Japan Adventure

Finally, after weeks of research, planning, pre-habilitation (exercising in advance to strengthen muscles around the knees), and vacation with family & friends, July 25 arrived. And of course, Pastor John Mount from our home church, Aldersgate United Methodist in Birmingham was there when Holly, Stan and I checked in at Brookwood MC. http://www.bwmc.com/CWSContent/brookwood-medical/default.aspx As I walked back to my pre-op room it was a weird feeling to know that this was the last time I would walk with my old right knee, and I knew I would feel worse before I felt better. But I was excited about being better!

The pre-op room was actually more like a very large ward, with curtains around each bed for privacy. On this day, a new style patient surgical gown was being tried for the first time. It inflated with warm air to keep the patient warm and it was puffy and purple. A heated suit really didn’t appeal to me in late July, but I turned it on it to “cool.” I soon began to blow up like the little girl who turned into a blueberry in the Willie Wonka movie, and we all had a good laugh. An IV was started with fluids, which made me feel better, because I was dehydrated from not being able to drink water before I went to bed or after I got up that morning. Holly and Stan stayed with me until it was time to go back for surgery. A nurse wrote “Yes” on my knee to be sure they operated on the correct one. Click "Older Posts" below right to continue . . .