what price a new knee
from shirley's cottage
What Price A New Knee?
There was not a moment before last week that I ever thought about writing about what has become my "new knee".. Then I went to my old ways and asked if I should talk about my upcoming knee surgery.
One answer I got was yes, go ahead. I t might make someone feel better who needs the same surgery. Besides, I was reminded, my column has been one of personal experiences and memories. "Okay," I said. "Sharing recipes and such is a lot different than zeroing in on a body part. How many times can I say ouch?" .
My knee has been in the conversation way too much in the past several years. I started walking funny way before the pain started. During that time I quit walking (my favorite thing is to walk down to the lake with my coffee, sit on the pontoon and just look at the lake.),.
The next several years went downhill. I tried the cortisone shots. I was determined to do exercises and lose weight. I thought my joints would forgive me if I gave them less to haul around. All of it, too little, too late.
Last week I had the surgery. I am home now. This is the ouch, and rehab stage of what is called total knee replacement.
When all is said and done, I should be joining the ones who have traveled the path before me, and say they are glad they did it, and urge you to do the same. I will say I have not talked to anyone who is sorry they did it. I am not there yet. I reserve my opinion until I can walk down to the lake, pain-free, not spilling my coffee.
There are many things I could say today. I would not have to search for words to tell of some of the kindnesses and good care I received. There are plenty of war stories, too. There were times I was sure I was going to Hell in a hand-basket if not for my family. My daughter connected all the dots to get me the proper care and finally home. My son has come to the table to do whatever is necessary during the rehab period.
I would love to tell you some of more not so good things that happened. I don’t believe those stories are for this column. You can be sure they will be told ad nauseam during the summer on the pontoon, over a brew or two.
What I will say is: make sure you know what your insurance will or will not do. You may be shocked.
Be sure you have family, friend, or someone you can trust to follow you every step of the way. You had knee surgery, not brain surgery. Yet, there are those that think you don’t have any thought processes left.
And make sure you are connected with your own doctor, who knows you and cares about your whole self. I am not knocking the ortho doctor. But that is what he is. His forte is your knee. Period.
I had a few wake-up calls I never even thought of. We have talked about knee for so long, I kind of took the road of the ortho doctor. Just thinking about my knee. It is much more than that.
It is an emotional experience that I never thought about. Instantly, the roles reverse. My family has to care for me. I can’t jump into the car and make my four or five daily trips to town, or make a special dish that someone is hungry for.
I tell myself every day is one day closer to getting back my independence. One day closer to driving my kids crazy. That’s okay. They’ll have to put up with me going back to the way I was, faults and all.
I have a million thank you’s to give, and some wake-up calls to share. That is for next week.
My daughter is a good cook. But I know she want to hang up the apron. When you see a walker out in the garbage, you can have it. I won’t need it anymore. I’ll just need my apron.
Before I get back into the kitchen, I will enjoy some of Deb’s cooking. .
This is one of my favorites. There are some perks to being laid up.
Deb’s Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
you will need;
a big salad bowl
½ to one head each Broccoli and cauliflower (depending on amount you are making
chopped very fine
½ small onion, chopped fine
½ pound bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (not bacon bits-make it yourself)
grated cheddar cheese-enough to top salad
one 16 oz bottle Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (original)
one cup or so Hellman’s Real Mayo
sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix veggie in bowl
Mix dressing with sugar, salt, and pepper. Use dressing @ 2 to 1 to mayo
Mix both together so all is moist
Top with cheese and bacon
(Make sure salad is good and moist)
Chill and enjoy!
What Price A New Knee?
There was not a moment before last week that I ever thought about writing about what has become my "new knee".. Then I went to my old ways and asked if I should talk about my upcoming knee surgery.
One answer I got was yes, go ahead. I t might make someone feel better who needs the same surgery. Besides, I was reminded, my column has been one of personal experiences and memories. "Okay," I said. "Sharing recipes and such is a lot different than zeroing in on a body part. How many times can I say ouch?" .
My knee has been in the conversation way too much in the past several years. I started walking funny way before the pain started. During that time I quit walking (my favorite thing is to walk down to the lake with my coffee, sit on the pontoon and just look at the lake.),.
The next several years went downhill. I tried the cortisone shots. I was determined to do exercises and lose weight. I thought my joints would forgive me if I gave them less to haul around. All of it, too little, too late.
Last week I had the surgery. I am home now. This is the ouch, and rehab stage of what is called total knee replacement.
When all is said and done, I should be joining the ones who have traveled the path before me, and say they are glad they did it, and urge you to do the same. I will say I have not talked to anyone who is sorry they did it. I am not there yet. I reserve my opinion until I can walk down to the lake, pain-free, not spilling my coffee.
There are many things I could say today. I would not have to search for words to tell of some of the kindnesses and good care I received. There are plenty of war stories, too. There were times I was sure I was going to Hell in a hand-basket if not for my family. My daughter connected all the dots to get me the proper care and finally home. My son has come to the table to do whatever is necessary during the rehab period.
I would love to tell you some of more not so good things that happened. I don’t believe those stories are for this column. You can be sure they will be told ad nauseam during the summer on the pontoon, over a brew or two.
What I will say is: make sure you know what your insurance will or will not do. You may be shocked.
Be sure you have family, friend, or someone you can trust to follow you every step of the way. You had knee surgery, not brain surgery. Yet, there are those that think you don’t have any thought processes left.
And make sure you are connected with your own doctor, who knows you and cares about your whole self. I am not knocking the ortho doctor. But that is what he is. His forte is your knee. Period.
I had a few wake-up calls I never even thought of. We have talked about knee for so long, I kind of took the road of the ortho doctor. Just thinking about my knee. It is much more than that.
It is an emotional experience that I never thought about. Instantly, the roles reverse. My family has to care for me. I can’t jump into the car and make my four or five daily trips to town, or make a special dish that someone is hungry for.
I tell myself every day is one day closer to getting back my independence. One day closer to driving my kids crazy. That’s okay. They’ll have to put up with me going back to the way I was, faults and all.
I have a million thank you’s to give, and some wake-up calls to share. That is for next week.
My daughter is a good cook. But I know she want to hang up the apron. When you see a walker out in the garbage, you can have it. I won’t need it anymore. I’ll just need my apron.
Before I get back into the kitchen, I will enjoy some of Deb’s cooking. .
This is one of my favorites. There are some perks to being laid up.
Deb’s Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
you will need;
a big salad bowl
½ to one head each Broccoli and cauliflower (depending on amount you are making
chopped very fine
½ small onion, chopped fine
½ pound bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (not bacon bits-make it yourself)
grated cheddar cheese-enough to top salad
one 16 oz bottle Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (original)
one cup or so Hellman’s Real Mayo
sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix veggie in bowl
Mix dressing with sugar, salt, and pepper. Use dressing @ 2 to 1 to mayo
Mix both together so all is moist
Top with cheese and bacon
(Make sure salad is good and moist)
Chill and enjoy!
posted by Shirley | 9:47 AM
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