A New Year, A New Life, A New Knee

Following surgery Dec. 21, I woke up Dec. 22 to find my pins a little more wobbly than I would like. So I spent another week in rehab hospital.

A good friend ( who had privately decided to sleep on my couch a couple of nights) told me, "At last you've regained your senses." So I was back to three therapy sessions a day in rehab, which is a really good thing. It has gone faster this time. At two weeks, I'm spending more than half my time on a cane.I didn't get off the walker the first time until after the third week. Matter of fact, I'll get physical therapy at home for this week and next before going to an outpatient facility. I'll be driving in another week.

The first time, the surgery felt like beginning something new. This time, it feels like a natural continuation of where I want to go physically.As soon as I can pedal using my left knee, I'm off to far healthier aerobics and a more active life.

I'll never be really athletic, but I'm going to put in a garden this spring and start walking with Gracie. I look forward to this with such pleasure.

My granddaughters helped their dad take care of Gracie while I was gone. They played with her, threw balls, and let her snooze in their laps. Oldest granddaughter told me that "just every now and then" Gracie would have a sad face. Then she would brighten and play some more. I tell you, this dog has great attitude.

We finally got everybody together for present exchange this past Wednesday. A number of people have asked me if I minded being in the hospital at Christmas. The answer is no. I was too busy learning how to use my new knee. The granddaughters vacuumed and did laundry when needed. Home a week, I can pretty much do that now.

I got my daughter-in-law a rainbarrel and will go get her another and one for me (they fit in a Camry one at a time.) And some more soaker hoses. I hope the coming year will not be as hot, but it probably will be as dry. More on my hobby horse later. We are going to learn now to grow things with as little water as possible.

I think it will be interesting and fun.

All I Want for Christmas is a New Left Knee

Shortly after my last post, I answered my phone to have a woman with an Indian or Pakistani accent tell me she was from Microsoft and there was a problem with my system.

I know just enough to be very stupid. It took her an hour and a half, but she finally guided me to a site where, once I willingly gave her a customer id number, she and her cohorts were able to take over my computer in the night. Microsoft is aware of the problem and on their IT chat site specifically lists the site I was guided to.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

So we unplugged my machine, and things in both my son's and my households have been a little busy lately. A friend who has worked in IT (she also can cook a mean venison roast and plays the piano for church beautifully) came over, cleaned me up and put in the recovery disc to have me up and running again.

sigh. As soon as they sell their house, and it's looking promising, they will move to California to be near grandkids. We'll wave and post pictures on Facebook, but it won't be the same. Her nickname among our friends is Wonder Woman.

She'll be at the hospital next Wednesday as well to spend the day with me after I get my left knee replaced. Yep, I got clearance and I'm going in before Christmas so I can boss my hapless grandchildren around the second week of school vacation to fetch and carry for me. Doctor says I should be home Friday. the 23rd. I didn't realize how many of us "seniors" stampede for the hospitals in December when our deductible is all paid up, but apparently I wasn't the only one to think of it.

The doctor has warned me all knee operations aren't the same and this might not go as well as the first. I agree. But it IS the season of miracles, and the knee really has to be done sometime, anyway. This time, I know how to lift the leg into bed, I know the exercises, and I already have a strong right leg. We all figure I can take my walker and walk over to Matt's house for Christmas dinner and I need to walk, anyway. And I'll get the rebaked potato casserole made in time to freeze it for Christmas Day. Not that my daughter-in-law's wouldn't be better; it's just a tradition we've fallen into, and I'd like to do something.(I HAVE bought plenty of black olives, green olives, pickled okra and cranberry sauce)

My friend Nancy and I ended with 11 for Thanksgiving. I took a piece of turkey over to the cat I was minding for some friends, and they said he wasn't even mad at them when they returned. It was good turkey.

Thanks to a strong right knee, I was able to attend the Caravaggio exhibit at the Kimbell Museum in Fort worth and also spend time at the Amon Carter Museum nearby. I was exhausted, but happy. Before new knee, I couldn't have gone at all.

Knee surgery has got to be the most popular surgery in the world. This summer when I went to the store in shorts, my pink scar showing, people would walk up to me, faces alight, to share their own transforming experiences. The improved knees allow increased activity. The activity is a huge reason many are living so much longer.

I will try to post again a time or two, but it will be difficult before Christmas. In the meantime, any suggestions for tree decorations that represent different faiths? I bought some six-pointed stars last year and have decided they are my first step towards a truly ecumenical tree.

Suggestions are welcome. Meantime, Merry Christmas, and Masel tov.