Two Weeks after Total Knee Replacement!

On Saturday two of my nieces and one of my grandnephews came to visit me for awhile. They live in Colorado so I was very glad to see them.



After they left I received a phone call from "Edible Arrangements" "Edible Arrangements" wanted to make a delivery that needed refrigeration. Here is the lovely fruit arrangement that I received. I found out later was from a retired woman from church.



Sunday morning I went to church. Veterans were honored during the 9am service. I am Veteran Army Nurse.

I am now on Post Operative day 13 since having my total knee replacement on June 19th. This morning I had another visit with my Orthopedic Surgeon after he had put me on strong antibiotics last Friday due to a very reddened area around my incision. The skin was much better today. I will finish the ten day of antibiotics but I do not need to see the Dr. again for four more weeks which will be my six week checkup. I was glad that the infection is clearing up.

This week I will finish up Home Health Care and on Friday I will start outpatient Physical Therapy. I will have Heidi, the same Physical Therapist who did electric stimulation of my "quads" for three weeks before my knee replacement surgery. I am glad that I will have Heidi again as I like the way she worked.

Today's Positives:
1. My infection is clearing up.
2. I am coming off of "shut in" status so I will be able to leave the house to do something special on July 4th. I'm not sure what it will be yet!!
3. When questioned about the bending of my knee Dr. said that he did not know if I would be able to bend it 90 Degrees even by the time I see him for my six week checkup. Most people need to bend their knee that much by a few days after surgery. Mine has bent between 60-65 degrees, today only 60 degrees. I am glad that at least I know what the Dr. expects of my knee/me. My knee has gone through a lot since I broke it on March 5th.

Thursday will be my Four Month Anniversary since I broke my knee. I'm not sure if that is something to celebrate or not. I prefer to celebrate that I can now WALK!!

What did I learn about S'Mores?

A marshmallow can be "roasted" over an electric stove! :-)



Countdown 'til my total knee surgery, 16 days (June 19th)!
Have a great day!!

Thanks for coming back for S'More of my BLOGGING! 246

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!!