Friday, July 19, 2013

wishing for (frozen) peas


What a relief.

I woke up in the recovery room dazed and delighted that there I was, all of me, able to nod, smile, feel.

I had a knee replacement with plenty of warnings and preparation: "could take up to a year before you're fully recovered," "the first two weeks are the worse," "take the meds and don't let the pain get ahead," "plan for three months of heavy rehab."

Yes.

I am now home seriously taking oxycodone every few hours, sleeping, icing, pushing my left leg to bend a fraction of an inch more than yesterday. I am confident I am going to be okay and with help and in time I am going to reclaim my gait and step.

I have strong memories and experiences already.

My hospital experience was incredible. The nurses and nurses' aides and therapists were so competent I felt safe and almost relaxed throughout. They managed my pain incredibly well. They were efficient and reliable. I pushed a button; they came.

When I was discharged, I gave a 60 year old aide named Maria the flowers JB had brought me and I gave a young nurse named Dante a copy of my book. We had connected in the four days I was there.

They had their own confidence in how well and how much they pushed me. They made me walk.

I've come home to home services in place. The visiting nurses have been a bit disorganized and inconsistent but the physical therapist--the person I must rely on most for rehab-- is a already a gem. She is working me to the max and with wheels and a walker I am able to get from one end of the house to another. I feel new muscles appearing in my leg.

The pain has been much less than I expected. I am foggy and spacey by the time dinner rolls around. Thankfully JB is watching that I take these meds as I'm supposed to. I am awakened around two am each night knowing that I need to ice the knee fast. What relief from that! I've learned to sleep on my back, to move my leg carefully, to push one more time.

Our friend Liz left last night after staying with me for three days while JB worked. (Maybe I will write about our collective saga of my running out of meds and the crazy mess of having them refilled.) Each day I have gotten some cards and little presents, and today, these amazing miniature chocolates from Suki.

Each day I am aware that I have two things going for me that makes all the difference:

I connect. And I appreciate. 

The nurse who came today was very overweight and was covered with layers of clothing that must have made the already horrid effects of 99 degree temperature unbearable. She was serious and professional and covered up in more ways than one. I went out of my way to respect her. We both benefited. 

This is my report so far from the frozen peas and frozen corn section of chez rehab. 

How nice to be saying hello

love
kj

13 comments:

  1. just don't eat those refrozen veggies or the next report will be coming from the gastro section of tomaine(sp?) central! Im glad you are up and around! It's so nice to see you here!

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    1. Zoe, you 're not kidding! I've found they don't refreeze very happily either--kind of an odor that is not optimal for ice soothing!

      Thanks for all your visits and words here. I like :-)

      Love
      kj

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    2. a Ziploc bag goes a long way to seal off the stinks...

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  2. admire your determination to heal and do what you need to do for your knee. i wonder what Louise Hay says about knees. glad you have dear friends to help you through this time and....dont eat all those chocoloates at once, haha. I hope they weren't melted. blessings, suki

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    1. Suki, that surprise is so wonderful! Only ONE in the whole box had melted, so of course I had to eat that one right away! They are so delicate and special. Thank you so very much xo

      I am going to have to maintain determination for several months and that's where the real challenge will be. I hope I can and will keep it up

      Thanks for everything, suki xoxo

      Love
      kj

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  3. I knew you could do it. I know you. I am filled with admiration at your stoicism (and can only guess at the amount of tears you have shed already.) Keep on keeping on, I am relying on you to show me the way, as always. Big wmahs xxx

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  4. No tears, joss; just a few winces. Well no actually, I cried the other night when it looked like the narcotic I'm taking might not be available. I felt like a drug addict! And JB and my friend Liz felt like drug pushers trying to locate it for me! It's all worked out and currently I'm in live with ice. It pushes that pain away kind of remarkably

    I could have this alot worse. I think so far I've been lucky

    I've loved seeing you and Mim together. Isn't she the dearest person? Xoxo

    I got your card yesterday--thank you so much!! So fun to open it and see your well wishes

    Love
    kj

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  5. it'll all good right? yup...everyday it will get better and better and then more and more. try some of those soft gel ice wraps, I find them very helpful and better and colder than peas.

    x0x0 mim

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    1. Hi Mim, I've advanced to ice cubes in plastic bags :-)

      xoxo

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  6. Did Emily share her frozen peas with you? :)

    I'm glad you're rehabbing well. How sad about your nurse in layers and layers. i feel her pain, truly. I sit by Barb's pool with jeans on and sweat while everyone enjoys the pool. Why can't we accept ourselves? Life will be over too soon .

    Take good care of yourself Ms. SunBrella. I'll call you soon. Maybe now!

    xoxo
    Lo♥

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    1. Lo, tear off those layers and jump in that refreshing water! That is self torture to do otherwise! And no jeans allowed in July and August. It 'a rule.

      I mean it peanut!

      Love
      kj

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  7. i love the frozen peas on your poor knee, they do work till they melt. you hang in there, your on your way! (to running for taxis in the rain!)

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    1. Hello Lori xo

      I long to run ghost taxi in the rain! !!!

      Love
      kj

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