Thursday, March 24, 2011

SITTING IN SACRAMENTO: END OF WEEK TWO

I’m disappointed to say that the weather has not improved since my post last week!  This wild, wet streak is very unusual for Sacramento.  I think we’ve had two days of non-rain (can’t really say sunshine!) in the past week, with lots of snow in the mountains and even down into the foothills.  There is water everywhere, including huge puddles to be negotiated between our motorhome and our car. 

Storm clouds passing over the RV park Out our window

Odel continues to pursue all the tests that are required pre-surgery: blood tests, urinalysis, ECG, chest x-ray.  We had a few days of drama when he was called back for a follow-up chest x-ray, then for a CT scan of a suspicious shadow on his right lung.  Try as we might, we couldn’t keep our imaginations from running wild in weak moments, so we were thrilled today when he got the call from his doctor’s office: something is there, but it is nothing to worry about and no follow-up is required.  Grinning and giddy was our response.  Having all those tests is just purely nerve-wracking!

We also spent 2 1/2 hours in a pre-joint-surgery class at the hospital.  It was SO helpful!  Taught by a nurse and a physical therapist, we now have a good idea of what to expect – and a fistful of paperwork, checklists, a shopping list and forms to complete.  Surgery is scheduled for April 4.  Can’t happen soon enough for us.

Flooded golf course Bike trail ends here

More good news today: I lost 2.6 pounds last week!  Added to my miniscule loss of 0.4 during my first week, I’m right on track for a reasonable weight loss of plus/minus 1.5 pounds per week.  Let’s hope this is a new trend.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions and good wishes for Odel’s surgery.  We are feeling prepared and confident now, and are filling in our calendar with fun socializing while he can still move around freely.  Plenty to look forward to next week – with more than a couple Weight Watcher challenges, I’m sure.  :)

14 comments:

  1. I will keep you both in my thoughts for good surgery results and weight loss!

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  2. Odel might want to stay away from any of those knee slapping jokes for awhile after surgery:))

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  3. I'm glad the CT scan came out okay for Odel. I imagine that was a very scary time.

    Hopefully your weather will clear up and you can have some sunny days before he goes for his surgery.

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  4. Wow..Would you believe that Dennis had that scare of a shadow on his lung after a routine chest XRay!! It was especially scary because his sister died of lung cancer and his dad died of sinus cancer..It turned out to be a false alarm...Boy that little scare put our lives in perspective, though. I cried like a baby when we got the good news...Sometimes life has to slap ya up long side the head...Like Nike says.."life's short, play hard"...
    I know Odel will be glad when his knee is fixed and we will be thinking of you both! At our age, what happens to one of us,happens to both!

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  5. My boss just had knee replacement and is doing very well. His recommendation is to remember to work on straightening your knee after the surgery-he wasn't diligent enough with that exercise and now "Helga" the PT is straightening it!
    Good luck--I'll send all sorts of good energy on 4/4!
    donna

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  6. We'll keep you both in our prayers for the challenges ahead. As you know, Don's knee surgery was very successful, and I expect Odel's to be the same. He'll wish he'd done it sooner! And good luck to you with the weight loss program. You'll succeed, too! Hugs to you both!

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  7. Congratulations on the weight loss Laurie! Glad Odel has all the preliminaries out of the way and we will keep you guys in our thoughts for the surgery day! Mom had her knee replaced at probably age 68, came home on day 4 and was staying alone by day 7--Odel will do great, he is motivated!

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  8. Congrats on the weight loss and the xray results. Sorry about all the water. Hope it will sun up for you soon. Keep us posted.

    Sherry
    www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com

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  9. Can't stress enough the leg exercises. Have had two full knee replacement done.

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  10. Will be thinking of you! I also had two full knee replacements done...this past June. I agree with Dave'n'Susie....it's not easy, BUT its important to do the rehab exercises. It will all be worth it!!!

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  11. Thinking of you two, and so happy that everything is going well for Odel's surgery, no bad lung thingys going on and that WW is working for you! All looking up!! Big Hugs to both of you.

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  12. Please, please do some follow up on that chest x-ray. Have it looked at again and again. You can not be too safe!

    Best wishes and my prayers for a speedy recovery on the knee. Don't know how much pull I have with the MAN but you will have all I got!

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  13. Man, who would've thought Sacramento would get so much rain this time of year? Keeping you guys in our thoughts for a successful surgery!
    Nina

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  14. Here's a helpful hint that I learned when my mother went through knee surgery...Instead of buying all sorts of rehab things that you will only need for a few weeks, rent them from your local ambulance outfit. Such as a shower seat, cane, etc. can all be rented through your local ambulance. Then you just return them after you are through. It may help with cost int he long run. Plus you wouldn't have to find a place to store them after Odel is done using them.

    Congrats on your weight loss! We should all be so lucky. Seems like you are super organized with it. Keep up the good work.

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