Woooohoooooo!

[Weezy]

GOTTA share this with people who understand!

I drove by myself today!!! OK, maybe its not a big deal at 4 weeks, but I've been reluctant to even try to get into my bug. Since I've been getting good ROM on the bike lately, I decided to try it today--and I drove to a store and WALKED around the store too! It was really pretty easy getting in and out and my leg bent far enough without problems. Realistically, I couldn't have done it before I could do 95 degrees easily, so that's a real reward for working on my ROM.

Sure felt good, and now I'm starting to think seriously about getting back out into my sewing room and doing some cutting (lots of standing)...sewing is easy, but I've been avoiding cutting, and I don't have anything to sew right now until I cut something out.

For the first time, I'm really thinking that I'll be able to walk across the stage at my graduation with only one crutch...its June 15 so I still have two weeks to improve. I'm determined to participate in this graduation ceremony...didn't care about my bachelor's or even my master's, but now I get to wear the robe with the velvet so I wanna go!

Weezy

 

[Skeet]

I'm so happy for you and proud of you! I didn't drive until 7 or 8 weeks because I had my left knee done and I drive a 5 speed manual transmission. I still remember how great it was to drive by myself. The freedom! It was like being 16 and getting my first driver's license.

I'm also very proud of you getting your PhD! What a huge inspiration you are to us all - even those of us at 5.5 months out!

 

[Doug]

So it's going to be Dr. Weezy...Now I'm intimidated..Gotta watch my grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
I got in big trouble for driving at two weeks. My wife hid my keys and my son took the spare out of my wallet. They didn't know I had a third key. I would get in the truck and just drive it around the block. Got in more trouble. She got my third key and had a neighbor informant in case I had a fourth key.

 

[1jt@atime]

Congratulations on the upcoming graduation and the excitement of getting behind the wheel again, Dr. Weezy! I'm excited for you! FREEDOM!!!!!

Skeet, I too drive a manual transmission and I'm about to have the left knee done. It really took 7-8 weeks to get to the point of driving a stick shift? My husband's car is an automatic and we will trade cars for awhile but me and my lead foot would much rather drive my BMW. Hey, maybe that titanium knee is making it even heavier!

 

[Weezy]

So it's going to be Dr. Weezy...Now I'm intimidated..Gotta watch my grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
I got in big trouble for driving at two weeks. My wife hid my keys and my son took the spare out of my wallet. They didn't know I had a third key. I would get in the truck and just drive it around the block. Got in more trouble. She got my third key and had a neighbor informant in case I had a fourth key.

Hey...the ONLY reasons I did the doctorate were because (1) I wanted a robe with velvet, and (2) I want people to ask, <Bugs Bunny Mode ON:> eehhhhh, what's up, doc? <Bugs Bunny Mode OFF>.

so yeah, my official title is Doc Weezy.

I LOVE the fourth key! Did you have one??? Wow, I no more could have driven at two weeks than I could have flown to the moon! I was still tripping on meds and would not have been able to back out our long driveway without crashing!

Weezy

 

[Weezy]

I'm so happy for you and proud of you! I didn't drive until 7 or 8 weeks because I had my left knee done and I drive a 5 speed manual transmission. I still remember how great it was to drive by myself. The freedom! It was like being 16 and getting my first driver's license.

I'm also very proud of you getting your PhD! What a huge inspiration you are to us all - even those of us at 5.5 months out!

lol...so I'm not the only one who felt that rush of freedom! I can't imagine trying to drive a manual even now. I'm SO glad I chose to buy an automatic a few years ago....

Thanks re the PhD...I may be old (!), but its not too bad for a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks who didn't even take a college class until I was 35! Never thought I could do it, and I'm amazed that I did...and now it seems so funny not to have homework.

So I celebrated by having my knee replaced!

Weezy

 

[beachcomber]

I'm gonna tattle on Doug. He got in so much trouble with Mrs. Doug because he is a retired police officer who was driving before he was safe to be doing so and oughta know better!

But I sure remember how good it felt to get out on my own again! I drove a few blocks about a week after my LPKR (automatic trans.) but had to hold my knee together. Felt like it was falling apart so I went right back home!

You are doing great! And congrats on the velvet! Sometimes I wish I had gotten mine--- it does look so cool! We "walk" with our HS grads where I teach and velvet would be more impressive than my Masters garb.

 

[Weezy]

I'm gonna tattle on Doug. He got in so much trouble with Mrs. Doug because he is a retired police officer who was driving before he was safe to be doing so and oughta know better!

But I sure remember how good it felt to get out on my own again! I drove a few blocks about a week after my LPKR (automatic trans.) but had to hold my knee together. Felt like it was falling apart so I went right back home!

You are doing great! And congrats on the velvet! Sometimes I wish I had gotten mine--- it does look so cool! We "walk" with our HS grads where I teach and velvet would be more impressive than my Masters garb.

Thanks for the tattling...that makes me feel so much better! And somehow I can see Doug doing that--and acting properly contrite when caught. (yeah, right!)

And I know what you mean about walking with grads...I participate in our graduation ceremony every year and was always envious of the other profs with the velvet...amazing how that was part of my impetus to spend all that money!!! Yikes! How incredibly shallow I am! ;) Well, the velvet plus the beret instead of the mortar board....looks much better on my round, chubby face!

Weezy

 

[Rowdy66]

Hey, Weezy, Congrats On Getting Out And About Today. Sounds Like You Have Been Waiting For Some Time To Take This Little Jaunt And It Is Well Deserved.

I Was Going Over Posts From The Past. As You Probably Remember Right Before And Right After Your Tkr You Were In Quite A Lot Of Pain, I Know I Was. Anyway I Missed A Few Posts, One Particularly Was The One You Wrote To Me About Sewing And Making Shorts To Wear To The Hospital. While I Am Glad I Made Them I Have To Admit Doing So Really Took A Toll On Me. I Am Really Enjoying Them More Now Than I Did In The Hospital. Having Both Knees Done It Took A Few Days Before I Cared How I Looked Much Less If I Looked Cute, But I Did Manage To Wear A Couple Of Pairs Before I Went Home. I Am Getting A Lot Of Compliments In Pt Though And They Are Comfortable To Do The Exercises In. I Know What You Mean About Sewing Being Nothing, It Is The Cutting Out That Almost Kills You. I Have A Bad Back And Even Worse Neck And So Having My Knees Done Will Help Some But It Isn't Going To Cure Everything. My Husband Found Some Little Folding Stools That Are Just The Right Height To Sit On At My Cutting Table And As Soon As I Get A Bit More Energy I Plan To Get In My Sewing Room And Make Some Summer Jump Suits. I Think We All Have A Few Favorite Patterns, I Know I Do And I Can Hardly Wait To Get The Red Crinkle Clothe I Bought On Ebay Made Into A Jump Suit To Replace The One I Wore Out Last Summer.

Anyway Hears Hoping Today Was Just The Beginning Of Many Happy Outings For You In Your Bug. By The Way, What Color Is It? Rowdy

 

[JenniferG]

Sewing, degrees, all you ladies are makng feel unskilled. No really, you guys are great examples. Weezy, that first drive after TKR is never "not a big deal". It's always athrill and one of many milestones. I'm still thrilled every time I step up a curb with no handles or cane. Seems silly to get so excited over such a thing, but knee folk understand.
By the way, what did they done teach ya anyway? (What's your majors?)

 

[Weezy]

Hey Rowdy.....my bug is a BRIGHT yellow! Its kind of a cartoon car, but very bright and cheerful and I love it. I called it my mid-life crisis car...got it when I got divorced!

Hmmm...I hadn't thought of using a stool to cut out--whatta great idea1 I have a wonderful high cutting table, and I'm betting a bar stool type of thing might just work.

Have you discovered fabric.com? I've been a customer of theirs for years and love 'em. the best sales come from the e-mail flyers, so sign up for those if you're interested. I just got a bunch of stretch denim, 10 oz., 2.95 a yard! Its a good weight for shorts and I have a new Kwik Sew jeans jacket pattern that I'm itching to try. They have sales and a daily e-mail deal, and that's where the best values come from.

Weezy

 

[Weezy]

I'm still thrilled every time I step up a curb with no handles or cane. Seems silly to get so excited over such a thing, but knee folk understand.
By the way, what did they done teach ya anyway? (What's your majors?)

Oh, I can't wait for the day when I can actually step up a curb! You're right, us knee folks do understand that...I'm still looking forward to being able to navigate without crutches! Don't feel quite stable enough to try that yet, except around the house where I can grab onto something.

Hmmm....what did they teach me? Mostly how to get through the academic system! yeah, that's the cynical answer, and there's a grain of truth in that. Mostly I learned more about developmental education and cognitive learning issues. Developmental education is a "division" of education that specializes in helping adults (or younger) students who come to college but are underprepared in some areas like reading, writing, math, etc. We use very specific teaching techniques to help underprepared students gain the necessary skills in a quarter or two. Most students who come through our dev ed classes persist to a degree and even go on to a university! I've been privileged to watch some of "my" students graduate with a university degree (I teach at a 2-year community college).

Helping those scared and uncertain students is my passion! I get to watch them sprout and strengthen their wings and take off and fly....its an honor and a privilege.

And believe it or not, I started out teaching computer science!

Weezy

 

[Skeet]

In response to did it really take me 7-8 weeks before I could drive.... the delay was mostly due to the amount of drugs I was on. I would have been under the influence. I was physically capable of driving at about 4-6 weeks. It all depends on the strength of the leg muscles and your ability to quickly and easily move the leg from the clutch to the brake and back again. I practiced in our driveway and then my first driving my daughter went with me in case I wasn't able to drive back.

 

[JenniferG]

And for the record, Skeet is one fast driving, doggy training, gun toting, hunter momma! (who looks better in camo than I ever will.)

 

[Doug]

TATTLE TAIL.......and NO, I didn't have a fourth key. I just needed to rent some new DVD's. The bad thing was, (besides driving), I would rent them, play them and fall asleep. Never saw the whole movie.
My wife went with me to my four week check up to make sure the OS said I could drive. Since he was at one time a Reserve Police Officer who worked for me, his response was, " If Capt. Farrow feels he can drive, I have no problem with it." ----she still wouldn't let me drive!!!

 

[JenniferG]

Doug, did you (or anyone else) have to sign a prescription policy at the OS? Basically says "we may have to give you anything from ibuprophen to heavy duty narcotics as part of your treatment, Don't drive, not our fault if you do, not our fault if you get addicted, only allowed to use one pharmacy, if you have pain longer than we think is normal we will send you to a pain specialist. If you don't go we can refuse to treat you."

 

[Doug]

ahhhh the words of a shyster lawyer..No, I never had to sign anything like that.

 

[Rowdy66]

Jennifer I signed so many things I might have signed the house away. But, seriously, I already have a pain contract with my primary care doctor. It doesn't say anything near what you said. Just says I have agreed to not accept pain medication from any other doctor. When I had to have the double knee replacement it was noted in my chart that it was okay for me to take the pain medication the os prescribed in addition to my regular pain meds.

Doug, I am glad I am not the only one who rents movies and falls asleep in the middle of them. My husband and I were watching a movie last night and he asked how I liked it when it was over and I said I thought I slept through part of it. Good thing I fessed up, I had been snoring through about 75% of the film. He said I didn't miss anything.

Weezy, there is nothing wrong with having a mid-life crisis car that is yellow. Heck, I like it. At least you did something for yourself instead of to yourself. Most women I know who go through a divorce and a mid-life crisis are world class victims, yuck, so it is refreshing to meet someone like me. I went through the divorce thing at 51 and started being really good to myself. Who wants to be a victim? And try the stool. The bar stool may be a bit too tall for you, it was for me but then I am pretty tall. If it is too tall try Wal-Mart and see if they still have the folding stools, they were the perfect height. I bet your cut out table is about like mine. Folds up and has gate-legs? I love mine. My 38 year old son made mine when he first got into working with wood and it is perfect. Rowdy

 

[Weezy]

Doug, did you (or anyone else) have to sign a prescription policy at the OS? Basically says "we may have to give you anything from ibuprophen to heavy duty narcotics as part of your treatment, Don't drive, not our fault if you do, not our fault if you get addicted, only allowed to use one pharmacy, if you have pain longer than we think is normal we will send you to a pain specialist. If you don't go we can refuse to treat you."

Nope...I've never even heard of something like that! My OS in Everett (where I lived until last summer) was great about pain management and prescribing pills for me to try--but I'd also been with him long enough that he knew I never took more than I needed and usually less. My Seattle OS (who did the surgery) has also been great, but I'm using fewer pills than they have prescribed. So far, all I've had to do is call the surgeon's assistant, talk to him about what I want, and he calls the prescriptions in.

We're restricted to using only one pharmacy anyway--since hubby works for Costco, we HAVE to use a Costco pharmacy or else the insurance won't cover it. And all the Costco stores use a central computer system for pharmacy records, so no chance of multiple prescriptions from different docs.

Weezy

 

[Weezy]

TATTLE TAIL.......and NO, I didn't have a fourth key. I just needed to rent some new DVD's. The bad thing was, (besides driving), I would rent them, play them and fall asleep. Never saw the whole movie.
My wife went with me to my four week check up to make sure the OS said I could drive. Since he was at one time a Reserve Police Officer who worked for me, his response was, " If Capt. Farrow feels he can drive, I have no problem with it." ----she still wouldn't let me drive!!!

I'm with you on the movies, Doug. But fortunately for me, we downloaded a bunch onto our server, so when I fell asleep during them, I could go back and re-watch them! One movie took me DAYS to actually see it all.

And I love your wife...so much for a doctor's OK!

Weezy