TKR Turning a Corner Towards Recovery

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those nasty viruses take it right out of you. Sure hope you're well on the mend and are back in the classroom soon.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[BJ Mac]

Get Well Soon!!! (((((hugs)))))

 

[juniper]

All over my virus. Back at school. Chaperoned the Middle School dance tonight. Oh my. Fifth grade girls shared their moms' coaching on how to deal with boys if they wanted to slow dance too close. And most of the fifth grade boys actually preferred the "games room" where the smell of feet when boys took off their shoes to play Twister made the room uninhabitable. Very funny.

 

[BJ Mac]

Oh Jane, I am so glad to hear that you are well again. That is soooo funny about the kids at the dance...

 

[skigirl]

 

[speccybecky]

So pleased you're feeling better.
That's boys for you! I have two...just a 'boy smell'

 

[juniper]

Have spent the past week wishing I were skiing. Wishing I were a skier. Wishing I had ever skied. BJ and Kelly have been my inspirations. Had an amazing night last night--fifth grade poetry night last night--with 28 fifth graders sharing memorized poems and then poems they had written. At one point, when a boy who is profoundly deaf, shared Mary Oliver's poem, Spring, I began to cry. Kept feeling so moved all the way through the poem, until Brianna shared Li-Young Lee's "Blossom" and Joseph shared another Mary Oliver poem, "Wild Geese." These kids were amazing. I wish someone had taped it and I could share on Youtube. Maybe I should try.

But today, we had out faculty inservice, a conference in Philadelphia, and walking to the train and to the conference was so challenging, and then walking from one venue to another. Several people shared that they know people who have had knee replacements who are doing so much better than I am. I think it is time to do something--find another surgeon--one who might do revision or remove adhesions. Or go back to the surgeon who did the original surgery. I will have to figure that out because he thinks he's a hot shot--does minimally invasive surgery and harassed me because I wasn't improving as fast as he expected. I do mean "harassed."

I've already decided to take a part time position next year so I can focus on making my knee better.

Okay. I'm just sad to come down from such an emotionally rewarding experience to the reality that my body is hurting.

 

[skigirl]

Juniper, I am impressed that you have made two good decisions. One to work part time and one to find a surgeon you both trust and like. Bravo.

I have to admit that I love working part time. we still need the money, so I have to work--but, I still have days when I can clean the house, bake pies or work in my studio.

I also think you have waited long enough for a good fairy to come along and tap your knee!! It is time to get a second and maybe third opinion. I will not even mention my thoughts on your colleagues who just had to tell you that they knew someone who is healing better than you. Such compassion, such empathy. Sheesh, I suppose you could not just yell shut up at them--but I bet you were tempted!!!

The poetry evening sounded beautiful. You must be proud to be such a good teacher. Teachers had a great impact on my life---I came from a disadvantaged home---and I did not get much encouragement there. I remember so well that when I was in high school, one of my friends came up to tell me that when someone had asked Mrs Hall, my English teacher about intellectuals---she said that I was one of the few intellectuals she had met while teaching.

That was a goal for me---to live up to that opinion that Mrs. Hall had stated so publicly. Just think how you have influenced the life of these children. That is at least as valuable as skiing!!! Kelly

 

[BJ Mac]

Jane, you are a teacher and a blessing. Your poetry night sounds fabulous. It seems to me that, just like Kelly and me, you are teaching and sharing with others something that you are passionate about. That is so very rewarding.
I am also glad to hear that you have decided to work part time next year and focus on making your knee better.

It is a shame that you had to tolerate your co-workers rudeness. That was not at all nice of them to make comments that they know someone who is doing better than you. Yikes! I hate it when adults act so immature...

Congrats on your decision to find a new surgeon and get your knee taken care of. I personally vote against going back to the 'hot shot' that you had before.

Keep us posted on your search for a new surgeon and what the next step will be. ((((hugs))))

Just think how you have influenced the life of these children. That is at least as valuable as skiing!!! Kelly​

- See more at: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/turning-a-corner-towards-recovery.14993/page-6#post-423411

 

[BJ Mac]

I agree with Kelly, that your influence is at least as valuable as skiing!

 

[juniper]

You know, I think my colleagues were just trying to tell me that it isn't normal to be in this much pain after so much time. I think they were trying to gently (or not so gently) push me to do something about it. I saw it as a wake up call, really. I had a massage today, and the therapist worked a good deal on my knee. She isn't sure, but thinks I don't have adhesions. She felt more swelling in the spot where I have pain when I walk. Explained to me that the body swells as a reaction to something else going on. Thought I should try with the first surgeon and make it clear if he is dismissive, that I will see someone else. I will try to get to talk with his physical therapist, who I really like. So, yes, I have made decisions, and now it's time to follow through. The massage therapist had really interesting things to say about what knee issues can indicate emotionally. She just put them out there as possibilities...and what she talked about was scarily accurate for me emotionally. Just saying.

 

[speccybecky]

Sounds like just making the decision has had a positive effect on you. Good luck

 

[skigirl]

Good luck I know that if you first doc does not work out, you will be able to see someone else. K

 

[juniper]

Kelly, you're right. I don't need to settle. I've worked hard, spring break comes soon, and I can get to the gym every day. Looking forward to that. Is there still snow on the mountains? And how about for you BJ? This week is supposed to be pretty cold and we're getting rain outside of Phila. so maybe you'll get more snow farther north. How are both of you doing, after a season of skiing, and falling and getting back out on the slopes every time? J

 

[skigirl]

We still have three more weeks of ski season. We had snow last night, thank goodness . We have a base of 100 inches on the top of the mountain (7000 feet) but, we are less endowed on the bottom at the village. I think we have about 54 inches---which is not enough to get us through spring skiing.

I have had a great winter---my knee cap still moves around, both my thighs are finally the same size!! I had a terrific fall last week---fell on an icy sloop and slid about 300 yards. Finally got onto my back, then flipped my skis over my head so that I could get an edge and stop myself. I got a lot of applause after that one!! I have to admit that I was completely out of breath when I stood up---I did manage to laugh once I was breathing again!!

I went out with my mountain bike and snow tires last week---we only rode 10 miles, but it felt great. I have been doing a lot of skate skiing this year. When I stay home and work in my studio, I go downtown and skate ski for an hour around the golf course--it is a great workout.

 

[BJ Mac]

Our resort is still open, but I am super busy with my sons home on spring break and I have my granddaughter here for 4 days so I cannot be there. We will be open into April this year, which never happens around here. I did snowboard all day a week ago Friday and had a great time. I taught on Saturday and turned in my jacket as I won't be able to teach any more this season. I hated to leave when there is soooo much snow still on the mountain that it looks like February not the end of March.

 

[juniper]

Hi, everyone. Something fun to report--B.J. was nearby visiting colleges with her daughter and sent me a message. I drove to her hotel and we got to meet and talk. Also met her daughter, Laura, who is hilarious and very passionate about horses and riding. BJ and I compared knees. My scar is tiny; her bend is amazing. What a great site this is. I like the new photo. Would love a "meet up" like the one it must have taken to pull so many Bone Smarties together. I hope they are authentic knee or hip replacement people.

 

[skigirl]

What fun!! we could try a regional reunion at some point!!

 

[BJ Mac]

It sure was fun to meet in person. I enjoyed our visit Jane.

A reunion would be cool.

 

[skigirl]

I'm in