This just in

This just in, I received a call from Dan Gates, of Vanderbilt Bone & Joint Clinic, to schedule the third surgery. It is scheduled for June 8th. Five weeks after the lateral release and chondrocyte biopsy. The third surgery is the autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). That is were they, implant new cartilage onto my defect, from my own chondrocytes grown in a lab. Dr. Looney will also do a tibial osteotomy to release pressure off the implanted patch. From what I hear, seems to be the most painful part of the procedure. Sounds all very complex to me, its actually the same surgery Olympic swimmer, Dara Torres had or so I have read.
I have read over the procedure many times online and concluded that its going to be a long and difficult journey. Especially, for someone who lives alone, being non-weight bearing for a month brings up many limits to daily activities of daily living situations. Of course, I may not be living alone then, due to money situation, the folks may have to clean out a room for me. They live a ways away and I have no cellphone service there, so its really impractical for me. Tomorrow is my post-op appointment with Dr. Looney. I'm really excited to get the six stitches out and maybe off the crutches and ditch the range of motion brace. I have a feeling I may get to wean off the crutches but have to keep the brace on. Maybe, he will unlock it, as its locked at 0 degrees.
I'm used to the brace, I wore it for 3 months with the microfracture, but these hip high Ted stockings, have got to go!I have performed partial elasticectomies on most pairs and that seems to help. It doesn't matter if they just got to the knee, they are still aggravating. Sometimes, I get the urge to go all hulk and rip them off my leg but then I remember why I wear them. A Ted stocking is to prevent a thrombus(bloodclot) from becoming an embolus(moving clot).
After surgery the potential for an embolism increases, and in most cases is deadly. Now with all the procedures performed and actual patients, having an emboli is small.
Now I'm going to write down questions to ask, Dr Looney tomorrow. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to post.

Physical Therapy

Yesterday was my second physical therapy (pt) appointment. I had Andrea Turner, as my therapist at Top Rehab Services. She is extremely nice and helpful and our personalities click. Something that works for me as I like to joke and harass the therapists. Did I say harass? I meant encourage them to keep up the good work. It went very well as my knee wasn't as stiff as I expected. I had been doing quad sets, ankle pumps, and heel slides since the day shyer surgery. I did more of those, along with knee cap mobilization, straight leg raises and about 10 other exercises. I almost forgot, I did 5 minutes on a bike without resistance. After we suffered through all that, it was time for the real pain. What I like to call electro shock therapy. Its a small device that sends electric currents to your muscles via electrodes applied to various parts of your leg. It causes a contraction of these muscles, in which I must hold a ball between my knees and raise my left leg.
Now at the level I would like the device set, would have been no pain, for it would have been off. But Andrea, being the dedicated professional she is, insisted on setting it to her liking. Therfore, resulting in 15 minutes of teeth clinching and perhaps other things.
Now to say that Andrea, wasn't gracious would be lying. I showed up 15 minutes late because I didn't calculate how much longer a sponge bath takes, and not a word was said. Maybe they were hoping I wouldn't show?
Why am I still taking sponge baths? Well I thought I had a deal and someone was going to give me a shower chair but they flaked and I'm broke, so buying one is out of the question and I almost broke my neck standing on one leg. So for now its a good ole whore, I mean sponge bath.
Physical Therapy wasn't all I had up my sleeve. I was feeling good so I attended my nieces softball game. Big mistake!I could never get comfortable on the bleachers, plus it felt like walking a mile on crutches. I finally hobbled back to the car, where I nearly fell from exhaustion.
Once I made it back home, I took off the brace and Ted stocking, only to reveal a hugely swollen knee with many aches. Great, goes right along with the pains in my arms and chest from using crutches.
I immediately iced it down and woke up with slight swelling other than normal post-operatively. Oh yes, my niece and her team won 13-4. So my advice would be to take it easy, especially, after pt.

so far

So far I have had very little pain, after left knee lateral release with chondrocyte biopsy. I am so happy and impressed, after the microfracture I had extreme pain and lack of energy. I have been staying with my folks for a couple of days, for Mothers Day and just support. I am a single woman and I didn't want to be in misery alone. Ha!
My swelling was huge the first day but with ice and elevation it has came down a lot. The most aggravating part is the hip high Ted stocking and brace, of course the crutches aren't fun either. My entire upper torso including my cheeks are sore from the crutches maybe I should take it easier?
I have 3 incisions with stitches with minimal bruising. I have some soreness up my hip but nothing to take a pill over. I ventured out to the grocery store with mama yesterday to enjoy a ride on the crip scooter. Thankfully, I had no runins with any vicious bluehairs. I took a full shower today and got almost all of the betadine out of the nooks and crannies.
I am so much more optimistic after this surgery of course I know the difficult one will be next.

I survived

I survived my surgery, YAHOO!!! After filling out paperwork and waiting an hour, I was called back. First order of business, pee in a cup, fun times, next escorted to my room where I put on this fancy gown that warms you after surgery. Then it was IV and EKG time, with Lactated Ringers running I just kicked back and relaxed. The anesthesiologist came in and explained what he would be doing, I then received some Versed and phenergan via IV to relax a little more as he done the nerve block in my thigh.That was very nice, I wished they had done that when I had the microfracture. I am still numb and have very little pain. After a visit with the family and Dr Looney explaining everything, I went into surgery. I had a lateral release with a biopsy for ACI.
I dealt better with this surgery than the last, I was more alert afterwards, of course I didn't receive pain medicine due to the nerve block. I was waking up in recovery and who's voice did I hear, Nurse Wonderful. She is extremely nice and took care of anything I needed and answered any questions I had.One was when can I pee? She also mentioned food and drink when I woke up, my kind of nurse.
I did get put back in the brace locked out at 0 and 90 degrees. I can put light touch on my toes but that's it. I'm on crutches and walking much better than last time.I had my first physical therapy appointment this morning with Andrea at Top Rehab. It wasn't too painful, she is very friendly so that helps too. I am only doing p.t. once a week, to save my alloted days for the ACI. Sleep is virtually none existent, even after taking the pain medication. I took it before I laid down in case the nerve block wore off. I am still a little loopy from it so I'm sure the next time I look at this blog, I will see all kinds of errors and things I left out.I thought I would give you a quick update today, now i'm going to ice my knee and elevate it and sober up.

todays the day

Today is the day! Myself, Beth, and mama are on our way to the Vanderbilt Bone and Joint Clinic. It was a late night and an even earlier morning. I nearly forgot my midnight food cutoff as I was sipping on cranberry pomegranate juice, then waking up without my bowl of cocoa pebbles. Sigh! Can we say food addiction? Beth comes over with a blueberry muffin, let's just say its a good thing I don't like blueberries or she may have lost a hand.
I showered with antibacterial soap, applied no lotion to my freshly shaven legs, I can already feel the razor rash. Probably not a smart idea to shave before they shave me. I got my crutches and myself, hopefully I didn't forget anything.
This post will be a short one as I am writing it via my BlackBerry and Beths driving is....well let's just say I'm glad I'll be asleep on the way back. Just kidding! Sort of, we EMS people have our own way of doing things. I'll try to post later today but since I don't have a home computer I may not be able too. Wish me luck!

One day to go

Surgery is officially on and scheduled for 0845 tomorrow. The surgery center was spared the devastating fate so many structures have faced during this difficult time in Tennessee. I am so ready to get this over with, but nervous at the same time. I'm not looking forward to the pain and loss of independence, one experiences after surgery. This will be round two out of a three round bout, first the microfracture won, but lateral release is going down, and autologous chondrocyte implantation will be a knockout. Nice boxing analogy, huh?!
The best part about this surgery will be no bulky brace, to hold my leg out straight and no CPM!!! Unless, Dr. Looney surprises me tomorrow. I have spent the day cleaning and honestly haven't accomplished much. Day four of severe knee pain has really hampered my activities. Those activities include, watching tv, laying down, and propping my leg up.Let's face it, you can't exactly run a marathon without cartilage, well,maybe you can if your're on biggest loser. Jillian and Bob, come to my house and help me recover, I could use a chef too.
I want to end this post by reminding everyone to continue to pray, support, volunteer, and donate for all the victims of the Tennessee Flooding. All of historic downtown Nashville, is devastated. The Cumberland River crested today and is receding but with millions and millions of dollars in damage and lives lost, the affects will be felt for years to come. Here are a few ways you can donate: Tennessee Emergency Response Fund 1-888-540-5200. www.nashvilleredcross.org, hon.com.

Floods

Severe weather hit middle Tennessee again this weekend. Over eighteen inches of rain fell, resulting in major flooding, destroying houses, cars, businesses, and claiming lives.25% of our yearly rainfall total fell in 48 hours, devastating many areas including Metro Nashville.Nashville hospitals received damage, including Vanderbilt. 23 Davidson county schools fell victim to the overbearing waters.LP Field, home of the Titans, is underwater, the Opryland Hotel didn't fair any better. Shelters have been set up all across the state to accommodate those misplaced from the rains. Fortunately, myself, friends, and family were spared from any flood damage. Prayers go out to all those affected. To donate go to www.nashvilleredcross.org.
Just two days from my surgery, the weekend weather has me wondering, if it will get postponed. Williamson county wasn't spared from the floods, which is where it will be done. I haven't heard anything from the surgery center but tomorrow is the day I will receive the operation time. Hopefully, they will call me and everything will be a go, not to sound insensitive, but I am ready to get it over with.
 The chaperones have been picked out and the all night babysitter is scheduled to watch me sleep. Physical Therapy is set up and I know they can't wait to see me. My crutches are shined and I have ice slurries waiting in the freezer to wrap around the ridiculously swollen knee, that i'm told i'll have. Let's not forget that grabber thingy, I have been practicing and can reach the cereal very well.As for money, I don't know what to do, I have nothing left, but with the tragedies of this past weekend, I hate to complain.All I can do is keep Faith.