I'm getting ready for a flight of my own. Tuesday, a surgery that I'm advised will (I prefer the word 'could') restrict my activity level for three months. Yikes! No driving for one month, maybe two weeks of real drugs for pain, and no fooling around physical therapy to get my knee and body moving again.
Fortunately I've been busy enough that I am not dwelling on anything but getting organized and thinking I'll do okay. And preparing lists. Mostly lists so JB knows what I know if I'm too drugged to care. But some non-essential lists too:
6 things I want to hear in the recovery room:
1. Wake up. You're alive!
2. You were one of the most entertaining patients we've had in the operating room in years
3. Hmmm, your pain is so much less than expected.
4. You won't be hungry so you might lose 20 pounds
5. After the first few weeks, swimming in the ocean will be good for you.
6. You really enjoy complaining, don't you?
6 iloveyous
my best friend willa died of cancer eight years ago. When a couple of months later her kids arranged a memorial for her in a large gym about six people who addressed the crowd said willa was their best friend.
This still makes me laugh. i had no idea willa had any other best friend besides me! that she was somehow all of that and more to five or six other people who didn't all even know each other was quite a feat. and not one of us got less from her.
So 6iloveyous from me? It's a good thing love multiplies! To 6 special people, give or take, now and always, thanks for being in my life. thanks for putting up with me. thanks for laughing at my jokes. thanks for feeding me. and JB and Jess, double triple quadruple thanks.
3 very great things:
1. JB and I managed to buy the house in ptown!
2. my Mother likes the nursing home ALOT!
3. Jessica just had a healthy baby girl!
3 pretty good things:
1. i no longer have a work deadline
2. chase is slowly showing signs of bonding with us
3. maybe provincetown in september
3 not-so-good things :
1. rehab for a knee replacement is significant
2. our ptown condo hasn't sold
3. i wish JB could stop working
3 important things to know:
1. Life gets harder so it's best to learn to flow, float and figure
2. What an incredibly beautiful exquisite planet
3.Sooner or later things almost always get better
If I don't post again until I do, I'll be back with a new ability to set off airport security alarms. I know you wish me well and honestly, thanks so much for that.
love love
kj
I can't say that I'll be praying for you, but I'll be thinking of you and wondering if you're still alive. Don't worry though, only 20% of knee replacement die within the first two days, although another 40% die within the next month. That gives you a whole 40% chance of survival, which is far better than you have if run over by a Bradley tank.
ReplyDeleteOn a slightly more serious note, knee replacements are as common as tonsillectomies were when we were kids, and while your recovery period sounds dreadful, on a scale of bad to worse, it hardly rates. I love you, Sweetie.
Snow, you son of a gun! I caught my breath reading those first statistics; I'm impressionable under pressure :-)
DeleteNew England Baptist Hospital only does bone surgeries and I'm confident about the surgeon. I'm also convincing myself that I am going to pull off a damn good rehab :-)
Thank you, snow. I love you too. Together strong xo
Love
kj
Just like the process of worry and strife you went through with your mother, TKR surgery is the same...the end result will be so worth it...and its fun to set off the security at the airport! OK it was only fun the first time because I forgot about it and jumped a mile! Just think now Reese and her clan will have a bionic granma!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Zoe. I keep thinking 'summer summer.' I hope I get to bob in the August cool ocean. And I hope I lose weight :-)
DeleteLove
kj
My 65 year old statician friend had one two years ago. The most exercise this guy ever got was walking up the stairs to work - one flight! He did great, was back at work 6 weeks later , albeit with a cane but walking well and in less pain than before.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do terrifically and I love you. Ok?
Mim, this is the truth: if I need the help of a loving friend who is also family and who I trust completely, I would call you. Xoxo
DeleteI plan to work hard to get back to my interesting life :-)
Love
kj
First up best of luck with the surgery... I'll been sending good healing vibes from the other side of the world.
ReplyDeleteLovely to read there are some great things in your world.
And about the best friend thing.... Last year I attended the funeral of a much loved 'best friend' and it was a great surprise to meet and hear his many best friends at the funeral. We were all surprised to learn about each other and the intimate friendship we all shared with our dear friend... One of the many lovely things that arose from this experience is I now have many more 'best friends' that were once his... because they are such wonderful people.
It makes perfect sense now... if you love someone dearly.. they most likely are a wonderful soul and of course they are going to reach the hearts of many x
Look forward to when you can share again here in the blogging world
x Robyn
That is so funny, Robyn! Yes, it does make total sense. I'll bet there are people who feel that way about you xo
DeleteWhen I write my first blog post, post surgery, I'll know I'm on the mend!
Love love
kj
I loved your six things you want to hear in the recovery room. You are so funny.
ReplyDeleteI will be thinking of you, try not to make the surgeon laugh TOO hard, he needs to have steady hands!
Hi Kay, good point! I'll keep my jokes to myself!
DeleteThe surgeon is a steady guy with a great smile.
Thanks for your good wishes ; take care, Kay
Love
kj
Hello my precious girl...I'll be thinking of you and sending blessings your way. As always, your words are entertaining yet full of wisdom. Thank you my darling!
ReplyDeleteHello Chrisy, how is life across the pond? Thank you so much for your good wishes. I'm headed your way to see what you've been up to.
DeleteLove love
kj
I do hope things go well this week (this week, already?). You will eventually be more active, and Blogland Lane will have a semi-bionic Mayor!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)
Yes, this week. None too soon for me! I hope it goes the trick and the other knee behaves :-)
DeleteTake care, rob. xo
Love
kj
I hope things go well too KJ. I love your list of things people might say when you wake up esp that you were one of the most entertaining patients. LOL. You will be surrounded by loved ones, both real and virtual. Many many good wishes to you. Love, suki
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, suki. That means slot. And I have a wish for you. I am visualizing that wish: I see you walking the beach, painting, planning dinner with friends, meeting me for lunch, smiling wide.....
DeleteLove
kj
ps does JB know how to post on the blog to tell us you are okay???
ReplyDeleteHmmm, working on that, suki . Might be Jess
Deletexoxo
I wish you a lot of courage and a rapid recovery! And.....be sure to act very polite when addressing your surgeon. Yes doctor, no doctor..... better say PROFESSOR :-)
ReplyDeleteJust kidding, dear.
Wieneke, I'm determined to be courageous ! Thank you always. I will say 'doctor ' with due reverence
DeleteLove
kj
Well I have been practising sending healing thoughts and wishes. I have it down just about damn near perfect so no worries there OK? It's funny when people say "it'll be fine" isn't it? In my head my inner voice says "how do you know?" and of course we don't ... even so I am absolutely sure that it will be fine because I had a dream the other night and you were in it. Now you have never visited my dream world before but there you were skipping and I don't mean old lady skipping either, I mean hands in the air having a a great time skipping. See? That's how I know that all will be well.
ReplyDeleteHuge hug xx Jos
Aw jos, I have to tell you one thing that makes me sad is that I cannot sit in the same room with you, breathe the same air--because you are a dear dear friend. I don 't like the physical distance, but my heart and hand is nearby! Thank you for dreaming such a clear visual: I will think of it just as they set me up to pass out. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are a rock star friend, jos.
Love always
kj
The scariest part is done and dusted so a huge hurrah that that bit is over!!!!! I hope the physical therapy starts gently. It's hard to trust something new isn't it? My healing thoughts and wishes are working out pretty well so far though :) I shall keep them coming, never fear.
DeleteOne of these days I really hope see you in person. I will give you such a HUGE hug and we will laugh and talk and share. You are quite the rock star friend too you know. Much love xx Jos
Prayers for an uncomplicated, as typical as it can be surgery and a recovery as fast and soft as baby bunnies. Prayers for Peace for you and JB; may angels keep her company as she waits for you. May you both feel the arms of everyone who loves and cares for you, holding you, lifting you up.
ReplyDeletelovelovelove
Deb
Sniff gosh deb. you covered everything . Thank you so much. And please know all that your offering and wish for me is lovingly returned to you and your brawny man and each of your children.
ReplyDeleteI will show your comment to JB. I remember waiting when she had this surgery and being so glad to see her drugged goofy face in recovery :-)
Love
kj
I hope everything goes well. Take care woman.
ReplyDeleteThanks deb!
DeleteLove
kj
did a meta (loving kindness) meditation for you this a.m. Best of everything today! Zoe
ReplyDeleteZoe, :-)
DeleteLove
kj
get well soon. A young friend stopped by this weekend. She is in town from New York City, visiting family for the 4th. She's all of 28 and sat in my back yard talking about how stressful her job is. She is a book editor. She said, "I always knew that I wanted to work in publishing but I saw myself walking confidently and having this glam life. In actuality, my job is more about keeping the budget down and dealing with complaining authors." I told her that life is just hard. It just is. And no job comes without bad parts. But, having a support system makes a big difference. She agreed, said that her partner of nearly ten years was her "soft place to land." That he made their home so cozy. I told her that this is all that is really needed. That other shit? It takes care of itself eventually.
ReplyDeleteAh Maria, yes. You are wise to know and skilled to say. Xoxo
DeleteLove
kj
Feel this energy.
ReplyDeleteI do' mark. xoxo
DeleteI'm through the surgery. Still comfortable until the spinal wears off in a few hours. Ready for recovery and rehab. Not liking it but ready
Hang in yourself, my good friend
Love
kj
Kj, I have already said this, but I will say it again. Good luck! Hugs. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThinking of you (and JB) today and sending lots of love! xo Pam
ReplyDeleteAnnie and Pam,
ReplyDeleteSurgery done! Happy to be alive! Can't believe I'm in a hospital! Love you both
WOw!!!! Good to hear that the surgery went off well!! heres a hug KJ!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend
DeleteLove
kj
Mmm to me this sounded like a 'goodbye' list, but so glad to read on fab that all went well. Now get better really soon and make JB nurse you wearing only a tiny apron. That will be sure to get you back on your feet in no time. Sending lotsa mwahs to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm okay, joss. You tuned into my nerves about surgery. I'm glad that's over!
ReplyDeleteLove
kj
So, did you hear "Wake up, You're Alive!"
ReplyDelete