My New Knee: Welcome to my Geriatric Paradise

Well I survived ( barely) my first surgery( knee replacement) and my first trip to the emergency room as a patient. I have been too sick to take pictures and document things every step of the way. I feel bad I don't have pictures of all the flowers, meals, treats, gifts, etc. I got cute socks, books, tulips, daisies, candy , zillions of cards and all kinds of wonderful surprises. But they are etched in my memory. Today, February 27, 2011 , I write what I can and take a few pictures of things still up. My surgery was Feb 1st.

I could spend hours on the hospital experience and all that was wrong..... but that would just wear me out beyond measure. Let me just say, you need a patient advocate when you go to the hospital. TRUST ME...you do. The doctor was awesome......just the other people I could complain about. I did get the award for their most alert post-op patient. Back in my room shortly after surgery...... my make-up on, a diet pepsi in hand, Oprah on TV and Greg getting my computer hooked up so I was back in business. I even started answering my NOTARY phone a few hours post op. I sent Greg home to sleep as he has been up all night. My nurse couldn't believe I was running a business from my bed on my surgery day. Welcome to the world of the self-employed. It was ok as my epidural hadn't worn off yet, so I was talking rationally. But as time went on and more narcotics became involved, I was slurring my words and falling asleep mid-sentence. Good thing my business conversations are short.

This has been an unbelievable experience for me. Lots of pain involved. But the love and support from friends and family has been spectacular. I have had real nurses and faux nurses ( friends), brutal physical therapists, maids, visitors bearing gifts, snacks and treats, yummy meals, packages in the mail, FB messages, phone calls, emails, tons of cards, flowers, blueberries , expansion socks to keep from getting blood clots ( I really hate them and so does Greg who has to put them on me everyday), leg massages, geriatric contraptions and supplies, and lots of medicine (check out my pharmacy on the table) to help me get better. My room upstairs looked like a "geriatric paradise"...just like I remember my mom's and grandma's in days gone by. Thanks to all who loaned me STUFF for the short time I will need it. Corrine's cane, Nedra's walker and Billy's high potty chair ( my favorite) No one tells who you can't get down very far when you can't bend your knee.

I did fine the first week with lots of help. I was worried if I could even get up the stairs in the front of the house and then climb MT Everest to my room upstairs when I got home. But I did it. I stayed upstairs the first 3 weeks and then graduated to the family room downstairs....where I currently hang out. I love having the flat screen and apple TV to use. Jordan and Clayton were here the first weekend , along with Greg, which meant the world to me physically and emotionally. It is really nice to have family around when you are in a bad way.....and might be acting like a big baby. Of course I wasn't :) But this was much harder than I had expected.

I came home from the hospital with a new rash on my back that nobody knew what it was, for sure. Itched like crazy. Greg lathered me up with ointment everyday and it finally cleared up after 3 weeks. I had a continual charlie horse thing in my surgical leg that hurt like the dickens. Alot of massaging went on from my PT and my friends. Unfortunately, it wasn't the kind of massage you coul enjoy.

Then the kicker was the week (really 9 days) everyone thought I had a virus....lots of severe stomach pain and the BRAT diet until I wanted to throw the soup, rice and toast at Greg if he brought it to me one more time. Turns out Saturday night, after crying and doubled over in pain, the on-call doctor said get to the emergency room..."it isn't a virus". We went and 6 hours and 6 tests later, I was diagnosed with " bacterial diverticulitis". I needed antibiotics. Wow...who knew after 9 days of suffering, it wasn't a virus after all. So I am still on the meds , but better and no more stomach pain. My appetite has returned with a vengeance. My friend Debbie, brought me a chicken salad sandwich and chips for lunch the first day I was better and my appetite had returned. It was heaven..like eating gold. Who knew good food could bring you that much joy. I guess we always appreciate something more when we can't have it for awhile.

Greg has been an awesome nurse. He was exhausted the first while and was so happy for all the help we have received. It is hard working 2 jobs and then being a caregiver. And climbing the stairs several times a day. And then when you forget to bring something....it is death. Mostly he is happy when someone is here with me visiting, so I can't think up things for him to do or bring me:) He was especailly impressive that he kept all the tupperware and dishes straight from all the meals brougth in and labeled. My friend Kim returned everything for me and couldn't believe a man was capable of such a great feat. I said" are you kidding" Greg is really in to the details :) We all had a good laugh. He just has to get a little OCD in behalf of me, when I am out of commission. I knew he had it in him.....but he hides it really well:)

But I have to say, it isn't easy being the patient either. Not to mention the pain , lack of sleep, and overall lousy feeling. It is really hard being so dependent, helpless and unproductive. Especially for me.......independent and ready to go " anywhere" in 20 minutes. Patience has never been one of my virtues. I think I have done pretty good overall :) Don't ask Greg. His prespective isn't accurate :)

I hope to get a picture of my home health care nurse, Heather and my Physical Therapist Tim tomorrow. They will leave me tomorrow. It will be my last visit from them. I go to the doctor for my follow-up and will be released to out-patient therapy now. The have been awesome.

I have been out in the car a few times running errands with Greg.....just to get out of the house.

Of course, I stay sitting while he runs in and out. It is nice to have a change of scenery. I will remember that for others. Just a ride around the block, can be helpful.

I have learned alot and have had alot of time to think about things. We are humbled in our trials and I certainly have been in mine. My compassion and empathy has doubled for those who suffer, especially chronic illnesses and are dependent forever. People need alot of love and support to survive all that this life demands. Sometimes you can't change someone's situation, but your love and support can help them bear the burden a little easier. I know... it did me. I hope I never forget all the feelings and insight I have had this past month.

I am grateful for so many things.... especailly modern medicine and skilled doctors who are amazing in their abilities. I think Dr. Hull will be happy to see me tomorrow and see how well I am now doing. He told me this would involve pain but I would survive it. Of course we weren't planning on the few extra problems thrown it, just to let me know who was really in charge.

I hope I will continue to improve and one day I won't even know my fake knee is in there. Tim tells me in a year that will be true. A year seems like a really long time. Right now, there is a reminder every minute. And if I get back into my jacuzzi. I will be a really happy woman. I love that place..it is my therapy for everything. I can walk pretty good now with my cane and the stairs are now my easiest thing. I still hate my PT exercises ( sorry Tim). He aks me if I believe all the inspirational sayings I have all over my house. I say yes.....when it doesn't invovle a complete knee replacement with a bacterial infection.

Thanks to everyone who helped me in even the tinniest way. Everyone and everything made all the difference. I am a lucky girl and feel so very very blessed, indeed.

I am having recipe club with a baby shower on Tuesday. My first big activity 4 weeks post-op. I will still be sitting alot but I won't be bored.

Oh, Happy Day. Finally.

May I never need surgery again, I pray.

Valentine's Day Table

Well this will be my last table for awhile because I go in for knee replacement surgery tomorrow. I don't know if I will get to eat at this table or not. I just used stuff I already had downstairs with a few dollar tree purchases. Hopefully someone will get to eat here. It is festive nonetheless.....Greg will be so happy to have the cheer :) He didn't have to carry one thing anywhere which makes him the most happy. My Valentine's Day present to him.

Ellie Won Her School Spelling Bee

We got to go visit our kids and grandkids in their new home in Mesa, Arizona. It was so exciting when we got to go to Ellie and Reagan's school for the spelling Bee and Ellie won 1st place. She first won in her class and then she had to compete against 18 other kids (4th, 5th amd 6th graders.) It was very intense and so much pressure :) but it was down to 2 kids ( she and the other boy in the picture) and she won. It was amazing as she is only in the 4th grade....the youngest of the group. It was fun to have Greg's parents ( Ellie's great grandparents) in the audience too , as well as us ( her grandparents) . Unfortunately everybody was busy taking pictures up in the front and then it was time for the kids to go back to class...and we didn't get any pictures of us or Greg's folks. But we were there along with Jordan and Melissa and their other kids.

We are so proud of Ellie and we were so glad we could be there to share this fun and very exciting day with her. She will go on to compete at the next level. Greg told her he won his school spelling bee as a kids...then went on TV and got out on the 3rd word. There may be some genetic connection.

My Winter Table

Once again a new table with things from the downstairs. I have lots of cute winter stuff in my attic....snowflakes, plates, greenery, etc. but of course no way can I get it this year. I had to do a table to teach my Mia Maids how to set a fun table ( goto http://gaytonmiamaids.blogspot.com/)

so this is what I came up with. However, I had some borrowed ornaments I had to give back. Luckily for me. I hit the 75% sale at the one spot..got these ornament packs for 25 cents each..all under a dollar. So I decided I would invest in a few more and then use othe stuff I already had. It went from blue/silver/white to silver/white. But it works and the sister missionaries enjoyed lunch last Sunday at the winter wonderland table :) I can hardly walk or do anything but I MUST set my table. I know.....I need therapy.

Could Suzie be mistaken for the mother of a newborn?

It was highlight of the day yesterday at the hospital when a 90+ grandma came up to me while I was holding baby Gigi and asked me if she was my new baby..as in "are you the mother?" I was in a chair next to my wheechair with my cane next to it. What gave it away? :) Chelsea was at the bathroom so wasn't an option at the moment. No clue? I have to chalk it up to the fact that I must look really young compared to a 90 year old.....but I wish it was because I just plain looked so young:) Either way, it was a bright spot in a long worrisome day of Clayton's surgery :)

A Quilt to Covet Made by Grandma Katee

This is the handmade quilt Gigi's great grandmother, Kathryn Romans, made. She makes these beautiful quilts for all of her great grandkids and others and even sells them. They are amazing hand pieced and embroidered and then machine quilted. They are truly works of art and worthy of an art display. They are so neat you really don't want to really use them...you want to hang them up. If you are ever interested in one, let me know. I have done a previous blog post about them that you can find in my archives. Thanks Grandma Katee for all your hard work.

Fun with Lindsay and Chelsea

Last weekend I went down to Raleigh, NC to spend sme time with my girls. Lindsay and I stayed at Residence Inn and stayed up until 2am talking away. It was so fun and so rare that we ever get to that together. We are usually with the group or she is working alot. We had an awesome suite with our owns rooms/bathrooms and shared common space....courtesy of our awesome hotel manager. Unfortunately it was on the 3rd floor at the end of the longest hall in the world. I barely got up there with my cane.

Lindsay texted me to meet her downstairs at the breakfast table in the morning ( she went exercising). So no wheelchair pusher for me. It was brutal getting down there. However, my brilliant, resourceful self spotted a luggage cart after breakfast:)I talked Linds into pushing me on it back up to our room and then down again with our stuff. She was so embarrassed and laughed her head off up and down..even though we only passed a few people. You know me, rarely embarrassed. I will be embarrassing her for the rest of her life as I have done for the past 26 years. Luckily she didn't know anybody there and was a good sport. Sometimes I can't talk her into my antics. I had to take a picture for posterity because I know she will tell the story ( and probably embellish it :)

We had fun shopping and then went to eat at Chelsea's favorite place...Le Farm Bakery. Chelsea had 2 doctor appts that day and still can't take the baby out in public. But we brought her her favorite salad and got to see our new little darling Marjorie Kate. She was up to 6 lbs....yeah! And Miss Chelsea lost at least those 6 lbs and more because she was in a darling fitted skirt and looked fabulous..like she never even had a baby. But she still wouldn't let me take her picture. I am sure mainly because she has been so sleep deprived :) I wish I looked as good as her.

Lindsay gave her some darling headbands/bows for the baby ( in the picture) and a really cute dress. Chelsea loved it all. We also got to see the big kids home from school and bring a few presents for them ( since the baby is getting so many).

It was a short visit but so worth it to bring Chels a little cheer and hold that sweet baby again.

We are excited that we will all get to be together again for Felix's baptism in a few weeks.

I have wonderful daughters that are so talented and fun. I am glad I am close enough to see them and other family fairly often.

Arizona here we come: We get to see these cute kids soon!

We are going to Arizona to visit these cute kids pretty soon. I can't wait to see them and their beautiful new house. Those orange tress in the yard remind me of my home growing up in California. And we get to see Greg's folks and cousin's family too. Hooray for 8O degree weather they are having. And of course eating some great mexican food. I am excited.

Our Good Friends the Turners

We just had a great opportunity to have dinner with our good friends Reed and Emma Turner Wednesday night. They live in Canada now but we knew them for many years when we all lived in Illinois. We had so many good times with them and many other friends that we still keep in touch with. We are hoping one day to have a Illinois reunion.....maybe in Utah. We decided we need to do it soon before one of us dies :)

Reed and Emma have kids and grandkids that live in Baltimore. They came to visit them and were all going to down to Williamsburg for a get-a-way. They drive right through Richmond en route so it was our good fortune that they could stop and meet us for dinner at Craker Barrell. We didn't have near enough time but it sure was fun to see them and their family.

They are so dear to us and they are the best people. A good time was had by all.

More pictures of the Baby Marjorie and family

I can't wait to see and hold this precious little baby again.

Isn't she beautiful?