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...