Wednesday, September 28, 2011

" Total Knee Replacement/Post-Op Week Six, and a Few Blooms "

This is going to be a double post today. I've noticed that many of my flowers are still looking very pretty despite the cooler temperatures and the lack of care. I haven't done any gardening since before my surgery six weeks ago so I am throwing a few blooms in here and there.

I don't know what this one is but it is one of my favorites. A little Hummingbird visits it everyday. As I sit it my chair it is just inches away from me!!


My visit to the surgeon didn't turn out exactly as planned. As a matter of fact I was pretty down after seeing him which is why I didn't post on Monday when I saw him. But all is not lost by any means!!





As you can see, the left knee looks pretty good and it feels great. The right knee however is healing at a much slower pace. The infection is gone (for now) but there is some fluid on the right side of the knee cap. The doctor said that this is normal considering the work that he did on that side. I don't think that I mentioned that my knee caps were ulcerated and they had to shave 9 ml. off each one and then put some sort of polymer or something like that , over the knee caps.
He said the fluid should dissipate on it's own. Lets hope!! The scab is being stubborn as well and if it isn't gone in four weeks, I will have to go back to the hospital to have it removed. I did notice last night that it was loose so I am hoping.

Check out these ferns. They are HUGE!! I bought them at Lowes for $3.50 a piece. They didn't look too good but for the price I couldn't help myself. I re-potted them and look at them now!! 



 


O.K. the knee. I told my doctor that I have felt no improvement in it in weeks. It doesn't actually hurt but it is always achy and tight feeling. The doctor gave me some Celebrex, an anti-inflammatory.
I took the first one yesterday and was very surprised at how much better my knee felt. He said that the knee was still swollen.

 This next flower is just so pretty. I painted and used stamps for the plant stand that it's in.




And that was the extent of my visit. I suppose I expected everything to be perfect and healed by now. I'm not very patient you know. I have to see the doctor again in four weeks. I am off of the awful antibiotics for now, THANK GOD!!!!!!

I am already feeling better just from being off of them.
Last week I splurged on myself and bought about four pounds of Ox Tails. I love them and no one else here will eat them so this was a bit extravagant for me! Since I was feeling a little low yesterday, I fixed up a crock of Ox Tail soup for myself.

How selfish am I ? That's pasta in there. I usually make it with barley but wasn't in the mood this time.

I wish I could remember the name of this next pretty little flower. I think it's called an Ice Plant. It's a perennial. It's very pretty and spreads all over!


 

I'm going to end this with two more photos and I just have to say that I am surprised that they are still alive after the lack of attention!

More Later....

28 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

I think you're actually quite patient.

That pick flower near the end looks like an aster to me, but the foliage doesn't so I dunno.

Rob-bear said...

Sorry to hear about the "lack of progress." Our bodies heal in their own time, which may not correspond with our expectations or experiences. I am glad you're making progress, and hope it continues.
Love the fall flowers, and the fact you have a hummingbird as a regular visitor.
Blessings and Bear hugs.

jules said...

That darn right knee.....hoping it's better soon.

Rebecca said...

I'm impressed, Di! Your flowers are doing SO fantastic! My mother got some ferns this summer and just loves them. (I like to see them, but am not sure how I'd "winter" them....)

Re. the knee...here's hoping - and praying - that "natural" and SUPERnatural healing continues and you won't need further hospitalization.

(On a much smaller scale than yours, I'm a bit discouraged about the itching - all over my body - even as the poison ivy rash ebbs. I'm not very patient either!)

Erik's RV Blog said...

What great pictures! I have no flowers this year but am hoping to do a lot more yard work next year.

I hope the knee gets better and I'm glad the Celebrex is helping, it did nothing for me that I know of.

Good luck!

Erik

Gail said...

HI DI- well, looks like you are dealing with a few healing obstacles, sigh.......as my wonderful Aunt said - "this too shall pass". :-) I love your pictures of your ferns and flowers, lovely. Keep getting better,
Love to you
Gail
peace......

Wanda..... said...

Sorry to hear of the stubborn right knee, DI. At least the swelling is fluid and not infection. A few more days of extra rest can't be all bad, just enjoy your flowers and leftover soup! :)

Sharon said...

I do hope your scab comes off, if not, what would they do to remove it? Great ferns, you did good with them! Mmmmmm ox-tail soup, has been ages! I think by 6 weeks, well, that was a generalization, a goal to shoot for. I think it all takes it's own time. Love the purple flowers!

Have a great evening, take care!

Lynilu said...

I'm sorry to hear the healing is slower than you hoped, but don't let it get you down. Remember you won't heal as fast as you have before, that damned age thing, you know! And I'm glad the Celebrex helped.

Your flowers and plants are beautiful! I'm very sad that much of my last four years of investment (time and money both) was done in by the extremely hard, cold winter and the following drought. It was just too much for my wee garden. Oh well.

Be kind to your self, and TRY to be patient with your body. :) Hugs.

Barb said...

Dear Di, Bummer about the swelling in that right knee. I don't want to interfere or frighten you, but you need to do an on-line search on the side effects of Celebrex. I assume the surgeon knows you had a stroke? Possibly you don't have to be on it too long? I love your glorious fall blooms. I'm thinking of you!

Pramoda Meduri said...

Hi Di..wow.. what else i can say than "wowwwwwww".. pasta, flowers, recovering knees.. perfect to know.;)

Post me the Recipe.;)

hmm.. i like flowers so much..;) i like gardening to :)

Eileen said...

I hate reading that you are having a few set-backs, but I loved reading this post! It was nice to see your beautiful blooms in between hearing the not-so-nice stuff, 'helped me get through it. And when you think about it, I guess that's how we get through most of the 'bad' in life, by making sure some 'beauty' gets thrown in there too. Or, rather, GOD throws the beauty in there for us.

I've never had ox tail soup, 'wish I was close enough to pay you a visit and have a taste!
And I love what you did with the plant stand! So pretty!

And your knees are looking better, really healing nicely. 'Hope it feels that way for you soon too!

I love all your blooms but I am partial to those green ferns. LOVE THEM!

Thanks, Di, for your visits and your support.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Leontien said...

I think you are doing pretty good!

And the flowers look lovely!

Leontien

Amity said...

Hi Di,

How are you feelin right now...I wish to see a cheerful DI...hoping and praying that you will recuperate soon, very soon! And I know you can do that because you are a very strong woman...:)

Those flowers must have therapeutic effects on you and thank goodness that in spite of the lack of tender loving care from you...they are still blooming...to give colors and smile to your day...:)

Cheer up, you will soon be okay and back to your good old self!

Love you Di, take care!

Christine said...

So sorry that things are going a bit slow for the right knee. Be careful with the celebrex. I was on Mobic with my knees and stayed on it longer (by Dr. orders) and ended up with a bleeding ulcer in my tummy! Scarey! I go for my consult to set up surgery soon so I'm starting to get nervous about it. Take care. Hugs!

Sandi said...

Oh Di, I'm so sorry about that wretched old knee giving you trouble! At least one of them is doing well, so you can be thankful for that.

I loved the flowers interspersed in your post, too. What a clever idea to help soften some of the rotten news!

You will be surprised how fast you start healing once that swelling is less. I just had my 3 month check up and I'm truly recovered. I haven't tried to hike yet, but maybe next weekend when my oldest daughter is home we'll try a short one.

I now have moments when I feel so good that I forget I had surgery. (They don't last too long, but I have them, and I know they will last longer as time goes on!)

Keep your chin up, and keep exercising, and don't lose hope.

Love and hugs,
Sandi

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Goodness to glory sister, heaven knows I'm not a patient person. I think your doin' remarkably well in that department.

Seein' what you went through with your knees just makes me hurt. Girl, I pray a healin' touch from God will heal 'em completely.

I loved your flower pictures!

God bless ya and have a fantastic weekend.

All Dolled Up Doll Clothes said...

HI Di! I'm sorry I've been away for so long but it seems that you are recovering well from your surgery. I think that despite the lack of attention from you, "Someone" else knew how much you love the flowers and plants so "He" cared for them for you so you could have a little something beautiful and colorful to enjoy while you recovered.

It looks like DH will need replacement surgery on his left knee. I'll probably post about that later so I'll be watching for any tips or advice you can offer.
Hugs
Terrie

Barb said...

Hi Again, Di, I'm checking on you because you haven't posted for awhile. Hope you're just "running around" and don't have time. Thinking of you.

The Bookworm said...

Hi Diana. I hope you're healing and getting better. It will take time. I'm sorry you have been down lately. I have no patience myself.

The flowers are lovely, and look like they have really lasted for you. Today I chopped down my sunflowers, since they were officially dead and I hate the look of them that way.

four pounds of Ox Tails? lol...enjoy that! I've never had them, but my one girlfirend, she is Jamaican, and she loves them too.

Need A Latte Mom said...

Hang in there girl! My mom still has some tightness in here hip and knee from her fall in the spring. Keep up with your therapy and you will be chaisng grandkids all over the place.
OK...Ox Tail? BLHECK!
Give me Lutafisk any day of the week!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

'Just checkin' in to see how those knees are doin'!

Hope your feelin' better sweetie.

God bless ya!!! :o)

Unknown said...

Hi...just came upon your Blog. First one I've come across with more detail...and pictures....of having bilateral knee replacement surgery. Been reading through your experience. Compared to your experience I guess I can be grateful I didn't get an infection. Sorry you went through that. Just wanted to stop in and say Hi. Till next time...see you on the blog. Tricia (nwlambear)

Jackie said...

Hi Di...You know that I am thinking about you. It is always good to talk with you, and I hope that you are feeling better every day.
Your flowers and ferns are BEAUTIFUL...and look at that plant stand that you painted and stamped! Aren't you the most talented lady!!
Our hummingbirds left last week (hopefully!...They tend to stay around here if we leave the feeders out...and that is not good for them as they need to make the trek South.)
I send you an extra extra hug this evening....and hope that you have a terrific week and a great weekend. Call me any time. Love you, my friend.
Jackie

Unknown said...

Hello beautiful friend! YES everyone is thinking of you and everyone is hopeing and praying for your still quick recovery! I think you are amazing. I am such a big ballbaby. I cry at the slightest pain in my back or leg or arthritis pain in my joints and just start taking medication to ease everything. It would be amazing to be completely off of any kind of drug except an occasional asprin! I know about those awful antibiotics. In January I had a stupid bladder infection that lasted 6 weeks! yeah 6 weeks of horrible antibiotics, and I think good ole cranberry juice daily (even today) EVERY DAY has fixed the problem! YOUR plants looks lovely and so full of life...just like YOU! Hope your feeling better... hugs..linda

Joy said...

Diana, you are so funny... you jump back and forth from comments about your knees to comments about your flowers! I can tell you are getting back into the swing of things!

yes, that is an ice plant flower, I used to have them. They did spread all over. The Boston Ferns are beautiful, but now, you'll have to find a place inside for them this winter.

have a great day.

Private Knee Surgery said...

O my God it looks so pain full :(
How could you manage your daily routine work? Get well soon.

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