And the ”Fine Tuning” Continues…

Preparing to return to PV

Lynnwood, WA. Sometime in downtown Seattle… all I heard was a loud voice shouting “Robert, wake up, Robert, wake up, Robert…” and I instantly woke , somewhat confused between wondering if I was being called for dinner, or had fallen asleep at the wrong time, i.e., just as the Seahawks scored a touchdown – highly unlikely. Then with a rush into reality I realized I was in the surgical recovery room, alive and in the presence of a cheerful medical staff charged with seeing that I was functional and soon ready to be transferred to where I would spend the next three nights before going home!

Let me back up for just a moment. My orthopedic surgeon performed the left knee replacement back in July and was firm on not doing the right knee until approximately three months passed, hence October12 for the right knee. Even though I had wanted to do both at the same time he won the argument – thank god someone knew what they were doing! So October 12th was scheduled. The left knee has and is healing beautifully and gave me time to exercise and prepare for the next visit to Swedish Orthopedic!

So at 10:30 AM on the appointed morning I was standing at the receiving desk with my carpet bag and a black clothes bag filling out the remaining paperwork. After 30 minutes of reading medical journals, watching the early morning TV news and scanning the local paper a distant voice asked for “James” (my alter ego). Seeing me raise my hand she helped me collect my little bags and led the way into the maize of the pre-op world.

Taking me into one of 10 rooms full of medical “gadgets” and a Z-bed, she asked me put on the reverse gown and put everything into my bag(s), then make myself comfy in the Z-bed. With that she handed me the Z-bed’s flight controls and pulled the cockpit curtains closed. I quickly undressed/dressed, sat on the Z-bed and began my education with the control panel, barely mastering the control and finding a comfortable position before she returned and helped me adjust the “uniform” then proceeded to run tests and attach me to the IV and make me more comfy. After that I finished reading the paper, talked with Dolores and other miscellaneous players (O/R nurse, anesthesiologist, my surgeon and his assistant), then they wheeled the Z-bed and me to the O/R, transferred me to the surgery table, gave me a shot…and the next thing I remember was a loud voice shouting “Robert, wake up, Robert, wake up, Robert…”

The next three days were full of checking my vitals, walking the corridors, doing therapy, and joining a group séance to make certain we were all doing things correctly and teaching us how to get in/out of a car, and up/down stairs. Dolores stayed in the suite everyday and overnight making certain I was comfortable as possible, had “good” meals, and that the nurses and attendants were aware of any discomfort. She almost wore herself out running all the necessary miscellaneous errands and making certain that there were no miscommunications. At nights she slept on a pad that was designated as a guest bed. As good as the staff was I would have been miserable without her presence. I called her FSFN (F…Super Florence Nightingale). I was able to walk to and return from the sessions without assistance (only an assistant to make certain I didn’t fall), On Friday, at noon time, Dolores loaded me into our SUV and headed home. Since this was the right knee and the railing for the 17 stairs to our condo is on the left, Dolores didn’t have to carry me upstairs – even though I think she was prepared to do so!

With all the in-home nurse (vampire) and physical therapy (terrorist) service available, and with Dolores feeding and wearing herself out filling in to assist me on all the things I was unable to do for myself (plus many things I took advantage of or as Dolores phrased it “goldbricking”), things Have been and are very positive. The recovery is proceeding fast – almost a quantum improvement over the left knee (which was also very good). This week I graduated from the in-home services to out-patient therapy and ventured out to a party last evening.

For all the above reasons we have firmed up our return back to Puerto Vallarta on November 22 and look forward to foregoing the average fall temperatures n the PNW of 50/40 degrees.