Home Sweet Home

Vincent at his boarding place - Best Friends in North Plainfield. They email photos of your pets during their stay.

I'm very thankful for Russ (my brother), Laurie and Sydney for keeping things updated.

I'm home.

Yay!

My orthopedic surgeon said at his end, this was a much more difficult surgery than the other knee. It had a lot more damage done to it. But on MY end, I feel so far that this one is so much better. While I have bruising, it's nothing which makes people gasp. Today before I left, it had 83 degrees of bend. The last one, after a whole week in the hospital, had 61. It has a few degrees to go to be perfectly straight, but nothing not achievable.

I was hauled off first thing this morning for a doppler test -- no blood clot! YES! Exactly what I wanted to hear!

All things considered, I'm feeling pretty decent -- much better than the previous knee 4 days post op. But I am so tired. I thank everyone for their kindnesses and thoughts and will post more soon.

She LIVES!

Well, that's a little dramatic.

And more accurately I should say, she talks. Because Jackie called Laurie, and I will just post Laurie's note here. It all sounds like good news:

Jackie just called to give her own update for everyone. She had just finished her second therapy of the day and had also been visited by her doctor. The larger bandage has been removed and she said the wound is much less traumatic than the previous one was. No blood clot!! No coumadin!! Everything looks very good.

She is walking with the walker and can take a couple steps without it. Even with the pain drugs, it still hurts a lot. Local friends have brought flowers and balloons and one friend has been bringing her food. She doesn't have much of an appetite and doesn't eat much but she appreciates the thought. She said she dozes off quite a bit but isn't sleeping well, as usually happens in a hospital setting. All those strange noises and such are not good for sleeping!

At this point she expects to return home tomorrow (Sunday) and will have the same visiting nurse she had before for daily (?) visits. Also when she starts PT, she will have the same therapist and she feels good about that. She does know her brother is keeping us updated, too, but she wanted me to be sure and let you know that I have heard her voice and she is alive and well.

Please keep those prayers and positive thoughts going her way. They are working!

Thank you Laurie!!

I guess all the Team Jackie t-shirt wearing and all the good thoughts you all have been sending worked!! I know Jackie really appreciates it!

* I'm keeping my tee shirt on for good measure till she's home though, to prevent any need for that coumadin arising between now and then. *

Jackie Update, Friday Afternoon

Jackie's brother has been in touch with Jackie. I'm glad he has called these last few days. Not being family, you never really know when to call when someone is in those first few days after surgery. If the patient wants to be cranky or cry, they can probably feel a little more comfortable doing that with family. Thank you Jackie's bro!

Here are his words:

I just spoke with Jackie, she had a rough day of therapy, is somewhat drugged, extremely tired and feels that they are pushing her much too hard. She feels at this point that it will be at least Sunday before she is released. I will be calling her at about the same time tomorrow.

Poor thing. I am always amazed that they don't give you at least just one day to rest and recover after being under anesthesia and being cut into, before they try to start ripping your leg off with PT. But, I think you feel exponentially better with each 24 hours that passes. Let's hope Jackie will.

Keep sending those good thoughts her way please! I'm sure Jackie would want me to thank you ALL for your prayers and tee shirt wearing!

Jackie's Out of Surgery!

Many thanks to Jackie's brother, who has spoken to Jackie and said the surgery went fine, and as expected, Jackie was tired. When my husband had this done, he was completely out of it for 48 hours -- groggy from the anesthesia and then from some kind of meds after they took out his nerve block. They do get you up and stand yo on your feet the same day. And apparently Jackie will be in therapy immediately tomorrow, so her bro won't be talking to her until then.

So the great news is, it's over and she made it through. Let the healing begin!

PS: Let's all send a little extra positive vibes toward her not having to be on that coumadin that she was on for so long before. Maybe we can wear "Team Jackie" tee shirts so the blood thinning gods can know these intentions loud and clear. Perhaps we might go so far as to chant, universally, until the energy surrounding the bands of the earth shift to prevent it.

I know this suggestion will not be seen as preposterous in Jackie's eyes. Do you remember when she was on that stuff? 'Twas was a great day when she got off of it.

Jackie Watch

Good Morning Jackie Fans!

It's Sydney, your somewhat MIA fellow commenter (as of the last few seasons of TV at least--my new work keeps me really busy). Last time Jackie got her knee operated on, we all wanted to know how she was. Jackie has a desktop computer and it was going to be awhile after the surgery before she could get back to a sitting position at an apartment desk so I was able to pitch in on the blog from where I am in Houston to keep us all in the know.

The time has come for her to do the other knee and I will be writing a few posts to keep you updated until she can sprint, bend, run, to the desk herself (maybe even adding a little leap over Vincent). Commenter Laurie is going to be in touch with Jackie via phone, and will be letting me know how Jackie is doing so I can let you know. Jackie said she may e-mail or text us too, depending on how she's feeling.

Speaking of Vincent, he's off to kitty camp this morning, so Jackie can get to the hospital after what I imagine was a hectic Wednesday of preparations for her stay, as well as stocking the cupboards and tidying up, getting pillows on the couch and having books and the remote close by for ease when she returns.

Jackie needs to be to Somerset Medical Center by 9:30 AM to get checked in and be prepped. The surgery will happen at noon, and if you've been following along here, she's mentioned she's doing this with the same doc who operated on her other knee a few years ago. If you will please keep her, the docs and nurses in your thoughts and prayers, especially from noon-4 or 5 EDT, it would be much appreciated by Jackie, I'm sure.

She hopes to be there for a short time, probably returning home later Saturday or on Sunday, so sending cards to the hospital may not be a good idea unless you live locally and send them as soon as you finish your coffee this morning. But there is a link on the website to the hospital gift shop if you 'd like to send something to her room from there -- and you can leave all the notes you'd like here for her, as she will eventually be able to get back to her computer to see them.

I'll report back as soon as I hear something.

That hyperlink again is: http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/