A brand new knee

Billy Z wrote

on Nov 12, 2009 8:22 AM

 Billy-- oh my, I can only imagine... you must have the patience of a saint!

 Saint? Saint Bernard maybe. *grinz*

LoisB:

Whatcha think Billy? will that work? it's the same line I use on DH when he's sick and stillt trying to help with chores. Usually works on him, but I'm not so sure it'll work on a New England Nurse!

 I doubt it, but thanks for trying. Actually, the PT folks want her to do as much as she possibly can without causing severe pain. This is a new type of hinged knee joint made especially for females and a new procedure using mini instruments that were actually invented by her ortho guy and a company called Zimmer in 2004. Most of his patients are walking normally in about 2 months because the joint is made almost exactly like the origional one. He showed us one in the office and it looks just like the real deal. It is extrememely smooth and will last twice as long as the old type. If you are interested, you can read about the difference in the male and female replacement joints here. http://www.genderknee.com/micro/ctl?op=global&action=1&id=9520&global=1&template=mn Very interesting stuff.

 Billy ;o)

LoisB@23 wrote

on Nov 12, 2009 8:52 AM

 Well, if that's what the dr's and PT people are telling her, then that's what she needs to do!  I've heard of Zimmer... but know more about hips than knees... so thanks! I'll take a look-see

Lois

SEllen 2 wrote

on Nov 12, 2009 11:17 AM

Billy Z:

she's a bit mule-headed

Billy

If you EVER figure out to handle a mule-headed person PLEASE I beg of you to let me in on the secret...

My whole family on Both sides are this way ALL the time!

Heaven help us to help those we love

sellen

cbreul wrote

on Nov 16, 2009 12:36 PM

 Billy and Pam,

Just checking in to see how things are and how recovery is going.

Courtney

Billy Z wrote

on Nov 17, 2009 5:28 AM

 She's getting better albeit slowly. She had coral in her leg from her frist repair many years ago and her doc removed it because it had become like concrete. her origional doc had also left the screw holes when he removed the origional hardware leave several weak spots. her new doc removed the coral and ground out the screw holes and filled them with bone grafting material and that's where most of her pain is. She is hobbling around, baking bread and whatnot when she feels up to it. She's not moving as quickly as PT would like, but everyone is different and has to go at their own pace, ya know. overall, all is well and doing fine.

 Billy ;o)

cbreul wrote

on Nov 17, 2009 6:50 AM

 Really good news! As long as she is up and moving, that is the key!  Thank you for this! Thank you for caring for her..... :)

cb

Pam I am wrote

on Nov 18, 2009 8:10 AM

Hi everybody, thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers...  I'm okay, getting better.  Frustrated by a bunch of things I can't do but that's not too unusual I guess.  Billy is treating me very, very well and he has a fantastic way of helping me out of my darker moods, not to mention taking considerable pain away from me with his sweet ways. 

Yesterday was the first day I'd been here on the computer at all since the last time I posted here because when I sit down instead of lie down in bed (I'm really getting tired of that) my leg hurts pretty bad and I haven't been able to get comfortable enough to stay on for more than a very few minutes.  It's somewhat better today than it was even two days ago though it's raining today and that makes it hurt worse than it would if it wasn't raining.  I'm getting there though.  I am mule headed about some things and most of the time this has done me good but not always.  It's hard for me to tell before I get into something how much I'm really going to be able to do. 

I know I've missed a whole lot of things going on with everybody and I'm sorry I haven't been able to give any TLC to anyone.  I care about all of you and think about you all the time. 

Pam

Evalie wrote

on Nov 18, 2009 9:37 PM

 Pam, I'm sorry I missed posting earlier, but I'm glad I caught it finally. It's so good to read about your progress...it seems like you're doing very well, and I know you have a wonderful support system! Prayers are with you..........Evalie

CrystalCubeBead. wrote

on Nov 19, 2009 8:07 PM

Pam:

I know I've missed a whole lot of things going on with everybody and I'm sorry I haven't been able to give any TLC to anyone.  I care about all of you and think about you all the time. 

Kid, you're now on the receiving end - finally!  You've been doing for others, and now the favors can be repaid, even if only partially -- just accept it!

koolaidstains wrote

on Nov 19, 2009 9:43 PM

 (((Pam)))  I pray that the healing process goes quickly and the pain doesn't get too bad.

cbreul wrote

on Nov 20, 2009 7:51 AM

CrystalCubeBead.:

Kid, you're now on the receiving end - finally!  You've been doing for others, and now the favors can be repaid, even if only partially -- just accept it!

 Well said.  :)

cb

Billy Z wrote

on Nov 20, 2009 1:16 PM

 That's what I have been trying to tell her, but she's a muley woman to say the least. *grinz* A strong will is a good trait in a woman in my opinion, as long as I'm not on the recieving end. *laughz* Thankfully, I'm on her good side. At least for now anyway......

 Billy ;o)

Pam I am wrote

on Nov 22, 2009 6:12 AM

CrystalCubeBead.:

Kid, you're now on the receiving end - finally!  You've been doing for others, and now the favors can be repaid, even if only partially -- just accept it!

I'm getting better.  Yesterday morning for the first time I could put more than the tiniest bit of weight on it and it doesn't hurt as bad as it did anymore, now there are times when it's not too bad at all.    It's going to rain and that increased my pain again yesterday afternoon, but I'll be okay eventually, I just wish I could walk, this is no fun at all.  This isn't the first time I've had a hard time with this knee/leg, I've had two other major surgeries on it and two arthroscopic debridements, so I do know I'll get better.  I didn't expect that Dr. Skinner was going to do anything other than just the knee replacement and Billy's right, the extra drilling and cleaning out the coral with the re-grafting did/does cause me more pain.  That still hurts plenty.  I am stubborn...I want to get going doing all kinds of things including making life super nice for Billy.  Maybe my stubborness will do me good yet.  Wish I was as strong as a mule and not just as stubborn...

It's just that it's not easy for me to need so much and not be able to give back, it's what I'm used to and what makes me happiest, to take care of people.  I wish I could tell you, all of you, just how good Billy is to me, it's what keeps me from falling apart completely these days.  He feeds me and brings me things to drink, finds me good movies to watch, sings to me (really, yes he does...and I love it...), takes me wherever I need to go or just out with him to do errands when it's not too much for me, and just encourages me all the time.  He's very gentle and loving.  His whole family takes care of me, his daughters are always asking me if I need something and his son wants to go up North and avenge me for the computer problems and some of the other things that's happened lately. 

Last week Billy took me out to see a coyote on a (what do you call this place...where hunters go...) and it was beautiful, a great big Eastern coyote in really good shape, I just loved that. 

Also, one of Billy's daughter's friends brought us a deer hide and we sat outside on the back deck and scraped it. Billy actually did most of it, I just kind of worked at it, he got it all cleaned off really well. YES!!!  We have the head in the freezer for later.  We've been asking everybody to bring us the hide when they get a deer so I'm really pleased. 

We've been selling a little bit of jewelry here and there too which is nice.  We have an order for a necklace, earrings and a ring with turquoise that we'll have finished and ready for Tuesday.  I wish I could do more of this kind of thing, just go out and sell some jewelry and stuff like that.  I know I will sooner or later... and I did a tiny little bit of transcription work on Thursday for a clinic I used to work with, there will be more, just small amounts for now but more later on.

Even in pain like I am my life is far better than it was up North.  The pain in my leg will go away eventually, but I've found more love and goodness here than I have, ever, in my whole life.  I don't know I got so lucky.  Billy, you're on my good side forever...

Pam

SEllen 2 wrote

on Nov 22, 2009 10:55 AM

 Pam

I'm sorry your still in pain.

Think of it this way maybe God is just trying to keep your attention and make you slow down so you can enjoy those moments ... on the back porch, running errands and enjoying the company of your New family.

If you were trying to take care of everyone else would you be paying so much attention to such small details as watching a coyote. Or have the time to just be around when someone wanted to sing to you? Would you be as happy in each moment or thinking of what someone else needed/wanted.

As for not helping others how do  you know you're not? Sometimes others learn by just watching how we get through difficulties, do we keep putting one foot in front of the other or do we just give up and whine and complain? Perhaps there is someone on the fringes of your life watching- learning.

I pray for you and Billy & his children always.

sellen

If my views offended anyone I give you my appologies.

JSmaz wrote

on Nov 22, 2009 1:06 PM

Not in the slightest Sue Ellen, in fact I second your statement!  What a sweet thing to say, and a different way to look at the situation. :)