Ack! Two weeks from yesterday I’m going in for a partial knee replacement surgery. And I’m feeling kinda nervous about it. I’m glad I get to have a spinal instead of general anesthetic. I’m glad I have a fantastic surgeon and a great medical team. But I’m still kinda sked.

I’ve been working hard at the gym to strengthen my legs and knees. Cuz my left knee isn’t the greatest, either. No ACL in that one. It’s gonna need (kneed???) surgery, too. See what happens when you’re fifteen years old playing tackle football back home in Mānoa Valley and you get tackled by a kid twice your size? We didn’t wear protective any kine. Those were the olden days, right? Sheesh. 

Nolemana and I went to a 2 1/2 hour class at the hospital in Vancouver where I’ll have surgery on Monday, September 10th. We learned a whole lot. Like they’ll get me up walking probably 2 hours post-op. Like I’ll be going home the next day. Like OMG, I can’t have my kitties on the bed for three days pre-op and till the incision is healed post-op. That’s gonna be really hard, because they always sleep on the bed. Always. Oh, and I have to stop my anti-inflammatory medication a week ahead of time, as well as all the supplements I take.

I have to use anti-bacterial soap three days, for three days, pre-op. Clean sheets every night. And I have to come home to clean sheets even though the night before surgery they were clean. And clean towels every single day. All this to help prevent any infection from starting, which I’m good with.

I had to get dental clearance, too. Because if I had any kine mouth infections when I have surgery, the infection would go right to the surgery site. Not good. At all.

When I get home, if I feel like it, I can shower. I’ll have a waterproof dressing. But I will not be able to wear shorts because kitty tails would undoubtedly brush up against the bandage. But right now, it’s cooled down so much I don’t see much shorts wearing anyway. That said, if I could wear shorts, I wouldn’t have to have perfectly clean ones every day. Anything that covers my knee, yeah, I do.

The orthopedic RN at our class encouraged us to try other methods of pain control before using Oxy…because of the opioid epidemic. They will not automatically give them to us, which I think is a good idea. They don’t want us to suffer at all, though. ‘Way different from what a friend of mine was told when she had hip replacement surgery: take the Oxy every four hours, period.  She didn’t stay on it too long, but it’s interesting to see the different approaches.

I will have several hours of exercises to do every day; they want us as active as possible, with regular periods of ice and resting. I start physical therapy the Thursday after my surgery.  Twice a week, with the gym in between. I’m gonna be a busy girl.

Two wonderful friends have already sent meals for the freezer, and Nolemana and I made one, too. And Anela is bringing over one, too.

Speaking of food: I have been resisting ice cream for months and months, even though I’ve been craving it. I told Nolemana that if I’m feeling okay, on the way home from the hospital I really deserve to stop at Baskin Robbins, baby. Oh, and get some saimin from Patrick’s Hawaiian Cafe in Vancouver, since it’s on the way home…and that’s total comfort food.

So I’m getting prepared for this. And oh, by da way, I’ve lost thirty whole pounds!