Sept. 27, 2009: Way off topic: My Birthday Quilt

My sister Susan made me a handmade quilt for my birthday from fabric my friend Lenita and I chose here and that then son Andy and girlfriend Kira brought to her in the Azores in June. The quilt arrived on Friday and we got it installed in its new home in my office today. This has nothing to do with orthopedic problems but I wanted to post it anyway in the unlikely event someone actually is reading this blog and can admire it too:)
On an orthopedic note, I made an appointment to see the rheumy PA on this Thursday, hopefully to discuss something for my left (non-replaced) knee. I'm leaving work 30 minutes early (with permission) to get there on time.

Thursday Sept. 24, 2009: The other knee

My non-replaced knee has been acting up. I am getting the same pouffy spot on that knee that I used to get on my replaced knee. The medial bottom corner is aching off and on and the whole knee doesn't feel so great lately. So today, after Henry told me that if I want to get anything done to the knee, to get it done before the end of the year while we have reached our out-of-pocket max. It obviously is not at the point of needing any kind of replacement but is in need of some kind of medical intervention. I am thinking either a cortisone or maybe even a round of Supartz. I would hope that the latter might work this time because the knee isn't as bad as it could be. So I made an appointment for a week from today with the rheumy PA to discuss what to do. I'll be leaving work early (with permission) and might be able to run home first to change clothes before heading over there. We shall see.

Thursday Sept. 17, 2009:The 1st Anniversary of my Partial Knee Replacement

Today marks the 1st birthday of my Oxford partial knee implant. I spent the day working---8 hours on my feet, something I certainly couldn't do a year ago===and for many months prior to my PKR. Although 95% of the time it feels fine, occasionally I do get twinges but for the most part, I can't even describe how much better my knee feels. Unfortunately, my other knee and my left hip now have their pains, but at least my other knee feels really so much better, I can't even describe it!

I never did have doubts about having a PKR before the actual surgery, but if I had, they would be dispelled by now. If I ever need replacement of the aforementioned other knee and hip, I would do it again---even though there was a lot of work involved in getting it to the point where I am now, but all totally worth it.

I'll be spending tomorrow at the Big E, a very large fair which requires a lot of walking. It was something I said last year at this time that I would want to do the next year and I am. So Mission: Accomplished (unlike other things that have been declared accomplished, lol).

I meant to take a picture of my knee today but didn't get a chance to. Maybe tomorrow! In the meantime, if you're someone reading this who is thinking about having a PKR, if your situation is one that you are at the point of thinking about having one, if I were you, I'd go for it. I spent quite a few months in terrible pain pre-surgery and I can't imagine spending the rest of my life living that way.

Tuesday Sept. 15, 2009

I haven't updated for a while. I took the Lisinopril but it made me cough without having a cold. I finally went to the doctor's yesterday and have changed medicines to Hydrochlorothiazide (I hope I spelled that right), 25 mg.. While there, I got my flu shot too.
In a couple of days, it will be the first birthday of my partial knee replacement. I'll discuss then how things have gone in that year. I probably won't get to it until the evening because I'm working all day.

Thursday August 27,2009

I realized I forgot to post an update on my Tuesday rheumy appointment. Nothing very exciting. She was surprised to hear about the hip. She got the report on the hip cortisone shot but not the MRI report that went with it so Tuesday afternoon, I called the ortho office to have them fax it over to the rheumy office. She told me to take the Darvocet if my hip hurts so much that Tylenol doesn't help. Since it makes me feel odd, I'll have to save it for bedtime. She also told me when I mentioned that the ortho mentioned Supartz into the hip that it is really only done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Although off-label, they can get it approved there by insurance companies. And she said that shoulder shots are now on label, insurance is reluctant to pay for them.

Yesterday I drove up to Kent to see my friend Laura there and managed to leave/drop my MedicAlert bracelet somewhere between there and home. I did odds and ends when I got home and then discovered that it was missing. Fortunately this morning, she sent me an email saying she had found it and will be sending it to me.

Feeling a bit sniffly today. I hope it goes away. I am wearing my sneakers today and it seems to be okay (so far).

Monday Aug. 24, 2009: BP

I went back to my PCP today for a follow up on my BP. She liked the document I made. Readings were half good, half bad (lower number was over 80 half the time----it should be less than 80) so she said we should try drugs. So I got a prescription for lisonopril, 10 MG. I may have misspelled that. But at least it is one of the 90 pills for $9.99 from Stop and Shop. Henry takes it as well, but in a larger dose. She may reduce the dose for me to 5 if necessary. I guess I have to say good bye to Sudafed! Oh well. I also got a refill for the antibotics I have to take prior to any dentist appointments for the rest of my life!
Tomorrow I go to the rheumy office in the morning and the dentist in the afternoon. Sure sounds like a swell day..... not!

Thursday August 13, 2009: Back from vacation

4 days away from Connecticut was lovely. This is the first vacation in 2 years where part of it hasn't been spent by either my husband or me recuperating from some kind of surgery. My bruise is looking much better but my ankle and foot have gotten swollen as the bruise has move down my leg. This evening, after I spent 2.5 hours with my leg elevated while watching TV, I discovered that, as predicted by both doctors who say it, it has started to reach my toes. The picture with this post was taken before the bruise got there. My ankles (both) are kind of sore too from all the walking on sand that we did. Thank goodness I brought my Crocs because my sneakers weren't comfortable due to the swelling in the right foot.