Saturday, October 31, 2009

In a funk

For some reason I was in a funk yesterday. The wind was blowing so hard we could barely stand up when we took our walk; Cliff was in a grumpy mood (possibly because I was in a funk); it was gray, cloudy, and cold. Maybe I'm just dreading winter, or maybe my indecision about whether to see the orthopedist about knee replacement is getting me down.
Anyhow, yesterday was one of those rare days when I couldn't think of a thing I wanted to blog about.
The knee decision really does bother me; I personally know someone who got staph infection and almost died from the surgery to give him a new knee. I know people that weren't all that pleased with the results of their surgeries. On the other hand, I have ladies telling me how knee replacement changed their lives, got them mobile again and ended years of pain.
I'd say at its worst, my pain level is a three or four, unless there's a catch in one of my knees when stepping up, down or sideways. Then there's a second or two of level eight pain, but that is brief. The thing about the pain is that it's there all the time if I'm on my feet. So I find myself staying off my feet more all the time; this leads to weight gain, which isn't good for the knees either. Eat less you say? Easier said than done.
I don't expect any advice; I have advice from plenty of sources already. I just need to decide whether to take the plunge or not. My doctor doesn't really push me one way or the other; she tells me my options, explains everything bad that could possibly happen with knee surgery, and leaves it up to me to decide. Twice when pain became so severe I couldn't straighten or bend my leg, I've had meniscus repair that fixed the problem.
While I don't need any more advice than I've already received, I would appreciate a prayer or two for guidance in making this decision.

11 comments:

  1. I was wondering why you didn't have an entry yesterday. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for sure. May the dear Lord guide you to do what is best. Take good care and count your blessings! They always help me to SMILE.

    'On Ya'-ma

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  2. Praying that you will make the right decision!

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  3. Anonymous8:12 AM

    I too wondered where the blog was from my friend Donna...but figured a day ride on the cycle was in order...guess I was wrong..and will be praying for your knee decision....!!! Pain can take the joy out of daily goings on...I have low tolerance for pain...how far can you handle it...and in what shape will be the knee by then..sometimes the pain is telling us what to do???? God Bless girl...hugs from Ora

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  4. Sending up prayers that you will be led to make the right decision for you. Helen

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  5. I just said a prayer for you. I know this can't be an easy decision for you to make. Whatever you decide I hope you can enjoy quality of life with minimal discomfort and pain.

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  6. This is defintitely a hard decision. It's not easy weighing the risks and benefits of something like that. My thoughts are with you....

    We had to do something similar at the beginning of the year. Geoff's sinuses were giving him so much trouble that they wanted to do an outpatient surgery to remove some polyps. He could just keep taking antibiotics for the sinus infection flair ups, or do the surgery. There were risks and advantages to both, but he did finally get the surgery.

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  7. Anonymous10:29 AM

    WELL I HAVE A COUSIN WHO HAD IT DONE AND THEY ARE SO HAPPY THEY DID THEY ARE DOING WONDERFUL AND SO WILL YOU JUST GO FOR IT AND THEN YOU WILL FEEL SO BLESSED THAT YOU DID :0)AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU ALSO GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOUR DECISION ALSO((((HUGS)))

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  8. I also wondered when you did not post in 24 hours.

    The first thing that comes to my mind is, will your knees get better with time? I'd say, go for it.

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  9. Lindie1:47 PM

    You've got our prayers. I am planning on having at least my right knee done in about 6 months I think. I know the rehab is hard. But my knees aren't trustworthy and sometimes give out and I fall. Hate that! I agree with you about the level of pain, mine is only bad if it catches.

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  10. Good luck in which ever way you decide to go.

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  11. Anonymous5:30 AM

    Hey there I understand what you are going through my knees are both bad so much pain I cry at times. Dr wanted me to do something about it. But I to not sure

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