June 30, 2008: 1 week gone

1 week (almost) since the tape was removed from each arm for the nickel allergy test. The marks are still there, but disappearing slowly but surely. A week from today, I'll be starting another test, that time a patch test on the back, I believe. The picture is what my right arm, which had more of a reaction than the left arm, looked like yesterday (or was it Saturday?? I think Saturday or maybe even Friday???!). WHo knows ? But this is what it looked like then. The photo has a date so figure it out by yourself:)

June 25, 2008: The appointment

I went to my appointment yesterday afternoon with the PA at the orthopedic office. Turns out Dr. Schweitzer wanted to see me too. Both confirmed I had a reaction to both disks and I was told to call an allergist for more testing. So I did, when I got home, only to find out that it is actually a dermatologist I need to see. So I have an appointment on July 7 for the test at a dermatologist in Ridgefield. I go back for the follow up on July 9. Thankfully, it's not going to be a 1 week ordeal again. Because of the July 4 holiday weekend and the fact that the dermatology office is closed on Fridays for the summer, I have to wait until then for the testing. The dermatologist office will send the results onto the ortho. office and from that, they'll hopefully find a knee I can actually have without being allergic to it!

June 24: The nickel test is over

The tape came off last night at 6:30. Not a pretty sight. We first thought the redness was from the tape but come this AM, we've decided the redness is more likely a reaction. The redness is more acute on the titanium side than the cobalt side. So I decided to call the doctor's office and now have a 2PM appointment with the physician's assistant there to show him/her. I even put some photos on a CD to take with me. The top picture was taken within a minute of the tape removal last night. The middle picture is of my right arm this morning (titanium disk) and the one on the bottom is my left arm taken a couple of hours later (cobalt disk). I'll report back later on what the PA said.

I also called the surgery scheduler and left a voice mail saying the hematologist wants me asleep for the surgery. She may or may call me back or maybe I'll stop in to see her while I'm there.

June 23, 2008: Hematologist appointment

I had a 9AM appointment with my hematologist today and I didn't leave the hospital until 10:30! I mainly waited and waited. When I finally got to go into the patients' area, I was sent to an infusion room as all the regular rooms (the non-oncology) I go to were occupied. So the nurse drew my blood, went through everything there. Once she was done, she opened the curtain and there was a lady in the next chair getting chemotherapy. She and I talked a little. She has pancreatic cancer. Then I finally was moved to a regular one where I had time to read about 5 magazines before the doctor came in. He is fine with the 50,000 count that the knee replacement suggested was the minimum safe count. I told him about the spinal and he agreed about not having it (he said he wouldn't have it) and said I should sleep through it. Count was 72,000 (I think)--in the 70s which he said was my norm so there was no problem with that, and he reiterated I am Rh+ positive so I could have WinRho if I needed to boost the count. I have to go back 1 week before the surgery for a count and from the count, he'll decide whether or not to treat me, if necessary, and if necessary, with what. That would be decided then.

June 21, 2008: Happy Birthday, Andy!

Today is my youngest son's 22nd birthday. He arrived at 10:08AM, 4 weeks early. Due July 20, he was scheduled to be born (I knew I was having a csection) 4 weeks early, at 6 lbs. 1 oz., not tiny, and had to trouble. He stayed in the NICU for only 6 hours and then sent to the regular nursery after that. And now he's 22, is a recent college graduate, and is working and living in the Boston area! 22 years flew by!
Meanwhile, I am so sick of this nickel allergy testing to be over with. The tape, the disks, the incovenience are driving me nuts. I haven't taken a shower since Monday night, although I've taken some crummy baths! Washing hair in the kitchen sink isn't fine=makes my neck ache for a day afterwards. Sleeping with the tape unraveling isn't fun. Not taking allergy medication isn't fun. Yesterday I went to work and the lady in the dresses, where I was to spend the afternoon, thought I wouldn't be able to handle putting away the dresses alone (I'd be alone) because I can;t carry things on my arms because of the tape. So I got moved to anotehr department (and went to 1 more, and actually ended the day back in dresses for 1/2 an hour). I am scheduled to be in dresses again today. And guess what, I am alone and I have to open the register or 2 or 3 or 4. And I've never done that before. I'm just working until 1:30. Then I'm coming home to go to sleep. I really don't feel like working but really need the money so I'm going. I can't tell you how much I'd like to not go in!The testing ends Monday at 6:30PM, exactly 1 week after it started.

June 18, 2008 A picture of the nickel testing

I forgot to post this picture last night so I'm doing it now. I thought I felt a few little twinges of stuff going on under the Cobalt disk during the night but it didn't seem to materialize this morning. I had to go to the store this morning and get more tape, though. 2 rolls better be enough!

June 17, 2008: And so it goes

The tape holding the disks for the nickel allergy testing doesn't want to behave. It tends to get stuck on material, furniture, whatever it comes in contact with!
Meanwhile I found an interesting article on a web site:

eMedicine - Immune Response to Implants : Article by Steven I Rabin

Meanwhile, I haven't had any itchy or red reactions to either disk but it hasn't been 24 hours even yet since I put them on. 6:30PMish will mark 24 hours.

June 16, 2008: An unexpected call

This afternoon I got an unexpected phone call from Barbara, the surgery scheduler at the ortho office, saying the disks for the nickel allergy tests had come in. She gave me instructions on what to do with them as well. I went over to the office, going down a skunky-smelling Osborne Street, and picked them up. I also stopped at RiteAid to get paper tape, as instructed to use to hold the disks in place. After dinner and a shower-since I'd have to put plastic wrap on each taped area I showered tonight even though I showered last night, lol-, Henry put each disk on me. One says CO on it, which we think means Cobalt and the other says TI which we think means Titanium. So I have to keep these disks on me for 7 days or until I get a reaction from 1 or both of them or get no reaction from 1 or both of them. As of right now, the tape is getting annoying! I'll be curious to see how everything feels tomorrow morning.
And my platelets seem to be doing well. I bumped into an upright log yesterday in the garage and it fell on my foot. It hurt! No bruise ! I was happy since this meanas my platelets are probably doing well. I'll be seeing the hematologist a week from today and I'll be curious to hear what he has to say about the upcoming surgery. He was concerned when I mentioned just the possibiltiy of this surgery back in September. I got the impression from him that I.T.P. and partial knee replacements don't mix well. But Dr. Schweitzer said anything 50,000 or better should and it hasn't been that low in almost 4 years, and that was only when I had a tick bite!

June 12, 2008

Nothing very interesting going on. I have today off so my knees can rest today! Still getting used to having only 1 cat, not 2. We got a condolence card from the vet's office today. Jack, the remaining cat, is still and will probably remain oblivious to the change.
Guess that's it for the day.

June 11, 2008: Sad News

We got up this morning to discover our cat Shadow, who would've been 13 next week, died during the night. Not sure why although he had gotten slightly wheezy again in the last few weeks. This picture is of Shadow, in one of his "fad" spots to sleep, a spot where he liked to nap during the day for a few weeks.

In the meantime, I worked 5 hours yesterday and 4 hours today, which was especially tough. Between thinking about Shadow and being busy and having pain in the neck customers, my knees, especially the right one, was really achy by the time I got home. I'm glad I'm off tomorrow and Friday but I do have to work 5 hours on Saturday, from 1-6PM in the same "Better Casuals" department I was in today. After today, seriously considering not returning there after recovering from surgery. I will have to find some other job that doesn't require being on my feet all the time.

June 9, 2008: A decision

Late yesterday afternoon, I finally made a decision about when I want the surgery. The week of September 7. It's after my birthday, it's after Labor Day, not too hot, not too cold yet. I'll call the surgery scheduler the last MOnday in July and hopefully by that Wednesday she'll have a date and time for me. If that week isn't possible, I make it for the week after or however it needs to be done.
Meanwhile, I've been enjoying playing Wii now that we've inherited Andy's (son's). I played a lot of tennis and bowling yesterday (actually played a 180 point game a couple of times yesterday) and tried golf which I was terrible at. It's nice to sort of do some exercise without really doing some exercise. I think I sweated enough to fill a bucket while I was playing, though.
A heat wave is continuing here from this weekend. I'm working some on Tuesday and Wednesday and it'll be good to be in air conditioning, assuming it works where I'll be working.
And I'll enjoy this week as I have no doctor's appointments finally!

June 6, 2008: Consultation Day

I saw the doctor this morning. The hospital stay is 1-2 nights, depending on how I feel following surgery. Risks of surgery, infection and eventual failure of the joint, but he also said he could last me the rest of my life because I am fairly young to have this procuedure.The surgery is often done under a spinal, something I probably can't/don't have because of my platelets (I'd rather be out anyway). I have to be tested closer to the date of the surgery to see if I am sensitive to the nickel in part of the prostheses. If I am (and expect to be), he'll find another one and test me for that one too. He doesn't require PT beforehand. After, maybe 12-16 sessions of PT. My range of motion may stay or the same or be slightly less (it was 119 degrees, I believe, today). There is no gender specific replacement and actually the gender specific total knee replacement is a marketing hype-the company just added more sizes to their products. He's been doing total knee replacements for about 30 years, the partial for about 10 (I think).My average platelet count is fine for the surgery but he'll be talking to the hematologist (whom I see in about 2.5 weeks and will mention and discuss everything with him then). I can wait until the fall. I just have to contact the practice's surgery coordinator 4-6 weeks prior to when I want it and that's when I'll have the allergy testing. The surgery itself takes 1 to 1.5 hours unless, I would assume, there are unforeseen issues.
I am thinking about the 1st week of October sounding good for surgery but that may change if it starts being really bad again (which it probably will when Tuesday's cortisone shot wears out!).

June 5, 2008: The questions

I've gotten my list together of questions for Dr. Schweitzer tomorrow. I've also printed up a copy of my platelet count document. Here are my questions:

Questions for Friday doctor’s appointment:


Would you agree, looking at my records, both the MRI scan records and surgical notes, with Dr. Gray that I am a good candidate for a partial knee replacement?
Is knee resurfacing an option? I read a little bit about it and am not sure if this is even possible.

How long have you been doing partial knee replacement?

How many have you performed in the last year?

Have you ever performed this surgery on someone with a bleeding disorder and how would that disorder be dealt with for the surgery and can you anticipate extra problems with this for the surgery? [Platelet count document]

Is there a woman’s partial knee replacement as there is for total knee replacements?

How long is the surgery?

How long is the hospital stay, on average?

How long is the recovery on average?

What pain management is used immediately following the procedure? I can’t have an epidural unless my platelet count is high enough (to be determined by Dr. Abrams).

Is an attempt made to preserve as much bone as possible?

What do you use if the patient (me) has a known sensitivity to nickel?

Is pre surgical exercises or PT to strengthen quadriceps recommended prior to the surgery?

What does the post-replacement rehab consist of?

Is it possible to schedule the surgery for the fall? Not really prepared to do it during the summer as I feel like I just had surgery (in February) and had had it in October as well?

June 3, 2008" No MRI for me

I just got back from my follow up with my orthopedist. I am not having an MRI. Instead, I'm having a consultation on Friday with the partial knee replacement surgeon in the practice. He looked at my previous MRI report and his surgical reports from October and said there is no cartilage basically left in 1 compartment of my knee. He mentioned the knee joint shots until I told him I just finished those and they did nothing. He gave me a cortisone shot which just buys some time for now. And, minus the low platelet count which can be dealt with prior to it, I am a perfect candidate for the partial knee replacement which is far less invasive than the total knee replacement. If I do have the surgery, which most likely will happen, I'm hoping it'll be in the fall.d

Hoping the cortisone shot will start working quickly!

June 1, 2008: My Appointment and The Big Move

I had my rheumatologist appointment Friday afternoon (05/30). We've positively deternined the SUpartz shots didn't help at all. She doesn't know why my knees are continuing to ache as they have been. I was offered a cortisone shot but decided to wait until I see Dr. Gray on Tuesday as he'll probably offer one (I hope). He will be ordering an MRI if the pain hasn't eased from my last appointment, which it hasn't. The report has to be sent to Arthritis Associates too.

Andy came back from Boston yesterday, employed as of Monday, and with an apartment in East Boston with his friend Dan. We spent yesterday afternoon getting his new glasses at Costco as well as some food things there, getting some stuff at Target. I could barely walk from Costco's building to the parked car. We ended up going out for dinner at the diner as my knees ached and I was too tired by the end of those errands to cook. His friends came this morning, packed up a pick up truck and are on their way to Boston, where they can move into the apartment at 4PM. The picture above is of the move.

So Tuesday 10AM is my orthopedic appointment and I'll be back after that.