52 in 2013 - #18 Theme of the Week: Reflections

Pond on the campus of University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Belton, Texas

52 in 2013 - #17 Theme of the Week: Off Beat/Quirky

A quirky fence in Salado, Texas

Welcome to Texas, Milt and Susie

Back in 1967 I came to Abilene Christian College as a freshman, and met Dan, who was two years ahead of me in school. Because of that, he had a well-established circle of friends; I was the new-comer in that circle. Although some of Dan's friends were never more than acquaintances to me, a few of them I grew to love as true friends. Two of those friends were Milt and Susie. They were newlyweds when I first met them. Two years later, when Dan and I were about to tie the knot, Susie hosted a bridal shower - a lingerie shower, to be more precise - for me in their cute little apartment, just across the street from campus.

That was back in 1969. Since then we have kept in touch only at Christmas time. We did get together one weekend, in 1979, at a mutual friend's home in Redding, California. That was the last time we had seen them until this week.

Milt and Susie have just made a big move from their long-time home in California to Georgetown, north of Austin. Their new house is about 45 minutes away from ours. Milt called us Monday morning to let us know that we are now "neighbors." Dan and I drove down, that very day, to have lunch with Milt. Susie is continuing her employment with her California employer by telecommuting from a home office. Since she was just getting back to work, after their move, she wasn't able to go to lunch with us, although we did get to visit briefly. We're excited to have Milt and Susie back in our lives, and look forward to many more good times together.

Milt and Dan - college pals

Trading In the Old for New

Every car owner knows that there comes a time when the old worn-out car just won't dependably get you around any more, and needs to be traded in for new "wheels." Well, metaphorically speaking, MY wheels have worn out and I'm no longer able to safely and easily get around. I'm not talking about my little red VW; I'm referring to my creaky, unstable, painful KNEES.

Today I saw an orthopaedic surgeon. I told him I'm DONE with all of the Bandaid fixes I've been trying; I'm DONE with haltingly walking up- and downstairs sideways, like a crab; I'm DONE with not being able to walk around the block; I'm DONE with waking at night and painfully trying to unbend my knees; I'm DONE turning down invitations to do fun things because my knees won't get me through the day; and I'm READY to trade in my worn-out knees for some shiny new metal and plastic ones (with that new-car smell).

What I didn't expect was how quickly the Doctor said he could accommodate my request. He offered me a date this very month, but I declined and chose, instead, a June 4 date. That will give me a month to prepare myself for this adventure and to make a quick trip to New Mexico to see my Mom. I know I won't be able to travel for a while afterward, so I want to go visit her prior to the surgery.

On June 4 I will be having my right knee done. As long as all goes well, I should be able to have the left one done three to six months later. I asked a lot of questions, and the doc was kind and patient in answering them. I'm sure I'll have others, but I am signed up to attend Scott & White's Rapid Recovery Joint Class, known colloquially as "Joint Camp," where prospective patients (like me) and their at-home care givers (like Dan) will get a ton of information and have the opportunity to ask anything and everything of the experts.

I plan to blog about this experience, from start to finish, mostly for my own benefit. It will help me when I'm going through it a second time. I'll have something to refer to and to compare with. Come along on this journey with me, if you're interested!