Donstar

Happy Birthday! I also turned 72 this year. In some groups I consider myself to be a young senior and in others I realize I have serious years behind me! In June I spent a week in the hospital due to a blood clot following knee replacement surgery. The hospital Doctor assigned to my care specialized in Geriatric medicine! He is a great Doctor but the fact I required this type of specialized care made me feel old! Aging comes with new challenges but I sure appreciate getting older! It most definitely beats the alternative!!

Yesterday we brought home a 6yr old Havanese dog from a nearby SPCA. We've had her for 24 hours and we are delighted with how well she is adjusting to her new home. It was a huge decision to adopt a dog at this stage in our lives but we believe we made the right choice! it was reported that her first 6 years were ones of neglect. I think she's already realizing her life is going to get a whole lot better... so is ours!

I have both but typically use the 4 legged walker (wheels on front, ski's on back). The four wheeler is starting to be used on "longer" outdoor walks. The 4 legged walker is particularly helpful in practicing good walking posture. Both of my knees are at different stages of recovery and I'm trying to not develop poor habits. I can actually manage with a cane but it's very difficult not to favor one leg over the other. My PT recommends I continue with my 4 legged walker for a while. Yesterday was four weeks since my last knee replacement and I'm excited about my progress to date. It has been a hell of a rough journey so far but it is exciting to witness systematic and continuous improvement. I went for years watching the decline of my "mobility". It seems that everyday now I am alerting my wife to something I can do now that I couldn't a day or two ago! I encourage anyone facing the prospect of knee replacement to share any concerns with others who have had the surgery. It isn't an instant fix but rather is a considerable amount of short term pain for long term gain. Recovery time and pain levels vary for individuals post surgery but the end results are typically very positive and I've never encountered anyone regretting having had the surgery.

I'm getting out in public more these days and rely on a walker for anything more than short distances. I am impressed with how kind others are in their efforts to assist when they see me doing the old man walker shuffle! I find teenagers hanging out at the mall are often the first to get ahead of me to open a door or to offer me the opportunity to get in front of them in a lineup! I am very fortunate that this is temporary for me and I have a developed a huge appreciation for those seniors struggling to maintain some mobility. Walkers, canes or scooters will assist with mobility but they don't eliminate the challenges. Chances are the individual using these devices are hurting. A few kind words of recognition from a stranger can take away the discomfort for a few moments. I am looking forward to paying forward all of the kindness I have received!

It's been a little over three weeks since my second knee replacement. I can now walk around the house without a walker or cane but still have a lot of healing ahead. This morning I was able to bring a cup of coffee to my wife in bed. A few days ago, this coffee would have ended up on the kitchen floor! Knee replacement surgery is very common and will typically enhance the recipient's future quality of life. However, the recovery process can present significant challenges, pain and discomfort. I encourage anyone facing a recommended total knee replacement to welcome the opportunity. Just be aware that your body may take several months to fully welcome the new parts!

I am a huge fan of the Slate. (SUV for her, base pickup for me.) Unfortunately, there are no plans to sell in Canada but maybe this will change. I think if/when Ford offered a high range. EV Maverick, it would be my first choice.

T3's and Ibuprofen. I do have a cryotherapy unit (ice machine) and a lift chair that will allow me to raise my legs above my heart. There are topicals that I can use once the wound is fully healed.

Recovery is pretty harsh at this point. I could probably seek more medication to ease the discomfort, but I don't want to be dealing with withdrawal when I am physically able to drive again. How are you doing?

My overnight hospital stay turned into five. I developed a post operative fever and an erratic heart rate. A blood clot in the lungs was the culprit. This is apparently a common post surgical complication and easily remedied. I was the youngest in a four bed ward and a Doctor with a Geriatric specialization was in charge of my care. All of the nurses were good and some were outstanding at dealing with old people. It was very evident that my age triggered a different level of care! My advice to any senior going for a hospital stay is to have a trusted family member advocate visible. If not, you will still be well cared for, but you may discover that your voice isn't as strong as it once was!

Tomorrow I go in for my third joint replacement in jus a little over a year year! I am not worried about the surgery but I am a little annoyed about going through the recovery process again! I keep my frustrations to myself as I do appreciate that I am truly lucky. Knee, hip, and shoulder replacements are routine, safe and improve mobility. The next couple of days will be slow but every day following will see steady improvement in my mobility.

June 19th I will receive my third joint replacement in 54 weeks! A well meaning friend said, "In a year you'll feel like a new man!" I'm sure I will feel much better a year from now than if I didn't have the surgeries, but I'm not expecting a reversal on the impact of aging. I try not to waste time "waiting" to feel better. I won't be able to drive for at least six weeks following my upcoming right knee replacement. I've started looking for a used mobility scooter or electric trike or mini golf cart to rent/buy that can take me to the local malls and shops. I know my wife will drive me wherever I need, but if there are tools to help me maintain independence, I will take advantage of such devices! I am sure there are members who have experience shopping for a vehicle that doesn't require a licence or peddling! Any recommendations?

I would not want to live with my kids unless there was not another option. There may come a time I am on my own and can't physically care for myself. This is when I will need to be in a seniors' care facility. We've cared for a parent in our home and another in their home. Both situations can be very hard on the caregiver and the person needing care. My mother spent her final six years in a care home. She had an active social life and her personal physical needs were met by trained professionals. Her family spent a lot of quality time with her at the facility without the stress associated with needing or provision "personal" care from immediate family.

My 102 year old aunt called me yesterday. Her vision is failing but otherwise she is doing remarkably well. Her daughter has moved in with her to assist. The daughter, my cousin, is the same age as me. The two go out for a drive, a meal or shopping daily and attend their local church on a regular basis. Trying to imagine living with my daughter or son in 2056 is playing havoc on my brain today!

My brother-in-law uses a hearing aid and upgrades on a regular basis. The technology and comfort continuously improves. He is fortunate to have some insurance coverage and is able to afford keeping updated. I am impressed with how discrete hearing aids are now. In the early 60's the public school I attended doubled as the districts' school for the deaf/hard of hearing elementary students. These were the very, very early days of integration for students with special needs. Everyone was together on the playground but not in the classroom. The hard of hearing were instantly recognized by the cumbersome hearing equipment of the day.

Hearing remains okay for me although my wife may disagree! I sometimes get caught not listening...

Thanks for the correction. Our gas prices are advertised in cents per litre. When we quote the price in dollars we tend to ignore the point 9 at the end of every price change. Verbally, I would tell you our current local price is $2.07 per litre. We should round up to $2.08 but ...

Joint replacement surgery is a good option for me. I didn't request surgery but have a huge amount of respect for the knowledgeable surgeon who recommended my operation(s). My decision was made easier by two friends in their 80's who regret not having surgery when it was offered. They didn't take into account that waiting may allow other age related issues render them too high risk for elective surgery.

Imagine my excitement when gas price locally went down from $210.9 per litre to $207.9 per litre this weekend!

I talked to my physiotherapist about the pros and cons of following my recent left knee replacement so closely with a right knee replacement. The osteoarthritis in my right knee is severe but the joint is relatively pain free at this time. It possibly could remain functional for a long time. However, if my overall health changes, I may not qualify for surgery at a later date. I know of two cases where the individual delayed joint replacement surgery and lost the opportunity. Not only are these two fighting health issues that prevent them from having the surgery, they now have debilitating joints that could have been replaced years ago. I am planning to go ahead with a second knee replacement at this time because I'm sure I'll have other things to worry about later!

Sorry for your loss.

I wish! I wonder what The Six Million Dollar Man would cost in today's dollars?

Friday I received a call from the hospital with a date in May for my pre-op appointment for my right knee replacement. I haven't completed my physio yet for my left knee! I guess there is some advantage in getting it all over with but this means I could potentially have gone through three total joint replacements in one year! I'm turning into a resto mod!

Good it's getting better. I'd have a conversation with my dentist if this happened to me. I currently have a dentist that examines and reports all things related to oral health. For example, he recently told me I have a small mouth. Others who know me have been known to report the opposite!