Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Car Keys!

Monday I saw my surgeon, for my six-week check-up on my new knee. I was really looking forward to this appointment. Although I thought I was making pretty good progress, I did have some concerns: Was I still supposed to have this much stiffness in the knee? How long will I need to be taking over-the-counter pain medication, and is Aleve safe to take for that long? Was it normal to be stiff and sore when standing up after sitting for awhile? What should I be putting on the scar to minimize it? Should I have better flexion by this time? Should I be concerned about my lack of both strength and endurance? Would water aerobics be a good exercise choice? And . . . CAN I DRIVE NOW?

I had x-rays taken before the appointment. My doctor, and the resident who was working with him, answered all of my questions and relieved all of my concerns. The x-rays showed that the artificial knee joint is perfectly placed. Not only is everything I'm experiencing normal, but, according to the doc, I'm ahead of the curve in my recovery! He reminded me that it takes a full year for complete recovery. I need to be patient.

And YES, he released me to drive!

Keys in hand, and ready to hit the mall! 



Sunday, July 14, 2013

This, That and The Other

The Birds
For almost a week the baby birds were leaving the nest early in the morning (I watched them leave, one at a time, the first day), but returning at night. Saturday night, however, they didn't return, and I haven't seen them since early Saturday morning. I guess we can officially call it an empty nest!

The Knee
I know I'm getting better and better, but the progress isn't a straight upward line. Some days are really good, and some days I feel really stiff and sore (like today). But I'm able to do more and more as time goes on. Dan still fixes our breakfast; I think he kind of enjoys it. But I'm doing my own lunch (we seldom seem to eat lunch together, and often eat different things), and doing most of the dinner prep. I'm also doing a little bit of housecleaning, which is really overdue. I think my time of being waited on is about to end (sigh).

Dan
You may remember that Dan had a trip to the ER a few days before I had my surgery. He was put on some potent antibiotics, but after he completed them the infection returned, sending him back to the ER one night. I was still using a walker at the time, and would have been no help, so he took himself in that time. Since then he's been back on multiple forms of antibiotics and other meds, trying to get completely well. I have felt so sorry, because he was having to take care of me while he was feeling pretty rotten himself. I'm happy to say that, although he's still on some of the meds, he's feeling much better again.

What We Have Been Doing
I've been feeling a little bit stir crazy, not being able to drive yet. Whenever Dan runs an errand I tag along, just to get out a bit. I'm hoping my doc will clear me to drive when I go in for my appointment, a week from tomorrow. And THEN I will be heading to the mall or to Kohl's to find some badly needed clothes that fit my body.

We've resumed our Saturday morning breakfasts out. And on Dan's birthday (July 8) we went to Olive Garden with our friends, Al and Wynn, to celebrate. We even ordered desserts! Did you know Olive Garden has some little tiny desserts on their menu (Piccoli Dolcis, or "little desserts") now. They are perfect to end a special meal, because they give you a taste of sweetness without over-filling you (I recommend the strawberry and white chocolate one). Plus they are way less expensive than the regular desserts - $2.50 each or 3 for $6.65. (This is NOT a paid advertisement, but I thought I'd share the info with my loyal readers.)

On Friday Dan and I went to the afternoon movie matinee to see The Lone Ranger. Of course, we both grew up watching the Clayton Moore/Jay Silverheels TV version of the Lone Ranger, and have grand memories of it. But there is another reason we had to go see this new, Armie Hammer/Johnny Depp movie. Back in Albuquerque, I worked closely with a fellow named Karl. For several years Karl has been going to casting calls for extras in movies. He's had good success, and, I think, has always been chosen. As a result, he's had fleeting appearances in the sci-fi movie, Paul; and in The Avengers. He was also chosen for The Lone Ranger, and was actually given a role as . . . the accountant for the brothel (ha!). In that role, he actually had a scene where he appeared one-on-one with Helena Bonham Carter (the "madam"). Sadly, after he saw the movie, he wrote to tell me that that scene had been left on the cutting-room floor, but that he, once again, had a fleeting appearance in another scene. It was so fleeting that he knew I wouldn't be able to find or identify him without his help. He told me when and where to watch in order to see him, dressed in black and standing on a balcony behind a rather chaotic scene in the movie. Thanks to his direction, Dan and I both spotted him. As for the movie . . . I guess a lot of critics have panned it, but we thought it was great fun. If you are expecting a serious re-make of The Lone Ranger, you will be disappointed. This movie borders on a spoof, and has some wonderful humor for those of us who remember the old times. Johnny Depp is a hilarious Tonto. The story is told in a style reminiscent of The Never Ending Story or, even, Princess Bride. At the climax, when the William Tell Overture is played with a full orchestra, I became a six-year-old kid again, cheering for the guy in the white hat.

What We Want To Do
So . . . we have decided that, shortly after I have that doctor's appointment, a week from tomorrow, we need to get out of town for two or three days. We are looking for a place to go with a little bit of a resort feel. Maybe on a lake. Maybe in the piney woods of East Texas. Maybe in the Hill Country. I don't know yet. If any of you know of the perfect spot within 4 or 5 hours of Temple, please share by leaving a comment.

Monday, July 8, 2013

The Triplets

Our baby birds are really changing (see previous pictures)! Every day I expect to see an empty nest, because I'm sure they are close to flying off on their own. 



Friday, July 5, 2013

PT Graduation

I'm four weeks and two days post surgery. The physical therapist supervisor came to the house today to evaluate my progress and make his recommendation for moving forward. He recommended no further therapy, other than the exercises that I am doing on my own -- lots of flexing and stretching. He'd like to see my knee flex another ten degrees, but says I should have no problem getting to that point on my own. I'm at 110 degrees now.

He encouraged me to resume normal activities, as much as possible. The only thing that is holding me back a bit is the hip pain I've been experiencing. I have been attributing it to my sciatic nerve, but he feels it is more likely muscular in nature and could have been brought on by my new gait, and by the fact that my leg is probably a wee bit longer than it was pre-surgery. He thinks that some deep tissue massage would ease that pain, and recommends that I make an appointment with a massage therapist for that.

My next appointment will be on July 22, for my six-week appointment with the surgeon. Hopefully he will give me the green light to start driving at that time.

I have continued to lose weight since the surgery. I'm now down 65 pounds since I started, around the first of October. Although I'm happy to have made that much progress, my wardrobe is sad, sad, sad. I have absolutely nothing that fits any more. Once I can drive again, shopping for new clothes will be at the top of my to-do list.