In answer to the questions concerning the baby that is coming to our family. We do not know whether it is a boy or a girl. The adoption agency does not know, either, at this point. The due date is the 25th. Beyond that, there is a whole lot to guess about, speculate about, REJOICE about. It is such an exciting time for the two extended families. A baby shower is being planned, tentatively for March 6th, in the evening, but details of that are still being formulated. They really have only the basics, and it is beyond exciting to them to think about setting up the nursery and getting things ready. Please continue to pray for them and this happy but challenging time. Life will certainly be different for them and for all of us, for that matter.
About the knee. When I saw the Physician’s Assistant last week, he said that the MRI showed a complete tear in the meniscus, and that the only solution to this kind of tear was to clean things out and see from there how it recovered. He scheduled me with the surgeon, and I saw him today. Dr. Spieker came in and put the original X-rays of my knees on the lighted panel and said, “Henry (the P.A.) tells me you’re having some trouble.”
“To tell you the truth,” I said a bit ruefully, “I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place.”
“You absolutely are,” he said sympathetically. “There is absolutely nothing we can do for that right knee except a replacement.” He motioned towards the joint. “As you can see here, it is even off center, bone on bone, with not cartilage of any kind left.” My mind started thinking, then, about my other knee and what he was going to do about that, when I heard him say, “We cannot do arthroscopy on it. It won’t do a bit of good. Replacement is our only method of treatment, and you aren’t a candidate for that.” My heart had done a little flip flop right about when he said, . . .It won’t do a bit of good . . . and I started scrambling in my mind what they were ever going to do. About then, he said, “Now your left knee . . .” and I could breathe again. I had changed gears, er, knees, and he hadn’t! Anyhow, so the plan is to see if we can “clean up” the left knee, and see how things go. There is a chance that they will follow up with SYNVISC injections if the recovery isn’t quite what they hope, but even that may not be necessary.
Surgery is scheduled for the 26th (I know, the day after Jesse’s and Christina’s baby is due – At least I can sit and hold baby!) and it will be done on an outpatient basis at the surgical suite that is maintained by these orthopedic surgeons. I won’t even have to be admitted to the hospital. And I know that it isn’t a cure-all. And probably there will be people coming out of the woodwork telling me not to have it, but Cerain Man had it done over 20 years ago (before all the advances that have been made) in both knees and it made a wondrous difference for him. The thing I most would like to be able to do is alleviate some of the pain. It has really been troubling me — I have a high pain tolerance, so that I don’t usually feel pain unless it is really bad, so the fact that this is really hurting has made me want to get something done — and it has also made me realize that having a high pain tolerance does not mean that you are stoic about pain! It just means you don’t feel it. And I guess that I am one that when I do feel it, I am not stoic at all! (Does that make any sense?) What I am trying to say is that I am not necessarily brave about this present complication in my life. In the past, I felt really strong and brave when I could keep going when things hurt a little bit. All I want to do now is sit on my chair. Even the computer is annoying because the desk chair that I sit on doesn’t hold the leg right to keep the knee from going into some sort of spasms.
So there, you have my joys and my gripes. We do plan to go to wedding this weekend. — just my Sweet Mama, Certain Man and Myself, and I am looking forward to that. I am afraid that I will make a spectacle of myself at the wedding. It looks kinda like Hopalong Cassidy when I start walking after sitting a while. The sad thing is, my bad leg is not accustomed to being the strong one, and it has taken to complaining vociferously as well. So whenever I decide to get up and walk somewhere, it is hop a little, drag the leg, swing the other, hop a little, drag the leg, lock the knee, swing the leg, hop a little — well, anyhow, I don’t think you need a video to get the picture.
So here’s to hope and new babies and good doctors and gimpy knees — God Bless us everyone!
Of babies, and knees and such . . .
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Delaware Grammy 
Oh my, oh my, what a mixed bag! Again congratulations on this new member on your family! How exciting.
I am so sorry for your physical pain and the trouble this is causing. It is such a blessing when we feel good and when not it can really affect a person in every way, can’t it? I do hope all goes well and you quickly feel better.
Congratulations on that new grand baby. I will be praying for you about those knees. Don’t worry about what people think when you hobble around. It is nothing to be embarrassed about. And about replacement knees, though not as good as the originals, they sure beat those worn out ones. God’s blessing to you and Daniel in the weeks ahead. Albert
oh dear, knee, surgery, MRI…..all sounds toooo familiar. I hope and pray that your’s goes very smoothly and you have a good recovery!Steve had a check up today, and they decided to stop the IV antibiotic, but he has to take the other one for another week. I think there is light at the end of the tunnel!!
As I read your post, I thought, “Life is like that.” We seem to get the good – and not so good all at the same time.
I do pray that all goes well with your knee replacement.
How wonderful that you have the new baby to look forward to in the midst of your pain. We too are so thankful for the joy a new baby brings into our lives when so many other things are awry. Last week one of my co-workers shared an interview with Rick Warren in which he shared about his wife’s cancer and his sudden wealth from book sales – happening simultaneously. He said he used to think that life was a series of mountain tops and valleys. But now he sees that life is like the two rails of a train track running side by side, the good and the bad at once. So we hang onto God with the bad and praise Him for the good all at the same time.
Oh, my, what next for you? It does seem that when there is “bad”, there is always good too ! Congratulations on that new baby coming to your family!!!Miriam
Mary Ann, How exciting about that new grandchild! When I read about it, I sent you a hug via xanga. Did you get it yet?? 😉 Praying your knee surgery or whatever will go well. It is a huge blessing when our bodies work well.
God is faithful.
I am confident you will get through the surgery with flying colors. I am sorry the birth of a new grandchild has to be tainted a bit with all of these problems with knees. I will say a prayer for you and your family.
I am sure you have all kinds of braces, but if you need another one I have several that you could use! I sure wish you the best!! Rocking that grandbaby will help you to stay off that knee and let it heal good. That will be one sweet loved little baby. I am so excited and happy for you all!!
So excited for you all as grandparents. It’s fo fresh for me and just a wonderful blessing…..I’m wishing it for you. Your knee. knees.. Hugs to you. Be good to yourself…including obeying dr.s orders 🙂 You know, those knees have have been the knees of Jesus, carrying on His good works! Keep looking UP.
Another fun thing is that babies often do not go along with our schedule for them. So this little person may come as much as a week or two after your surgery. Maybe we won’t explore the other possibilities. But whatever, God has a wonderful plan. Can’t wait to see what He is going to do. Love you.
Praying for you pain and your surgery. God bless
Get better soon. Time for rocking that baby. Praying for that knee.
You are in my thoughts and prayers this morning!
I was adopted 37 years ago,Praise the Lord ,I have a great respect for those that adopt Children! May God richly bless them ! Teresa