Three Days after Surgery

Gay and Lee are here for me.

Today is Saturday, February 4, three days after my knee replacement. It is amazing what the medical world has learned about joint removal and replacement. Until I had this procedure forced upon me by a knee that refused to heal properly after an injury, I had no idea what knee replacement entails. 

If I had known how painful the recovery would be, I might have decided to continue limping in pain, taking drugs to help me walk. and just missing out on the life I once lived. Of course, it is too soon to know how well I will manage with this foreign material replacing my bones, but I feel confident that life will be better.

You might have had joint replacements. It is being done for the shoulders, hips, and other parts of our bodies. I have only seen and heard high praise for the results. 

The team at Dr. DeCook's office did all they could to prepare me for what was ahead. They are known for having good recovery results and I hope mine will be one of them. 

There were only a few things I wish I had been able to discuss with them before the surgery, but I will carry on as best I can to manage my pain that is not related to the surgery. Having lived with chronic pain for so many years, I know my body and what it needs better than this knee surgery team anyway.

In today's world, it seems every patient is treated just like the one before him and the one after him. I was told when Barry was diagnosed with lymphoma that there was a protocol of treatment that everyone was given and he would receive it. But his case differed from others and no one seemed to know what to do next. I have since learned that cancer is not always a one size fits all. Each of us should be treated in the best way for our disease and our body. 

The number one person you need if you have knee surgery is your advocate, your caregiver, who will be with you day and night, at least for the first few days. When you can't walk and take care of your simple needs, there must be a person by your side to help. Often patients fall after surgery when they think they can walk and go to the bathroom alone. A fall sets one's recovery back and increases the need for better care. I was told that the patient must not try to do too much at first. It is as important to take it easy and rest as it is to push yourself to do more.

I have the highest admiration and praise for nurses, caregivers, and advocates for the sick and injured, elderly and young, who constantly do their best to make a better life for others.   

I have been a caregiver for loved ones and I have watched the pain and frustration endured to help someone get through a hard day and night. Watching someone you love suffer is the hardest thing in this world, I think. Today when many nurses have burned out or have decided they need a respite from the death and suffering of the past three years, my sympathy goes out to them. A human being with a caring and empathetic spirit must take time to replenish their own well so they can go back to caring for others.

I am very grateful I have my sister, Gay, my niece, Lee, my brother-in-law, Stu and others who are there for me in my time of need. I am surrounded by loving and caring people. I can't ask for more.

Have you been an advocate for a loved one when they were sick, or cared for strangers who were in need?

We are all hurting in some way. What do we need?

This post was written a few weeks ago and saved in Draft. 

Just one year ago, we three sisters had our picture made in front of Gay's lovely mantel. As always we were so happy to be together.

Gay, June, Glenda at Christmas

We never know how long we will have the ones we love. Life is a fragile thing. Parents send their children off to school never imagining they might not return alive at the end of the day.

 We should not miss the opportunity to show our love when we can, in any way we can. Although our own lives become filled with busy projects, work, church, exercise, clubs, and so many things, let us stop and reflect on where our energy might best be spent. It gives me peace to know I am loved by my family and friends, and I want my family and friends to know I love them. Don't take for granted the ones closest to us. We must also take care of ourselves so that we can help take care of those we love.

I hope my sister Gay takes good care of herself in the coming months. I hope my nieces, Lee and Lyn, take care of themselves as well. And I hope Charlie takes care of himself as he makes another move and tries to pick up his life.
They all gave so much of themselves for June's well-being. Now they need special love and care. Caregivers often find it hard to go on with their lives after devoting so much of themselves to another. When I lost my mother after caring for her for a decade, I was bereft, lost in a world where I couldn't find my footing anymore. It took time and work to get myself on track again.

In spite of the horror we have seen the past few days about those precious children and dedicated teachers of Newtown, we must continue to love our fellow man. Try a little random act of kindness.
Everyone is hurting in some way.
It is very hard to be human in this world today.