" This One's for You Ginny "

My new Tee-Shirt from Ginny, cool right?

My lovely daughter, Ginny, in a text this morning, suggested that I update my blog. So here I am. Once again apologizing for being gone so long but I've been busy recovering. So here you go my dear daughter and friends.

BILATERAL KNEE SURGERY

POST-OP DAY 18

What can I say, this was a big surgery. While I was mentally and physically prepared for it I really didn't have a clue what I would be going through. Everyone is different.

If you were to ask me what was the worst thing that I've been through during this time, I can say with all honesty that it Wasn't the pain but the lack of sleep at night or anytime for that matter.

The nighttime discomfort is not easily quelled by pain or sleeping pills so it is just something that I've had to deal with on a daily and nightly basis. 

That is until last night. Last night was the first night that I have had any real sleep and slept past 7:00 a.m. for the first time in a long while. So today was a very good day. 

Not only did I get sleep but I climbed and descended 14 stairs with my only assist being my cane and my therapist standing behind me. And just like riding a bike I can tell you that it is easier going down than coming up!

But I did it and felt so elated and so strong afterward, it was amazing. 

Knee's before surgery

Speaking of amazing, apparently that is what I am. Let me explain. I have never in my entire 53 years had so many compliments as I have had in the past 18 days. From doctors to nurses to therapists, supposedly I am really a bionic woman. 

Healing tape and special wrap that allows for showers.

I am rarely using the walker anymore except for in the mornings and evenings. My flexion measurements are already about as good as they are going to get. That means that I can almost straighten and bend my knees as far as they can go. 

I have four sets of exercises that I do everyday like clockwork, which by the way I need to do soon again. I have been working diligently on strengthening the muscles that surround the knee. That is key to getting movement back and above what it was previous to the surgery.

After having staples removed yesterday.

 

Oh and before I forget, having at least forty staples removed is a bitch!! Sorry but it just flat out hurts. My husbands hand was probably sore after all of the squeezing I did to it yesterday while the nurse removed them.

Speaking of my husband, he is pretty amazing himself. He has taken such good care of me and our home and daughter. He waits on me, really. He gets me anything that I want and never complains. Truthfully, I don't think that I could have done a better job. Talk about feeling loved, if that's not true love than I don't know what is.

My daughter, Ginny came for a visit the weekend after I came home from the hospital. She brought me the tee-shirt that I was wearing in the above photo along with a few other awesome gifts! I was so grateful for her visit. At night she would lay in bed with me and have me laughing so hard that I could feel the pain disappear momentarily. I absolutely love the way she can get me laughing. It's a crying shame that gift of hers can't be bottled and sold.

Anyway it was so good to see and hold her in my arms. The best ever medicine. Thank you Ginny, I love you.

This hasn't been an easy trip by any means but I am so determined and stubborn that I knew it wouldn't keep me down for long. It will be a few more weeks or sooner before I can drive. I have to be off of the pain meds first and it's a bit too soon for that. 

Next week is my last week of therapy. After that I am on my own which is fine. I feel good and strong. Stronger everyday.

I still haven't read any blogs at all. I am sorry for that. I'm just not ready yet. Recovery is hard work and it's tiring. But I will get there soon. My husband has to go back over the road next Tuesday and I will be on my own so I am working on doing things for myself again.

That's kind of hard when you have a spouse who waits on you hand and foot!!

I should have plenty of time to start catching up with everyone next week. Until then, hope you have a great holiday weekend and thanks for stopping by.