About Me

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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

Translator!

Monday, November 14, 2011

All I Want For Christmas...

And as if Cheryl's news wasn't enough...our year from hell continues.


On Friday, I attended the viewing of a good friend who died last week from a heart attack.  I spoke with his widow and son (a young man to whom I taught 9th grade English) and expressed my sadness at their loss.  I left the funeral home and promptly backed into one of the hearses.  I got out of the car, surveyed the damage, and went back inside to introduce myself to the owner and tell him I had just hit one of his cars.


On Saturday, I got up out of bed and discovered my knee would not hold weight (this has NOTHING to do with the accident -- was going way too slowly to have hurt myself or anyone else).  It got better as the day went on, but was extremely painful.  When I was able to walk, I did so with a marked limp.


I've been receiving palliative treatment for my left knee in which I have advanced arthritis and arthritis in the knee cap itself.  I had arthroscopy to repair the medial meniscus some time ago, but actually, there was nothing left to attach it to.  My surgeon is a wonderful doctor: kind, a great listener, competent, and compassionate.  And frankly in the past ten years this man has seen more of me than my husband.


In the past he's ordered physical therapy (which I attended religiously) Hyalgan shots (which worked for a few years), and cortisone shots, all of which have reduced both pain and swelling and have allowed me to continue my activity.  I've tried EVERYTHING.  Anti-inflamatories, magnets, glucosamine and today my knee, the doctor and I had a come to Jesus meeting.  My knee replacement surgery is scheduled for December.


I had hoped to go a few more months than  four without surgery and general anesthesia, but I realize that slowing down is only going to make my arthritis worse AND putting this off any longer will do more damage to the surrounding area.  And so here I go again.


PS  I forgot to say -- and this is of paramount importance --  that in spite of all this, I feel wonderful and I feel blessed.  These things are all just annoyances.  But thanks for listening to me.  :)

20 comments:

Lena said...

OMG. what a year for you. I am so sorry you have to have surgery again so soon.

I am also having difficulty with my knees as well. Same history as u. I am hoping as soon as I am done with the cancer treatments, I can get the knee surgery. I am so tired of the pain.

What a week for you with your friend and backing into the car... I hope things will start looking up.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

HUGS!

Susan @ A Slice of My Life said...

Oh Kathy!

What a time you've been having. I hope things start looking up soon. I hope all goes well with your new knee and then that will be the end of the medical procedures.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

OH Kathy, I am so sorry.. You have really gone through alot this year... Hopefully, 2012 will be nicer to you (and me too)...

God Bless You... Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Oh heavens! I'm sorry for the loss of your friend and for your minor accident outside of the funeral home.

To have your knee act up all in the same week is almost too much but I am happy that you are getting the surgery next month.

My sister's 83 year old mother-in-law had surgery on both her knees a few years ago. Prior to the surgery she could not manage stairs at all but after a brief healing period she felt twenty years young and has had no mobility problems since. Here's hoping (and praying) that you experience the same wonderful results.

Kimberly said...

UGH! I think that says it all...

Bilbo said...

You are my very favorite soap opera. Good luck with the knee. Next time we meet for dinner, remind me to tell you MY hearse story...

Mage said...

Yes, enough. You will love bounding around again. Perhaps it's time for surgery to give you this gift.

happyone said...

Sorry to hear of more bad news, but you have a wonderful attitude! : )

Sally Wessely said...

Oh, I hate to hear this. I'm sorry. You have been through so much.

I think the best time to have a knee replacement is when you are well. This will speed your healing ad the PT that comes after the surgery. Take care.

Kay said...

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. A friend of mine had the knee replacement surgery and is doing great. It's wonderful that you're keeping your spirits up. Good for you!

George said...

I'm sorry to hear about your upcoming knee surgery, but you are most likely correct in saying that putting it off would only add to the damage. The bright side is that once the surgery is done, this year from you-know-where will be practically over. Hopefully 2012 will be much better.

BlueShell said...

I read that you were an English teacher…Oh my…you are going to kill me because my English is so dreadful….

Surgery…oh…no! Poor Cheryl… hoping for healing!
Now…the death of the young man..your accident, your bad knee..My!…your life is not easy, I say! I have arthritis too…and it’s painful.
“in the past ten years this man has seen more of me than my husband.” – I’m enjoying this statement…LOL
But Surgery??? Hope everything goes ok!
Take it easy…do not stress…I’m glad you feel blessed…and I enjoy reading your words. Thanks

BShell (Isabel, That is my real name, Isabel)

Don said...

Boy oh boy- sorry for the rough times.
Onward!

Unknown said...

Kathy, you have such a wonderful attitude. I'm so sorry to read about your knee and that you're going to have to take care of it now. It sounds like the right thing to do, although, especially because of the arthritis. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

It's very sad that your friend passed away and I'm keeping his family in my prayers. It always seems a little more difficult when such tragedies happen this time of the year

I'm also hoping that despite this you have a wonderful Christmas & holiday season and end the last month of the year on a high.

But first things first, take care of your knee {{{{Kathy}}}}

Unknown said...

I'm back again because I reread your post and I somehow missed that your knee surgery is scheduled for December. Although I know you will still be upbeat and smiling and will enjoy Christmas, I'm so sorry you have to have surgery now. Hang in there, Kathy! Thainking of you :o)

Gilly said...

Oh Kathy! What a lot of bad luck you have had! I hope the hearse owner was nice about it! And your knee - knees can be really horrible, I do hope the surgery improves things.

Are you having it before Christmas? Make sure everyone waits upon you and don't even lift a hand!

Cheryl said...

I'm sorry I haven't kept up with your blog (all blogs!); I didn't know about your knee. I'm sorry that you have to undergo yet another surgery. You're keeping them in business.

I think I see you soon...I can't wait to catch up.

Cobalt Violet said...

Wow, that is a lot ... I will send you prayers and love to your poor knee! I hate not being mobile and am so grateful that I am these days! I know someone who had a good acupuncturist for their knee... but sounds like you have gone through a lot of avenues. I will think good thoughts for your surgery and speedy recovery!

Happy Thanksgiving to you Kathy!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Kathy, you won't regret having the surgery. My daughter who has had a very aggressive case of RA since age 18 had both knees done before she was 30. For her, it's literally been life changing. It's a huge surgery...makes me wince to think about it....but it gives huge results! Good luck ... And be sure to double check your rear view mirror twice! :o)

BlueShell said...

today I'm here ti thank you ...It was so good to have your visit and your kind words....
Have a big hug from a portuguese girl...
BShell/Isabel