Two Weeks After Knee Surgery

   It's been just over two weeks since my left knee replacement surgery, and progress has been steady. Thankfully, I was able to stop taking pain medication after about four days. While the swelling has gone down significantly, it hasn’t completely subsided yet. One major relief after two weeks was finally getting rid of the calf compression devices—they made sleeping incredibly difficult, so it feels great to have them off.
   Sleeping in bed remains a challenge since I prefer sleeping on my side, which my knee isn’t happy with at the moment. I’m hopeful that the residual pain and swelling will diminish in the coming days. Next week, I have an appointment with my doctor to remove the remaining bandages—and possibly the staples or stitches. I'm especially looking forward to being cleared to drive again. Being cooped up at home is driving me a little stir-crazy, even though Cathy has been wonderfully supportive. That said, I can’t wait to visit others and indulge in a McDonald's tea once I’m back on the road.
   On the mobility front, I've graduated from a walker to a cane, though I can hobble around the house fairly well without it. The exercises I’m doing three times a day aren’t too painful, and I’m sticking to the routine. Once I’m driving again, I’ll see if the doctor recommends any additional rehab at the local hospital.
   In the meantime, Cathy has taken on mowing the lawn, and I know she’ll be as thrilled as I will once I’m able to take that task off her plate

Let the Knee Replacement Begin

After postponing the surgery due to Norma's funeral, I was finally able to get my partial knee replacement done on my left knee. The procedure went well, and here I am, typing up this blog post after completing my rehab exercises. It’s day three post-surgery, and I’m required to do three sets of exercises a day. The exercises are painful, as expected, given the work done on my knee joint. After each session, I need to ice the knee for forty minutes.

I also have to wear calf cuffs on both legs. These devices inflate and deflate every few minutes to help prevent blood clots. Unfortunately, I need to keep them on for twenty hours a day for the first fourteen days after surgery—a tedious but necessary precaution. The doctor prescribed a range of medications to aid my recovery, with pain medication being the most essential. However, the downside of this relief is dealing with the accompanying constipation, so I’ve also been taking stool softeners and Metamucil. In addition, I’m on a course of antibiotics to prevent wound infections, aspirin to promote blood flow, and Prednisone—though I’m not entirely sure what its specific role is in my recovery.

Reflecting on the past few days, I can understand why some people hesitate to go back for the second knee. Despite the challenges, I’m determined to proceed with the right knee when my left leg is strong enough to support the process, Lord willing. For now, I’m adjusting to using a walker for the first time in my life, and I sincerely hope that once both knees are fully healed, I won’t need it again. Navigating the house with it is no easy task.

One thing I’m especially grateful for during this time is my wife, Cathy. She has taken on the role of my nurse with such dedication, and she’s doing an amazing job. I try my best not to be cranky during this process, as I know it’s a significant strain on her to take care of me. Her support means everything to me.

Goodbye to My Second Mom

It has been a week filled with both sadness and gladness. My beloved mother-in-law, Norma Elliott, passed away after a long illness. She is now completely healed, welcomed into heaven by Jesus. Norma was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. God blessed her with the spiritual gift of hospitality, enabling her to make anyone who entered her home feel loved and welcomed.

Norma was an exceptional neighbor, always caring for those around her. She prepared meals for the sick and offered comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one. With the passing of both Don and Norma Elliott, the neighborhood has lost two very special people. The viewing and funeral were filled with many stories and plenty of laughter among all those who knew and loved Norma. She was laid to rest next to her husband Don at Prairie Chapel Cemetery, where many of her family members are also buried.

I remember when I started dating Cathy, how Norma always impressed me with her grace as a wife and mother. She welcomed me into her home and made me feel at ease, even though Cathy's father sometimes intimidated me. Over the years, Norma became my second mom. When my own mother passed away several years ago, Norma was always there to encourage me. I will miss her dearly.

These last few years were tough, watching her struggle with physical and mental issues, but she always had faith, knowing she would be perfect once she crossed the barrier of this temporary life we lead.

Doctor, Doctor, Doctor, Doctor

 

When you reach Medicare age, you find yourself scheduling doctor appointments more frequently. This week was a prime example. I’ve been dealing with macular degeneration and had an appointment with my vision specialist on Monday. The good news is that my degeneration hasn’t worsened since the last scan. However, the bad news is that my eyes aren’t producing enough oil, which sometimes makes them feel like sandpaper. At least I can still see fairly well.

The next day, I had stitches removed by my dermatologist, and they also cut out a new area that required more stitches. Fortunately, the biopsies are coming back clean so far. Unfortunately for Cathy, she’ll need to remove the stitches they put in ten days.

On Wednesday, I had an appointment with a knee specialist. After X-rays and a discussion with the doctor, I learned that I’ll need partial knee replacements on both knees. The left knee will be done first, followed by the right knee after six to eight weeks. I’m praying that by mid-summer, I’ll be walking without pain and sleeping better. Since Delaware North declined my application for summer employment, I think God wants me to focus on taking care of my knees.

On Thursday, Cathy had her appointment, which gave me a break. Her doctor said she was normal, and we were both happy about that. Next week, I’ll see the colonoscopy doctor to discuss my results. I pray that everything goes well.

As they say, "Getting older is not for the faint of heart." These past few days have reminded me just how fleeting life can be. I’ve witnessed spouses saying goodbye to their loved ones and families grieving the loss of their little ones. My heart aches for all those facing funerals. Yet, I find solace in knowing that they believed in Jesus and were confident in their eternal destination. Even amidst my many appointments and an aging body, I need to hold on to the joy of the eternal life promised to all who believe in Jesus.