I'm Back!!

My knee surgery was a good success and recovery is coming along well.
I suppose the slight tinge of sadness as I went through the preparations on Sunday and arriving at the hospital on Monday was the knowledge that without a doubt I was in for some painful recovery time.
Been there. Done that. In 2011. Here I was again.

God was so good to me in making me feel special from the moment I went up to the check in desk.

That's our sweet neighbor, Gloria, in between us. She escorted us to the proper place where Louis Dean would be waiting while I got ready for surgery. I was gifted with a very nice stainless steel beverage container and I used that all the time I was there and every day since I got home.

The ladies understood that LD had a flip phone and took great care to let him know how to get the info on my surgical progress. Thank goodness Amber arrived and he didn't have to keep one thought in his head since he knew that SHE knew what was going on!

One of the last things Dr. Sanders told me was that he would put a pain block in right AFTER surgery so I would wake up pain free......for a little while.

Well, I woke up all right. Crying and in so much pain!! They were quick to get it under control but I did so want to be a good patient and I was disappointed that I had cried and carried on so.

I arrived in hospital on Monday and was discharged on Wednesday.

The days became a confusion of thoughts as I could not remember much of anything.

I do not do well with pain medicines but Dr. Sander's assured me to take my meds and stay in front of the pain and then cut back after some healing time had gone by. We figured our a 'recipe' that included pain pills as well as something for nausea.

Still, the meds gave me hallucinations and visions....but only when my eyes were shut. It was like watching a computer screen in my mind......weird faces morphing and changing....shelves of Christmas ornaments to be arranged......books lying on a shelf with water coming closer and closer and I am trying to get to the water before the water gets to the books.

No nightmare kind of things. But when I prayed, I seemed to have more depth and clarity of thought.

So it was smarter to spend more time praying than just thinking.

Amber is a big believer in icing and she kept that up for me.

The three mornings I was in the hospital I was a cry baby.

I seem to have a harder time in the mornings.

By midday, I would be all straightened out again.

I was up and walking the hall within a few hours of surgery and again in the afternoon, and evening all three days.

I felt as snug as could be in my hospital 'crib.' We had to keep the sides pulled up so all my toys wouldn't fall out! I'm a heavy drinker and both Amber and Louis Dean kept me stocked up on tea.

I really appreciate all the angels in Baylor Surgical Hospital.

They always had a smile and a kind word and I was treated with great care and respect.

When I left, I told them I was not going to miss them but that 'I would remember them fondly!'

I was too tired to bake before surgery but we will go back up there next week with cinnamon rolls fro everyone all around!

Amber brought me home Wednesday afternoon in her Suburban and stayed on duty until Thursday afternoon when she had to do school pick up.

It felt every bit as wonderful sliding under the bedroom sheets as I knew it would!

Home Health came that very afternoon to deliver equipment and to sign me up with the program.

Thursday morning was my first Physical Therapist visit.

It went well and Kirby - my PT guy - said I was already at the 2 week point on my first day.

Amber left this note for me to find when I woke up from my nap.

It really does make us feel good when people - especially our children - tell us they are proud of us!

I have spent lots of time in bed napping and being.

They encourage you to get up and piddle around the house doing small housekeeping chores and that's right up my alley. I watered the first house plants I have had in years and I look forward to a long healthy relationship with it!

There's a lot to do in recovery.

I wear these compression cuffs up to 18 hours a day.

I do several rounds of exercises just like the ones Kirby does with me.

I practice walking.....stepping like a high horse in the center ring.

I spent time every day reading Facebook messages and checking on my friends.

My mind is still scrambled a bit and I have found myself holding the iPad or my phone and looking down and seeing all the little icons jiggle......or messages of random letters in the reply box of a post.

If you have seen some of these - just scroll on by and wait for me on the corner!

I'll be getting my mind back soon, I hope.

Louis Dean has been feeding me well.

Friday he made chicken tenders and gravy......and I ate them.

That was NOT a good thing to do.

Too heavy and I ate too much!

Friday night was NOT pretty and I have Pam to thank for getting me back in shape.

She called and I took one look at the caller ID, answered and said, "I'm not doing very well."

She was here in minutes!

She called to check on me this evening and as soon as she heard my voice - she knew I was feeling better!! I think she was all ready to prepare for take off again and was glad she didn't need to!

Amber painted my toes for me yesterday before she left to pick the kids up at school.

Those hose are the dickens to get on but my doctor wants me to wear them for six weeks.

So I went online and ordered some new ones this afternoon!

I bought a movie the other day.  By accident. So I have an old Tom Hanks movie to watch where he plays a bad guy. A Southern bad guy with a real drawl. If I can keep from drive by clicking, maybe I can figure out how to watch free movies on demand!!

I do love and appreciate all my friends and family out there who have prayed for me.
I could definitely feel the power of prayer.

Louis Dean is holding up well.
He has his projects to do and tries to keep up with the house.
He's done a lot of funny things with food but my brain is about to shut off for the day so I will tell y'all about that tomorrow!

Thank you again - for every prayer and every thought.
                                                       Louis Dean and I do so love you, you know.....