Well, the decision has finally been made. After months of pain, shots, braces, medicine and limping, I will be having a full knee replacement. At first my surgeon thought that I would just have to have a partial. But in reviewing my tests, and where I have the pain, he has decided that my knee cap is also going, and a partial would just not be in my best interests.

This will not be until Jan. 26th 2009 though. He is that backed up. I am not looking forward of course to waiting that long, but I really want this surgeon to do the replacement. And from what I understand, most ortho surgeons have at least a two month waiting. My husband knows at least 10 people from his place of business that have had the same doctor, plus his brother has had both of his knees done by him. When the nurse came here last week to check up on Mom, I was telling her about the surgery. She told me that this surgeon did a double hip replacement on Bo Jackson and he's very good and well known. Just hope that he's that good for mine!!

The doctor also told me that he orders his physical therapy to be done at home, since I can't drive for 6 weeks. (Can you even imagine not driving for six weeks?) So unless I choose otherwise, my therapy for 4-6 weeks will be at home, and then after that I can drive to have therapy. He said after 4 weeks if I get housebound, and I want to go out to have therapy, then I will need to have someone else drive me.

I have everything set up already with my sister, my Granny Nanny and my daughters. While I'm in the hospital, usually 3-4 days, my sister has vacation time so she will be staying here, then when I come home, granny nanny will come in the morning and then sister will leave for work. My sister will be here overnight for a few weeks until we see how I'm doing and of course in case anything comes up in the middle of the night with Mom. My husband can take care of many things, but personal things with Mom he won't do, and of course Mom wouldn't let him. Daughters will be stopping by for anything I may need at the store etc. and if anything should come up with Granny Nanny not being able to come one day.

From what I understand, full recovery should be about 3 months. Hopefully I will be pain free. No guarentee, but pretty close to it if everything goes well. Doctor says that its important to do the therapy everyday of the week a few times a day. He told me to take it as a full time job if I want this to be successful.

So by April of next year, I should be back to doing normal things again like playing tennis. No, I don't really play tennis, but it sure felt good to say that. I told my husband I would be happy if I could get on my knees again to wash the bathroom floors. And guess what? You can't get on your knees when you have a knee replacement. Well not on the one anyhow. I didn't know that. They gave me a booklet of everything to expect and explained surgery etc. But there was not a thing in there about not being able to kneel! Guess that leaves church out huh?

They put me on a cancellation list if anyone would cancel. They said although it happens, its very rare. So it seems for now I'll be counting on the 26th of Jan. We usually wish for time to by slowly, but with this, I would like to just fall asleep and wake up on the 26th and have this over and done with.

I hope this bionic part I get agree's with me. They asked me if I was allergic to metal, and I am not, but gosh, I don't have any inside of me. Not real crazy about this, but don't have much of a choice.

So that's that for now. If any of you have anyone that's had knee replacement would love to hear the good stories, please not the bad. I wonder if I got near a large magnet if it would pull me in? Wouldn't that be a kick!

Jackie

Thanks for the update!

I'm glad you have surgery lined up, once it's all done I bet it's worth it!

We've had alot of family members with hip and knee replacements. They are much more active and in less pain and not one of them regrets the surgery.

I'm glad you have everything lined up for after your surgery! Praying it goes well!

Katrina

That all sounds pretty darn challenging, but extremely
hopeful, Jackie. I'm glad you found a doctor with such
a good reputation. It sounds like the recovery will be a
tremendous amount of work, but it will all be worthwhile
in the end. Yay!
Carol

Now if there was just a way to make sure you follow the doctors orders.

Real cute! Your always real cute!!

I'll follow doctors orders, but gosh, come on, six weeks not to drive. Its my left leg for pete's sake. Betcha after 4 weeks he'll say I can drive. I'm a fast healer, and when they say do 20 of an exercise, I'll do forty! You have no faith in be. Better watch it, or I'll ask you to come out and care for me and Mom, and then you won't be writing a beautiful poem but a horror one!

Jackie

Hey sweetie, I did talk a bit more to some of the golfers at work and they were very encouraging about the surgery. Said you would feel so much better. And of course, they are living proof of that since they are out and playing golf and enjoying things they couldn't do before.

I am resubmitting your name for the a** kicking contest next spring. You game?

I think that even though it's a long wait and a rough road during rehab, you are going to be amazed at how you feel when you've healed. Pain takes a toll on the body, there's no doubt about it. It makes you exhausted, physically and mentally. You're going to feel like a new woman!

Thanks all of you for the encouragement. As much as I can't wait to have this surgery, I'm still really nervous about it more than any other surgery I've had. Plus it's kind of a joke with people that I've known a long time. Seems like when something different or unexpected comes up with me, I've heard from Doctors, or store owners or even the garbage company, "Oh your the first one that that's ever happened to!" So that sticks in my mind too.

And Judy, I don't know if my husband would be able to handle a new woman, but I bet if you asked him, he'd say he'd be game! I think he may be ready for that.

Hey Snicks, make sure when we have that A** kicking contest, that you have your Mom and Dads neighbor entered. Would really like to do that for you. And oh, your boss too!!

Jackie

Hey Sweetie!

SO glad you are finally "Taking care of you!"!! It sounds like you are in good hands and will be on the mend soon! I'm pretty sure that I won't be far behind you at least for a partial knee replacement! I did play tennis for 10 years in Atlanta and my knees are shot!! I can't knee down or squat without horrible pain. I didn't know you can't do that after surgery either!! So how does one plant plants or scrub floor. . .?? lol? I was kidding about the floors! Yeh right! Not likely! lol!

Keep us posted!

Hugs,

Connie