anticipation, faith, hope, prayer

The latest on my knees...
I will be seeing a new orthopedic doctor on May 12.  I have to say I am looking forward to this appointment. I have known what the next steps will be for quite a while.

It may be time to have knee replacement surgery if you have:

• Severe knee pain that limits your everyday activities
• Moderate or severe knee pain while resting, day or night
• Chronic knee inflammation and swelling that doesn’t improve with rest or medications
• Knee deformity: a bowing in or out of your leg
• Knee stiffness: inability to bend and straighten your knee
• No pain relief from NSAIDs (or can't tolerate them) or other conservative measures.

Yes, I can answer yes to all of the above, with the exception of swelling. I am in pain most of the time, I can not stand or walk for any length of time. I use a cane.   I am hoping, I am praying this new doctor will have something different  to relieve the pain to get me through the next couple of months..Kelly's wedding is at the end of June.  I am determined to be Mother of the bride to the fullest, enjoy every moment leading up to and during the wedding and reception.  In case you are wondering, I have had all the injections...last time they didn't work. Also I take supplements. 
I expect to have the first knee replacement surgery in July, with the other knee replacement surgery later in the summer.  My appointment on May 12 will answer many  questions.

I thought God would take care of this for me. Lots of people have been and are praying for me, praying my knees be healed, praying that my pain goes away.  But it seems that is not to be..not in a miraculous way.  Eventually I will get new knees, through knee replacement surgery, with skilled surgeons, nurses, and medical professionals.  And we will pray...pray for successful surgeries, wisdom for the surgeon, prayer for quick recoveries.

In all of this, I am blessed. Things could be so much worse, there are  many others suffering much more then I am.  I am thankful that someday I will be better, thankful I have Jesus, He is always with me...holding my hand.

be blessed...always

xo

pam

thankful & praying

 photo from Ann Voskamp

Today was Dan's 6 month, final appointment with his orthopedic doctors, they are very pleased with his knee replacement, in their words, "a home run"! Thank You Lord! We are very thankful as he suffered greatly with knee pain before the surgery in July.  The recovery, therapy and healing process took time and was painful at times. But Dan is happy he had the surgery and told me the whole thing was worth it. 

I haven't talked about this on my blog in a while, but my knees are still an issue, both knees.  I already know that  knee replacement is the next step... whenever I am ready.   I am just stating how I feel and not trying to whine or complain, but I am in pain most of the time. I can't stand or walk for long periods of time, nights are restless. I have been praying for God's healing, whether a miraculous healing or healing through medications, etc. Shots do not work anymore.. and I've tried all sorts of supplements. Believe  me, I have tried about everything. 

Today I realized more then ever that my dear husband is really noticing how much I struggle and he is very concerned.  Dan told me before his surgeon came into the exam room that he was going to ask Dr. Miller for his suggestions for doctors for me at University of Michigan Hospital. ( I am not a Veteran, so of course I can't be treated at the VA hospital). Dan prefers I have surgery at U of M, not our local hospital.   Now that he has experienced a successful knee replacement he is encouraging me to explore this possibility.  One difference is, I need both knees replaced.  They would not be done at the same time, but eventually both would be replaced.

I now have two orthopedic doctors to call. First I will need to check with our insurance company to see what is covered, what our portion would be. Another important factor is Kelly's wedding, she is getting married in June of this year.  I am the mother of the bride, so the next few months are busy. 

thank you Ann

 Still bitter cold, windy and snowy here in Michigan!  

Maybe February will be mild?! 

be blessed...always