Hey guys,
Pretty busy week for me. Started with my doctor’s visit on Wednesday, which went really well. The doctor was happy and now I can get my knee wet and also am allowed to bend it a little in the brace. Also, he wanted me to start Physical Therapy right away. All in all, it was a good trip back to good ol’ St. Luke’s Hospital.
After the doctor’s appointment, it was back to Mom and Dad’s to pack so I could head back home. After packing up the car, Mom (who had her day off) went to find a place to do PT. Aunt Jane recommended one that I believe Jim used, that is only about 10 minutes from my house. After checking the place out and setting up and appointment for the next day it was off to Home Depot. I’m redoing my closet in my house, yes I know pretty exciting. Basically opening a single door to a 4-foot wide opening with bi folding doors. The doors are ordered and the general contractor will start sometime in early March. I was talked into getting a motorized cart from Home Depot, which I honestly regret not having Mom take a picture. Haha.
Next was onto Bed Bath and Beyond, and I know what you are thinking…I didn’t think we would have enough time either. We had a big day planned. Haha (little Old School quote). There we found a gripper pad for the bottom of my bathtub so I can take regular showers. Wahoo! After crutching around BB and B, I know why don’t they have motorized carts too, I was pretty darn tired. Not only was I crutching around, but I am also driving around town. With the ability to bend my left knee, I can just squeeze it into my parent’s car. Thanks Mom, for switching cars with me again. Just don’t forget to wave to all the other Jeep owners. Haha.
Yesterday was a good day too. I started my day off with some cereal and then a shower all by myself. Pretty exciting, seeing as I have come a long way since the surgery. Later in the day I went to PT, which I was pretty nervous for. The lady I am assigned to is really great, even though she is a MU fan. Yes, before I could even think of what I was saying, I told her I am a KU fan. Hopefully she won’t hold that against me and “work” me too hard. I was pretty sore afterwards and was eager to put the ice back on my knee.
Today I worked on my PT homework that I am to do 3 times a day. Norma was right, is this the only thing they think we have to do? Haha. Two drills work on getting my knee back to being straight. One is where I lay on my back and prop my leg up on my heel. Longest 10 minutes of my life. Next is where I lay on the bed on my stomach and have my leg hang off the bed, not as bad as the other but I still feel it at the end. The other two work on my calf and knee bending respectively. One I take a belt under my foot and pull towards my body stretching my calf. The other I put the belt lower on my foot and try and pull my knee towards my body and hold for a couple seconds. Lets just say I have a long way to go on getting my knee to my body.
All right, onto my 3rd homework session of the day. Hope everyone had a great week and enjoy the weekend. Rock Chalk!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Day 12
Hey Guys,
Not much happening here. Pretty crazy how much better I feel and how much more mobile I am nowadays. It only took a couple days. I’m starting to sleep better and can even role on my side now. Pretty exciting. I thought being able to lay around for a couple weeks would be nice, but gets kind of boring. Dad and I are even thinking up new Olympic sports. Dad suggested a new down hill long jump where two jumpers go at a time and battle down the ramp. Haha.
I go to the doctor tomorrow and can’t wait. Mom and I are thinking up questions to ask. I’m hoping to be able to bend my knee a little bit, making it easier to sit, move around and hopefully drive. Also, I’m looking forward to getting my knee wet. It’s kind of interesting trying to shower and keep it dry, but we have managed. Can’t wait to let you guys know of all the updates.
I was watching TV and saw this commercial. Funny thing is I was actually eating a bag of Orville Redenbacher’s while watching. Seems like a good idea to me. Haha. Enjoy.
Hope everyone is having a great week.
Not much happening here. Pretty crazy how much better I feel and how much more mobile I am nowadays. It only took a couple days. I’m starting to sleep better and can even role on my side now. Pretty exciting. I thought being able to lay around for a couple weeks would be nice, but gets kind of boring. Dad and I are even thinking up new Olympic sports. Dad suggested a new down hill long jump where two jumpers go at a time and battle down the ramp. Haha.
I go to the doctor tomorrow and can’t wait. Mom and I are thinking up questions to ask. I’m hoping to be able to bend my knee a little bit, making it easier to sit, move around and hopefully drive. Also, I’m looking forward to getting my knee wet. It’s kind of interesting trying to shower and keep it dry, but we have managed. Can’t wait to let you guys know of all the updates.
I was watching TV and saw this commercial. Funny thing is I was actually eating a bag of Orville Redenbacher’s while watching. Seems like a good idea to me. Haha. Enjoy.
Hope everyone is having a great week.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Day 10
Hello Readers,
Well the visitors left a couple hours ago, and hopefully are having a quite trip home. It was so good to see the Lafferty’s and have new noises and distractions. With all the trucks and even the simplest Tupperware dish, Leo puts on a great show. Haha.
The visitors also brought on some trips out into the wild. Well, maybe not wild but out side of the living room. Saturday mid-day, we decided to head out to do some shopping. And surprisingly, it was Dad’s idea. We packed up the car and headed to the Mills in St. Charles. Dad even tried some things on and ended up buying a sweater vest. He’s so hip and cool. We borrowed a wheelchair from the mall, but it unfortunately didn’t have the piece to keep my leg up and straight. I ended up sitting on one of my crutches and rested my leg on the crutch. Don’t recommend anyone doing it for any long amount of time. Haha. It was great to get out of the house for the first time since the surgery. One of the best things was all of the little kids just staring at me. I think they were jealous that I had a reclining stroller. Haha.
Got back from that and was sadly pretty tired. Pretty hard to sit in a chair with wheels and shop apparently. We then watched KU slaughter Colorado and time for dinner. Kristin came over for dinner, so we decided to go to a movie after. Went out of the house for the first time and thought why not do it twice in one day. We went to Valentine’s Day, which ended up being a pretty good movie. Got there a little late and ended up having to sit in the front row though. Thank god there isn’t too much “action” in the movie or we would have gotten sick.
Sunday morning, woke up just before 5am. I’m definitely getting on Mom and Dad time, and not sure if I like it or not. Went to the bathroom by myself and ended up falling back to sleep, thank goodness. Got up and tagged along with Bob and Colleen for church. They left Leo behind with Mom and Dad, but didn’t know they were gaining a bigger kid to take care of. Haha.
Well, I have official weaned myself off of the painkillers. Those things definitely mess with mind and body. I’m now onto Extra Strength Tylenol and will save the remaining “good pills” for physical therapy.
All right, back to the Olympics and maybe some basketball. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Talk to you all later.
Well the visitors left a couple hours ago, and hopefully are having a quite trip home. It was so good to see the Lafferty’s and have new noises and distractions. With all the trucks and even the simplest Tupperware dish, Leo puts on a great show. Haha.
The visitors also brought on some trips out into the wild. Well, maybe not wild but out side of the living room. Saturday mid-day, we decided to head out to do some shopping. And surprisingly, it was Dad’s idea. We packed up the car and headed to the Mills in St. Charles. Dad even tried some things on and ended up buying a sweater vest. He’s so hip and cool. We borrowed a wheelchair from the mall, but it unfortunately didn’t have the piece to keep my leg up and straight. I ended up sitting on one of my crutches and rested my leg on the crutch. Don’t recommend anyone doing it for any long amount of time. Haha. It was great to get out of the house for the first time since the surgery. One of the best things was all of the little kids just staring at me. I think they were jealous that I had a reclining stroller. Haha.
Got back from that and was sadly pretty tired. Pretty hard to sit in a chair with wheels and shop apparently. We then watched KU slaughter Colorado and time for dinner. Kristin came over for dinner, so we decided to go to a movie after. Went out of the house for the first time and thought why not do it twice in one day. We went to Valentine’s Day, which ended up being a pretty good movie. Got there a little late and ended up having to sit in the front row though. Thank god there isn’t too much “action” in the movie or we would have gotten sick.
Sunday morning, woke up just before 5am. I’m definitely getting on Mom and Dad time, and not sure if I like it or not. Went to the bathroom by myself and ended up falling back to sleep, thank goodness. Got up and tagged along with Bob and Colleen for church. They left Leo behind with Mom and Dad, but didn’t know they were gaining a bigger kid to take care of. Haha.
Well, I have official weaned myself off of the painkillers. Those things definitely mess with mind and body. I’m now onto Extra Strength Tylenol and will save the remaining “good pills” for physical therapy.
All right, back to the Olympics and maybe some basketball. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Talk to you all later.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Day 8
Hey Guys and Gals,
Sorry I haven't written in awhile, only a few updates in the last couple days. I'm finally off the pain pills, thank god. They seem to mess with you mind and body. And for those who have been on them, I am finally caught up in the bathroom. TMI for some, but others understand. Haha.
I also took a shower for the first time last night. Nothing like having a stool in the shower to relax while holding your knee so it stays still. But goodness it felt good to clean up and wash my hair. I have to make sure the Lafferty’s who are coming this weekend will stay in the same room as me. Haha. Next I will need to shave tonight before they come.
Not much else here today. Thank god I have curling on during the day today. I did get a funny email from Dan Dolan yesterday. He was thanking “Lafferty” and I for allowing the men’s Norwegian team to borrow our pants. I assured him that we would get them back after the Olympics and he could borrow them anytime they needed. Haha. I’m not sure I see the resemblance, do you?? Haha.
All right, better rest up for the visitors. Thanks to all for all the cards and encouragement. I will leave you with a video of my surgery. Most should be fine to watch it. Have a great weekend and will talk to you all later.
Sorry I haven't written in awhile, only a few updates in the last couple days. I'm finally off the pain pills, thank god. They seem to mess with you mind and body. And for those who have been on them, I am finally caught up in the bathroom. TMI for some, but others understand. Haha.
I also took a shower for the first time last night. Nothing like having a stool in the shower to relax while holding your knee so it stays still. But goodness it felt good to clean up and wash my hair. I have to make sure the Lafferty’s who are coming this weekend will stay in the same room as me. Haha. Next I will need to shave tonight before they come.
Not much else here today. Thank god I have curling on during the day today. I did get a funny email from Dan Dolan yesterday. He was thanking “Lafferty” and I for allowing the men’s Norwegian team to borrow our pants. I assured him that we would get them back after the Olympics and he could borrow them anytime they needed. Haha. I’m not sure I see the resemblance, do you?? Haha.
All right, better rest up for the visitors. Thanks to all for all the cards and encouragement. I will leave you with a video of my surgery. Most should be fine to watch it. Have a great weekend and will talk to you all later.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Day 3
Happy Valentines Day to all!
Another day brings new things to the table. I now know that the nerve block has officially worn off. Not a good thing. Haha. Bathroom visits are a little more of a task than before. My kneecap area has never hurt this much. Boo. But the polar ice cooler that circulates cold water to my knee is an added bonus though. I can now feel it and it definitely adds some relief.
I do have a new respect for my sister Colleen. I can't imagine trying to bend my knee at all. It must be new practice, but I am all in favor of it. Mom will not be making me bend my knee at least for another week or so. Haha, just kidding Mom.
The Olympics are on in the background but it is now figure skating. Eh. I did catch the end of the women's moguls last night but missed the girl that was competing on a “torn ACL.” Not sure about that, I think I'm with C on this one. Shenanigans! Haha. You'll have to fill me in on the story sometime Colleen. It was good to see the women come away with gold and bronze though. And tonight with the men's moguls, it was good to see Canada win there first gold on there soil. But at the same time get a bronze for the US.
Alright, will soon take another pill and try and sleep through the night. I feel like a newborn. Haha. Have a good week and check back.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Day 2
Well, didn't get a chance to write yesterday. A little out of it, but did get to watch the Opening ceremonies at night. Everything went fine with the surgery and the doctor was happy. Some familiar faces and anytime I entered a new room, I herd this is Mary Beth's son. Not sure if that is good or bad. Haha. Just kidding, everyone at St. Lukes was great and they love Mom.
It all started bright and early yesterday morning and had some funny and interesting moments. Mom not only picked the doctor I went to but also the anesthesiologist and everyone else in the room for surgery. The anesthesiologist was great and also very funny with his Arkansas accent. He told me he was confused at first when my paperwork said I was a gold pro. He wasn't sure if I won a special award or something else, but then saw that I worked at Norwood Hills CC and knew it was supposed to be golf pro. Haha. He continued to "work his magic and then gave me some "I don't care medicine" and oh it was good.
Next I went into the surgery room and knew the team that Mom had hand picked was going to be good. From behind my head I hear, "and now we will be working on our breast augmentation surgery." They must have saw my face and then we all had a little laugh. I on the other hand had somewhere else to go and counted backward from 10 and made it to ni...zzz.
Next it was back to the holding room where the woozyness continued. But I wasn't as bad as the guy next to me, poor Jim. He must have had prostate surgery and was still dreaming of something better. I must have herd Jim lay back down and Jim please keep your arms down about 38 times. And the kicker when I knew it could have been worse for me, "Jim you have a tube in your penis and if you move to much it will come out and we will have to put it back in." I quickly looked down and made sure I didn't have the same problem. Thank god I didn't. Haha.
Before the surgery, they gave me what they called a block. It's basically medicine injected in the nerve in my leg, making it go numb. Let me tell you it is amazing. I didn't feel any pain yesterday, but starting last night it unfortunately started to wear off. I am now feeling the affects of having a knee that was just operated on. Not so good. It's a good thing I have the Olympics and KU basketball today and tonight.
Alright, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Hope to see you all soon. I'll walk right over to you soon. Haha.
It all started bright and early yesterday morning and had some funny and interesting moments. Mom not only picked the doctor I went to but also the anesthesiologist and everyone else in the room for surgery. The anesthesiologist was great and also very funny with his Arkansas accent. He told me he was confused at first when my paperwork said I was a gold pro. He wasn't sure if I won a special award or something else, but then saw that I worked at Norwood Hills CC and knew it was supposed to be golf pro. Haha. He continued to "work his magic and then gave me some "I don't care medicine" and oh it was good.
Next I went into the surgery room and knew the team that Mom had hand picked was going to be good. From behind my head I hear, "and now we will be working on our breast augmentation surgery." They must have saw my face and then we all had a little laugh. I on the other hand had somewhere else to go and counted backward from 10 and made it to ni...zzz.
Next it was back to the holding room where the woozyness continued. But I wasn't as bad as the guy next to me, poor Jim. He must have had prostate surgery and was still dreaming of something better. I must have herd Jim lay back down and Jim please keep your arms down about 38 times. And the kicker when I knew it could have been worse for me, "Jim you have a tube in your penis and if you move to much it will come out and we will have to put it back in." I quickly looked down and made sure I didn't have the same problem. Thank god I didn't. Haha.
Before the surgery, they gave me what they called a block. It's basically medicine injected in the nerve in my leg, making it go numb. Let me tell you it is amazing. I didn't feel any pain yesterday, but starting last night it unfortunately started to wear off. I am now feeling the affects of having a knee that was just operated on. Not so good. It's a good thing I have the Olympics and KU basketball today and tonight.
Alright, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Hope to see you all soon. I'll walk right over to you soon. Haha.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tom's Surgery Blog
Some people suggest I start a blog for my upcoming surgery so I thought I would. It will let me share my updates with you guys and also give me something to do while laying around. My surgery is tomorrow morning at 7:30. I have to go in at 6 so it will be an early morning for me for the start of my "vacation". Haha.
After work today I went and bought a couple video games and packed up some magazines, movies and books. Should be pretty exciting. I should be caught up on my TV shows and of course the Olympics. Bring on curling.
Another preparation that I was not looking forward to was cleaning up my leg for the surgery. Some might know where this is going...yes, I had to get out the clippers. For those who know me, know that this isn't a normal practice. Nothing like finding yourself clippers in hand and a towel on the ground. Sorry, no before after pics. Haha.
Alright, better head to bed. I'll try to write after the surgery tomorrow after the meds wear off. Haha.
After work today I went and bought a couple video games and packed up some magazines, movies and books. Should be pretty exciting. I should be caught up on my TV shows and of course the Olympics. Bring on curling.
Another preparation that I was not looking forward to was cleaning up my leg for the surgery. Some might know where this is going...yes, I had to get out the clippers. For those who know me, know that this isn't a normal practice. Nothing like finding yourself clippers in hand and a towel on the ground. Sorry, no before after pics. Haha.
Alright, better head to bed. I'll try to write after the surgery tomorrow after the meds wear off. Haha.
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