Sorry for neglecting the blog for such a long time but one of the unexpected benefits of the pain medication has been blurring vision. Therefore, it was difficult to read and not much fun writing. So here we are and it is a red letter day for me. The staples will be removed today. Hooray! That should give my knee a bit more flexibility.
Something I and the Alex, the Physical Therapist, are working on. First we flex, then we aim for balance and strength. I feel like a newborn calf... weak-kneed and clumsy. I propel myself along with the walker at a snail's pace. But every day I see small improvements.

PT crew.

With the worst of the pain gone now... I am relieved of the heavy doses of pain-relieving drugs. In fact, it was yesterday that I went back to tylenol. I will take the heavy duty stuff only as needed. Like 30 minutes before therapy!
Another difficulty has been eating! I have no appetite and have struggled with nausea from day one. I won't bore you with the details as I am sure you have all been there.
I walked to hospital alone early thursday morning, was admitted and awakened several hours later in a cool and quiet room. Then I was wheeled into a nice big room where I would live on a one-man raft for a few days. With assistance, I was soon on my feet and in due time received an overdue shower. Physical Therapy began almost immediately.

Big bed muffin.

Nurse Pineapple gives me a foot rub.

I was released on Sunday into Annie's care. It was at this point that things began to deteriorate. The drugs were getting the best of me but I didn't know what was wrong. I was taken to the emergency room one night on suspicious of heart attack. All classic symptoms present but EKG showed no heart troubles. On following night I went to ER again with a dreadfully swelled up leg and discharge from an unintended injury to the back of the leg. This occurred while still in hospital and may even have happened during surgery. I don't know. No treatment necessary.
Eventually I was moved into the Redd Shedd where I thought I was ready for more independence. However, when Annie took the family camping and left me pretty much alone I was struck by a horrific episode of drug induced paranoia. I endured for 2 days and nights but on the third night I became hysterical with fear and called the police.
A very gracious officer arrived and brought me to the manor. I stayed downstairs with Pearl for 2 days .
When I was able to climb the stairs I moved back to Pigeon's Roost, #8.