And so it begins....

Well, I got a call from my doc's office two days ago and the insurance has gone through, so yesterday my other doc's office called me to go over risks and procedures regarding what you might ask?..... Total Knee Replacement Surgery.

Yep, it is time. I actually have had a pretty good knee week, except for last night. I have not been up on it quite as much and that helps a lot, but yesterday I was up a lot and by last night, well I'll let my husband describe it for you:

"Dawn, get some ice on that knee...it is only as big as a watermelon!"

Okay, so it wasn't quite that big, but I had him look at it because my toes were hurting, and sure enough, watermelon knee was causing LOTS of issues. Well, it is time to get watermelon knee fixed!!

Surgery is tentatively set for October 21st. I should know for sure today or tomorrow.

I'll be in the hospital 3 or 4 days. Surgery is on a Thursday, so she said that I'll probably leave the hospital either Monday or Tuesday. I'll have home health for two weeks and then after the staples come out, I will start out-patient Physical Therapy. She said recovery takes about 3 months. If that holds true, then that will be way better than the PFA on my right. They say that Total Knee Replacements are actually easier to recover from than PFA's.

I wanted to just give you a visual of what we are talking about when we talk about replacing this knee joint. The kind of joint they will be using is a Depuy Rotating Joint. It looks something like this, although this is not the Depuy, but it is close.

This picture lists the different parts and pieces to give you some idea of just what takes place in the whole replacing of the parts.

Anytime you start drilling and pounding into the bone, there is going to be MUCH pain!!! So we are already talking to them about pain management since my experience at Mayo with this was not good. I have a VERY sensitive stomach, so we are already getting a game plan together.

Okay, so I just wanted to let you know what was in the works on this knee. So many of you are faithful in praying for us, and words can NEVER describe how grateful we are to you!!

Now on another related note, kind of =) I am already planning meals in my mind for my family that I can make and freeze. If you have any good ideas or recipes, please let me know.

Love you so ~~

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Day ~~