Monday, August 1, 2011

It's Gotta Be This Or That

Back in the Good Old Days my  headline for today was a wonderful song recorded by Benny Goodman  ( I think)....I don't expect anyone else to remember it (or to remember Benny Goodman for that matter......you poor deprived souls)   but it doesn't really matter....it simply describes the waffling condition of my brain at the moment........To Replace the damned Knee or Not to Replace the Knee.........that is the question.

Actually I am almost 98% decided to do the deed......I am sure it will make the rest of my life much easier and more pleasant..........only 2 or 3 things deter me........one is that I cringe at the thought of the Physical Terrorists who get to own and torture me for weeks, nay months, afterward;  another is the the 5am Hospital Vampire Lady who wakes you every morning for the 3 weeks demanding your blooood; and I guess the other thing is the fact that I must consider the faint possibility that I will expire at some point before I have really gotten my full and complete money's worth out of the appliance and the experience.....ooooh, I would hate that!

Anyway, I will make my final decision probably tomorrow, but in the meantime I must thank all of you for your touching and dear encouragements and comments.  You really have helped me a lot, in particular the one sort of negative comment in which "imqtipi" warned me about her mother's unfortunate experience.  I am so sorry that her Mom had a bad time of it, but her email to me reminded me of a very important fact and reinforced my own conviction of how crucial the Physical Therapy is to one's recovery from any of these processes.  Her Mom apparently had little tolerance for pain and agony and consequently did not force herself to honor and perform the therapeutic maneuvers diligently.  Consequently, she never really recovered.

Because so many of you have mentioned your own knee and/or hip  problems and the possibility of needing a replacement at some point I feel it behooves me to stress how utterly important it is that you surrender yourself to that bit of suffering for a short time rather than be left with an unnecessary long term disability.

Anyone who has had any kind of surgery knows that, rather than letting you languish in your hospital  bed, (hmmm....those 2 terms are in total contradiction to each other.......languish....hospital bed.....ha) the sadists who run things make you get up and walk the day of the surgery or at least the very next day and show no mercy.  But it IS for your own good no matter how awful it feels and how much you think you are going to die and how much you enjoy thinking about what you will do to those people once you get your strength back.  I verbally resisted every effort the therapists made to rehab me after my broken hip in 2010, but fortunately, my single brain cell of good sense forced me to exert myself to the fullest despite the pain and discomfort and weakness etc.  and I know that is why I had such a great recovery.  I still hear stories of people much younger than I am who are still in wheel chairs for their lifetime because they could not or would not suck it up and do the damned exercises because they hurt. 

Forgive me for lecturing like somebody's Mother, but this is so important I decided I wanted to blog about it. And I do NOT mean to talk you out of any of these procedures   but rather to encourage you to be brave and go for it.  I just want you to hear my voice echoing in your ears while you are lurching down the halls groaning to NOT give up or give in.....it'll all be well worth it a few months down the line and, actually for the rest of your life.   I swear.  And you will be so grateful to the therapists and SO proud of yourselves.

Now let's see if can put my money where my mouth is........

18 comments:

  1. You have every right to lecture like somebody's Mother, and yes, you will put your money where your mouth is.

    Praying for you as you decide and schedule.

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  2. If anybody can pull through this with Flying Colors, you can!

    (I really didn't *mean* to be negative! Really!!! ;-)

    Hoping for the best for you..................

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  3. First you say you will -- and, then you won't... And, then, you say you'll stay... and then you don't... you're undecided now but tomorrow you'll have it all together... 8-)

    Now, a small scary story, one that I hope you won't let happen to you. My young neighbor had knee surgery on both knees, did the required therapy, and was sent home with her husband, Bubba, and no appliances, help... nada, zilch, zero, empty void of assistance. She stepped out of their van (he hadn't gotten around to the door, yet) and using the van for balance worked her way round to the sidewalk step-up -- and, promptly fell on both knees. The scream filled the air! She was returned to hospital. Two weeks later, she came home, in an ambulance with two helpers. Don't do this alone, Lo. Therapy; yes. Alone; no. {{{HUGS}}}

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  4. God that is a creepy story Sharlene, but it is also good to know especially for someone like me who thinks they can go with everything alone.

    Ah, but back to the lady in waiting. I believe your decision is made and I so much appreciate your thoughts on this. I hope they can take you in quickly so you don't have to think too much more about it and can get on with the hard work of recuperating. You are a good role model for me and I thank you for that.

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  5. G'day. Go for it Lo. I know a number of people who have had knee replacements and have been so glad they went and had it done. Of course, there are others who have had bad experiences, but I think the good outweighs the bad and somewhere done the track I am sure you will be happy that you bit the bullet and forged ahead. All the very best with the knee. Take care. Liz...

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  6. I must comment on Sharlene's story above.

    I am aghast at this awful tale....part of the therapy should consist of how to get in and out of the car using wheel chair or walker or at least cane. One should be sent home with a walker for sure and should have lots of practice using it in the hospital and rehab unit, and there should be many discussions and conferences and arrangements made about the kind of assistance one will require once one is discharged. When I broke my hip my hospital even sent a crew to inspect my house prior to my going home....they made suggestions about needed devices like a temporary ramp up the front steps for the wheel chair or walker, handles installed beside toilets and inside shower stalls etc.... Stools for inside the shower. I had all of that done before I came home.

    Also, I must question the cerebral action or intelligence of both the neighbor and Bubba. The only sane thing would have been to wait till Bubba got around to her side of the car to help before she even lifted a foot to get out........even the swivelling of the fanny on the car seat and lifting bad leg out with both hands prior to getting out of a car is taught and practiced in proper therapy sessions. Ugh, what a total fuck-up. Unbelievable.

    That is a very sad story and should not have happened. Needless to say.....I will try to do better than that. And take heed of what you need and should have all ye who contemplate similar replacement of body parts.

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  7. I'm late coming into this post. I don't have much to say really other than to tell you how much I admire your determination and spirit. We need a good talking to at times, and believe me when I say, I am listening. Thanks Lo.

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  8. Go for it! Then when you are nearly fully recovered get a Wii and the sports programme. After you have virtially hool-hooped, shot bows and arrows, a little ten pin bowling, you can partake in a virtual boxing match and smash those therapists.

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  9. Sounds like you've made your decision, and are just confirming it for yourself. Your good sense, spirit and determination will impress and inspire everyone who works with you, I'm sure of it. I know a woman 20 years younger than you who had both knees replaced at once. Everyone who knows her was sure she'd be done in by it, because she ordinarily can't tolerate a sniffle or a hangnail. "She won't be back to work" we all thought. But she IS back and walking so much better than any of us can remember...if she can do it ANYBODY can do it.

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  10. And, btw, I not only remember Benny Goodman, I actually saw him perform live once back in the 1970's. When I was 4, I think. ;>)

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  11. June Barton - Emil Coleman Orchestra (1945).
    Love Benny Goodman. I could say so much about him and the memories of his music. No. I wasn't around in his hey day; but their are recordings and no excuse for not knowing who he was. Remember his appearances on Merv Griffin?

    I know you will pick surgery and do as you're told. The releif is something to look forward to.

    PS..the physical terroist just might look like Magic Johnson OR Mark Harmon. Now THAT's inspiration!

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  12. PS --- How about the Pied Pipers?

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  13. Hi Lo
    Been away for a few days and always think there will be nobody there when I come back. lol

    Feeling for you with the knee problem, it's a bummer isn't it. What I can't understand is why all these things keep happening to us, after all we don't feel that old do we ?????

    So hot here at the moment, spent most of the day lying on the bed surrounded by hot cats.....
    Briony
    x

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  14. Sounds like you will be in good hands and you know much about this procedure and the all important recovery process.

    I hope you are happy with whatever you decide and stay healthy no matter what.

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  15. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery, Lo. I didn't have a doubt that you would opt for fixing the problem, You are such an inspiration, and fortunate to have doctor's that know what they are doing...I don't..I have been in such pain lately,,,Probably another trip to Barnes..Sorry, Lo. This is about you, NOT ME...Let me know when the surgery will take place..Much Love

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  16. With an attitude like that, you'll be doing cartwheels in no time. And if you aren't, it won't be because you didn't try. You're one of the pluckiest people I've ever met, of any age. Love to you, my lady.

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  17. Had knee replacement on both knees last Nov. It's better than walking on crutches. Lots of complications with mine, one had been botched when I was about 20 so I'm going back to reconnect a ligament or tendon. The other was pretty good but it activated a condition called pseudo gout. I would still recommend it and prob do it again, but wouldn't do both at once. They take a while to heal. It doesn't hurt to get up the first day. I wrote a couple short articles on my blog "Walking Tall But Slow" and "Trauma and Drama" Just remember they are supposed to be funny.

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