The hinge

Hinges...something that we use each and every day without a single thought. Have you ever thought about how many “hinges” /joints you have in your body? Depending on your age, you may or may not have given them a thought. You may love them, baby them or out right hate them. Here in the middle of nowhere we are 9 days post hinge replacement. Yip, its been 9 long days since TLOMIL had a complete knee replacement. His knee was injured back when he was a kid, then again in College. Repaired well given the day, can you say hello 70’s! Repaired again in the 90’s, and now replaced. It was not an easy decision to come to, and so far the jury is still out.

The thought of major surgery has been on my guys mind for a long time. Eventually his knee basically gave him the finger, to have quality of life the sucker had to go! For myself and our kids, it was a decision that weighed heavily on our minds and hearts. A few years ago, we lost my Dad to complications from a knee replacement. For sure, TLOMIL had none of the issues that my Dad had, so in theory there should not have been any co-relation. Our hearts and minds had a difficult time making that connection. The first weekend home from the hospital (which was just an over nighter), our house was full of a bunch of our kids. Those who could not make it home were checking in using varied forms of electronic communication. The love felt around my guy was awesome, I am sure it helped get him through that first night and the following days.

Eventually the kids had to get back to their lives and jobs. Thank goodness for my brother allowing us to borrow his ice machine, We have also been using a machine called Game Ready which adds compression to the cold water longer leg sleeve. Between the two (the borrowed machine will be used long term) my guys knee is looking much smaller with all bruising just about gone. Gotta ramp up the Physio. I think its the small every day things that take the most thought. Getting from point A to point B, finding something, anything that he will eat. What aids you need to rent to make things a little easier. All the drugs....and sleep, a good solid sleep soon...please. Gently pushing TLOMIL to do even a bit of Physio while he is feeling dizzy -“spun” is his word of choice. The painkillers and he don’t play nicely together so OTC is how we had to go, less spinning - more pain.

As my guy headed home from “the bush” the week before his surgery he stopped at a Resort that we have always wanted to go to. Being the optimist (hahah) that he is, he booked us in for this the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. I wondered how in heck we were going to be able to do it, nervous and excited at the same time. I checked in with the lovely Kim at Killarney Lodge earlier this week to inquire about possible mobility work arounds. She was lovely, I allowed myself to get excited again, the thought of good food prepared for me.....All the time knowing that the whole idea was foolish, though motivating for TLOMIL. Know what I mean dear imaginary reader?

I sit here at my perch on this dreary Thanksgiving Sunday. Thankful that TLOMIL came to his senses - we cancelled our long dreamed about weekend at Killarney Lodge (they were amazing about our last minute cancellation), we will get there one day dear imaginary reader. If you have the chance, check them out - and go. My guy is in the family room attached to one ice machine or another, Ollie curled up by his side. We had an overnight with the Murph man who also enjoyed snuggle time with my guy, the dogs just seem to know TLOMIL needs some extra gentle love. The girls are away - LLB heading to her beloved Scotland and Teach celebrating in Paris. Tomorrow the Boy, DC and Murph will come for Thanksgiving dinner. This year I am extra thankful. TLOMIL got through the surgery, we will get through the next stages (though I may be saying thank you to red wine haha). Our family is living in the same country - even the Scot! We are healthy, have an amazing support system of friends and family and have a year filled with adventure ahead of us.

From my family to yours dear imaginary reader, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Oh yeah, almost forgot (how could I do that!!), I am also thankful for you dear imaginary reader, so very nice to have someone real or imagined to share my thoughts and tribulations with. Baby steps back along the tight rope ....

Cheers!