Constance Pelkey Designs: knee

Showing posts with label knee. Show all posts

Monday, March 02, 2009

Waiting for spring....

"Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite. Or waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting." -
-- Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

On this, my and Dr. Seuss' birthday, I sit and nurse my painful but hopeful new knee and watch yet ANOTHER snowstorm out the windows!

Thick, wet, heavy snow is falling again... for what? The 3rd or 4th week straight?! Perhaps it's been longer than that, I don't know. I've been in an Oxycodone induced coma for almost two weeks now!

This, in some ways was a good thing, but others, not so good. I decided it was time to stop the controlled substances and just go with the Tylenol 3's on Saturday. So I took my last heavy duty med on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning I had a splitting headache, bordering on migraine status. I purged out both ends a few times and then I went back to bed. I had the cold sweats, aches and pains that hadn't been there before, fitful sleep and the weirdest dreams I think I've ever had. I eventually emerged from the dark little cocoon that is our wonderful new bedroom and felt like a new woman! I was CRAVING a cheeseburger like mad and Nancy came to my rescue with Burger King. It tasted like another!! Then we had Pizza Hut for supper!! *happy dance*

Yesterday was a very good day! Friends came over bearing gifts with their cute little puggies, Brutus and Ozzy. Brutus sang Happy Birthday to me! Thanks Brutie!! I love you!!

This morning I had physical therapy and it's with the amazing Dana! He got me through my shoulders and now he's working with me on my knee too!! He put me through my paces but didn't let me overdo! I got bent my knee back to 100 degrees!! Two weeks out!! He was amazed and pleased at how well I'd done on my own. He said it's nearly unheard of for someone to go past 85 degrees this early! I even "rode" the stationary bike for a bit. Really, it was just swinging the pedals back and forth, but it was good, a "good" kind of pain. Wednesday afternoon I get the stitches out and I'll be zooming right along soon afterward!

Boss at PetSmart says I can come in and "work" customer service for an hour or two as soon as I can stand without pain for that long. So, yay!

So, while it's snowing outside, my sweetie has to work 10 hours on my birthday and I'm still in quite a bit of pain, but I'm very hopeful and most assuredly on the downward slope!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, get well wishes, gifts and encouragement from everyone!!

♥ Nancy ♥

Friday, February 27, 2009

So, rumors of my demise have been much exaggerated...

I had big plans for work while laid up from my surgery. *sigh* What's that they say about the best laid plans??

Everything went fine with the exception of pain management. At the hospital and here at home. I have to say though, today I'm finally feeling somewhat human again. I know, I know, I'm NOT going to overdo. I promise to be good. I hope I can sit up in my studio for a while this weekend though. I have 12 bugs on my work table waiting patiently for their legs!!

Yes, if you were wondering if that big bluish, purply-ish, pinky blob over there on the left is my leg, you would be right. LOT'S of bruising!! Remember that animation I posted about them opening up the leg, moving muscle and tendon, cutting bone, hammering and gluing the new portion in??? I have felt the results of all it this week!!

I can already tell though, it was worth it!!! Nancy might disagree with me at this point, because she is the one who worries and has to deal with the stress of my pain, and she doesn't do that well, but she is such a trouper!! I love her so!

I'll get back to work in my studio again soon enough, for now it's naps with my lil' black doggie Nero and my old man kitty Henry, my cryo/cuf (ice) and HGTV in the background... oh, and the laptop on the pillow next to me! Techy geek that I am!

Oh! Speaking of tech!!! Great news! My new lappy is being made, just for me, as we speak!! It's a Pink Dell Inspiron 1525 with an expected delivery of March 11!!

Thanks Mom!!!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

At 9AM this morning, we'll be heading over to the hospital. I need to be there 90 minutes prior to scheduled time - 11:00 AM.

There's two computers available for patients to use, so I'll check in during the week.

Thanks for all the good wishes!

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Thanks!!

Monday, February 09, 2009

“It is at our mother's knee that we acquire our noblest and truest and highest ideals, but there is seldom any money in them” Mark Twain

Here's an animation of what they're going to do to my right knee next Tuesday.

Copyright © 2007, 2008, 2009 by Constance Pelkey.

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Connie

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Better to die on your feet than live on your knees. - unknown author

Did I tell y'all that I have date for my knee replacement?? February 17th. I'll be in the hospital for a few days afterward, probably 'til Friday, barring any unforeseen issues. EVERYTHING is going to be fine though! Positive thoughts!!

From

http://www.kneereplacement.com

Total knee replacement, or arthroplasty, is the relining of the joint (bone end surfaces) with artificial parts called prostheses. There are three components used in the artificial knee. The femoral (thigh) component is made of metal and covers the end of the thigh bone.

The tibial (shin bone) component, made of metal and polyethylene (medical-grade plastic), covers the top end of the tibia. The metal forms the base of this component, while the polyethylene is attached to the top of the metal to serve as a cushion and smooth gliding surface.

The third component, the patella (kneecap) may be all polyethylene or a combination of metal and polyethylene.

The new components are stabilized by your ligaments and muscles, just as your natural knee.

Good thoughts and prayers are appreciated!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

Today, I saw the Dr. who ordered the barium upper and lower GI thingy last week, he says I have the innards of a twenty year old!!! Everything is running smoothly throughout my altered anatomy!! YAY!! There is no sign of any harmful bacteria in my stool, and I feel good!

It is time for my upper and lower probing though and before he gives me a 100% clean bill. He wants to get the results concerning my Barret's esophagus and it's time again for a colonoscopy. My Dad was a 17 year colon cancer survivor and his brother died of colon cancer. HUGE risk factors for me and my half brothers, so this will be my 3rd colonoscopy and I'm only 47 years old. Early detection equals prevention!

So, I've got the go ahead to pursue, once again the knee replacement! Yippee!!

Meanwhile, my partner Nancy is having a procedure on Tuesday morning and we are asking that all your good wishes, prayers and healing thoughts are with us.

thanks,

Copyright © 2008 by Constance Pelkey.

This bloggy feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this content in a news reader or on a website related to Constance Pelkey, then where you are reading it from is in violation of copyright!
Thanks!! Connie