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| Magnetic resonance imaging (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Anyway, I decided to revive this blog and chronicle my next couple months, prior to, during and post-op. It may not always be a happy blog but it will hopefully inform my friends and family of my progress and keep me from having to repeat the same things over and over--not to mention giving me something to do. I am hoping that when I am doing better (aka Wonder Women with the incredible steel knees) that I can go back to blogging about school and the issues that surprise me every day.
A little background . . . . I had surgery for a torn meniscus on my right knee on April 9th but it really did not help. I had a previous surgery on the same knee about 1 1/2 years ago and I was doing OK until a couple of months ago when all hell broke loose. First, my left knee went out and the orthopedic surgeon gave me a cortisone shot in that knee. Then, the right knee gave out and a million x-rays and an MRI later I needed surgery. Meanwhile, the left knee got worse--another cortisone shot. Don't ever tell me those suckers don't hurt. The doctor told me that and I almost decked him when he put the needle in my knee joint. And, to think, I had that done twice (by choice!).
Today I had my evaluation appointment with Dr. Booth (of the famous "Three B's"). I had waited a month for the appointment and that is really a short time to wait for the God of Knees. Since his office is downtown at Pennsylvania Hospital, Gabe drove me. Believe me--I am dangerous on the expressway so be glad my husband tolerates my backseat driving and has agreed to chauffeur me around. My appointment was for 2:30 and we got there at 1:45. At 3:00 we still hadn't been seen, but then again, neither had the 48 other people in the offices of Booth, Bardolozzi and Balderson (hence, the Three B's). They took x-rays and I was seen by Dr. Booth's PA and finally, the rainbow came out, the seas parted and in walked the Great and Powerful Oz.
I am making jokes about the importance of Dr. Booth but, to be honest, he is a wonderful doctor with a great bedside manner and an infamous reputation. I am very lucky to have him as my surgeon.
He looked at the x-rays and told me both my knees were "bone on bone". My right leg is actually bending inward due to the problems. He suggested a double knee replacement because he didn't think I could be pain free with just the right knee. I breathed a tremendous sigh of relief and said "OK" without thinking. I had come prepared to battle with him to convince him that I needed both knees replaced and he messed with my karma when he suggested it first.
First, he went over what would happen, then his scheduling secretary, Mary, went over things but that is for another blog day. I am exhausted already. I hope to chronicle this journey as often as possible but don't get testy if I skip a day or so. Remember, I am really confused and not very organized!
Surgery is scheduled for July 12, 2012. More to come . . . .
1 comment:
Ouch! Thank you for sharing this with us. It means a lot to me. Good luck and I love you! Cindy
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