My Knee... and the upcoming surgery

Went to see the Orthopedic Surgeon today. Not really surprised that I need surgery. It is scheduled for Monday, June 11 at 730am.

I have moderately severe Patellar Tracking Disorder. My kneecaps do not slide up and down as they should, they pull outwards. Due to my previous knee injuries, the ligaments & tendons surrounding the kneecap are stretched out. Each time my knee has popped out of joint, the underside of my kneecap has been scraping the other bones and causing premature arthritis.

The surgery will consist of this:
A 3" incision under my knee. They will be cutting off my tendon and reattaching it with a screw (that I will have forever) in the center. They will be tightening my ligaments at the top of my knee. And, they will be grinding down the underside of my kneecap. I will have a catheter installed in my knee.

Post-surgery:
I will be on crutches for about 6-8 weeks. For two weeks, 6 hours a day, I will be on a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion Machine) which is a machine with a foot brace that gently and slowly move my knee. The catheter they are putting in will be connected to a pain pump. It will dispense meds directly into the knee for pain. We will be having to fork out $320 for a Polar Care Unit which is a new version of an ice pack. You strap the large pad onto the knee (like a brace but thick like an ice pack), a hose connects between the pad and an ice chest. Inside the ice chest is a pump and ice water. Once plugged in, the ice water circulates around the injury without the "ice burn" you get from a pack. It also weighs less and keeps less pressure on the injury. I would be wearing it non-stop for the first few days, during all CPM sessions, after all therapy sessions, and anytime there is swelling or pain. Oh, and I also get a fancy robotic knee brace. All these fancy contraptions and whositwhat's will cost a mere $800!!! And that doesn't include paying for the surgery or anesthesiologist!!! WooHoo!!!

So... that's what's going down. Just thought I would let everyone know (and this is by far easier than calling everyone)

Does anyone want a free trip to Texas to help take care of me &/or the kids???? We are desperate... especially since it is short notice and I'm going to be out of commission for a while. PLEASE!

My Knee... Part 2

I went to my regular doctor. He wiggled my knee around. He thinks I either stretched my ligaments or tore them the first time I dislocated my knee... which is why it keeps happening. SO... he had me call a surgeon. I have an appointment with him next Thursday. More to come...

My Knee...

So, for the third time in my life, I dislocated my knee. I was REALLY hoping that I could band aid it and not have to go to the doctor. Well... it looks like that isn't going to happen. It's killing me and still swollen after 2 weeks. I guess I have to make an appointment tomorrow... :(

Beck's Blog

There is a blog that I like to frequent. She's an avid craftster and she loves Harry Potter. She made some flag-bags and I commented that she should make a Polish Flag because of Christian being so proud of his heritage. AND SHE DID! She's dubbed it the "Fied-Bag" :)

http://peskypixie.blogspot.com/2007/05/polish-flag-man-bag-or-fied-bag.html

Wonky Pictures

The pictures in my new hair blog seemed to have gone a bit wonky. Click on the picture to see them better. Sorry about that.

My Hair

My hair felt like cotton candy. It was breaking off and I had fly-aways everywhere. My hair had seen better days. SO... I chopped it. It's short & girly. SO UNLIKE MARCI!

Bahbingos

Colin came in the living room from his bedroom where he was playing Thomas ChooChoo contently for about 10 minutes. He walked up to me and asked, "Are bahbingos good or bad?"
I replied, "I don't know what a bahbingo is."
Getting angry he replies, "I say are a bahbingos good or bad?"
"Colin, what is a bahbingo? I don't know that word."
"BAHBINGO!"
"What colour is a bahbingo?"
"AN ANIMAL! IS IT GOOD OR BAD?"

This conversation went on for about 15 minutes... the more I questioned the more upset he became and the more slurred his speech was. FINALLY, I asked if he was saying FLAMINGO. Well, it was. I said, that a flamingo is good and he turned around and went on his merry way.
*sigh* Speech delays suck.

BLAH

I've been sick. Massive tummy issues. It's been a week now and every time I eat, I feel like it all wants to come back out. I'm not enjoying this. I got scared that I might be preggers again. I made Christian buy a test. Came out negative (which I was 99.9999999999999% certain it would). At least I know it's just some poopy Texas bug. :(