Please welcome--my new knee.

All right, I admit it: I have not been entirely straightforward with you. In the midst of this long hiatus, I had knee surgery. Total joint replacement, in fact, the fringe benefits for which included going to total joint replacement “camp,” a two hour meeting which was, thank goodness, far more useful than its chirpy literature, strewn with exclamation marks. Nothing makes me feel more curmudgeonly than being told that I will be prepared! and that everyone is going to work together to make sure that my experience is top notch! Grrr.

Fortunately, everyone did work together, though when they were all doing so in my room at the same time, most of the work involved pushing through the crowd: the nutritionist, the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, the case manager, the pulmonary expert, the phlebotimist, the anesthesiologist, the hospital nurse, the surgeon’s nurse, the surgeon herself--it’s extraordinary how many people were involved. On several occasions one of them sent others away because the oxygen levels in the room had dropped dangerously due to overcrowding.

All went well, and after four days I came home, where I am strictly forbidden to vacuum or cook. However, no one forbade my turning a compost pile, and the stool I use for showering works great in the greenhouse. So you can guess what I’ve been up to.

Comments

[Nell Jean]

Gardeners are wonderful at improvising, but don't compromise your healing -- some things can wait. Take care.

[Randy]

Be sure to be careful with that knee! I had back surgery over 10 years ago and 3 months off from working. What did I spend my time doing. Learning mushrooms, was not supposed to be bending over but I had to have something to do. The back is fine now.

[mr_subjunctive]

Nothing makes me feel more curmudgeonly than being told that I will be prepared! and that everyone is going to work together to make sure that my experience is top notch!

If you have not previously read the David Foster Wallace essay, "A Supposedly Fun Thing I Will Never Do Again," I highly recommend that you do so. I think you would find it amusing.

[Amanda]

That sounds horrendous. Hope you're not in too much pain. Take it easy!

[Susan Tomlinson]

Oh goodness! I hope you have a speedy and relatively easy recovery, and that this fixes whatever it was that was ailing that knee of yours.

Have fun in the greenhouse.

[Town Mouse]

To a speedy recovery, then! Glad you're on the mend. Nice scheduling, you wouldn't want knee surgery before spring planting...

[Michelle]

The compost has all winter to rot and you have the same time to take care of your new knee! Hope you'll be dancing in the garden next spring....

[JamesA-S]

Welcome to the new joint: I hope the old one has been suitably composted.
Go carefully.

[Daphne]

When my mom got her hip replaced, I came to visit (and cook) for a week to make sure she was being good. Don't make me come out there! (Sorry I just couldn't resist the exclamation point.)

[themanicgardner]

If I ever truly learn that “some things can wait,” as you so truly say, Neil Jean, then I’ll have to rename this blog. Thanks for the good wishes.

Bending forward after back surgery? Makes my back ache just to think of it, Randy. Glad all’s well now.

I’ve managed to download it, mr. subjunctive, and it looks great. Thanks for the tip.

Hi, Amanda. Several degrees short of horrendous, I’m happy to report, but not what I’d recommend for an afternoon’s entertainment.

Thanks, Susan. The new knee already feels more stable than the old, two weeks after surgery. Amazing.

Thanks, Town Mouse. Hamlet said that the readiness is all, but scheduling has a huge influence on readiness.


--Michelle--“Hope you’ll be dancing in the garden next spring...” That’s the plan.

Actually, James, I did not enquire into the disposal of the old knee. However, I was presented with a large screw, relic of an earlier ACL procedure, that had been removed during this surgery. Somehow I don’t think it will compost well....

Your exclamation point, Daphne, was perfectly appropriate. And be careful what you threaten: If I thought I could lure you out by bragging about how non-compliant I was being, I’d lie like a dog.

--Kate

[Becky]

hope you will be up and moving soon. I wouldn't mind being told that someone else in my house had to vacuum :-) The cooking, I would definitely miss.

[VW]

I hope the new knee settles in nicely and allows you to continue your beloved gardening for years to come!

[Benjamin]

Enjoy the chance to rest and chill out--if you can. But geeze, what a difficult time I bet it's been. Could you come work my meager compost pile?

[Alice Joyce]

Kate
I had an inkling some such thing might be going on.
Was it bilateral?
I trust you'll behave, and be back buzzing around soon. Still, as cold as it is up your way, you might choose to hang out on the fainting couch, and let everyone wait on you.
Remember, the compost is cooking even without being turned!
xoxo Alice

[Hosepipe]

I haven't visited your blog for a while Kate (I used to be a big reader last year and am still subscribed). I came across this post about your knee and want to wish you well and hope everything is ok.

Best wishes from the other side of the pond.

James (Hosepipe man)!

[Dee/reddirtramblings]

So glad you're recovering well from the knee replacement. That's a very difficult surgery. Smart to do it in the "off" season. Best wishes.~~Dee

[themanicgardner]

Thank you all for the good wishes!

Kate