Is it only Eight Weeks?

Yesterday was a good day!  A really good day.  It included a trip to Valdosta for physical therapy.  In my world which has shrunk somewhat since I left normal on the ninth of November, there are certain things which bring joy.  For example, I passed my distance pedaled on the stationary bike.  In my ten minutes on the bike, I traveled 1.15 miles.  Now, to those of you with "normal" lives, that probably seems small potatoes.  Those of us who have been the recipient of two new knees with all the things necessary to get those marvels in there where the old ones were, that is pretty spectacular stuff.

I remember in the olden times (six days after surgery when I first sat on the bike) my feet had to be placed on the pedals and it was all I could do to just move them slightly forward and back.  As time passed (12 days post surgery) I was able to push the pedal into a slow circle.

So, I celebrate my little achievement.  The culmination of a PT session before the lovely time of just lying on the mat iced down with stimulating devices attached, is the measuring session where the therapist sees just how far the knee can bend.  Now, if you just sit quite relaxed, feet on the floor, your knee will make a nice ninety degree angle.  Keep pushing your heel back and the angle gets higher.  My doctor was looking for a 120 degree angle to call the surgery a success.  Now, in my little mind, I assumed that when I hit that goal, the measuring would stop.  Nope.  In the perfect knee, the bend angle can be higher.  Yesterday we were at 127 on the left knee and 125 on the right.  I am assuming that the right is lower because the surgery was more complicated on the "baddest" knee.  We might have been able to get that angle higher yesterday, but it was a good day and I, frankly, wasn't in the mood for pain!

The next point of celebration was when we got home and I actually walked up the steps taking a step up with one foot and then proceeding to the next step with the other foot.  Don't get me wrong!  I was still using the handrail, but it has been a long, long time since I could walk up a set of steps somewhat normally without a whole lot of what I like to call "discomfort."  This reminded me of why I decided that it was time to go through the surgery.

Not only was yesterday a good day with the knees, it was a beautiful day although somewhat chilly.  We did not have an ice storm (that was the day before) and we did have a lovely sun drenched, blue sky day.

So, I continue.  Today our adventure is for me to go to the grocery store with Klep.  This will be the first store I have set foot in since the 8th of November!  I am excited! He is excited because he is more than ready to return the chore of grocery shopping to me!

The Infamous Christmas Letter from Klep and Barbara

Merry Christmas 2017 from the Klepper House!

We are so thankful to celebrate this season and to spend time reflecting on what has passed since we last wished each of you Merry Christmas.  The highlights of our year are time spent with our family, seeing our children as adults, and watching our granddaughters transition from young children to more mature girls.  Other wonderful experiences have been intermixed with these.

As Christmas 2017 rapidly approaches, we find ourselves still pretty much involved with my (Barbara’s) recovery from bilateral knee replacement. I was the one who had the surgery, but Klep’s life has been very involved with the whole experience as he has acted as caretaker, encourager, and all around major supporter.   Although we have forgone many of the elements of a normal Christmas season for us, we celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the reason for it in our hearts.

This year we managed to put a few miles on the old knees I had replaced.  Many moments stand out as highlights this year as we have tried to relish this wonderful thing known as life.  Klep has published several genealogical articles in Distant Crossroads and I completed the rough draft of a novel which will probably never be read by anyone other than me! Small events and large have been sprinkled through the year beginning with a lovely cool day late in January which we spent  at St. Marks Wildlife Preserve on a birding excursion.

 We took an overnight trip close to home

in early February to visit the Okeefeenokee Swamp and Sapelo Island in Georgia, both places which are rich in wildlife and old Southern beauty.

March found us at home most of the time preparing for New Hope’s annual Share Day when we share things with the community and each other.  We were also preparing for our spring trek to the house in Winegar Hollow where we enjoyed time spent with relatives and friends.  Many of the spring flowers did not wait for us, but we still enjoyed those that did.  We especially enjoyed sharing the history of Klep’s family with

a couple of cousins from the next generation who had not heard a lot of the old stories nor seen a lot of the old landmarks.

May came in with another Jasper High School Class of 1960 reunion and proceeded with all the early summer activities.   June we worked crafts at VBS. 

July saw us celebrate my 75^th, the diamond birthday, with a trip of a lifetime from Budapest to Bucharest on a Viking River Cruise.  For those who follow our blog, you have probably read more about that than you want to!  We feel truly blessed to have had the experience.

August we traveled to the Eclipse Zone to enjoy the solar eclipse with some of our Klepper cousins.

September was dominated with waiting for Irma, going through Irma, cleaning up after Irma and watching the power crews  as they got the electricity restored.  By the time she reached us, much of her strength was gone, but we did have from Monday morning to Thursday afternoon with no electricity.  We were blessed with a cool spell which moved in so that the heat was not uncomfortable.

October we enjoyed the Hollow House again and took a side trip up to Gettysburg and Lancaster County Pennsylvania on a genealogy

trip for Klep.  We had not been to this region since the seventies and we could hardly believe how some of it has changed.  When we got off the main highways, though, we found the same serene farmland.

November and surgery time rolled around way too quickly.  We have been in rehab/recovery mode with little instances of normalcy scattered in.  We look forward to the New Year and renewed mobility without pain. 

We wish you all the merriest of Christmases and a most fulfilling 2018!

Recovery Headed Toward Six Weeks

The Five Week Report……And Almost Six!

I am not out walking around the yard nor am I back to doing the much needed housework.  The Christmas tree is not up and the baking has not been done.  Things are starting to look up as I pass the five week milestone since bilateral knee replacement.  This did not get posted due to our internet which decided to slow down last week.  I think it must have had surgery also!

Wednesday after a good PT session, we went to Dr. Bearden’s office for my check up.  He gave the knees a good working out and pronounced everything good, answering many of the questions that I had about the way the legs and feet were feeling as normal under the circumstances.  After being thoroughly x-rayed, I was pronounced “cane ready” which made me very happy.

We procured the said quad pronged cane, and I walked back to the car using it.  I had thought that there might be times I would be more secure feeling using the walker, but so far it has stayed at the same place we put it Wednesday evening.  I even find occasionally that I am stepping out and forgetting the cane, but I am far from striding quickly and confidently across a room!

I feel that I look very laborious and awkward with the cane, but Klep told me that I actually was moving better than I had most of the time before the surgery.  Anyway, it gives me hope that I will soon be through this whole recuperative period.

We are continuing to get out a little more and a little more.  Even when I am not comfortable, it is good to stretch myself and the doctor encouraged me to push through this with as much determination as possible.  We enjoyed joining our NARFE friends for a Christmas lunch yesterday and tonight we will meet Rob and Traci for supper out.  Sunday it was good to enjoy seeing the young people’s drama at church, but there are still limitations that friends often do not understand.  I am not sure enough on my feet to be crowded in by fast moving people nor do I need to contend with tables with hidden supports or other non-sensitive legs surrounding mine.  It would not be a good thing for me to land on my knees for any reason right now.

I am so thankful for all Klep has done l to get me get to this stage.  It brought pleasure to me that I could pour a cup of coffee for him this morning.  One night this week, I even prepared a little simple supper and I did most of Sunday lunch. 

I am also thankful for the whole PT crew that pushes me through during each session even though I will never like some of the exercises that I have to do to get through the interminable list!

I am, most of all thankful to God who built my body and who has taken me through the gloomy, discouraging recovery times when the discomfort was a little intense!

I am thankful for the emails I get from a friend in Virginia who has been through knee replacement this last year who has helped me to understand what I am going through when I hit some rough patches like to being able to sleep.  The cards and notes from other friends have helped also.

So, we press on.  I am learning to make peace with the state of the house.  It really isn’t all that bad, but as you all know, we each have different priorities.  For example, my pantry has never been so well organized as it is now as is the linen closet and my cabinets.  I must admit though, Klep is becoming quite the cook!  His pecan pie, baked for the luncheon Thursday was absolutely superb!

We enjoyed our Anne’s visit this weekend and she pitched in around the house which both Klep and I appreciated!

I wonder what improvement the rest week 6 will bring as we hurtle toward Christmas Week.

Week 4: PT, Forays Out, Slow Progress

Yesterday was one of those days.  You know what I mean!  It was one of those days when no major problems occur, but little things which nibble at the edge of joy happened.  We were headed to Valdosta for PT session right on schedule.  I surrendered the walker to Klep at the top of the back steps, came down the steps carefully, retrieved the walker and proceeded to the car.  Klep locked the back door and followed to the car where I settled into the seat carefully and waited while he folded up the walker and went to the driver's seat.  He could not find his keys.  We knew he had had them.  He locked the door.

My keys, of course, are somewhere in the tightly locked up house.  Eventually, fifteen minutes or so later, after searching, he found them and we were on our way.  We made it just a few minutes late.

The PT session was good, but tiring as usual.  I now start off with ten minutes on the stationary bike, followed by a whole lot of other exercises before knee angle measuring time.  The knees did well with a 115 and 116 degree bend on them.  The left is still slightly outperforming the right.  I had my ice down/stimulator time and we were on our way through the light rain to lunch.

We try to find a restaurant that is easy to get into and out.  In this, they are not all created equal.  We ended up at Wooden Nichol yesterday.  Eating out is a way of adding a little normal to a pretty confined life at this point.  After checking my phone while we waited for our order, I asked Klep to remind me not to forget it.  I should have put it back in my bag then.  I next thought of it an hour later after I was home.  It is residing safely in the restaurant safe until we return to Valdosta tomorrow for the next PT session.

I cautioned Klep as he left to go out to the church to help the secretary with the bulletin for next Sunday.  I think we were both looking for the third thing to go wrong.  I find this morning that my niece Pam stepped in a hole and sprang her ankle.  I guess that was it!

Anyway, I suppose I am progressing.  I was hoping that I might start getting off the walker this week, but it isn't going to happen.  It would be nice if I had a time table that would tell me when everything will happen.

So, the fourth week begins with a cold, grey day.  Normally this day would be used to really get in gear for our Christmas open house.  That will not happen this year, but I trust that this time next year, we can look back on this as time well spent toward better movement for the rest of my life.

I continue to appreciate my caregiver.  I know he is probably as weary of all this as I, but he keeps a good spirit and he can cook a really good egg.

I pray that the Lord give me strength to keep as good a spirit as he has!

Week 3: Slow but Sure

Week 3 has come to a close since bilateral knee replacement.  Each day has its ups and downs, its high points, and its points of discomfort.

I am learning all over again how to deeply treasure things that I take lightly on a normal day:  four hours of good, solid sleep, moving around, the ability to get into the kitchen and make coffee.  The list goes on, and on!  Right now I am relishing being able to stand without holding on to anything for short periods of time.  Before long, I will transition from the walker, but right now it is very important that I not do anything that will bring on a fall.

My physical therapist Jill continues to be wonderful although she does require me to do some things which are less than comfortable.  Each time I go, I leave exhausted but also feeling better than when I got there.

Klep is thrilled that I am more capable now of taking care of many of my basic needs.  I can now get my own clothes and dress myself.  I am also able to slip into the kitchen in the early morning while he still sleeps and make coffee.]

Yesterday was a milestone at PT.  I actually really pedaled the bike and went for over half a mile according to the dials.  That will go a long way toward getting me back to full mobility.

We also stopped at Olive Garden for a late lunch/early supper and went in, sitting in a booth for a real meal.

My bending angles on both knees excellent for this stage of recovery.  I am over 100 degrees with both.

Thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for the cards and well wishes.  I know all of this would have been easier if I had stayed on the prescription pain meds, but I so much prefer not being on them even when the discomfort gets a little difficult.  I keep remembering that old chorus, "Learning to Lean" and know that it will all pass and get better!

Week 2 of Recovery Draws to a Close

Today at physical therapy I threatened one of the workers with bodily harm when he grinned at me and said, "No pain; no gain."  I mean, no matter how right he is, there comes a point ever so often when I just want to really, really, really want all of this to get easier faster than it is going to!

Tomorrow marks the two weeks marker since surgery.  Everyone seems to be awfully, awfully pleased with the progress I am making, but when it is YOU whose every step with the walker is an effort and every exercise a pain, it is terribly, terribly, terribly hard not to put back the head and howl at the moon like an embittered wolf!

Okay, I have had my whine.  I was just supposed to feel ever so much better when the three thousand staples (a slight exaggeration, I admit!) were removed at post-op Monday afternoon.  I suppose, on some level, that I must admit that it is some better.

Over the weekend, I went off all opioids and am now relying on OTC pain control.  The negatives I was experiencing outweighed the benefits I was getting from them.  All of that is now out of my system.  My body, generally, is doing better now.  Klep is pleased that at last my nausea is gone and that I have a little more interest in food.

The bend in the knees is well ahead of what is expected at this point; I am able to totally straighten the legs.  Both of these are good, good things.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I shall miss my sweet, sweet Karolina Kleppers, but I love them for sensing that Nana is just not quite herself this year!

Rob, Traci, and Anne will be here to help Klep deal with me!

I am so thankful that the first two weeks are behind me.  Please continue to pray for me to be able to sleep at night and to know that the dear young man is absolutely right when he encourages me to push through the pain.

I pray that your day tomorrow is filled with love and laughter, too much food, and hugs aplenty.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Journey From home to home

A week ago, we were settling into a long day.  I remember little of the ride up or the process of getting into the little short bed in the same day surgical suite where all surgery patients except emergencies pass through.  I recognized the voice of my intake med person when she first spoke as she started the process, the sister on one of church sisters.  She sounds so much like Bridgett!

After the usual, my visitors were shown in and I finally managed to get them to leave for lunch, when I transitioned to the holding pen where my doctor visited briefly before he headed off to lunch.  I was finally wheeled into the OR where we had old home week with those I knew, one a former student, one a KA brother of Kevin, and one, Aaron, the nurse who is my hero.  After the spinal, I got the stuff which changed my level of awareness to zero and spent the afternoon oblivious although, chatty, according to those others who were there.  Everything went well and I came to awareness in the recovery room. 

By the time I was wheeled up to my room in the fifth floor tower, the sun had long since left the sky.  Here, I was treated to some rubbery jelly of some ilk and some broth.  Food was not high on my priority as I entered the next phase of the journey.  It was too late to get me up.  I finally persuaded my sweet family to go home and A.J. the nurse and I began our evening.  I truly believe some people find their calling, and this young man has.  I would like to clone him.  He was not only attentive, but he listened to me and he gave good advice.  I was blessed with more good crews through Sunday.  By then we knew I would not make the departure time of Sunday afternoon because my blood pressure had a way of plummeting which was somewhat disconcerting to the pt staff……I am sure they had a horror of me, the fat old lady with the bilateral lying on the floor!  Anyway, by Sunday, sessions were getting better, blood pressure wise.

Monday I worked really hard, two hours morning and afternoon on the CPM machine which bends the need constantly as well as sessions of walking with the walker and going up and down steps.  Believe you me, I wanted to earn that trip home.  After all, Klep had installed a beautiful new handrail by the back steps and I needed to try it out!

Nurse Crotchet, finally got me rolling out in a rather non user friendly chair after I cooled my heels.  I am sure she was as glad to be rid of me as I was of her, but I do wish she had removed the IV port from my arm before I was discharged. Rob and Traci saw to my transition and trip up the steps with the lovely galvanized handrail.  I was soon chilling in my bed with the ice coolers circulating.

Tuesday I ate my one meal at the table, per doctor's instructions.  I did my exercises and walking.  Klep got me all situated and made a flying trip to Jasper to the CVS and back, tethered by the trusty cell device.  We are trying to keep to people in the house to a bare minimum.  What is a minor little bug to a healthy person is a bag deal to someone with a couple of knee replacements.  We love you all, but at a distance right now.

Body systems were finally on their way back to normal by Wednesday.  We made the first trip, bully clothed to PT.  Klep did errands while I worked with the therapist.  The time sitting upright, knees bent is difficult to say the least, but each time I do it, it will get easier.

Last night was a good night with one really long stretch of sleep.  After early morning meds, Klep even managed to have a lie in which he needed.

I am thankful for all of your prayers.  I feel the love and care of all of you.  I ask your patience as I take this time I have to do something which I find somewhat hard to do.....focus on myself and getting better.

I remember that I serve the Greatest Healer of All and that this will get better and better each day.