Forget the Knee

NOW BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING:
I am so tired of writing about my knee, so how about some knitting confessions?
I have so many projects started, it’s time to confess and vow to finish at least 50% of them before I start anything else. Here’s the list:

4 Clapotis 2 in Lorna’s Lace Lion and Lamb and two in sport silk from MCY. 1 is double the original pattern size and about 40%. The 2 L&L are 20% done. The 4th is 4 increases larger, but will be the pattern size length. This one is also 20% done.

COZY FROM KNITTY in Karaoke blues, greens, purples is 10%

WRAP FRONT HOODIE from Spring/Summer Vogue in MCY sport cotton/rayon
This is one sleeve short of finishing. Waiting for more yarn. 95%

TODDLER’S CORRUGATED ASYMMETRICAL V-NECK from loop-d-loop in Reynolds Cabana This just needs to be sewn together. 99%

ROUND-SHAPED CARDIGAN from Karabella in Lisa Souza’s Petal yarn 75%

CHARLOTTE’S WEB SHAWL in odd balls of left over silk in blues and purples, pales and darks 15%

STILL WAITING TO START:

4 CABLE CLUTCH BAGS
LEG WARMERS
FISHERMAN’S SWEATER KIT FROM IRELAND FOR THE NAME “POWER”

As you can see, my bad habits have caught up with me again. Here’s to finished projects!
At least these are all Christmas presents, so I guess I’ve got a head start if I look at it that way. Yeah, Right!

PLATEAU

I've decided that recovering from major joint replacement is like having to lose 50 lbs. There are weeks when you notice improvement almost every day, and then there are weeks where you seem to be stuck. First I should say that things have improved, thus the lull in writing on the blog. Right now, it would seem that I have hit a plateau. I have to believe that progress will again be the order of the day.

close-up 

SILK BRANCH 

silk x 2 

OH, YOU WILL LOVE OUR NEW JOINT REPLACEMENT WING!

Indeed. First of all beware of any or all claims from medical professionals who lavish praise on medical bricks and mortar. I would rather the praise be directed at the actual human beings who work in that shiny new facility. Oh yes, they have instituted state-of-the art pre and post-op care systems. Note the word systems. My anxiety ridden brain did not hear this PR BS for what it was. After all, I was going to be in a private room with its own bathroom, receive physical therapy in an area only a few feet from my room, be completely pain free due to a comprehensive pain management system. There's that word system again.
Does a system run itself? Who makes sure that the system is functioning as it was intended? Here are some quotes from the actual humans entrusted with ensuring that these systems work:

Head Nurse: "Sorry I'm late with your pain meds, but I got stuck chatting at the nurses' station. You know how that is?"

Patient Care Aide: "Why is your butt so white and wrinkly? Oh, I guess no one changed the pad on your bed."

Patient Care Aide: "Here's your toothbrush. I'll be right back with water and your toothpaste". (I brushed without water or paste)

Patient Care Aide: "Here's your toothpaste. I'll be right back with water and your toothbrush". (I gave up and used a washcloth)

Head Nurse:"I don't know who told you that you could leave after the doctor discharged you, but I have all kinds of forms to fill out and the social worker has to set up your home therapy. It will take at least 4 hours." (To which my attorney husband replied: "I'm afraid that won't work") HN:What do you mean?" AH:"We are ready to leave now". My discharge had been confirmed the night before and this was 11:00 am the following morning after am therapy.
Social Worker appeared in 5 minutes, HN filled out her paper work in 10 minutes. We were then told that we had to wait for a hospital volunteer to walk us out. A group of PCA's walked past us and remarked to each other that "that's the volunteer's job".
We left on our own power and due to the kindness of a housekeeping employee, were able to use an employee elevator.
NEXT INSTALLMENT: pain, pain, and pain

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I had such lofty ideas when I started this blog. I wanted to review restaurants, share my knowledge as a retired pastry chef, and create gorgeous hand-knit garments for any or all to admire. The only thing I got right was the blog title. It seems I'm shocked to be aging. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel old inside, but physically, I'm a 1950 Chevy whose owner drove her into the ground without much thought to the future. So it seems recipes and restaurants are not something I want to write about at this point in time.
What I really want to explore is "where am I, and how did I get in this handbasket?" I do know I had a good time getting here and have had more than my share of luck, love, and joy. Now that I have arrived, I feel the need to share the shock and fresh hell of each new aging experience. I'm sure I will want to share good things, as well. Just not right now.
Next up: Hospital stays from Hell
Stay Tuned.

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN????

It has been about 6 weeks since my new knee was brutally inserted. I don't use that phrase lightly. Even my surgeon called it a "nasty" surgery. Of course most ortho surgery is not done to classical music unless it's Beethoven's 5th. I still experience more pain post op than pre-op. I am hopeful that as time and therapy progress this will change.

On a more pleasant note, I have lots of new FO's and lovely stuff OTN. Hope to have the energy to pose my beauties and and take pics to post. I have to say, that the clapotis pattern was all I was able to manage while using heavy pain killers. All else became a jumble of frogged yarn. I'm now able to tackle some "big girl" knitting and have two sweaters in progress.