Surgery Sunday Among The Blooms

Well this post has been a little delay. I want to share with you news about my surgery Sunday Among the Blooms.

Some of you may recall me mentioning a total knee replacement surgery scheduled for the end of June. It took place this past Tuesday, June 27th. I was nervous and excited. Nervous, it was surgery. Excited? Well, the pain in my knees has been excruciating. Both knees are bone on bone with bone spurs in between. It has been painful to walk, stand on a ladder, kneel, etc. My daily activities slowed down from the inability to walk without pain.

My surgeon made sure that I was well informed. The hospital holds classes on the procedure for hip and knee replacement surgeries. I attended a session and was very impressed. The nurse and PT staff covered the surgery explained the pre-op and post-op requirements. You had a full understanding of the procedure and could ask questions.

Physical Therapy has to be lined up weeks in advance to cover a six-week period. Prescriptions to fill prior to surgery to be ready.

day of surgery

I had to chart out all of the medicines. What meds I am required to take days leading up to surgery and switching to medicines post-op.

Leading up to surgery, I had three doctors to sign off on pre-op. Lots of blood work checked, EKG, X-Rays, etc. to make sure that I was fit and ready for the day of surgery.

The surgery is on my right knee, there will be no driving for 4-6 weeks. It required that my PT be scheduled around my husband’s work schedule three times a week. We have a calendar with PT on it too. There is a lot of planning and preparation for surgery.

The surgery lasts 1-2 hours total. You go into recovery for one hour. The Physical Therapy Team immediately gets you up to exercise that knee. I had to go up and down stairs in PT.

I checked into the hospital at 6 a.m. Surgery was at 9 a.m. We left the hospital at 3:45 p.m. in the afternoon. I did not have to stay overnight.

Did I feel any pain? None. I received a block on that leg that lasts 15 to 24 hours it depends on the person. I did exactly what the doctor had instructed me. To stay ahead of the pain and take the medication as prescribed.

I came home wearing thigh high Ted’s Compression Stockings. These Compression Stockings must be worn 23 hours a day. They allow you to take them off for one hour. You go home with an extra set. One pair to wear. The spare to wear when the other set needs to be washed.

Here I am enjoying one hour of freedom! LOL I have waterproof bandages that will stay on for a week. The doctor will remove it at the post-op appointment. My incision is closed with glue. There are no staples or stitches.

PT Scheduled Day After Surgery

My second PT appointment was 8 a.m. the very next day. The leg exercises prior to surgery did pay off. I was at 100% rotation and flexibility. The goal is to get to 130%.

The bulky ace bandage was removed from my leg. I set out for a good session and work that leg.

The third PT appointment on Friday after surgery was rough. I was sore that day. Guess what? I managed to do four full circles on the bike. Yay! The best part of that PT was the whole leg ice pack for 15 minutes.

PT EveryDAY

I have a PT coach. His name is Jim and he is my husband. He cuts me no slack and pushes me on my exercises on the off PT appointment day. He is my coach, my cook, driver, biggest cheerleader, etc. I could not do this without my wonderful husband.

Recovery

Recovery is going very well. After a week, I am no longer using a walker or a cane. I will be off work for two weeks and taking it easy to fully recover. Thank you to all of my friends and families that have sent well wishes. I do appreciate it.

garden

Nature

In the yard, my husband found this sweet little bird’s nest with eggs in a bush. The bird appeared to look like a house wren. The next day, a couple eggs hatched with two little babies.

Our larger birdhouse has occupants in it with nests. You can see the tail of one of the birds. Jim and I enjoy watching the birds in our yard. We have several feeders up in the woods.

Coneflowers

Do you love Coneflowers? I have these beautiful Echinacea Sombreros in my garden. Coneflowers love the full sun. The bloom spring through late summer.

Are these colors not specular? The first one actually emerges as a coral-peach color. It becomes rose color as it ages and will turn a deep burgundy. The second photo is Lemon Yellow Coneflower part of the Sombrero series. It will have vibrant gold yellow flowers. The third photo is my favorite Adobe Orange. It will bloom with this gorgeous pumpkin color into late summer.

Coneflowers are hardiness in Zones 4 through 9. These perennials grow from 24-26″ tall by 18-20″ wide. The colors are elegant and beautiful in a cut flower bed or cottage garden.

MY FAVORITE GARDENING TOOLS

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God bless you, sweet friend.