We got in 1 jeep trip in between rain storms and had a blast. We went on the same road we'd been on before but the road was a lot more challenging this time due to debris and rocks getting washed downstream during several flash floods. The rest of our time was spent getting in shape for my knee replacement surgery in March.
Feb 4 was a horrible day when my brother Steve passed away due to complications from an infection following his Leukemia treatment. I was at the airport in Phoenix, on my way to see him, when I got the news.
Feb 12 we packed everything up and headed north to Denver. We had all kinds of pre-op lab tests and doctor visits to complete along with routine annual physicals. We were fortunate in finding an RV park to stay in for a month. The cost is prohibitive but you don't have much choice. It is close to my daughter's house and the hospital and has a handicap shower. Yay! For the same price in Arizona we could have a golf course, heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, a clubhouse and paved roads. After we got here the temperatures took a nose dive and we've had many nights in the single digits..... and some days too!
March 2nd was my total knee replacement surgery at Ortho Colorado Hospital. Can't say enough about the staff and the facility. Absolutely beautiful building and amazing nurses! And believe it or not the food was excellant. On the day of discharge you get to order from the Celebration menu and your caregiver gets a meal, too. I had a petit sirloin and roasted asparagus. Jim had pan fried walleye! Also the best oatmeal raisen cookies I've put in my mouth. I'm 3 days post-op today and came home yesterday. The 1 good thing about recuperating in the motorhome is that it's only about 10 steps front to back. The worst thing is the amount of time it takes you to pee. I have to drink lots of fluid so I have to pee more. (Ladies, you will sympathise with me). In order to get to the main event I have to take off my blankets, detach the hoses from my "Cold Machine", lower my leg to the ground with a strap, stand up, walk to the bathroom with my cane, get everything out of the way, sit down on the toidy, do the deed and repeat the process in reverse order. OMG! Thank goodness Jim is here to help. The most painful part is lowering your leg down and sitting down. The rest is a piece of cake. But, God forbid, don't wait to the last minute!
Jim is taking wonderful care of me and I go to my 1st physical therepy session tomorrow. We'll be staying here for another 2 weeks, have my follow-up doctor visit and head to Hoxie, KS to spend time with Jim's oldest daughter Karen, and grandkids Holden and Bella. We're going to plug in at their house for a couple of weeks. I'll post follow-ups as events unfold.
