Four weeks postop!

My new knee is 4 weeks and 3 days old now. It's getting stronger and stronger, and I can walk around the house without the cane, most of the time.

We started back to work on Thursday. We had inservices all day Thursday and half of Friday, then we were released back to our buildings to set up our offices. 

We've had some gorgeous weather in August. A lot of the nights we could turn off the AC and open the windows. Towards morning, it gets chilly, which feels wonderful. More nights than not, I sleep well. 

Steph and Dan are visiting Manda, Ben and Amary this weekend- I'm so glad they are able to see each other reasonably often, so Amary knows who they are. 

Today starts a three day weekend! We've already been to the grocery store, and I'm planning to make meatloaf for dinner, one of our favorites. We'll have mashed potatoes with the meatloaf. 

And now to get off the computer and accomplish something!

Holly

Three Weeks Post-op!

The new knee is doing very well. The walker is history, and  so is the leg lifter. I still need the shower chair, and the cane most of the time. It takes a few steps for the leg to get going right. 

I got the 22 staples removed last week. Wow, did that hurt! More than I expected! And it throbbed for hours. The xrays look good, and ortho is very happy with my bend and straightening. Now I have to strengthen it. 

As soon as the staples came out, I started driving. It's my left knee, so the hard part is getting it up into the car. Ralph is thrilled that I'm driving!

The invitations are out for the celebration of Steph and Dan's marriage! I'm very excited to have them all come home for that in October. 

This will be my 25th year as a school nurse, and most likely my last working full time. I wasn't ready to retire, and suddenly I am ready. I'd like to work a few days a week, so I have to explore that. 

After a week of beautiful temps, it got hot and humid again, and the AC is back on. 

And so it goes!
Holly

Two weeks out!

I've had my new left knee for two weeks today. Tomorrow I go for a followup appointment with ortho, and get the staples out. The bruising is almost all gone, and the edges of the incision are well approximated- the staples need to come out. I've been transitioning from the walker to the cane. I was doing great til yesterday, when we had a rainy day and I could barely move! I'm icing it a couple times a day, elevating it a lot, and tylenol is pretty much controlling the pain.

We go out somewhere almost every day. Yesterday I got a long overdue haircut, and we went to breakfast. Today I stayed in, tomorrow will be ortho. Considering that 2 weeks out with the first knee, I was just leaving rehab, I'm doing great. But it's just not going fast enough! I'm tired of being a patient! 

I've gotten a lot of reading done, and a lot of crocheting done. I don't feel like I can stand long enough to cut fabric, so no sewing yet. I've cooked several meals, though. 

It's going down into the 50's tonight, so I turned off the AC and opened the windows. It should be nice for at least a few days. 

And all too soon, August 28 will come and I'll go back to work. Another school year starting- my last year before I retire!

And so it goes!
Holly

A New Knee!

Wow, the difference two years can make! I got my right knee replaced in June 2012. 3 nights in the hospital, 10 days in rehab. In 2013 my insurance company and the hospital were in negotiations. They finally came to agreement this February, but I wanted to go to the Pacific Northwest before getting my left knee replaced. 

So I went in on Wednesday, July 30. I was the first case. New technique, spinal anesthesia with sedation, rather than general. I got to my room at noon. At 2 pm, PT had me up walking with the walker, and left the walker so the nurses could assist me to the bathroom. I even sat up in the chair.

Thursday, postop day one, PT walked me in the hallway, and we did steps. I was discharged home right after lunch! Friday, home PT came out and had me do exercises, and left me a list. She'll be back three times a week for two weeks. 

I'm getting around well with the walker. I do the exercises, ice the knee, and sleep. Tylenol is so far controlling the pain. It's amazing the changes in procedure!

And now I have to do the exercises again!

Holly