I am very thankful for my family

Both Wing and Alan have been fantastic. I still tend to try to do more than I should, but Alan puts a stop to it quick fast and in a hurry.

Wing also is there whenever I need something.  I can't bend my knee back far enough to put a sock on the right foot. Same applies to other articles of clothing.  And he's there for me.

I kept apologizing to the both of them, because I go through moods (Nurse Practitioner and Dr S said it's due to pain meds) where I feel like nothing but a burden. 

Alan kind of put it perspective by saying "Mom, the way you took care of us after we was sick, or hurt,  and after surgery, let us do the same for you now."

Blessed be the rain, for it makes one sleepy

In bed for 8hrs 45 mins. Actual sleep time, 8 hrs 11 mins. I haven't felt THIS rested in weeks.

Got up at 5:51, did the usual morning waking routines, and got into my rehab exercises right away. Was able to do over 20 of each one. Not bad seeing as I was lucky if I got 10 before muscle failure.

Still wish I could inform Samsung Gear that "No, I can't step it up.".. not for a while, yet.

What the hell

Out of the blue, my Windows 7 computer decided that the OS wasn't genuine... after 2 years.  I tried reactivating, and no joy.

I headed to Microsoft Help, started a session with a tech. He rebooted the system with all by MS services disabled.  After 2 hours of nothing he did working right, he left and had me continue a download to try later. 

5 hours later, the download is still going, so I'm getting bored.  I open up Control Panel, click on system. Sure enough, still saying not activated. I clicked on ACTIVATE and I got "Your copy of windows may be counterfeit. Go online to fix this." (got this with the tech, but he would just close it down)  I clicked on it, opened the link in IE. I saw a button that said "VALIDATE".  Clicked on that, and suddenly Windows 7 Ultimate is activated.

Maybe I should work for MS support?

9 Days Post-Op visit w/Nurse Practitioner and Physio

Had the surgical dressing removed, and was told it was healing nicely.  I had some problems with the medications, and those problems were addressed and taken care of. I have been told that rest, and pain management are paramount for my rehab. Since my liver is so efficient, it filters the medication out a bit quickly, leaving me in pain for an hour or more between pain med dosages.  I have been given a different pain medication to take when that happens.  Still have to take blood thinners, anti-inflammatory, and unfortunately something to ensure regularity. I'll just leave it at that.  Took new dosing schedules and went to see the physio.

Pat is everything a physio can be. A nice sadist.  He massaged, bent, pushed, pushed even more.  I could take it. He said 'no higher than pain level 5'.  I am very fortunate, that all tendons and ligaments are fine. It was just the bone/cartilage. My reward for all the torture was his massaging my foot, pushing up past my knee to reduce the swelling, then fit me with a mid-thigh to ankle compression stocking.  He also reiterated the need for pain management being key to doing the exercises.  So, no more 'toughing it out'.

Message assimilated. :)

Soon

Took antiseptic shower with the pre-op soap. Needed a bit of help reaching around my back, so called Wing for assistance. He obliged. Skin feels a bit tight now.

Necklace my grandmother gave me, rings, earrings, bracelet, and citrine in a box to keep them safe at home.  Have my overnight bag packed.

My stomach is churning with stress/anxiety right now.  I should go to bed now, and try to get some sleep, as I will be getting up around 4am to get to the hospital by 6:30am. 

It's starting to get real..and real scary

Had a phone call from the anesthesiologist as she wanted a full run down of my medical history (or as near as I can fill her in on) and for what will be happening on Monday.  

It seems I will be given an epidural, and then general, as a way to cut back on the amount of general to be used.   By keeping me numb from lower back down, the less general anesthesia is needed, and it will clear the system faster for a quicker recovery.

I will also be given an arterial jab as a better way to keep an eye on oxygenation and to keep an eye on my blood pressure. 

This is the first time I have had to have major surgery.... and I have no problem admitting I'm scared.

What is it with eBay or Amazon sellers?

If you sell something, and it's crap, or not quite as you have described, I will say so.

Two different sellers, two different e-markets.

Amazon seller sold a used CD. I had no problem with it being used, as the seller said it was in "very good" condition.  It arrived, and the surface was obviously scuffed and scratched.  I was able to rip the contents to my music directory, and with audio tools, remove the clicks and hisses.   I gave her a 3 star rating.  She kept sending me messages, claiming I had buyers remorse, and there was nothing wrong with the CD.  The kicker is this: it got tapped by AQIS for having a foreign substance on it, and I took photos of the notice, the bright yellow and black AQIS tape, and the report.  Sent them to her. She changed her tune, and said I was expecting too much. 

eBay seller.  I bought a silicone case for my S7.  It arrived, and it was so loose and flaccid, my phone would fall out of it.  I emailed the seller, included photos showing how it didn't fit on the phone.  He offered me, I kid you not, 50 cents refund. "That is one helluva scam. You sell something for $5, and even with photographic proof showing it's faulty, this is your offer?"   I reported him to eBay, and my money was refunded by eBay.  I then gave him a neutral feedback rating, stating "Didn't fit phone, phone would fall out. Money refunded".   Seller sent me a message, I am presuming is whining about the neutral rating, but tough shit. He was damned lucky he didn't get a negative rating. 

Do not fold, bend, spindle or mutilate

More pre-op things.  Visited a physio to get some pre-op exercises to help stretch, and to see what sort of mobility/stability my current joint can handle.  Umm, ow?

Then off to the EKG.  I have a heart! Who would have thunk it? Normal sinus rhythm.

Off to radiology.  Enter the folding, bending, spindling.  To get clear xrays (yes, plural) of my knee joint, my leg had to be twisted into position. To say that hurt would be understatement.  Do this for about an hour.  Then xrays of the spacer between my vertebrae (4, from different angles), and a chest xrays (two).

I'm quite sore now... and wonder if I'm going to glow in the dark!