Well Donna now has 2 new knees. The surgery went "perfectly" (as the surgeon described) and she sailed thru recovery. He also said she had really bad knees. Donna is in her room now, doing well, and finding the pain existent but tolerable with a dose of morphine. ...whew .... just when I thought we needed a bite bullet!!! Her mom and Dad brought her a comforting pink teddy bear which wears a pink stone which dad cut.
They will get her up on those knees tomorrow and things will progress from there. Thanks to all of Donna's fanbase :) for your wishes, thoughts, and prayers and stay tuned for more updates as things progress. If you would like to know where Donna is or how to contact her please call my cell or email at brent.shultz@comcast.net
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Whew! Updates, and Many Thanks
I finally had a call from the surgeon's new office last night. I feel so much better now, knowing that the correct surgeon will be sawing parts of my bones off.
For my family and friends who read my erratic rambling posts, Brent will be calling my folks and Kera following the surgery. He'll also make a post here and on my facebook wall. Yes, Brent who said he would never have anything to do with facebook, will lower himself enough to make a post there.
Everyone says this is so routine anymore that I shouldn't worry. Sheesh, have you met me? I'm the biggest wuss in the world. But wuss or not, I have some fantastic friends and a really supportive family who have done so many wonderful things for me. For now, thanks to Renee, who organized my friends in her usual take charge fashion, and to all those friends who contributed to the Dream Dinners and the Amazon gift card. To Kim who added yummylicious casseroles to my freezer, thanks honey! To my MIL who makes fantastic soups, thanks for the contribution. To my mother the saint for my favorite breakfast, gracias. Thanks to the "wings" group for keeping me distracted tonight. Giving me peace of mind for after the surgery, thanks in advance to Jayne, mine brither who wubbers me, and Sebbie for upcoming babysitting services to be rendered. Thanks to my family and friends for all the emotional support. God knows I needed it. And most of all, thanks to Brent. Even though he drives me crazy with his engineering analness (is that even a word?), without him I would have totally lost it.
For my family and friends who read my erratic rambling posts, Brent will be calling my folks and Kera following the surgery. He'll also make a post here and on my facebook wall. Yes, Brent who said he would never have anything to do with facebook, will lower himself enough to make a post there.
Everyone says this is so routine anymore that I shouldn't worry. Sheesh, have you met me? I'm the biggest wuss in the world. But wuss or not, I have some fantastic friends and a really supportive family who have done so many wonderful things for me. For now, thanks to Renee, who organized my friends in her usual take charge fashion, and to all those friends who contributed to the Dream Dinners and the Amazon gift card. To Kim who added yummylicious casseroles to my freezer, thanks honey! To my MIL who makes fantastic soups, thanks for the contribution. To my mother the saint for my favorite breakfast, gracias. Thanks to the "wings" group for keeping me distracted tonight. Giving me peace of mind for after the surgery, thanks in advance to Jayne, mine brither who wubbers me, and Sebbie for upcoming babysitting services to be rendered. Thanks to my family and friends for all the emotional support. God knows I needed it. And most of all, thanks to Brent. Even though he drives me crazy with his engineering analness (is that even a word?), without him I would have totally lost it.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A Toby Keith Moment
Ok, it's 2:33 PM on June 1. Where is my surgeon and why haven't I heard a word? Why do I think that tomorrow I'll hear from the hospital between 4-7 PM telling me what time to arrive at the hospital on June 3 and I never will hear from the doctor? At this point I'm just hoping he'll be at the appointed place at the appointed time for the appointed surgery. Call me selfish, but right now I really am feeling that it's all about me, it's all about I....nothing like a good Toby Keith song to hit right at the heart of the matter!
Shop Til You Drop
Ok, I'm not much of a shopper so it really doesn't take much for me to reach my saturation point with it all. And that's when I'm shopping for something I actually like or need. Imagine my patience for raised toilet seats, tub chairs and walkers. Can you say, non-existent?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Moment of Panic (the first of many to come)
Eight days to go until surgery. I called Orthopaedic Associates of Allentown to see what Dr. Meade (my surgeon) wanted me to do with the "okay for surgery" paperwork from my family doctor. The assistant said, "I guess you're aware that Dr. Meade is no longer with OAA." What? "Yes, that's effective June 1." What? "Oh and I see you have a post-op appointment on July 2, I'll cancel that for you." What? I sounded like a broken record ... or at the very least someone in shock!
So, what's the status of my June 3 surgery? (the first rational thing Isaid since this conversation began.) "Well, we think Dr. Meade is honoring all his surgical commitments. We don't know where you'll have to go for your post-op though because we don't know where he's going." What? (Honestly, it seemed to be the only thing I could say!)
PANIC CITY!
I should know to just call Kera as she's quite resourceful. She knows "people." She made a phone call and found out that Dr. Meade is starting his own practice beginning June 1 and that yes, he is honoring his surgical commitments. My guess is that contractually he can't talk to patients about this until June 1. Hopefully I'll receive some type of contact from him next week.
I hope. The alternative will be a full blown panic attack!
So, what's the status of my June 3 surgery? (the first rational thing Isaid since this conversation began.) "Well, we think Dr. Meade is honoring all his surgical commitments. We don't know where you'll have to go for your post-op though because we don't know where he's going." What? (Honestly, it seemed to be the only thing I could say!)
PANIC CITY!
I should know to just call Kera as she's quite resourceful. She knows "people." She made a phone call and found out that Dr. Meade is starting his own practice beginning June 1 and that yes, he is honoring his surgical commitments. My guess is that contractually he can't talk to patients about this until June 1. Hopefully I'll receive some type of contact from him next week.
I hope. The alternative will be a full blown panic attack!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Time Winds Down
Who knew four months could fly by so fast. I say that now, but as the clock was ticking, it seemed to be incredibly slow. For the first few months, everything remained the same. This led to never ending second thoughts. Perhaps I could wait a few months....or years. Then things took a definite turn for the worse. Who knew that could be a good thing? Yet it was. No more thoughts of procrastinating, no more possibility of keeping the weak defective knees I was born with. Despite all my squeamishness, it's time to face reality. What the heck, I'd better get 'er done before nationalized health care sticks me with them forever.
But wouldn't you think that with all the technology doctors have at their disposal, wouldn't you think they could at least make me a little taller?
But wouldn't you think that with all the technology doctors have at their disposal, wouldn't you think they could at least make me a little taller?
Friday, May 21, 2010
How Did It Happen?
It's interesting how sometimes things just fall together. Coincidence some say. By the grace of God say others. Just a lucky break perhaps.
To replace the knees or not to replace the knees was the question. You're too young. You haven't exhausted all the options other than surgery. But what happens when all the options except surgery have failed? What happens when the quality of life has diminished to the point where your world is work and the couch? Do the same prohibitions to surgery still exist?
The doctor is good, is a second opinion better? More questions. The answer after much soul searching, discussion and counseling was a resounding yes. A second opinion means more knowledge upon which to base an educated decision. Or does it? What if the second opinion leads you down a road you never anicipated?
Not such a big difference perhaps, but a curve in the road I certainly didn't anticipate. By a cirquitious route, I was led to a surgeon in Allentown, who by all accounts, is one of the top in his field. I went in January 29 for a second opinion and came out with a June 3 surgery date. And thus the journey begins.
To replace the knees or not to replace the knees was the question. You're too young. You haven't exhausted all the options other than surgery. But what happens when all the options except surgery have failed? What happens when the quality of life has diminished to the point where your world is work and the couch? Do the same prohibitions to surgery still exist?
The doctor is good, is a second opinion better? More questions. The answer after much soul searching, discussion and counseling was a resounding yes. A second opinion means more knowledge upon which to base an educated decision. Or does it? What if the second opinion leads you down a road you never anicipated?
Not such a big difference perhaps, but a curve in the road I certainly didn't anticipate. By a cirquitious route, I was led to a surgeon in Allentown, who by all accounts, is one of the top in his field. I went in January 29 for a second opinion and came out with a June 3 surgery date. And thus the journey begins.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)