Ha.
Here I am again. Well, several years ago, Queen Elizabeth II, the year there was a big fire at her home, Diana and Charles got divorced, called that year, her (my latin) "my yearus terribilus" in other words a really really bad year.
I guess you could call June my bad terribilus month. There's never been one like it for me. It is hoped there won't be again, and it left a lot to be desired, and now I feel like I'm a member of the exclusive club of those with new knees. I guess you could say, my pain is usually down to a minimum and that is the reason for celebrating. For it all. But - nothings gained unless you've learned from it.
I learned a lot. It will be worth it. And I apologize for all the complaining. I left some of it out as a favor to you all and my conscience. I still have my other knee to contend with. That will be in Florida, this winter. I'm sure you'll say - not again. Here we go again.
First of all, I want to thank all of you for your kind wishes and messages that poured in from all the people who had knee replacement - and it was a lot. It is amazing how many people have had knee replacement. It is a very popular (?) surgery.
As I said, I learned a lot. First of all, I had a good surgeon. I had it done in a brand new hospital with many soothing, smiling nurses, aides for five days. You'd ring the bell and someone was there almost immediately. I felt like I was in a five-star hotel. Couldn't have asked for anywhere better.
So.....
I had an antibiotic introduced into my system during the operation, standard procedure. Unfortunately it caused my colitis to act up, in the hospital, nursing home and home. so that I wasn't only sore from the operation, but from the colitis. Colitis isn't the anti-immune disease of choice to have when you're helpless. It took a couple of weeks for my brain and body to understand that this wasn't normal and was separate from the knee pain.
No one discovered this secondary problem, colitis, but little ole me. So - I made an appointment with my gastroenterologist when I got out of the nursing home. I am feeling much better now. I can remember the PA telling me as Paul and I left his office, he said - next time. call me. sooner. Right. I shall be more aware of pain that isn't in my knee area when the anesthesia wears off. Was it two weeks I was unknowingly suffering?
During part of that time, I was in a nursing home. We figured that was the best place to be.
It did not make me a happy camper. Most of the food was tasteless. That's not a really big problem. Now, I must say that my gluten free diet didn't help - But I didn't have any appetite anyway. How about - broccoli and cauliflower as a main meal. That was the worst, though. Seriously. And I still don't have an appetite. (I've lost 10 pounds. I always celebrate when that happens . . whatever the reason.)
One episode stands out in my mind - I was walking with my walker in my room and I happened to glance across the hall at the man in that room. He had his face in his food. Like he had passed out. I quickly made my way into the hall where six aides were standing. . . Hey, people, this man needs help. Their response? Is she (meaning me) supposed to be using a walker? What's she doing out in the hall. They did finally respond to him.
Now about the nursing home: They didn't tell me that I was set up to stay for two weeks. It somehow got in my mind that I was to have five days of PT. But they did tell me on Friday, the day I arrived at the nursing home, and the PT people came and measured my knee - See you Monday for PT! What do you mean - no PT until Monday!
Now, keep this in mind . . . Everyone, and I mean everyone, had said - now make sure you follow the therapy. Do it. Don't delay. Here I was without any therapy for two whole days. I figured my new knee was going to wither, dry up and fall off.
So after five days, of which two were the weekend, and didn't include any physical therapy, Paul and I "demanded" a meeting with the higher-ups. (It reminded me of meetings I had with parents, special ed teachers, principal, everyone. How intimidating it must have been for parents.)
I told them I wanna go home. Today. Now. After some gasps and reasons why they couldn't do it, there wasn't time, they had all the papers ready by 4:00. (three hours later) Paul and I were just about ready to get in the car and leave, when someone came racing out and wheeled me back in. I hadn't signed some papers.
I HAD had therapy at that point, and it was good, made a difference, but I didn't need to have to learn how to dress myself, put my socks, shoes on. There were several inventions for me to try. I did. They worked well. I'll get them in Florida.
My dear one was and is the best. He modified the shower in our bathroom - took out our glass door, added a hand-held shower, a seat, and a shower curtain. He got me a phone in the nursing home. We were allowed to bring a phone from home. He brought GF raisin toast, Chex GF cereal, GF cookies, GF pretzels. What a dear. He helped me in so many ways. I felt truly cherished and loved. He's doing all the cooking, and gradually I'm getting to do some things on my own. I'm walking without a cane now. I'm not supposed to, but I do. I go to PT two times a week. Up at Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls. I have a great young lady who's helping me. I practice my exercises here at the house.
Gracie - when I came home, she saw me in the garage in the car - jumped in and cried. It was so sweet. She never got used to the walker, especially at night when I had to get up. Her cry was the saddest of sads. I could feel she could feel how I felt. She's gotten much better now. She still follows me around.
But now she zooms outside. And plays with her toys. BTW - Paul took her to the vet and she had an infection - so she was on an antibiotic and felt much better. So - me being home, her feeling better has made her world a whole lot nicer.
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I've been skyping with Bill and Flor each Sunday night at 9:00, which is 9AM Monday morning there. Little Samantha is finally getting used to me a little bit. She was very shy. Now at least when we were done talking, she (whispered) bye. And her face lights up when she sees Gracie. Gracie responds to Bill. Her head nods when he speaks to her and she looks directly at him. Of course she doesn't understand but recognizes his face and voice.)
Ruth and Carol O from Bath came with some food for the invalid - marvelous. We're still eating parts of the salad makings. Also the Corning relatives brought food. It was wonderful.
Dorothy came by on Friday to say hello and go to Charles' graduation ceremony at Odessa High school.
We've seen Lue - and she's called every night to see how I'm doing, also her friend Ruth who had a hip replaced is doing very well.
Nancy kept in touch a lot, and ordered books on Amazon for me to read on my Kindle. That was a godsend. It let my mind get away. I appreciated that so much.
I got flowers from Paul's children, and a visit from Sharon and the Corning relatives, plus some more flowers.
It's our anniversary and we're going out to Tanino's, my favorite restaurant.
