Things are getting better

Today is Jan 14, 2011, Friday. Five weeks ago yesterday, the new knee was installed. So far, everything is going well. Last Friday, we gave up the crutches, and started using the four pronged cane. I can walk well with the cane and can also walk without it , but want to wait a little longer to minimize any problems with falling. It sure does feel good to walk without assistance.

During the week after Christmas,we had to visit Dr Barros, our GP, who was happy with our progress and said to come back in three months. We had a visit with Dr Carocciola, our cardiologist, who discussed sleep apnea, and wants me to take the oxygenation test, to determine fluctuations in oxygen level during the night, which we did. As a result of that test, we now have to go through the more involved overnight sleep test which measures all kinds of things, and determines whether a sleep mask is needed or not. This will happen in a month or so.

Gary and Connie Scott, across the street came to spend a week. It was good to see them.

We just finished talking to Heidi, using the Skype system on the computer. Norma got a new computer with camera and mic built in, so she gave us her camera and mic from her old laptop. Lester installed it last week, and this was the first time we used it. Heidi came through with a good picture and good sound. Unfortunately, Kat had already gone to bed. In the future, this should be a good way to see Kat and all the kids. Back to Dr Carocciola above.

When we left the Dr, we got a phone call from Dr Dews', office telling us to report to the Flagler hospital for an ultrasound of the knee. If a blood clot was found, I was to go right back into the hospital. After freezing in the waiting room for hours, we finally got the test over with, and went home. Hooray. This came about because the visiting nurse, during her last visit with us, noticed a red spot on the side of the knee and raised the issue with the Dr. After what we have just gone through, I guess the Dr wanted to make sure everything was ok.

For New Years Eve afternoon, we went to Jacksonville to experience some of the Gator Bowl activities. We took the criket and enjoyed a nice parade featuring the huge bands of University of Michigan and Mississippi State.

We have been doing our physical therapy with the assistance of a physical therapist, and have only one more to go, then it is totally up to me. We are doing fairly well and should have no problem walking properly.

Monday of this week, we saw Dr Dew who is satisfied with our progress and next visit is in 3 weeks. By then, I expect to be walking fairly well. We shall see.

Since our weather has been quite cool, outdoor activities have been somewhat curtailed. Yard sales, flea markets, etc , not so much. The boat has not been used since early Dec.(not all weather related), but soon the weather and functioning knee should co-operate and Florida Life should be better.