A week post-op...

Just a week post-op and Stu is now on crutches. That is mainly because a walker won't work in the RV when he comes home. He's doing really well on them, only uses the walker for nighttime potty trips.

 

PT continues twice a day, grueling at times (I get tired watching and counting reps for him). But he knows the end result will be worth it. He's doing steps, albeit slowly and always holding on to the handrail. This photo looks like he's resting but they've got him doing small muscle moves that are absolutely draining to the body. Honest! ;-)

He has an appointment on the 11th to get his staples removed...everything still looks good. He's fighting the nerves waking up and talking to him as well as some issues from the pain medication he's on. But all in all, he's doing amazingly well!

I continue to run errands, tend to my doctor appointments and write my posts for the April A to Z Challenge (hope you'll read a few of the stories and if you like them, pass the link to your friends). Sadie is still enjoying doggy camp. And life goes on...

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

I've got mail!

Did you know I could get mail here at doggy camp? I didn't. I don't even know where the mailbox is...and I'm too short to look inot it anyway.

But mommy and daddy sent me some mail and I laughed a lot so thought I'd share it with you guys cause I KNOW you miss me.....[snicker] You can click it to see it bigger.

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

---

Update on Stu and his surgery

It's been a long almost week since Stu had his double knee replacement. As previously posted, he came out of the surgery without any major issues and spent most of the night Tuesday in a self-induced drug haze (gotta love morphine pumps controlled by the patient).

Wednesday morning that was taken away, the drains removed and the IVs were stopped. That meant getting up and taking a short walk. That afternoon, less then 20 hours after his surgery he was doing the PT exercises, and doing them quite well.

Stu's Self Portrait the morning after


Stu doing what he does best


Enjoying lunch the day after surgery


Heading out to PT with Phyllis, his therapist

LINK for those who want to see the incision/staples

From then till Friday the day was divided between get poked/prodded/stuck, sleeping, eating, sleeping, get poked/prodded/stuck, PT, sleeping, visitors, sleeping, get poked/prodded/stuck, sleeping...think you get the idea. Toes above the nose was the mantra for the week.

Friday brought a slight change to the schedule when he woke up feeling dizzy and week. His hematocrit had been dropping all week, even though they had recycled his blood during and after surgery. While they checked with his doctor's office, the PT folks came and pushed him to the PT room in his recliner. Yup, no stopping PT (which is a good thing).

By afternoon they had gotten the okay for two units of blood, not out of the normal for double knee replacement patients. Of course this delayed his discharge plans...by quite a bit. Long story short, he was finally discharged at just before 10PM. They loaded him into our pickup truck and we headed over to the rehab center. The discharge office managed to get him approved for 14 days there...much needed days for therapy.

Walking the halls of rehab, 4 days after surgery


Working on the machines at rehab


Resting on day 5 after surgery

So now he's made it past his first weekend at the facility, gotten PT done both days and is happily walking the halls. He gets around with a walker and does amazingly well. Kudos to his surgical staff and all the staff at Anne Arundel Hospital and the Joint Center. Nothing but praise for everyone we dealt with.

I'll report in again before the end of the week. Right now I'm slammed with taxes, writing, laundry, and my own medical visits. Pretty beat at the end of every day. Oh, and Scooby has decided he needs to see the truck doctor in my spare time. LOL!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu