healing

Well, my knee replacement surgery on October 15 was successful.  The recovery and healing process is going well.  I had awesome care at University of Michigan Hospital.  I do not have one complaint.  My in-home nurse and physical therapists from HomeCare Connection were the best! My nurse was Pam, she was also my nurse the first time I went through this. I am so glad I have gotten to know her. Now I am in the midst of physical therapy at ATI Physical Therapy. ATI is a great facility and I love my therapist Sara.  Sara was my therapist after the first knee replacement. I am making progress, my knee is improving, I am driving now and feeling pretty good.

Here are a few pics I took while I was laid up. 

hospital

from Kelly & Josh

home

As you can see Tucker has been my constant companion.

 Bentley has kept watch too. 

 from Chris and Emily

 from Dad & Mom

from Tim & Jennifer

from Judy

Dan has been great, taking care of me, the house, the things I normally handle. So thankful for him. 

Big thanks as well to all of my friends and family who have prayed,  visited, called, brought over food, sent cards, send text messages, sent flowers.  Love you all!

xo

Pam

here we go again

We spent six days at the cottage. 

Gorgeous Fall weather and scenery. 

It was a work trip for Dan,  lots of outdoor projects. 

 Chris, Derek, Nick and Josh came up to help him. 

Thankful for our family.

 

Of course Kelly was there, so happy to spend time with her!

On another note, I am going to the hospital Wednesday, October 15th. I will be having my right knee replacement surgery.  So, not sure when I will update the blog. 

Here we go again...

Take care, be blessed

xoxo

Getting In The Mood

We are at the beginning of my favorite time of the year....Autumn! 

I can't think of anything I dislike about Autumn. 

 And I plan on enjoying this season as much as possible before I go back into the hospital on October 15 to have my right knee replaced. My left knee is doing pretty good. I finished physical therapy this past Tuesday. Of course I have exercises I do at home.

Happy Friday and a lovely weekend to all.

xo

Pam

a month of change

This past month has brought change.  On June 29, the joyful wedding of our beautiful daughter Kelly to Josh. We gained an awesome son in law and his family are all delightful. We feel blessed to have Josh as part of our family and I look forward to getting to know his family better.
My girl is a married woman now!  Of course I am still her Mama and always will be but it will be fun to hang out with her as two married ladies.  When they start a family down the road, oh boy, it will be so wonderful! OK, getting ahead of myself!

July 15, had my first knee replacement.  Now that was a big change getting a new body part and I am recovering from that slow but sure. My loving husband, Dan has been taking great care of me. He is doing all the shopping, cooking, laundry, taking of our doggies and so much more. I am so grateful for him.  I am anticipating the complete change when my other knee is replaced and both knees are  healed.  I have a list of places I am going, things I will do.

The latest change is that Kelly and Josh are moving away in a couple of weeks. Josh was offered a job that he couldn't turn down. They will be about 3 hours away.  I am happy for them, this new job and adventure. But, I am sad that are leaving our area.  This is a Mama speaking, it may sound selfish, but I really wish they would have stayed in our area.  Going to miss them so much. I have to stop thinking about how this changes things. I know it's not far and it could of have been worse.  Just disappointed that they will be too far away to make impromptu plans with them, will be losing the comfort of having them within a short distance.  With God's help I am learning to accept all of this and I am doing my best to be supportive.  Kelly has told me several times that she will be back to visit, lots.  Thank God for that!  I need time with my girl. We will go visit them when we are able, but it will be much better to have them visit us and see friends, family and of course Bentley and Tucker!

 take care, be blessed

xo

on the mend

My knee replacement surgery on July 15 went well.  I came home on Friday, July 18.  I have nothing but good things to say about University of Michigan Hospital, the doctors, nurses, assistants, etc.   I had a  private room with a nice view. I didn't have much of an appetite while I was there, wish I would have.  U of M Hospital doesn't have the typical patient meal service. They have  Room Service. I had a large menu with many choices, I could order food 24 hrs. When they brought the food, they knocked on the door and announced, "room service".  It's been years since I have stayed overnight in a hospital so I was pleasantly surprised by the Room Service.

I am receiving in home nursing care and in home physical therapy. I have a nurse who comes 2 times a week, checks my incision, vitals, takes a blood sample and just visits to see how I am doing. I have a physical therapist that comes 3 times a week.  The first week of August I will start going out to physical therapy, 2-3 times a week for 2-3 weeks.  Next Thursday I have a checkup with the orthopedic surgeon and will have the staples removed.

I have to admit the pain has been pretty bad, but I am starting to feel better. I know it all takes time.  It took awhile to get my appetite back, that has made a big difference.

Dan has been a great caregiver. He is busy around here taking care of me, the house, the dogs, the list goes on.   He gave up his man cave ( aka Nautical Room) for me during this recuperation, so I could be downstairs and close to things. He moved Kelly's old bed in here.  It's quite cozy.  I think it will be a little while yet before I go upstairs and sleep in our room. Kelly has helped out with as well when she is home. 

I have had many friends and family stop by, pray for me, bring food. I have received lots of flowers, cards and gifts. I am blessed to have so many people care about me and care about Dan as well. 

I am looking forward to doing normal daily activities again and sleeping well at night.

 Take care everyone.

xoxo

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