Round 2 ??

Hello all... My knee was healing quite well and I was feeling great until Monday evening the 25th of August. By about 9:00 pm I was in such intense pain (Galen was at work) I had Chandler call 911 and the paramedics came, evaluated me and Galen (rushing home from work) took me to the hospital. To make a long story short, I was admitted and by Tuesday afternoon I was back in surgery. The doctor was afraid I had an infection but after draining fluid off my knee and draining it during surgery and waiting for cultures - no infection!! That was great news. I had a bleed in my knee probably caused by the anti-quagulant I was taking (via shots in my belly). Dr. Warden did replace the plastic piece that acts as the cartilage because he said that if any new "bionic" part of my knee would have bacteria on it, that could. He also chose to close with 18 stitches. (Yes, I counted.)

So, after another 4 days in the hospital, 18 stitches, I am back on the mend and doing great. I had 2 weeks of in home therapy and started my out of home therapy yesterday. I am pleased with he whole thing and am anxious to have my other knee done but I need to strengthen my surgery knee first.

Thanks for all you comments. Love You all.

August 14th we always be "our special day"

August 14 was a big day for Caleb too. He had a mole removed from the front of his left ankle. His mommy said he was a big boy and did really well at the doctor's office. Caleb and I compared boo boos.

I started with Aug. 14, 2008...

Where do I begin...

I am 8 days post surgery and told myself that with all the "sitting" and mending I will be doing, I would have plenty of time to start a blog. I guess I could start with my first memories of my childhood and type the years away causing readers to fall into a state of trance or total slumber. However, I will start August 14, 2008 about 6:00 am.

Galen and I headed to Long Beach Memorial Hospital where I was scheduled for a total knee replacement (left side). {Dr. William Warden (He is also called Dr. McDreamy and Willie Wonka, depending on your perspective) was the head surgeon with Dr.s Carroll and Shannon attending.
Dr. Branch was the anesthesiologist.} Excitement, anticipation, anxiety, a plethora of emotions running amok. By 6:45 (and I'm guess the time here as I was instructed to enter the hospital with nothing on) I was in my lovely cotton, diamond-patterned, one size fits no one, gown and I said good-bye to Galen, handed him my glasses, 4 page single spaced advanced directive and gave him a farewell kiss. I was taken to the "holding" room where I met Dr. Branch, my anesthesiologist. Within minutes I was given an IV and medicine taking me directly to "I don't Careville".

I awoke about 10:30 am, there was a clock on the wall directly across from me, I was groggy and uncomfortable but happy to be waking up. The surgery went well, my new knee was in and now starts re cooperating and therapy.

I am grateful for all those who took care of me and especially to those who called, visited, sent cards and drew pictures.

During pre-op surgery I asked Dr. Warden if he would take pictures during my surgery. I think I must have been his first patient to ask. He obliged. I will be posting a couple of pictures...

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