two weeks before and those done last week. In fact, my knee had started to slip out of place. I was fitted with a brace to protect my knee from again going totally out of joint.

This morning I saw one of my orthopedic doctors who agreed with last week's doctor that I needed surgery again. A total knee replacement surgery is now being planned, probably for May 29th. I'm waiting for verification of that date. I am satisfied with this decision.

Today's Positives:
1. It was decided that I needed a total knee replacement and it is being scheduled.
2. I got my hair cut today. First time in three months.
3. I ate lunch at Subway today. WooHoo!
4. I got to go grocery shopping today! I didn't buy much but it was fun being able to choose my own food!!