Pre-op Day

Tuesday (8-21) was my pre-op day.
First, I met with the therapist at McLean County Ortho.  We went over the exercises and they measured my current ability to bend and straighten the knee.  That day I could not get to 0 (straightening) - I got 17 degrees.  I don't know that she said what the bending measurement was.  My first therapy appointment will be just five days after surgery! And actually, therapy will start on day one. Supposedly, they get you up within a few hours after surgery.  I couldn't make an appointment for the therapy because they were having computer issues, so I have to call them back next week.

In the afternoon, I had my pre-op testing and new knee class at the hospital.  It was interesting.  I sat in the room, and everyone came to me.  Lab came and drew two vials of blood, the anesthesia guy came and asked a bunch of questions, then the EKG lady came in.  After that it was time for my class.

The class was really informative and helpful.  We got really nice zippered 3-ring binders with all of our exercises, procedures, rules, some sticky notes, a pen, a calendar/schedule, and a day-by-day guide to what will happen in the hospital.  We also got a set of exercise clothes - shorts and a t-shirt.  We are supposed to take our binders with us to the hospital.  I got to see the actual pieces that are installed.  It sort of both reassured me and scared me a little.  They take less bone off than I thought, but they still take off bone, you know?  They also gave us some special soap to shower with the night before and the morning of surgery.

After the class, I had to go get a chest xray but I'm not sure why, since not everyone did.
So, it's actually going to happen.  As it gets closer, I am actually having some real....I don't know....fears, worries, whatever.  OK, I'm scared, and it was really lonely being by myself at the class when everyone else was with their "coach".  Kym will be available 24/7 through the weekend and possibly Monday, though she doesn't have to commit to that, so we will see.

I picked up a shower chair and fancy walker I am borrowing from a friend, but I discovered that the walker won't fit through the space between the dishwasher and the corner of the fridge (my route into the house) because it is wider than standard.  It also won't work well in the bathroom, so....back to the drawing board on that.