The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI have a date with a surgeon...
The back story:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101826354
I will be entering the hospital on February 23, 2012, a Thursday, at 7:30 am, PST, and the surgery will happen at 9:30 am PST.
It's going to happen...
Denninmi
(6,581 posts)Sending all of my positive vibes your way.
Just think, before you know it, it will be over and you'll be in much less pain.
elleng
(135,335 posts)siligut
(12,272 posts)A common surgery, as you know, and orthopedic surgeons are the hardware guys, I have never met a bad one. Recovery takes time, but once recovered, you will know you did the right thing.
UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)and had both knees replaced. He recovered quickly and is doing fine now.
Good vibes to you, Peggy.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)LNM
(1,120 posts)I'm sure everything will be fine.
PRETZEL
(3,245 posts)I don't get a birthday wish from you on that date.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
shanti
(21,706 posts)hoping everything works out well for your surgery!
rurallib
(63,069 posts)er ....... uh .......
ohiosmith
(24,262 posts)AsahinaKimi
(20,776 posts)Hayaku yokunatte kudasai! Odaijini! ~Get well soon, take care of yourself!
Kimiko ~yori.
trof
(54,270 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(151,694 posts)I really appreciate all your good thoughts!
It's impossible for me to respond individually to each of you today, but be sure I am popping in now and then to read what all of you are saying...
It's a scary time, and your good wishes are helping me a lot...
GoneOffShore
(17,570 posts)And I'm about to post a joky copy cat.
Hope you don't mind.
Phentex
(16,458 posts)I'm sure you'll be good as new in no time.
Of course, I am sure the Lounge will be ready with all kinds of walking around/knee jokes to try and make you laugh.
Good luck!
Stuart G
(38,726 posts)Burma Jones
(11,760 posts)Oh, and of course, I hope all goes exactly as you want it to.......
trof
(54,270 posts)All the best CP.
Turbineguy
(38,216 posts)don't let them carve their initials in you. Get well soon!
libodem
(19,288 posts)But you will feel so much better once you are finished with rehab. New lease on life. My mom had both done and the improvement made a major difference in her over all health.
applegrove
(122,410 posts)Raven
(14,075 posts)of this post I thought "oh no, a dating thread." Great luck, Peg. You'll do fine and be so much better for having it done.
Old Troop
(1,991 posts)mysuzuki2
(3,534 posts)seriously, good luck.
nolabear
(42,937 posts)You'll be able to jump DU in a single bound!
MiddleFingerMom
(25,163 posts).
.
.
HUGE strength and calming and healing vibes already coming your way.
.
.
.
I'm sure with your background, you have a much better capacity for evaluating your doctors and
surgeons and can go into this with the info and proper expectations.
.
.
.
I'm going to give you the three rules of patient involvement in their care that I got from one of
my best friends (and add one):
.
1. Ask for the drugs.
.
2. Ask for more drugs.
.
3. Make sure they're aware that "in Arizona, they give FAR more frequent tagteam bedbaths
than you folks seem capable of here".
.
4. Ask WWMFMD?
.
.
.
I have no doubt of your safe and successful and rapid return to normalcy -- you're much too
kneeded here for any other possibilities.
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.
.
.
.
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All things wonderful during this time of stress.
.
.
.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)femmocrat
(28,394 posts)Make him promise to take you dancing (as soon as you get better)!
Soon you will be as good as new!
mrs_p
(3,059 posts)That's a DU order!
csziggy
(34,189 posts)Either way, I hope it all goes well with no complications. The only complaint I've heard from anyone whose been through it with a competent surgeon is from a 70+ year old farmer who complained he can no longer kneel to work on his tractors. Heck, I haven't been able to kneel for four years with my knees!
What are they giving you for a schedule for hospital stay and rehab time?
Sending good vibes and will be for the next month so you can build up a HUGE store of good energy!
CaliforniaPeggy
(151,694 posts)I've heard 1 to 2 days in the hospital (and that includes surgery!) to a week there...
And anything up to 10 days in a post surgical unit (like a nursing home)...
And weeks to months for full recovery!
In other words, your guess is as good as mine...
Thanks!
csziggy
(34,189 posts)Pretty much I think the time in the hospital is to make sure you are completely recovered from the surgery and can get around at least a little. And yes, they WILL make you get up and walk almost immediately.
The rehab is for getting you mostly healed and able to move around unaided before you go home.
Frankly, I dread the time in in the rehab more than I do the surgery and other recovery. I HATE being around people all the time and the idea of having to be around people for a week or more when I am partially helpless is very unpleasant to me.
The farmer I know who got both knees done at the same time took about six months to heal. He complains that they still want him to do his exercises since it cuts into his work time on the farm.
My physical therapist recommends getting the surgery in the spring or summer when my joints are not aching anyway. I'm not sure when I will give up on the PT - so far he's cancelled one set of exercises since they were just making things worse.
MattBaggins
(7,939 posts)dimbear
(6,271 posts)Good vibes.
Swede
(34,341 posts)You'll be dancing again,in no time.
denbot
(9,909 posts)I would imagine you are apprehensive, and if you are I hope you remember that the fear of something is often worst then the actual event.
tonekat
(1,934 posts)And my former brother in law got a new knee about a week later, he's doing very well, I just saw him, and I've turned the corner and can walk again. I think he made faster progress than I did, but I seem to have developed a trend of coming down with the flu right after major surgery, so that may have delayed me.
You will be fine, and grateful for the new knee.
Wow, you don't have to be there until 7:30! I always have to be there by 6am or some such uncivilized hour. I've had a few surgeries so it's getting routine for me.
If you can, avoid the rehab place. I had a nice one picked out, but I was just progressing too well, and they wouldn't approve it. Which I was glad of. My surgeon said, "Nah, you don't need it, look, you're going up and down the stairs, full weight on it, and besides, you'll pick up an infection in those places!".
Just something to consider.
RushIsRot
(4,016 posts)mrmpa
(4,033 posts)I wish you the best. Like I told you I had mine done in October. Saw the Doc today for the 3 month check up. Don't have to see him until October.
Remember, pain medication was invented to relieve pain. Ask for it, make sure you get it on time, and schedule it so that you will to physical therapy as pain free as possible.
BootinUp
(48,622 posts)Odin2005
(53,521 posts)akbacchus_BC
(5,736 posts)Please keep us informed on how you are doing! Best wishes always.
pacalo
(24,727 posts)Your reserve of good karma is as full as the ocean. It'll take care of you when you need it.
Bake
(21,977 posts)Relax and enjoy the drugs! You'll be fine.
Bake
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)You know, I have always wanted to date a surgeon. What with the talented hands and all......... wait, what.....
Wishing you all the best, CPeggy!
backtoblue
(11,645 posts)And a very speedy recovery!
You might be running hurdles in no time!
nirvana555
(448 posts)RedCloud
(9,230 posts)But best wishes and we will send some good luck signals later next month! I will plow the initials CP in my little crop field on that date!
GoCubsGo
(32,850 posts)Everyone I know who had that surgery said it was the best thing they ever did for themselves. It's nice be able to move pain-free.
madinmaryland
(65,116 posts)"I thought CalPeggy was married. "
The empressof all
(29,100 posts)I totally understand your anxiety..But You are gonna feel so much better in about six weeks. Just keep up with the physical therapy and take the pain pills as they prescribe. They will have you up and walking the same day.
If it's not too late ask your doctor to schedule you for the first slot. My doctor does his surgeries twice a week and does three in one day. I think the first slot is the best...He'll be around in the hospital for the day in case there are any complications and you'll be able to meet with the physical therapists in the afternoon.
I know the knee is more painful that the hip for a while but believe me....it's not that bad In fact I have an appointment next month to start the process to get my knee done this spring
DFW
(56,268 posts)Or he'll have to answer to all of us. He does NOT want that.
Old Troop
(1,991 posts)It's a law in most states that you must learn to tap-dance before you're released from the hospital.
Pool Hall Ace
(5,850 posts)WillParkinson
(16,866 posts)When I first read the title of the post I thought, "Isn't she married? I wonder what her husband thinks."
Yeah, lowest common denominator. That's me.
I wish you the best, hon. Keeping my fingers crossed. They'll have you on your knees in no time!
:grin:
Rhiannon12866
(219,650 posts)Can't wait to hear your stories as soon as you come back! Heal swiftly and safely...
p.s. I've been through four surgeries, two major, and I'm the biggest coward about things like that, but I'm still here to whine about them...
LeftishBrit
(41,302 posts)RFKHumphreyObama
(15,164 posts)How long are you going to be in there?
Just try to think good thoughts, stay calm, keep positive and give yourself some of the love that you give everyone else here. If you can, take your mind of things by spending time with your family and reading books or watching TV. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I've had many surgeries before and I know that's much easier said then done and I never manage to take my own advice in the lead up to my surgeries but nevertheless I've quite often found that the wait is worse than the actual procedure and its aftermath. And focus on the benefits of what the results of the surgery will be as well
I know you'll be fine and that you'll have the thoughts, prayers and best wishes of countless people both online and in real life as you undergo this surgery so you won't be doing it alone.
YankeyMCC
(8,401 posts)to do a good job for you Peggy.
Best of luck too.
6000eliot
(5,643 posts)My MIL got one and has never looked back.
raccoon
(31,400 posts)era veteran
(4,069 posts)I had my left kneecap fixed in the 70's. The recovery can be amazingly fast.
Positive vibrations
WhoIsNumberNone
(7,875 posts)and a speedy recovery. Hope you're on your feet again soon.
classof56
(5,376 posts)I had a total knee replacement over two years ago, and just wanted to wish you well and say that the surgery and after-effects, while daunting, for me were well worth it.
Blessings to you!
snacker
(3,624 posts)we'll all be thinking of you tomorrow and sending DU vibes your way.
geardaddy
(25,312 posts)(((((((((((Peggy's knee))))))))))))))
DebJ
(7,699 posts)has had two knee replacements and many knee surgeries.
They have always worked out well.
Hoping the same for you!
TuxedoKat
(3,821 posts)hugs and prayers, CP.
hamsterjill
(15,439 posts)Wishing you a very successful surgery, peace, calm and comfort AND a speedy recovery!!!!
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)applegrove
(122,410 posts)MiddleFingerMom
(25,163 posts)Tom_Foolery
(4,701 posts)RedCloud
(9,230 posts)Amerigo Vespucci
(30,885 posts)...I hope this is over soon and you're on your way to a fast and full recovery.