Independence Day

I got a note this morning from HJ, who was at Vaughantown with me. He had his first knee replacement two days ago, and his second is scheduled for about the same time as mine, depending on how well the first one goes.  He makes it sound like it was no big deal and that it's "great to feel young again".  Well, that's certainly encouraging, though after only two days I doubt that he does. Maybe he has some really good drugs!!

I was looking at my Spain pictures this morning and came across one of Retiro Park in Madrid. I had planned to spend time there but never actually got there on foot because of my knee (I saw it from the hop on, hop off bus tour).  I was standing on a corner, with the park a couple of blocks away on my left, and the hotel about the same distance down the street. My knee was grinding, and even though I really wanted to go to the park, and I had the time, I just couldn't face walking there and back and then on to the hotel.  Instead, I walked back to the hotel and took a bath. I never want to have to choose like that again, and use my precious vacation time to sit around the hotel because I hurt too badly.

Wisdom accumulated so far:

1.  You have to have your head right before doing this. You have to be sure going in that this is what you want to do.    -- Mom

2.  Start the post-op exercises as soon as you can.  Don't wait for the first therapy appointment.   -- Mom

3.  If you are having a bad knee day (with the "original equipment") go down stairs backwards.  It looks funny, but it uses different muscles and won't hurt as bad.  -- HJ

4.  Learn the post-op exercises before surgery so you will know how they are supposed to go.  -- Mom

5.  Build up your leg as much as you can before surgery.  -- random person at the pool

6.  Take a pain pill before therapy.  You don't get extra points because it hurts. -- Mom

7.  How many things have you not done because it hurts? If it's affecting your quality of life, you need to do something about it. -- Dan

I feel like I at least have a road map now.  There is a destination, and a date to be there.  I know what comes next.  With a list of tasks to accomplish between now and then I'll be well occupied through the summer.  I'm just still struggling a little with that "getting your head right" part.