Left for my Left Knee Options

[JustDaniel]

Greetings, Y'all!

Sorry I've not been here for the last couple of weeks. I went into the hospital on Tuesday Dec 19 to have my 21-year-old left knee replaced. I had been badly bowed, and intermittent pain had begun to increase. We'd knew it needed to be done for over a year, but this was the time.

I was a bit concerned, because during the recovery process one needs a 'good' leg to support and to go up stairs first, but my left leg has been my 'good leg' for the past two years, as pain in my right shin had increased to the level that I'd not been able to take the first step up stairs with it for almost two years, and my physical activity had been cut back to almost no activity at all. We were very concerned about my inability to burn off calories, and my weight had grown, rather than decreased, as had been our goal.

Anyhow, when I came out of the surgery, I discovered that our surgeon found that the 'spacer' between the artificial tibia and fibula extensions was totally crushed and broken. He cleaned out the debris, replaced the plastic 'spacer' and stapled me back up. I moved to the rehab center where I am now on Christmas Eve, and a couple of days later I realized that most of the pain in my RIGHT leg was GONE. This week in therapy I've been able to walk up stairs with my right leg without noticeable pain and with ease. I've not been able to do that for two years!

I've gained excellent movement in the left knee in the past few days, and I had the staples removed this evening. I may be going home either Friday of this week or Tuesday of next, depending on the decisions and observations of the supervisory team and the insurance companies. We also switch from Aetna and Medicare to Medicare and TriCare on the 7th, since Eileen's insurance comes to an end, just over a month after her retirement in November.

Eileen and I are prepared for whatever the Lord has in His plans, and I'm looking forward to the prospect of being more physically active and getting rid of some of this very damaging body fat!

At any rate, Eileen brought in my computer today after I tried in vain to use the computer that is available for patients here. It's worse than a joke. So I'll try to be visiting a few of others' posts and catching up.

deLighting to be back, Daniel