I'm Back and Better Than Before!

OK, I have been catching some serious flack for not continuing the blog. I am sorry, I just became SO busy I found it hard to find the time to devote to it. Sounds great, huh? Yup, I WAS BUSY!!! I wasn't home crying in pain, I was BUSY!!!! Gosh I love that!
Alright, I should really catch you all up. Since the last posting I was on quite the roller coaster. I started to go into a real funk and started to really get depressed. I was still in a ton of pain and didn't seem to improve any with all the PT I was doing. I had sent 2 long letters to my surgeon about my problems and didn't get a response. My PT (Dan from RHCI) said he'd try to call. He also didn't get a response. Dan said he'd try calling my Primary Care Doc and I told him not to bother since I KNOW he doesn't give two cents about me. Dan found that hard to believe so he called anyway. Dr. Browning called Dan back only to tell Dan that it wasn't his problem and that he wouldn't do anything to help. Dan was surprised, but I wasn't. That's Dr. Browning's MO. In the meantime I am on the phone with my friend Donna nearly everyday. She talks with her friend that works in an orthopedic office in VT. When Donna tells her of my woe's, she suggests I try Cellebrex. After more calls to the surgeon, I finally get a call back. Ask about the Cellebrex and he prescribes it. I feel instantly better and can move much easier. Why did it take so long just to get any response at all? I owe my turnaround to Donna for trying to get answers for me. She was able to do what I couldn't, and I am the patient!
I am not taking Cellebrex anymore, just Motrin once a day. I am back to work full time and am doing my first REALLY big job (with help) this Wednesday. My first wedding is in June and I can honestly say I AM ready for it. Back in March I was really wondering if I would make it for a wedding in June, but I can say now, NO Problem! I am a new person and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I am still VERY stiff, but I am moving so much better. I am walking up stairs cautiously but still can't walk down stairs with out a railing and step to step. I am finally sleeping at night. That is a BIG thing. I couldn't take the sleepless nights much more. All is good!
I can honestly say I am so glad I did a bilateral knee replacement now. I have nothing but many years of hiking and gardening and weddings and portraits to look forward too WITHOUT pain!
If anyone wants to ask me more about my experiences, don't hesitate to email me at nancy@nancygreen.com.

Moving On

Dan making sure I don't try to cheat! It's been some time since my last entry. I have been slowly improving and there isn't much to write about. Every day I get up in the morning wishing I didn't have so much pain in the morning. I work off the tightness and pain and can honestly say most days I am pretty good between 11am and 5pm. After 5 I go into a pain funk again. It's getting monotonous to say the least.
I had my first PT treatment yesterday at the new RHCI in Plymouth. It's a beautiful place and Dan is a very good sport putting up with me! I gotta say, the man knows his stuff! I actually felt sore, but great after the visit. Today I am doing terrific. Better than I thought I would since I was working muscles I hadn't worked in a while.
Kathy came with me and took this photo of my first bike routine. I go back on Saturday. I wonder what he has up his sleeves for me then?

A gift from Andy Joliat

I could not have received a better gift. Andy has such talent to be able to express in a poem, exactly how I feel. Hope you enjoy this as much as me.

Ode to Nanc

There was a lively woman named Nanc
Who loved to run, jump and prance
But alas, her active life, was put on the freeze
Due to her crotchedy wretchedly rotton old knees.

"I want a transplant" she said "this is no kind of life"
And in desperation she decided to go under the knife.

Her life in the hospital was a terrible bore
Too much physical therapy left her knees swollen and sore.

I'm frustrated, I'm Tired" she wrote on her blog
"I can't sit, I can't stand I can't walk the darn dog!"

And just when shethought her legs would never mend
The doctors hammered and pushed and ....they.... made....those....knees bend!

With courage and fortitude, with doctors and Houdini
Nanc will soon say "chuck the damn pain meds-I want a martini!"

She'll ditch the wheel chair and then she';; ditch the cane
She'll say "if I see them again I'm gonna be criminally insane"

And not long after when the weather becomes a little less chilly
Our Nanc will be back walking on the beach with her beloved Peter and Lilly

Thanks Andy for making me laugh out loud.

xoxoxoxox

Nancy

I feel like Dancing

Before the procedure

After

Nice touch from NEB.

I can't believe how GREAT I feel! The procedure Dr. Reilly did to break apart the scare tissue (called manipulation) was so successful that I can't believe it. I feel like this is just too good to be true and at any moment I am going to slip back and not be able to bend again. The last measurement Karen (my wonderful PT) got on my knees before the manipulation were around the high eighties and I was slipping backwards. Today after the procedure,when she measured the bend I was at 115 on my left knee and 112 on my right. Even better than when I was in the operating room and Dr Reilly measured while I was out. This is fantastic!

I am starting outpatient PT at RHCI (the new one in Plymouth) next Tuesday. I should really be able to advance my recovery now that I will have access to equipment to help.

I was told I would be in a lot of pain after the procedure and may not notice anything right away. They told me not to be dicouraged. Well, I was one of those few that it all worked RIGHT AWAY! I have been blessed. Thanks to everyone for always thinking of me. It sure helped!!

As you can see, we were able to soak in some sun after excersiing and Lilly really likes Karen.


I can't tell you how impressed I was with everyone at New England Baptist. They really pay attention and really care. All pateints receive a rose while in NEB. Quite a nice little touch.

Visit to the Homeland...New England Baptist

Peter and I were off to Hospital for my Post Op visit to NEB. I was a bit nervous since I felt I wasn't as far along as I should be. I really felt that the weekend they wouldn't refill my prescription at CVS was a really bad situation and I'm now paying for it.

Of we go to Boston. Got there in terrific time and got my ex rays done before I went to Dr. Riley's office. As usually Dr. Riley was right on time and full of energy. I love that man. He has so much energy and wisdom he is such a treat to be around. He is right to the point and tells you exactly how it is. You are SURE to understand every word and description. I didn't like the look on his face, which was a look of disappointment. I immediately felt guilty and felt like I let him down. He told me I had to have better flex and that too much scar tissue had formed. I wouldn't be able to get the flex I needed unless he mobilizes them again. That means bringing me back in for a procedure where he puts me out and bends the knees hard to break up the scar tissue growth. Doesn't sound too fun, huh? He said I will feel pretty sore after the procedure, but I will notice a definite improvement and overall feel better. So here we go, back in to the Hospital ONE MORE TIME! Monday I will face the pain and hope for success. Everyone, keep your fingers crossed.

PS-Just a little scared about this, don't let me fool you with my bravado.

With a little Help from A Friend

I have been neglecting my duties in posting on my blog. I am so sorry. I haven't been having the best of times lately and I didn't want to sound depressed in my blog. I had a bit of a set back a couple of weekends ago and ran out of pain medication. This is really bad because you can't do "good" PT with out them and can loose some ground. Not to mention have to go through HELL while experiencing by lateral knee replacement without relief of pain meds. Donna came right at the end of this weekend from Hell and surely brought me back from the dead. I owe her a lot. She kept me from losing my mind and fought for me with CVS, as did my nurse from Overlook Visiting Nurses. I don't know how I could have done it with out the games of Ono and Monopoly and the many moments of hilarious laughter through the tears. Thanks Donna!

Then Julie Ireland came and continued to keep me out of my funk. It is great to have such wonderful friends that care so much for me (and Peter).

This brings us to the next blog entry...

My First Trip Out

I haven't entered anything for a while as you may have noticed. It has been a difficult time. I have been warned about the depression that may come at times, and it does. Just as you start to feel a bit better, the pain comes back with vengeance. I keep taking my pain meds, but I am trying to cut back to start to wean myself off of them. As soon as I think things are going fine, I get bombarded with enormous amounts of pain from every direction of the legs and I don't know what to do to calm it down. It gets pretty frustrating.

I fought off the pain today as best I could and was determined to go on a road trip. Peter and I went to my parents to have lunch and had fun as you can see. My Dad is a panic and my mom, well she's the best Mom you can have. We had a nice lunch and went right home. I made it up the stairs once again and that whole ordeal knocked me out. I'm glad I did it, since sitting at home with pain isn't making it any better.

Everyone keeps telling me I'm on the verge of the big turn in healing and I will all of a sudden feel so much better. I can't tell you how ready I am for that!!!!

Hugs to all,

Nanc