Tuesday is it

[csziggy]

Tuesday I get my new knee! I won't know what time until sometime Monday evening - it's like jury duty. I have a number to call to find out the time.

I'd hoped they would do both at once, but with my weight, asthma, high blood pressure, family history of blood clots, and other health crap, they won't do it. So I get my left knee Tuesday and work my ass off doing the physical therapy do I can get my right one before the end of the year.

I think I'm ready- wrote a new will, living will, health care directive. Got people to take care of the horses and the farm. Have food frozen for my husband while I am in the hospital and in rehab, and enough for a while once I get home. I even have an easy needlework project to work on during my down times at the rehab place.

I hope I will be back on before Tuesday, but I've got a lot of things to take care of to get ready to go. If not, see you in a couple of weeks!

[mrmpa]

1. Good luck, had mine done back in October.....

californiapeggy had hers done a couple of months ago.

[csziggy]

2. Thanks - how's it going with your new knee?

californiapeggy gave me lots of information and encouragement. It's helped me get ready.

[mrmpa]

3. Really good........

some pain on the lower left side, that I don't like. But movement is very good.

[mrmpa]

4. I created a poll in your honor......check it out

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018114055

[csziggy]

6. I saw that! Cool!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear csziggy!

Good luck to you, sweetie!

I'm pretty sure it will go smoothly. There are many things they can do to prevent any complications.

I hope you'll be able to communicate with us sooner than 2 weeks! Does the hospital have wi-fi? Many do...

Take good care of yourself, and know that I hold you in my thoughts...

[csziggy]

7. CaliforniaPeggy! It should go fine

The hospital has wi-fi but according to their joint replacement class I probably won't feel up to doing much, so I'm not even taking my tablet. I think I will have my husband take it to work with him - that way if I do feel up to using it, he can drop it by the hospital.

It's still up in the air whether I can get into in-patient rehab. According to the case nurse they've had a lot of problem getting patients approved by their insurance even when the doctor and the physical therapist strongly recommend it. I've already talked to the only acute care true in-patient rehab facility and they think they can get me in. If the insurance won't pre-approve, I may go in on my own dime and argue with the insurance company when I feel better enough to be really cranky.

And this rehab place usually gets people out really fast - the woman who gave us the tour said I'd be there less than a week! If they can get me moving around to be home that soon, it will be worth every penny.

How is your knee doing? Are you getting stronger with it?

[sarge43]

8. Take your tablet.

You'll be surprised how quickly you'll feel better. Plus, there will be a lot of hurry up and wait time.

Good vibes for the surgery and rehab.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Your plans sound excellent!

I DO agree with Sarge43: take your tablet. I was definitely missing DU by day 3, and was very glad I could get online.

My knee is slowly getting more flexible, and stronger. I feel as though my progress is very slow, but apparently this is normal.

The rehab place sounds great. I would definitely go in on my own dime if the insurance won't pay. It would be worth it, I think.

Good luck, sweetie!

[csziggy]

13. I guess I'll listen to the two of you and take the tablet

The first night they don't want any valuables, but maybe I'll get my husband to bring it by the next morning on his way to work.

I did put an internet radio app on it so I can pick up liberal talk radio shows and good music. That and YoutTube videos would be nice to have until I feel like actually doing something.

The other day while waiting for the pre-op tests, I about went nuts. The surgery waiting room is noisy and the TV was turned to some network afternoon moron show. The most exciting thing they did the entire 40 minutes we were in there was make pinwheels. That was their big craft project of the day. If I have the tablet with me, I could at least listen to something else, though I don't have noise canceling headphones.

I WILL go to the rehab place! My supplemental will cover a little of the cost, though not much. But the main insurance claims to cover 180 days of in-house rehab a year, so I don't see why they'd want to deny it. I guess this is why my credit cards are paid off - I can charge it then raise hell with the insurance company.

[dana_b]

10. good luck to you!

surgery sucks but not living in constant pain is worth it. It sounds like you got your ducks in a row and have good support. I will tell you that you might go stir crazy after the surgery and while you are at home so make sure you have some great books to go along with that needlework.

I had back surgery 4 weeks ago and can't start PT for another month or so because of the lumbar fusion that I had. I have been keeping myself busy with homework, the internet, books and friends/family. Otherwise I would go nuts! I've only been out of the house three times and each trip was very tiring. It' s a slow process but things are getting better. Nothing like ortho surgery!!

[csziggy]

14. Thanks! I've had five major surgeries since 2001

So I'm an old hand at this. As time has gone by, I've scaled back my activities and adjusted to being not as mobile. At least with the knee replacements, there is hope I can get back to really doing stuff like I used to, like birdwatching and hiking!

These days I mostly do genealogy, read and do my needlework. Oh, and hang out on online forums. The needlework is the best thing for my blood pressure. It's sort of a zen meditation thing for me, plus I like the projects I am working on right now.

I can't do genealogy on the tablet and don't have all my info on my laptop, but I can do some stuff. Once I get home, I'll be fine - I don't get stir crazy here because there are always the horses, birds and wildlife to watch. I can even wander around the farm on my golf cart to visit all my mares.

Take care of that back - I know that pain, too.

[riderinthestorm]

11. No advice just good vibes for a speedy recovery!

(so you can get back online and play with us sooner... )

[csziggy]

15. Thanks - and I got good news at the pre-op visit

I'd been afraid to ask before but the nurse said there is a very good chance I will be able to ride again once both knees are healed!

Now to get something that I can actually get on. The mare with the quietest personality is 15'3" and I'd need a mounting block to get on her. I kept her daughter as a riding prospect, but she is not as laid back as her mama. I will have to find something I can ride!

It's something to work towards.

[Kali]

12. glad I saw this - good luck

I had been wondering if you had already done it or what, hadn't seen you around lately..

I am totally excited for you! I agree with the others - take your tablet - better to have it and not feel like using it than to feel like checking in and not having it. You can always log in an complain too!

[csziggy]

16. Thank you

I've just been worn out with all the preparation for and worry about the surgery. I've been here reading, just didn't have much to say.

I'll have my husband bring the tablet the day after surgery. By then I should be more alert and ready for distraction!

[MiddleFingerMom]

17. Vibes to you for your surgery and therapy/recovery.

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MFM's Three Rules of Patient Care Self-Involvement (stolen from my friend).
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1. Ask for the drugs (seriously... you need all the help you can get to work on getting your knee functions back)
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2. Ask for MORE drugs (seriously -- I mean... they're DRUGS, c'MON!!!)
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3. WWMFMD? (Obviously, What Would MiddleFingerMom Do? -- I have LOTS o' experience, y'know.)
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Good luck. Hope it goes as well as possible and as painfree as possible.
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.

[csziggy]

19. Thanks - the drug thing should not be a problem

At the joint replacement class the hospital gave, the case manager said they do a morphine pump and a nerve block. She said if they ask if you want a nerve block say YES! After that, I will be monitoring the pain and trying to anticipate when it will come (PT) so I can take meds BEFORE I start.

At least this time around the prognosis is reduced pain once everything heals. The last two knee operations reduced the immediate pain (from torn and folded cartilage) but I was told the long term pain would increase over the years. They told the truth.

The doctor's people, the hospital people and the rehab people have all been very concerned about pain management. This bodes well.

I'll look forward to seeing you when I get back!

[Bertha Venation]

18. all the best to you, csziggy

Here's hoping all goes swimmingly!

[csziggy]

20. Thank you!

I'm not too worried, maybe less than I should be. I have confidence in all the medical professionals and I'm well informed enough to know what to watch for.

See you when I get back!