Thanks, Doreen!

Tonight my friend, Doreen, cooked a delicious dinner and brought it to our house and Jess, Doreen, Shiloh and I ate together.  That was such a nice thing to do.  I've been feeling lonely lately and I enjoyed her visit.  Thanks, Doreen!

An Exhausted Jess? Where Is She?

Brenda had Jessie out all day. They went to the Rec Center and began in the pool.  After that they spent a good hour and a half in one of the gyms playing basketball, soccer and hockey.  Brenda said she was running around and huffing and puffing like crazy.  From there they had their Subway sandwiches then walked the mall !!!!  Is Jessie sleeping?  Hardly.  She's singing Christmas carols at the top of her lungs. 

I had my first outpatient PT this morning.  I'm grateful for Lois who took me there and picked me back up, since I'm still not driving.  I iced my leg this afternoon for a couple hours and have been pretty "down" since then.  I'm not sure why, just am.  I think I'm going to have to call the doctor tomorow to check on my foot.  It's still hurting alot. 

Probably I'm feeling sorry for myself.  I want to decorate the house for Christmas and I'm very limited.  I need to shop for presents, as I didn't get it done before I had surgery, and I don't have the energy to even think about it, let alone go.   I'm missing some Christmas activities.  I'll have to have a talk with myself tonight and snap out of this depressing mood. 

Jane and Jessie

Jess had a great Girl's Day Out with Jane. They went to Target, Aldi's, Ocean Breeze for lunch, Kroger's and a couple other places.  Jane said she was great!  However, just as soon as she walked in the door, she saw Jon at the table, the door bell rang and the dog started barking.  Then it was Jessie's turn.  She hollered and screamed for about a half hour.  No one could figure out what had happened, especially Jane, as she said she was fine all morning!  She's usually pretty strung out when she gets home, even if she has a good time.  I think with everything happening at once, she just couldn't handle it.

My last in-home PT was today.  Out patient PT is tomorrow.  When I came home my range of motion for my knee was 40 degrees.  Today it was 90 degrees.  A nice improvement.  It needs to be 110 degrees. 

However, now I have a problem with my left foot.  It is swollen and it's very painful to walk on.  My PT fellow feels that it is the blood pooling in my foot from the bruising in my leg.  I'd appreciate prayers as I really don't want to have to go back to another doctor to see what's going on.  He told me to take it easy the next couple of days to see if that helps.  That's about it for tonight.  I'm heading up the stairs.

Movie Day

Jon had the weekend off so he was able to go to church.  I don't think I'll be ready for quite some time, as I can't sit still for more than 5 minutes without having to adjust my leg.  He went to Kohl's after church and bought a very-much-needed winter coat. 

For lunch Jon, Jess and I ate ham and cream cheese roll ups, cheeze its and popcorn in the living room while we watched "Monsters University" that I had bought to watch while recovering.  Jess lasted about half-way through then retreated to the family room.  It was a cute movie and Jon and I enjoyed ourselves.  I should take the time more often and just sit down and watch a movie.  I enjoy doing that, I just don't do it.

I'm on my way upstairs for the night.  I didn't get a chance to ice my leg so I need to do it before going to bed.  Thanksgiving will be 3 weeks from surgery and I'm sure the company will be collecting the machines right after, since I could only have them for 21 days. 

Thank You Community Care Volunteers!

I thought it was time for some Jessie pictures.  After Halloween and before I had surgery, Jess and I went to Wendy's and they still had some Shrek Kid's Meal toys left.  The manager gave Jessie her pick.  Doesn't she look cute in Shrek ears?

The bottom picture was taken tonight as Jon fixed dinner and Jessie helped me unload the dishwasher.  She does a really, really good job. 

I managed to pay 3 bills, do 2 loads of wash, and help Jon fluff the branches on the living room Christmas tree.  I also iced my leg for quite a bit this afternoon.  I'll share here what I put on FB when I sat down to rest ...

"There's nothing quite like resting in a chair on a blustery winter's day with one leg wrapped in a 43 degree ice wrap from ankle to above the knee.  30 minutes of cold and compression.  30 minutes off then on again.  Not to mention sitting next to a window air conditioner I have failed to seal for the winter.  Yup, there's nothing quite like it.  Oh and did I mention that I'm still waring shorts?"

Despite the horribly cold and winter morning, two families came from church (Community Care Program) and raked my leaves.  Their work is really appreciated.  They did a great job!  I am so glad that the leaves will not be there come spring. 

Oh, The Weather Outside is ... Yucky!

And that's just about how I felt today, too.  No energy, no desire to get up and do something useful.  I've been freezing all day so I finally turned up the furnace 1 more degree.  My nurse paid me her last visit today and we had a nice conversation.  She did alot of encouraging me.  My PT came in the afternoon and will come again on Monday, before I begin out patient PT on Tuesday. 

Jessie's day was off, too.  She did alot of yelling and screaming with Rachel.  They did go out to breakfast and the post office, but Jess refused to do much of anything.  I'm not sure how Jon's day has gone, as he's not home yet.

I have to share with you what I wrote on FB last night at 11:00 p.m. ... "Ive been in my bedroom chair for the past 2 hours hooked up to the DVT machine.  About a half hour ago I began craving a sweet and salty granola bar, but decided it wasn't worth unhooking myself from the machine and rehooking again.  Guess what happened?  The battery died!!  Had to get up and find the manual and figure out what to do.  The granola bar hit the spot, too!"

Gotta keep the humor in all this, that's for sure.

Jessie's Fun Day

Brenda took Jessie to Meijer's grocery shopping, post office, gas station, McDonald's drive thru for lunch at home and a meeting with Jessie's Case Worker. Then they went bowling in the afternoon, and didn't get home until almost 5:00 p.m.  It was so strange for me to be alone in the house - it doesn't happen very often. 

For some reason the bottom of my left foot - on the right side hurts quite a bit.  We think it's because the blood from my bruising is moving down into my foot and causing pain.  It hurts to walk.  I've been downstairs almost all day - did a couple loads of wash and started some paper work when I decided I need to rest and ice my leg.  I think I'm about ready to do that again.  When the machines were delivered before my surgery, the fellow said that the ice machine would become my best friend.  I know what he meant.  Having a large wrap on your leg that also compresses and the temperature is 43 degrees isn't fun, but it has reduced swelling in my leg, which is really important in movement.  I look forward to the daily swelling reduction, but I also have to wrap up with quilts when using it. 

The Day's Agenda

Up at 6:30 a.m. and took a pain pill.

Slept in chair until 9:00 a.m.

Got ready for the day and straightened up the bedroom.

Felt pretty good.

Jon ate breakfast out and brought me breakfast back.

Put a load of wash in and straightened the kitchen.

Back upstairs to ice my leg, took a pain pill and rested until the nurse came.

BP was high when she first took it and I told her she just doesn't know how to take it. 

Took it again in a different area and it was better.

 

My personal torturer arrived and he worked with me for an hour.

He said I'm doing really well, so he showed me more exercises to add to my torture regime.

As soon as he left I went in the CPM machine for an hour.

Then the ice machine and DVT machine for another hour.

Then it was time to fix dinner. 

(Hey, I think I forgot to eat lunch!)

Dinner, cleaned up kitchen, e-mail and now this blog.

My leg is hurting quite a bit tonight from exercise, plus my bruising is

moving down my leg and going into the foot, which makes it hard to walk on.

 

Jon had running around to do today, like bank, post office, etc.

He also winterized the playhouse and put all the deck stuff in the playhouse.

Another job off our list of "To Do's" before winter.

We're a bit behind.

 

Doreen and Shiloh were here for a couple hours, Jessie is getting used to Shiloh

being here and they seemed to have a fun time together. Doreen texted me later in the

day that said she asked Shiloh what the best part of her day was and she said, "Jessie". 

 

Rachel was here for Jessie today and they went out to Rachel's house for awhile

and Rachel and Jessie made lunch together there.

 

That's all I can remember. 

The pain medicine is messing with my brain.

Really!  When was the last time I FORGOT to eat a meal?

 

 

 

 

 

Set Backs and Accomplishments

I have "graduated" from the walker to a cane, and only use the cane when I am out of the house.  I took a shower this morning and didn't have to use the shower seat.  I only have to wear one leg stocking.  I am walking normal for the first time in years - no waddling like a penguin.  I have been able to be downstairs for hours each day.  All these accomplishments may seem trivial, but in my recovery, they are just steps back to my "normal" life of being self-sufficient.  I can also put my DVT "puffers" on my self and even the ice wrap.  The only help I need is each morning getting on my support hose - I just can't to that and probably won't ever be able to do it.  They're like putting rubber on one's leg. 

Since my surgery my BP has been quite high.  It got to 200/98 in the hospital. Since I've been home it hasn't been much better - in the 180's and 190's over in the 90's.  My pulse rate has been 120.  Not a good combination.  Making a long story short, I spent 7 hours in the ER last night per my doctor's request to see if there wasn't something making it go up. 

I am asymptomatic.  Praise God that all tests looked great. There doesn't seem to be anything causing the high blood pressure, except for pain. In the ER my BP last night was 215/115 with a 108 heart rate.  So annoying.  Especially since I'm feeling good.  As good as I can be after a major surgery.  I'm not in pain all the time either. 

We (Jon and I) got home about 1:30 this morning.  Lois was here when we left then Diane came and spent the night with Jess.  Today Jon took me to the doctor and he changed my BP medicine.  Now it's a waiting game and adjustment period.  Let's pray that it doesn't take long to get my BP to a level state. 

Jess had a hard time with me leaving so quickly last night, but she was OK when I got home.  She held on to me for quite a bit.  Brenda had her out almost all day (pool, gym, Subway, Westview Orchards) and I'm sure she's probably asleep already, as she decided to go to bed about a half hour ago on her own.   

I have much to be grateful for.  Thank you all for being my support team!

I Have Returned - Again!

One week ago yesterday I had my total left knee replacement. One week ago today I sat in PT and cried uncontrollably.  The pain was so intense and I felt like a total wimp since all the other people in the room were at least 10 years older than myself. I later had another nerve block which helped and it turned out that the pain medicine I was taking wasn't enough. I needed MORE!

They weren't kidding when they said they got you up between 4 and 5 a.m. for the day. One day it was 3:15 a.m.  PT 4x a day. I'm glad I didn't have much company. I was too exhausted from working so hard.

I returned home on Sunday. PT began Monday and because I don't have a good range of motion, he was scheduled for every day this week. I cancelled yesterday because it just wasn't a good physical day for me. All these exercises are flaring up my back, which is bad,,

Jess has adjusted well. She helps me when she can and makes sure I'm covered up. I'll try posting a few pictures shortly, since I'm doing this on my iPad. Jon has been a tremendous help for me, taking care of Jess and all that goes into running a household. Not to mention having to go to work!

I'll end right now and will try posting daily again.

Surgery Date - Thursday, November 7

I want to thank "Becky" and "Anonymous" for their notes of encouragement.  I needed them tonight because, as hard as I try, I'm a bit of a wreck about Thursday.  I'm not worried about anything specific regarding my surgery and recovery.  It's my concern about Jessie.  She had a mini meltdown this afternoon about my surgery.  I felt bad, but I guess she needed it.  She's perfectly fine right now - she's laying on the couch with her iPad singing along to Jesus songs.  I should take my cue from her and go upstairs and sing Jesus songs, too, as an audible reminder to me that God is in control - He loves Jess even more than I could ever love her and she'll be OK. 

I am very glad that Jon has sacrificed several days off of work without pay to be with me for the surgery and afterwards.  Nothing like having my own private nurse!  Please pray for him as he juggles being my coach, my care giver, Jess and the house.  I couldn't have asked for a better son.  The name "Jonathan" means "Gift of God", and he surely has been. 

Well, if I don't write tomorrow night, don't worry.  I'll try to remember.  I have to get up at 3:45 a.m. in order for us to leave at 4:30!  I am NOT a morning person.  I'm sure I've said this before.  I'll be back after my surgery.  Counting on all of your prayers!

Well, Today Didn't Start Out Well

One of my new hires for Monday and Thursday's did not come today or call.  And still hasn't called.  Today was supposed to be the day I would have "trained" her on Jessie's morning routine, and where everything is located, etc.  Thursday is my surgery day, so I'm scrambling to redo the day's coverage.  Please pray that it will work out.  I'm more concerned for Jessie's care than my own.  She doesn't do well with change, and she's had so much change in the past couple of years.  It takes months to get her into a new routine.  It's not an easy thing to do.

I did paperwork this morning and paid bills that I would normally do on Friday.  Jess and I went to the bank, Wendy's for lunch, then I got my hair cut so that it will be easier to manage in the hospital.  Jane made a meal for us tonight and Rox made another meal that we'll eat tomorrow night.  I appreciate these meals so much.  Thanks, Friends!

Two more days to get things in order.  And counting ...

Explain Daylight Savings Time To Memphis

For breakfast this morning Jess and I had pumpkin pancakes I had made in March and sealed in my Food Saver.  They tasted like I had just made them.  I was very pleased.  I did paperwork and continued with piles in the dining room - putting things back where they belonged.  Jess and I met Di and Randie at Leo's Coney Island for lunch, only we left since there were no tables available and people were in line.  We walked to Sahara Restaurant and there were only 2 tables occupied, so we would have had a nice quiet lunch if not for Jessie's boisterous voice. 

Di and Randie came back to the house and visited for several hours.   Jess was OK for awhile then started screaming at us to go into the other room. When I refused, she got up and went to her bedroom.

Around 3:00 Memphis started whining and being a pest.  Finally I realized that it was time to feed him, as it was 4:00 yesterday's time!  Who ever invented Daylight savings time never had animals or children, that's for sure.  It messes up everything.  Jessie wanted to go upstairs to bed at 7:30 !!! 

Doreen came over for awhile and visited, as well as Chris. A nice Sunday.

Jessie's "Great Day"

According to Rachel, Jessie had a "great day"!  Jessie folded towels, did a couple art projects, then they met Jane at Ocean Breeze for lunch.  Next they went to Michael's and Jess bought a turkey craft, which she made this afternoon.  They walked all the way down to Target and walked around.  Lots of exercise for them both.  When they got home they vegged out for a bit then Rachel decided we should have taco salad for dinner, and since I had all the fixin's, Jess and Rachel made the meat sauce and Rachel cut up the tomatoes.  I was so thankful for that because I am in so much discomfort, that standing and making dinner is a chore. 

I managed to go to the bank, Walgreen's then I visited Debbie for a couple hours.  She was moving better than I was!  She's doing well, but it still will take a long time to get off pain medicine and those ribs and collar bone to heal.  Continued prayers are appreciated.  It was good to just sit and talk for awhile.  I miss her alot. 

A Different Day

Rachel didn't come today because she wasn't feeling well, so at the last minute Jon and I had to take Jess to breakfast because they were meeting Jessie's case worker, Kelly.  When we got home Jon left and went to the movies for a change.  By 11:00 I was taking pain medicine.  My pain level today was pretty bad and I even resorted to getting out the walker. 

I had committed to helping set up at church this afternoon for a SM conference tomorrow, as well as being there tomorrow to man the author's room, but I cancelled my attendance to both.  I hated to do it, but not being able to walk hampers my being able to help.  It's not only my knee, it's my entire body.  The daily medication I take really keeps this pain at bay on a regular basis.  I'll be glad when I can begin taking it again. 

There really isn't much else to say.  I rested for a good deal of the day.  I asked Jessie where she wanted me to sit this afternoon and she said in the family room with her.  That was OK for awhile until she started yelling at me to go in the other room, which I did not do.  Screaming lasted for about 15 minutes with me ignoring her when she finally went up stairs to her bedroom.