Even though I flew into the Twin Cities, my visit actually took me to Rochester, home of the Mayo Clinic. My mom had knee replacement surgery there on Monday, and since my winter break doesn't start until Saturday, I had to come back and finish out the week - otherwise I would have stayed a bit longer. All went very well as far as the surgery goes. Recovery is a bit more challenging. She started PT today, and it wiped her out. I'll most likely head back to Rochester to be there for Christmas. BRRRRRRRRRR.
It's 9:35, and I've unpacked, taken a swig of Nyquil, and have crawled into bed hoping 5 am doesn't come too soon. THREE MORE DAYS...
Hope your mother has a speedy recovery! My very elderly grandmother has had both her knees done now twice so I'm sure she could offer your mom some advice.
ReplyDeleteDue to an accident when I was younger, I was told I would have to get mine replaced someday. I've gone three decades now taking care of the original one and it really doesn't bother me unless I stand for long periods of time on concrete so I'm hoping to avoid the new knee for another three decades if possible!
It's one of those surgeries that is almost elective to a point. Can you live with the pain you're dealing (forever) vs. the hardship of recovery/PT (which is a shorter period of time but maybe more painful). My mom has struggled with the knee pain for quite a few years now, but is "so busy" she couldn't find the time to have it done. We finally told her that it was silly she was wasting all this time being in pain would she could just STOP for a month or two and then have the rest of her life feeling great. So she finally did it.
DeleteWe know so much more medically than we did when our parents/grandparents were growing up and living life that in some respects we might be healthier and stronger as we age (not in everything certainly as so much of our food is so full of crud anymore). It sounds like the case for you. Knowing what could happen might have staved that surgery off for you. I hope so! :)
Good to hear your mother's surgery went well and that you had no troubles with your winter travels! I thought about you!
ReplyDeleteI've always heard the PT following the surgery is grueling, but certainly pays off if followed through. I wish her well!
Take your laptop and keep us posted when you go back. :) Enjoy those last three days. I'm sure the kids are wild!
Yes! It's nuts this time of year...we're peeling them off the ceiling! :) I wouldn't have come back, but we have a bunch of things, including a performance on Friday, going on that I just couldn't do that to a sub or my team.
DeleteIt was a rough couple of days as her blood pressure kept dropping when she tried to do the PT and she'd get dizzy and have go to sleep. Today was a much better day, and sh was released. She's staying with friends nearby the Mayo Clinic so that is good. Thank you for the well wishes!
Glad your mom's surgery went well, I hope recovery goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteI've got another week of school before break. At least it's half-day on Friday the 23.
Thank you!
DeleteOh, that's a good day for break to start. Our union thought it was too late to go until the 23rd, but I'd prefer it. It's so crazy in the days leading up to the holidays, that I'd rather be working than out and about dealing with it. I LOVE the time we have after Jan. 1 and everyone else is back to work. This year, that non-crazy time of year will be limited. Hang in there!
Ahh good. So she's not too bad then. Can't be good though that she can't go out for a walk. Can she drive, isn't there some gigantic shopping center up thataways. You might be in for a sequence of presents :-).
ReplyDeleteYou finish this week then, and back the 2nd week of Jan, 3 weeks in all. That gives you a bit of time to do stuff. And if you spend most in Minn you'll have a good split in the school year. What'll you do with Rigby.
She is staying with friends who live nearby the clinic so they are taking care of her until I can go back. The mall is not really close as it's in Minneapolis/SP and she is in Rochester, which is about an hour and a half away. She's not doing much walking yet so the cold weather is keeping her cabin fever at bay.
DeleteYes, three weeks in all. The break is very early this year. While I'm always appreciative of the breaks, I wish it were one week later. I don't really know what my plans will be as my mom is chomping at the bit to get back to Hawaii. The thought of going to Minnesota and then to Hawaii (taking up my break) makes me want to cry - all that time in the airport or on a plane. So we haven't decided on the plan yet. I'm going somewhere, but not quite sure where yet. :)
LAst Ddddday of Te-RM-erm Last day of Term-rm. All done to the stirring the caldron two steps forward one step back dance. While cocking the booty, first one side, then the other.
DeleteYeah, I expect your Mother living on Hualālai Hawai'i is in no small part predicated on the absence of the white cold slippy shit.
Hooray!
DeleteOh yes! She is big weather wimp these days. She gets cold coming to visit me in CA, where she lived her whole life! So Minnesota is an extreme! Although on her island they did have snow recently...on the mountain, but still. :)
8 more hours...not that I'm counting!
Glad to hear the good report. The cold this year has taken us by surprise in many parts of the country, it seems. It stayed warm for so long and here in the south we had a wicked dry spell -- and no we are freezing to death!
ReplyDeleteHope your mom progresses well. Most I know who had the surgery say it's worth it once they're a few months out. Just gotta get through those first couple of agonizing months.
You are correct with the cold. We even cooled off big time (for us) the last week of November.
DeleteThank you. That seems to be our take on the surgery as well. It will be well worth this few weeks of recovery. It's hard when things are out of town though. I wish she were nearby
wishing your mom a speedy recovery
ReplyDelete