It's Over But it isn't Over Yet

Thank you, all of you who offered good wishes and prayers for my successful surgery! It's true that a knee replacement is a very common everyday surgery, and my surgeon does hundreds of them each year. But this is the first time on one of MY knees, so I am particularly grateful for all your help!

For some reason, my surgery took longer than usual for Dr. Cohen, and I hope to find out what the problem was when next I see him. Even so, the procedure took only 45 minutes, hardly enough time for a decent nap. When I awoke, it felt like someone had replaced my legs with logs! They had given me a a spinal tap which blocked all sensation from my hips down, plus general anesthesia so I couldn't watch.

Next morning the drill sergeant hauled me off to physical therapy and put me through my paces. My second meeting with the drill sergeant was less stressful: I just had to walk. The physical therapy is designed to to get me back to full range of motion, but what good is a lot of flexibility if I can't walk? So I have two regimens to follow at home -- exercises and walking.  Monday I meet with the physical therapy folks at Benson Hospital to begin working under their direction. Can't wait to see what torture they have in store for me!

The staff and the facility at Tucson Medical Center were first rate. We were initially greeted by the free parking valet service, who patiently waited while we got Suzy's mobility scooter unloaded before they whisked the car away to safe and monitored parking nearby. The admission process was smooth, swift and sure, and we were quickly ushered into the surgical waiting area where I was allowed to exchange my designer outfit for a hospital gown. This was the big delay area, as my surgery was scheduled for two hours later than we had originally been told. Dr. Cohen is a "get-'er-done" kind of guy, though, and sped through his progression of knees quickly, moving me back up ahead of schedule!

Since I was"out" during the surgery, I can't tell you what happened there, but the nurses and technicians in post-op were all in good humor while I was with them. And the folks who took care of me back in my room were great, even the ones whose job was to wake me up every hour during the night to check my vital signs or take more blood for the lab.

While I was basking in the glories of hospital comforts, Suzy had a room nearby at an Extended Stay America Inn. They offered a special rate for people using the hospital services. The room was adequate, and she could have prepared a meal or two there it she wanted, but that's a hassle. Suzy breakfasted at Carl's Jr., taking advantage of their Monster Biscuit breakfast, and had dinner at Chili's, with their fine Margarita Chicken plate.

Any of you who are still with us (I just re-read what I've written and found it B-O-R-I-N-G!), thanks for sticking around. And here's your reward, a couple of pictures from one of our early trips to Nebraska. There's more water in Nebraska than you might think, and we saw some wonderful waterfalls while we were there!

This is the Niobrara River, which has been given the designation as a National Scenic River, passing through northern Nebraska.

From Nebraska Waterfalls

From within the Niobrara Wildlife Refuge, Fort Falls drops 45 feet into the Niobrara River.

From Nebraska Waterfalls

And this is Smith Falls, dropping 63 feet into the Niobrara.

From Nebraska Waterfalls

From Nebraska Waterfalls

And finally Snake Falls, considered the broadest waterfall in Nebraska, or at least this part of Nebraska!

From Nebraska Waterfalls

For a special treat for Mike McFall, a couple of Nebraska windmills. I believe Mike is a Nebraska boy himself, and will undoubtedly be able to place these two windmills as to their exact location.

From Nebraska Waterfalls

From Nebraska Waterfalls

Thanks for sticking with us along ... Our Life on Wheels!