A New Knee for Terri

The staples - looks worse than it is.  Only a few more days and they'll be out of there.

This is how I get around.  It makes me feel like a little old lady but it allows me to move all over the place so I can't complain too much.  In fact, I'm getting pretty good with this.

OK, I forgot to turn the picture, but this is the wonderful poster/bag/gift the Young Women brought me.  I'm so lucky to work with them.

After Girls' Camp, Youth Conference, Family Camping, I couldn't think of any more reasons to put off getting a new knee.  The shot that had made the old one bearable was wearing off fast and I hurt.  So Tuesday, June 30 I went to the Westlake Hospital at 5:30am to get a replacement.  It was so easy.  No waiting time at all.  At 5:30 I went into the pre-op area to get ready for surgery, someone installed the IV line and before I knew it I was waking up, all done.  In the past the waiting around, then being wheeled into the OR always freaked me out.  Didn't have to do that this time.

Pain meds were automatic for the first few days - thankfully.  The hardest part was the bed pan - I do NOT recommend them.  But the room was amazing.  I had a corner room with two big windows showing me squirrels playing in the trees, and a 60 inch flat screen TV.  Everyone was nice and I almost felt like I was on vacation - except for the whole bandaged up painful knee thing.

Physical therapy started on day 2.  Not my favorite part of the experience.  Just taking one step was difficult.  But at least that meant I could forgo the bed pan and visit the real bathroom.

I was a little sad to leave the hospital - they do spoil the patients there.  But Danny was an amazing care taker.  He made me chicken soup - from scratch -and made sure I did my exercises.  He brought me whatever I needed and tucked me in bed, or helped me get up - whatever I wanted.  He sat with me while I ate, or watched TV so I wouldn't be alone.  He even gives me shots every day so I don't get blod clots.  

Now Physical therapy comes every day and they tell me I'm doing well - but I still feel like I can't move without discomfort.  I can flatten my leg all the way and bend it to a 93 degree angle - not comfortably at all.  I walk with a walker like a little old lady and even made the trek to the mail box a few times.

The best parts of the week have been the visits.  The Oliphant girls made me a giant Chocolate Chip cookie and brought it to me on Sunday.  On Tuesday some of the Young Women came by and brought me a poster, decorated bag, and ceramic box.  It was so great to see them.  My friend Isabelle visited, and my visiting teacher brought me a yummy dinner that I told her I didn't need - but I 'm glad she didn't listen.  She even took time to harvest the garden for me and is planning to make something with the rhubarb and bring it along next week.

I don't know that I'd do this for fun - it is certainly not fun - but I think having the new knee will be such a blessing to me.  I foresee a future where I can walk again, climb hills if I want, and not have to hang behind everyone else because of knee pain.  The doctor and everyone else has told me to expect full recovery in 4-6 months.  Surely I can do better than that, right?    I'll keep you posted.