Brick Oven Dinner Excursion for Susan's Birthday

As many of you know, it was Susan's birthday today.  Originally we were going to get takeout and eat together at Susan's house for a birthday dinner, but Grandma said she was feeling good so we decided to go out to the Brick Oven Pizza for dinner!  I couldn't believe she would be up for an outing so soon after her knee surgery, but she was eager to get out of the house I think.  Grandpa treated us all and it was delicious.

Grandma was walking around great and could sit up bending her knee at the table, she didn't even look like she had had knee surgery.  She said a couple of times today she stood up to walk across the room and forgot to use her crutches!  (She's still supposed to use her crutches even if she doesn't really feel like she needs them, until her new knee is a little stronger).  She was surprised at how fast she is healing, but is also loving her handicapped parking pass!  When the physical therapist came yesterday, her remarked that she is bending her knee as good as most people do at 12 weeks!  She's also been stepping down her pain medication, and not taking as much at nighttime.

We headed over to Susan's after dinner and had cinnamon cupcakes.  Here's a picture of her blowing out the candles (I know this blog is supposed to be about Grandma, but she's in the background ... :-) ).

Physical Therapist Visit

The physical therapist came today for the first time at Susan's house to check and see how Grandma is doing.  He was very impressed and said she is way ahead of most people as far as how much she can bend her knee and how good she is walking!  That made her feel pretty good and happy with her progress, she keeps saying she doesn't know why she worries so much, because it seems to be healing very well!  He checked her blood as well, and it's a little too thin, but still within the okay range, but they will probably reduce her dosage of cumidin within the next couple of days.  She says she loves the new pajamas we gave her in the basket, they are soft and stretchy, so perfect to wear when the physical therapist comes because she can pull them up easily over her knee and do the exercises well in them!

Walking Outside!

Grandma is getting better and better every day!  We took the kids bikes down to the Snows so they could practice riding (since our hill is not an ideal place to learn to ride a bike :-)).  Grandma came out on her walker yesterday and walked around the circle drive with them and came out on her crutches today to walk around the circle drive with them again. She is already a lot faster today than she was yesterday, and can even put her full weight on her new knee.  She does well at getting down the porch steps too.   She's been getting more and more flexible with her new knee too, Friday she could barely sit in a chair with her knee bended, and by today she looked perfectly normal.  She's been faithfully doing her exercises, and is excited to have her first Home Health Physical Therapist come tomorrow, so that she can get some questions answered and just to reassure her that she's doing her exercises right. 

Released from Hospital!

Grandma was released from the hospital.  She and Grandpa are almost to the Snow residence where they will rest and recuperate in their own little apartment there.  The physical therapist said she was doing really well, and even had her go up and down a few stairs yesterday and today.

Lots of Visitors!

Max, Zoe and I went up to visit Grandma yesterday (Wednesday afternoon).  She'd already had a lot of visitors that day: Vanessa, Lexi, Carol, Tanner, Eric and Susan!  She said she felt very popular and well taken care of!

Here's a picture of Max and Grandma (Max had fun playing with the "reacher" that came in her basket):



And here's the flowers we brought from everyone with some get well cards (not all the cards fit in the picture, but they are all there).  She was very touched by all the personal cards and so grateful!



And here's the basket of goodies:

She's been walking twice a day, and does physical therapy three times a day.  She walks to the bathroom (with the assistance of a nurse).  They also have her on a bending machine in her bed that bends the knee back and forth that she does off and on throughout the day, she says it hurts and feels good at the same time.  She's on Lortab for pain and takes it throughout the day, but is not maxed out on it yet.  The pain was getting worse yesterday evening as her spinal and femural block they gave her during the surgery are finally wearing off.  But, she's in good spirits still and has excellent care.  

Al slept at Carol's last night and has been able to sneak in a nap or two at Carol's as well which is so nice for him!

Day 2

Dave just talked to Grandma on the phone.  She described the pain last night as "uncomfortable" and she was awake until 1 am.  Then she asked for a pill and then slept like a rock for 6 or 8 hours!

And She's Walking ...

Grandma has walked on the knee a bit, to go to the bathroom and such.  She's of course on painkillers, and says that so far it's not too painful.  The physical therapist has come by and given her some exercises to do in bed to help strengthen it.  


Xochi reported from her visit: "Grandma even said the Dr. mentioned she should get the other one done soon, and she thinks that is a good idea.  She said everyone kept telling her how awful it would be, but worth it. So far for her it has been great she said. Her spirits were high. The hospital is very nice and not very crowded, so she should get lots of great attention."


She's sleeping now.  Grandpa is faithfully staying by her side (while watching the Jazz game)!