Keep meaning to do an update but keep thinking I'll wait until one more appointment, one more hurdle, one more something has passed.
Knee replacement surgery (for my right knee) is scheduled for 8:00am on Friday, 31 August. Supposedly I'll go home on Monday, Labor Day. I'm getting nervous, both about the surgery (especially bone infection) and the recovery ("arduous" and long, according to friends). The knee surgeon has not been as thorough or forthcoming or reassuring as the spine surgeon was.
There seem to be a zillion things to do and plan for in advance. Living alone has certainly been my choice and my preference, but there are times when it makes life more difficult! I'm imposing on a lot of friends, many of whom already proved their friendship and put in their time with the January surgery.
Last Friday I met with the nurse manager for the floor where I'll be in the hospital. My main concern was to make sure that I could bring all my own food and have it stored and heated when necessary. She was very supportive and helpful. The dietician was there also. We agreed that she could supply water! I can use one of the four large refrigerators cum freezing compartments for my food, and the nurses supposedly will heat anything I need in their microwaves. I do have to have someone bring the food each day, which means I have to get it all prepared and take coolers to three different friends. They'll store the food and ice packets in their freezers until their appointed day. I was pleased to meet the nurse manager and to see the ward. It was not as bad as I had expected! I did this at the hospital (a different one) before my spine surgery and felt that it made a big difference.
The hounds will go to a lovely home in Pacifica (gorgeous ocean view!) to stay with a very nice and organized woman and her two greyhounds. My wonderful guys who had the Greyhound Boarding and Retirement Kamp, where my dogs had stayed ever since I first got Achates, have moved to Indiana. Not very convenient! They recommended this woman. We went to meet her a couple of weeks ago, and I feel very comfortable that my loves will be happy there. I'll take them on the 30th and pick them up on September 10th. A wonderful friend will drive me in my car. This will get the car a needed outing as well. Probably the hardest thing about the recovery is not being able to drive. They say 6-8 weeks; I'm hoping for 4, but trying not to be too impatient (ha!). Well, it may not be the hardest. I understand that there's a lot of pain and a lot of difficulty walking and a lot of essential exercising. No lying in bed and playing the invalid! "Everyone" says the results are worth it though.
The next entries will not be written by me. Sarah, who set up this site and does all the posting, will be at the hospital when I come up to the ward, and she'll write the first update. Other friends will call or email info to her for the following week or so.
Thanks for reading this and for your support and concern. Please think good thoughts for me!
Janet
