Scheduled Consult with OS

[Bluetechseeker]

I'll definitely be at the Party!! Whoop, whoop Par-TAY!!

Hubby and I put the walker together with it's lovely tray and nice front storage bag (beautiful watercolor bird painting on the front), the 3-1 chair together, and thoroughly checked out the Kodiak unit. I took the walker for a spin around the house to make sure it's clear and easy to get where I'll need to go (our three dogs LOVED the trial run - they followed me, barking, the whole way !!). The walker definitely does NOT fit in the master toilet room, so I'll need to use the hall bath for awhile. I checked the 3-1 chair in our walk in shower to make sure it fits; that shower has a handheld shower head so I'd prefer using it instead of the tub/shower combo in the hall bath, plus you just step into in instead of up and over the side of the bathtub. Having the splitter and extra cuff for the Kodiak will be wonderful, I can tell already!! OH, and I printed out the picture of how to properly stack the pillows for elevating and gave it to hubby

Spent a good hour trying to put a reasonable shopping list together for grocery shopping this weekend. I'm trying to figure quick stuff I know I'll eat and make sure there's other stuff easy for hubby to handle. As he says, he can grill anything! My diet is weird - I don't eat anything processed, nothing white (flour, rice, starch, sugar) and stay gluten free. It's not just a simple matter of grabbing things. I have high protein, with lots of fresh veggies, fruits, Greek yogurt, and nuts. When I'm handling the kitchen, of course it's not a big deal at all. But, turning the reins over to hubby, I've got to be flexible and set him up for as much success as possible. Gosh knows, he'll need it as easy in there as possible When you get down to it, it can be rather difficult forecasting ahead on stuff for several weeks!!

I also contacted a couple of my financial lenders, and have set up payment deferrals on a couple larger bills until my disability pay is coming in regularly. I'm so relieved they would do that!! My insurance isn't the greatest, I'll have high prescription co-pays, and $30/office visit for every PT appointment - that'll all add up FAST, especially on partial pay. I just figured, what would it hurt to call and ask them, right??

 

[Bluetechseeker]

Okay, here's the first of probably a string of ding bat questions these last few days before surgery....

My CPM machine is being delivered and set up this Saturday morning so it's ready when I come home. My question is - if I'm going to be on the CPM machine so much, when would I be icing and elevating?? From my previous surgeries, my doc LOVES the CPM machine and I was basically instructed to dang near live on it. So, do I ice at the same time, then elevate once off?? Alternate the two knees, icing and elevating the one not on the CPM? I'll definitely be asking the doc, but it's just whirling around in my mind right now

 

[icep707]

I cant imagine the thought process while being this close in days to a bilateral. Your preparation will serve you well. And before you know it you will be playing with your granddaughter with new healthy knees. You will be just fine. You have great family support and your bonesmart family. Better get your things packed , your day is coming very fast. Best of luck.

 

[jeano]

I cant be of help with the CPM and icing question, but I can tell you that I have a freezer that is STiLL full of various things purchased and/or prepared in advance for my absence from the kitchen. DH was inspired to cookd more than he usually does, and I was up sooner than I thought and fixing what we usually eat. I dont have any dietary restrictions but there are pricey (and processed, I'm afraid, but palatable) frozen entrees in the organic food department that might meet your needs. In fact some of those items in my freezer are various frozen dinner vegetarian/Indian goodies that I thought would be just the ticket, but somehow I found myself making stuff from scratch because it was more appealing to me. I made a couple of vats of soup and froze portions and those went the quickest.

 

[Bluetechseeker]

@icep707 Thank you!! I think the only reason I'm not totally freaking out right now is because of all the information I've gained here, and also reading all of the individual results posted in the forums. It really helps settle my mind knowing what will happen, basically what to expect so I have a reasonable idea how to prepare. I've watched several TKR videos as well, I find them hugely interesting!!

@jeano that's kind of my dilemma with trying to prep too much ahead of time. IF I buy all the freezer stuff, it will end up not being used. If I don't, I won't be in any shape to handle anything in the kitchen - basically, darned if I do and darned if I don't. But, I think I'll plan on getting several of the frozen meals for hubby to have, then basic meat and frozen veggies with very easy snacks during the day for me. Then in a few weeks, we'll reassess the grocery list and take it from there. Hubby already offered to grill as much as I wanted I adore grilled foods, so that's a huge treat for me!! Like you, I really enjoy making the meals from scratch, so we'll just see how everything evolves.

 

[Ziggysmom]

I usually cook our meals, but my husband is the soup maker. He decided to make a big pot of minestrone soup the night before my surgery. We had it that night, he ate it while i was in hospital, and we had it for 3 nights after I came home. It was a lot of days of eating the same thing, but it was simple, filling, nutritious, and tasty. My appetite has been affected by the meds, so tasty helped me out a lot! I would add one of the bran muffins I made while he had bread or crackers. Early on we considered frozen meals, but eliminated them quickly because of the sodium content that would cause me to retain water...as it was I felt like my thigh was going to explode for a couple of days!

 

[kneeper]

Yogurt, fruit and nuts sound like great "mobile" snacks that you can easily carry to your "nest." Lots of us had our appetites affected by the pain meds, so your husband may wind up shopping for things that appeal to you on certain days/weeks. And you might find you won't eat as much as usual, but it's important to get those nutrients in.

 

[Bluetechseeker]

@kneeper and @Ziggysmom thanks for your replies!! Yeah, I tend to have a high protein diet, so really need to focus on getting lots of veggies, too. I'll plan ahead the best I can, but hubby may be making a few trips to the grocery whether he likes it or not. I've read a lot of how many do loose their appetites, and certainly their tastes change. I had a colonoscopy in October and had zero hunger after waking from anesthesia, and have had loss of appetite in the past when on pain meds. So, keeping some easy nibbles will certainly help (will need something in tummy when taking meds).

Well, received the "official" okey-dokey from insurance company saying this surgery IS medically necessary (no kidding??), got the final co-pay amount from doc's office today, finalized the intake call with insurance company for disability pay this morning. Just bowled my last league bowling for the season, have a sub finishing for me (we're only at the halfway point). Friday will be a day of closing out work stuff and paying bills. I'll be doing the shopping, housework, and laundry this weekend then BAM, Monday will be here. Staying really busy this weekend to help not only pass the time, but occupy my mind for sure.

 

[kneeper]

All systems go!

 

[Lovestoread]

Good luck to you! Looking forward to hearing how great things went! You are certainly well-prepared, just remember not to overdo!

 

[newkneesNH]

Thinking of you tonight and sending prayers all tomorrow. Write when you are able and let me know how you are doing. I am counting down now until January 23rd. Thank you for your support and helpful information. You will be in my thoughts all day Monday!

 

[taylornewknees]

bluetechseeker - hope all went well with surgery! When you are up to it, I am sure you will be posting your progress. Take care and know you are not alone!