Sun Spot Farm
Alladin Kur
Cari Knee Replacement Updates
Monday 3/7/11 Really GOOD Doctor’s visit on Friday. Although some of the folks we’ve dealt with have been less-than-great, Dr. Polski has been GREAT. He is happy with Cari’s progress. He OK’d her to start PT at Central MD Rehab this week. She is also cleared to Telecommute for the next 3 weeks. She is also OK’d for driving short distances. And horse riding is OK’d for the end of March. Glad things are heading steadily in the right direction. Give yourselves a pat on the back. We couldn’t have gotten this far without all your support.
3/1/11 4 weeks since surgery and things are going very well. Cari is now doing exercises at home and she sees her surgeon again on Friday. When we saw him last week, he was very pleased with Cari’s progress. Despite not bending it very much for a week due to bleeding problems, she still had a very good range of motion. Looks like she should start PT at her regular location next week. Cari and I went out to eat on Saturday and grocery shopping on Sunday. These were the first trips out that weren’t related to doctor’s visits. Thanks Karen for the wonderful home-made stew and for bringing ice cream from Hoffmans. Yummy Yummy!!!! Thanks again to you all for your Love and Support. You are a BLESSING!!!!
2/25 my first posting ... feeling optimistic, finally! Had two major bleeds and many days of a slow steady trickle but I've now been basically dry for ALMOST 72 hours!!!!!! Can't bend my knee without producing blood so with my doctor's blessing, I'm not bending right now, giving the incision time to scab/heal. Puts me back a couple of weeks in terms of rehab which is discouraging but I am sooooooooooooooooo happy not to be bleeding. Please keep fingers and toes crossed.
2/18/11 There have been a bunch of ups and downs over the past week. The past 3 days have been GOOD days. Thanks to Peg, Miss Mary and Susan for visiting yesterday. Really brightened Cari’s day and raised my comfort level since I had to be back at work for the full day. THANKS YOU GUYS!!!! I’m very fortunate that my boss Paul has been so understanding during the bad times. I’ve missed a lot of work time and he has not complained at all – just asks how Cari is doing. THANKS PAUL!!!! Today Cari had a good nurse’s visit and a good PT visit. PT visit was extended so that Terry and Cari could talk horses. Very Cool. Ed is coming out to the house to give Cari an acupuncture treatment this afternoon. Another piece of ‘normal life’. THANKS ED!!! While I’m in Thank You mode, I’d like to thank Nan and Linda for the nice cards. And thanks Ely for your nice cards. And Thanks to you ALL of you for your Wonderful Support. Having REAL friends during a time like this keeps us going even thru the bad times. We did have a scare on Tuesday morning about 4:00 am when Cari woke up and her knee was bleeding. It made for a tense time. When we got into see the Doctor around 11:00 am her knee wasn’t bleeding anymore and he told us everything was OK and that the bleeding was normal. There was some more bleeding that day, but now just a little bit off and on. Both Cari and I felt better when Monica, a home care nurse, looked at her knee on Wednesday and explained to us just what was going on. When Cari’s staples were removed, the steristrips were not applied tightly enough and they left some small gaps. The blood that was coming out was blood under the skin that normally would have been absorbed by the body. THANKS MONICA for taking the time to explain things to us. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF SOMEONE HAD TOLD US THAT THIS WAS A POSSABILITY, but no use crying over spilled milk. Just glad that things are headed steadily in the right direction for 3 days in a row. Cari has been cleared to shower every other day which is a major milestone. Wishing you all BIG HAPPYS!!!!
2/17/11 @ 6:00am Sorry I haven't posted in a week. Lots of Ups and Downs. Yesterday was a very good day. First shower!!!! I've got to get ready for work and get Cari ready for her visitors today. BTW: The Scott's visit over the weekend was a Great thing. I'll try to post some more later. Thanks again for all your support, thoughts and prayers!!!! Hope LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!
2/10/11 @ 6:00 am Yesterday was not the best of days. Cari did a lot on Wednesday and she needed to regroup. Recovery has it's ups and downs like a roller coaster and I'm sure today will be an upswing day. Home PT scheduled again today. Still a ways to go, but looking back, Cari has made a fair amount of progress. Thanks again for your continued support. It means a whole lot!!! Peace and Love to you all.
2/9/11 @ 7:00 am Thanks for checking in. It's nice to know so many folks truely care. Cari is making progress day by day. She was very happy when her doctor called last night and told her she could start taking her arthritis medicine again. It's really helped her shoulder feel better. She had Home PT again today and it went well. Bonus prize is Terry (todays PT person) is a horse person. I went to work 1/2 day for the first time today. Looks like another one to two weeks of Home PT then back to Central MD Rehab where she's done PT in the past. It is also her fitness center so she'll have a good comfort level there. Cari knows lots of the PT folks there so that is also a plus. Thanks for caring. It means a lot. Remember to Enjoy Every Sandwich.
2/8/11 @ 9:00 am Cari is improving day by day. Like the famous Turtle, slow, but steady. Sleeping more through the night and gaining appetite. Home Physical Terrorist (Jim Bardy's term) said she was very pleased with Cari's range of motion. She also said that Cari's incision looked good. Next visit scheduled for Wednesday. Thanks again for all your wonderful support. The cards and messages and flowers are very much bright spots and no doubt help with Cari's recovery. I've posted a couple photos of the flowers. Ain't they pretty!!!!!
2/7/11 @ 8:00 am Sorry I didn't write over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday spent resting/sleeping and trying to deal with pain. Cari has been walking (with walker) a little more each day. She was able to sleep through last night, except for pain meds every 4 hours. First PT visit scheduled for 10:00 am today. Sorry I haven't responded to your kind emails, but I hope you understand that time has been at a premium. THANKS ONE AND ALL!!!! Take Care. Wishing you all well. Try to write more later.
2/4/11 @ 6:30 pm THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!!! Cari got to come HOME this afternoon and she is now resting in bed. Cari, Kitties and I can't be Happier. Smiles all around. Thanks for your advice Deb, it was a turning point. Thanks to all you Great Folks for everything. Home PT starts Monday. Wishing you all Great Health and Happiness.
2/3/11 @ 10:20 pm
Thanks everybody for all your kind messages, thoughts and prayers. I'm reminded AGAIN how many of you truely care about Cari and me. Warms my heart. Cari took a few more steps today. She's making good progress and still scheduled to get out tomorrow. Sounds like it will be afternoon or evening. Yeah! We both like Rusty, the nurse who was with her most of the day yesterday and today. Nice and thoughtful man. He's scheduled back tomorrow and I'm happy about that. Cari still has pain, but it is lessening some. Cari the Kitties and I, and I'm sure all of you, will be happy when Cari is home. Anybody got a spare pair of ruby slippers? THANKS AND TAKE CARE
2/2/11 @ 11:30 pm
Thanks everybody. Great to have so much sincere support. Another day full of ups and downs. Happy to report that Cari took a couple of steps today with her walker. Also glad to report that we like Cari's PT person Miranda. Also like the P.A. who refers to herself as 'the French P.T.' Cari is in quite a bit of pain at times. She is getting some sleep, but only a couple of hours here and there. She has to use a michine that lifts her leg up and down for 6 hours overnight. All of tubes are scheduled to come out tomorrow and hoping she's coming home on Friday. Cari really liked the flowers that her Brother Charile and Todd sent. Thanks guys. And THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES.
2/1/11 @ 10:00 pm
Most importantly the Doctor said that everything went well.
Long day. Cari made the right decision to stay at the hotel last night. Woke up to ice. No problem getting to the Hospital. Cari had to be there at 9am, but she didn't end up going into surgery until about 1:15pm. The Doctor came out about 2:30 and said everything went perfectly. I ended up being able to see her when she woke up about 5:15pm (the Doctor had told me about an hour so I was a little anxious). I stayed with her till about 8:30 and just got home a little bit ago. Not surprised, but none-the-less, disappointed that the quality of Kernan is far below that of Shock Trauma. Without going into details, and in the nicest way I can put it, I'll just say that they aren't long on 'bedside manner' and that the skill level isn't great. Cari's supposed to be able to come home on Friday. Me and the Kitties and Cari most of all are all looking forward to that. And looking forward to her getting started on having improved mobility.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR CARING ABOUT CARI AND ME. IT MAKES DIFFICULT TIMES LIKE THESE BEARABLE.
1/31/11 We're heading to a hotel only a couple of miles from the hospital due to the frozen rain situation. Another one of Cari's Good Ideas. I married well. Thanks for checking in and Thanks for caring.
1/31/11 Cari's knee replacement is scheduled for tomorrow morning (2/1) at Kernan Hospital. I'll do my best to update this daily. Thanks to all of you for your Love and Support. It means the World to both of us.
3/1/11 4 weeks since surgery and things are going very well. Cari is now doing exercises at home and she sees her surgeon again on Friday. When we saw him last week, he was very pleased with Cari’s progress. Despite not bending it very much for a week due to bleeding problems, she still had a very good range of motion. Looks like she should start PT at her regular location next week. Cari and I went out to eat on Saturday and grocery shopping on Sunday. These were the first trips out that weren’t related to doctor’s visits. Thanks Karen for the wonderful home-made stew and for bringing ice cream from Hoffmans. Yummy Yummy!!!! Thanks again to you all for your Love and Support. You are a BLESSING!!!!
2/25 my first posting ... feeling optimistic, finally! Had two major bleeds and many days of a slow steady trickle but I've now been basically dry for ALMOST 72 hours!!!!!! Can't bend my knee without producing blood so with my doctor's blessing, I'm not bending right now, giving the incision time to scab/heal. Puts me back a couple of weeks in terms of rehab which is discouraging but I am sooooooooooooooooo happy not to be bleeding. Please keep fingers and toes crossed.
2/18/11 There have been a bunch of ups and downs over the past week. The past 3 days have been GOOD days. Thanks to Peg, Miss Mary and Susan for visiting yesterday. Really brightened Cari’s day and raised my comfort level since I had to be back at work for the full day. THANKS YOU GUYS!!!! I’m very fortunate that my boss Paul has been so understanding during the bad times. I’ve missed a lot of work time and he has not complained at all – just asks how Cari is doing. THANKS PAUL!!!! Today Cari had a good nurse’s visit and a good PT visit. PT visit was extended so that Terry and Cari could talk horses. Very Cool. Ed is coming out to the house to give Cari an acupuncture treatment this afternoon. Another piece of ‘normal life’. THANKS ED!!! While I’m in Thank You mode, I’d like to thank Nan and Linda for the nice cards. And thanks Ely for your nice cards. And Thanks to you ALL of you for your Wonderful Support. Having REAL friends during a time like this keeps us going even thru the bad times. We did have a scare on Tuesday morning about 4:00 am when Cari woke up and her knee was bleeding. It made for a tense time. When we got into see the Doctor around 11:00 am her knee wasn’t bleeding anymore and he told us everything was OK and that the bleeding was normal. There was some more bleeding that day, but now just a little bit off and on. Both Cari and I felt better when Monica, a home care nurse, looked at her knee on Wednesday and explained to us just what was going on. When Cari’s staples were removed, the steristrips were not applied tightly enough and they left some small gaps. The blood that was coming out was blood under the skin that normally would have been absorbed by the body. THANKS MONICA for taking the time to explain things to us. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF SOMEONE HAD TOLD US THAT THIS WAS A POSSABILITY, but no use crying over spilled milk. Just glad that things are headed steadily in the right direction for 3 days in a row. Cari has been cleared to shower every other day which is a major milestone. Wishing you all BIG HAPPYS!!!!
2/17/11 @ 6:00am Sorry I haven't posted in a week. Lots of Ups and Downs. Yesterday was a very good day. First shower!!!! I've got to get ready for work and get Cari ready for her visitors today. BTW: The Scott's visit over the weekend was a Great thing. I'll try to post some more later. Thanks again for all your support, thoughts and prayers!!!! Hope LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!
2/10/11 @ 6:00 am Yesterday was not the best of days. Cari did a lot on Wednesday and she needed to regroup. Recovery has it's ups and downs like a roller coaster and I'm sure today will be an upswing day. Home PT scheduled again today. Still a ways to go, but looking back, Cari has made a fair amount of progress. Thanks again for your continued support. It means a whole lot!!! Peace and Love to you all.
2/9/11 @ 7:00 am Thanks for checking in. It's nice to know so many folks truely care. Cari is making progress day by day. She was very happy when her doctor called last night and told her she could start taking her arthritis medicine again. It's really helped her shoulder feel better. She had Home PT again today and it went well. Bonus prize is Terry (todays PT person) is a horse person. I went to work 1/2 day for the first time today. Looks like another one to two weeks of Home PT then back to Central MD Rehab where she's done PT in the past. It is also her fitness center so she'll have a good comfort level there. Cari knows lots of the PT folks there so that is also a plus. Thanks for caring. It means a lot. Remember to Enjoy Every Sandwich.
2/8/11 @ 9:00 am Cari is improving day by day. Like the famous Turtle, slow, but steady. Sleeping more through the night and gaining appetite. Home Physical Terrorist (Jim Bardy's term) said she was very pleased with Cari's range of motion. She also said that Cari's incision looked good. Next visit scheduled for Wednesday. Thanks again for all your wonderful support. The cards and messages and flowers are very much bright spots and no doubt help with Cari's recovery. I've posted a couple photos of the flowers. Ain't they pretty!!!!!
2/7/11 @ 8:00 am Sorry I didn't write over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday spent resting/sleeping and trying to deal with pain. Cari has been walking (with walker) a little more each day. She was able to sleep through last night, except for pain meds every 4 hours. First PT visit scheduled for 10:00 am today. Sorry I haven't responded to your kind emails, but I hope you understand that time has been at a premium. THANKS ONE AND ALL!!!! Take Care. Wishing you all well. Try to write more later.
2/4/11 @ 6:30 pm THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!!! Cari got to come HOME this afternoon and she is now resting in bed. Cari, Kitties and I can't be Happier. Smiles all around. Thanks for your advice Deb, it was a turning point. Thanks to all you Great Folks for everything. Home PT starts Monday. Wishing you all Great Health and Happiness.
2/3/11 @ 10:20 pm
Thanks everybody for all your kind messages, thoughts and prayers. I'm reminded AGAIN how many of you truely care about Cari and me. Warms my heart. Cari took a few more steps today. She's making good progress and still scheduled to get out tomorrow. Sounds like it will be afternoon or evening. Yeah! We both like Rusty, the nurse who was with her most of the day yesterday and today. Nice and thoughtful man. He's scheduled back tomorrow and I'm happy about that. Cari still has pain, but it is lessening some. Cari the Kitties and I, and I'm sure all of you, will be happy when Cari is home. Anybody got a spare pair of ruby slippers? THANKS AND TAKE CARE
2/2/11 @ 11:30 pm
Thanks everybody. Great to have so much sincere support. Another day full of ups and downs. Happy to report that Cari took a couple of steps today with her walker. Also glad to report that we like Cari's PT person Miranda. Also like the P.A. who refers to herself as 'the French P.T.' Cari is in quite a bit of pain at times. She is getting some sleep, but only a couple of hours here and there. She has to use a michine that lifts her leg up and down for 6 hours overnight. All of tubes are scheduled to come out tomorrow and hoping she's coming home on Friday. Cari really liked the flowers that her Brother Charile and Todd sent. Thanks guys. And THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES.
2/1/11 @ 10:00 pm
Most importantly the Doctor said that everything went well.
Long day. Cari made the right decision to stay at the hotel last night. Woke up to ice. No problem getting to the Hospital. Cari had to be there at 9am, but she didn't end up going into surgery until about 1:15pm. The Doctor came out about 2:30 and said everything went perfectly. I ended up being able to see her when she woke up about 5:15pm (the Doctor had told me about an hour so I was a little anxious). I stayed with her till about 8:30 and just got home a little bit ago. Not surprised, but none-the-less, disappointed that the quality of Kernan is far below that of Shock Trauma. Without going into details, and in the nicest way I can put it, I'll just say that they aren't long on 'bedside manner' and that the skill level isn't great. Cari's supposed to be able to come home on Friday. Me and the Kitties and Cari most of all are all looking forward to that. And looking forward to her getting started on having improved mobility.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR CARING ABOUT CARI AND ME. IT MAKES DIFFICULT TIMES LIKE THESE BEARABLE.
1/31/11 We're heading to a hotel only a couple of miles from the hospital due to the frozen rain situation. Another one of Cari's Good Ideas. I married well. Thanks for checking in and Thanks for caring.
1/31/11 Cari's knee replacement is scheduled for tomorrow morning (2/1) at Kernan Hospital. I'll do my best to update this daily. Thanks to all of you for your Love and Support. It means the World to both of us.