Post-op Day 1

This morning I was awake, washed, dressed and had my teeth brushed by 6:45.  That's 6:45 A.M!   Obscene!

Are We Having Fun?

Packing would be more fun if it was for a vacation and not for a trip to the hospital.

But, But, But...It's My Favorite.

When I was a bratty kid, I really hated vegetables, especially green vegetables.  Even though now I'm a bratty adult, I've developed a liking for most veggies, and I really, really love peas.  Yes, that's right.  I absolutely love peas.  So what do you suppose I need to limit after surgery if I'm on Coumadin (and I probably will be)?  Peas!  But, but, but.....I love peas!  I suppose I could be my usual bratty self and eat them anyway.  But then I'd prbably end up with multiple bruises from thin blood, and people would think Hubby is abusing me. 

Seriously?

Per my handy, dandy 3-ring notebook, I should prepare my house for my return from the hospital.  I should clean the house, do the laundry, change the bedsheets, prepare and freeze some meals, mow the lawn & do any garden work that needs to be done.  Whew!  Just writing that makes me tired and my poor old knee painful.  If I could actually do all of that, perhaps I wouldn't need a knee replacement.

Doggone It!

We changed our bed around, so I'd be able to have a walker by the bedside when I come home after surgery.  I figured it'd be a good idea to do it early, since Hubby and I are some of "those" people.  We all know who "those" people are.  They are the people who let their dogs sleep on the bed.  I confess, our sweet pup sleeps on our bed.  I was afraid if we waited too long to change the bed around my little sweetie wouldn't be used to the new bed location and jump onto my knee after surgery.  I am so glad we did!  Right after turning the bed around, I lay down on it, and the canine critter came running into the bedroom, jumped and landed smack on my bad knee.

How About a Bag of Corn?

At class yesterday, the presenter told us the very most important exercise to get ready for surgery is the exercise I absolutely hate.  Figures!  Sit in a chair, prop leg up on a different chair with a rolled-up-towel under the ankle, put an ice pack on the knee, and put a 5-10 pound weight on top of the ice pack.  It is very, very painful!  We were told a bag of frozen peas works well as an ice pack.  I have no peas in the freezer.  I guess a bag of frozen corn will have to do.

Up With the Chickens.

According to the info in my handy, dandy 3-ring binder, on the day after surgery I can expect to be bathed, helped out of bed and seated in a recliner by 7:00 in the morning.  Seriously, 7:00 in the morning.  The day after my surgery is Saturday!  They'll be getting me up before 7:00 on a SATURDAY!

I Yam What I Yam.

One of my exercises is to build strength in my arms.  I wonder if it'll give me big biceps.  If it does, maybe I'll stick a pipe in my mouth, don one of Hubby's old sailor hats, open a can of spinach and change my name to Popeye.

Hair Ye! Hair Ye!

It sounds like I'll have two or three nights in the hospital without a hair wash.  That's not a pleasant thought for a gal who needs to wash her hair every other day.  Whatever shall I do?  Oh, I know.  I'll wear a hat.  I'll wear the baby blue one.  It'll match the "pretty boy" doctor's baby blue eyes.

Group P.T.

The second and third days in the hospital I'll have group physical therapy.  I wonder if we'll be graded?  I hope I get an A.