Two “Patient Friendly” Devices

 

Lamont called around 8:45am. Never met him but ended up spending about two hours with him. He’s a patient service rep with T & T Technology. Brought by a CPM machine for use after surgery. That would be Continuous Passive Motion machine. (I’ll use one at Duke Raleigh Hospital too.)

Lamont was thorough with setup, instructions, encouragement, and paperwork. According to my Plan of Care he left, this device will increase range of motion/enhance rehabilitation, decrease pain and swelling, increase nutrient flow to the joint for healing and increase regeneration of soft tissue cells. Sounds like a little miracle worker. Susan V, who had her knee done a year ago, vouches for its “wonderfulness.”

Practicing at home with my sweet caregiver

And then there’s the “Polar Care” device. Looks like a little cooler you’d take on a picnic. It sends a cold signal to the brain to help with pain management. Helps with swelling too, and I get to bring it home.

(This is the polar care device … pic being added after I came home.)

Am I nervous? No. Will I be tomorrow morning 4:30-5:30ish? Probably. Surgery starts at 7:30. Doubt that I’ll post tomorrow. Maybe I can jot a note or two on my bedside pad for sharing later.

Thanks for your prayers. Let the journey begin.

Ready, Set, Go!

Work wrapped up at Asbury through December. Check. House cleaned. Check. Food for Dan while I’m in the hospital. Check. (Thanks Ed and Carol!) Pre-op class materials reviewed so I’ll basically know what to expect. I’ll do that tonight. Lunch with Gloria H who had both knees replaced this year (and is doing great). Check. Now I know even more what to expect.

Bedroom set up downstairs. Not yet. Bags packed. Nope. Only in my head. Located Living Will and Power of Attorney. Another item for tonight.

Help lined up for week one after hospital. Check. My sweet sis is coming from  Hendersonville. Week two my energetic mom is coming from Columbia. Week three Care Corps at Asbury helping with meals. Thanks Mandy and other CC volunteers. Check.

Blog up and running. Check. Only because of the hour and a half  Ginger B spent helping me set it up. And she didn’t seem to mind when I called her with questions this afternoon. Thanks, Ginger.

Friends and family praying. Check. Most important. Asbury staff member Mark B led a prayer time Thursday afternoon in the sanctuary for me and others who needed prayer. Many, many Asbury folks and family/friends wanted me to know they will be praying. Maybe that’s why I feel so calm. I want to see this as an adventure in wholeness and healing.

When I pray for this “adventure,” I pray that the light of Jesus will shine through to caregivers and that his presence will be a felt presence in the midst of a painful knee. I don’t do pain well, but it is what it is and this too shall pass. Secondly, I pray for NO infection nor blood clots.

That about does it for now. After dinner, I’m going to kick back and watch Amazing Race.  

Adams family reunion. Check out the little girl front row, 5th from the left.