This is a good time to tell you all. Hubby was scheduled for his first knee replacement January 5.  Last week on Monday night he got a call from his surgeon in Houston. They had a cancellation for Wednesday (one week ago) and can he come in the next day (Tuesday) for the pre-op. 

So we had to pack suitcases in a rush, make a hotel reservation and get on the road at 6 am Tuesday, do the pre-op, run around town getting prescriptions and buying a walker, then show up at the hospital at 5:30 Wednesday morning for the surgery. It went very well, we spent one miserable night in the hospital and drove home Thursday. 

Today and yesterday he had his first physical therapy sessions. I’ve been full time caretaker, cook, ice pack bringer, nagger about his meds etc.

He is recovering very quickly, ahead of schedule. Already ditched the walker and only rarely even uses the cane. Friday and Saturday were worst and now it’s on the upswing.

This is an opportunity for me to be extremely grateful for many things:

1. The American medical system. Despite its flaws, it is the best in the world. The “for profit” hospital was excellent because they knew we had a choice. Capitalism and competition.

2. The surgeon. Top notch.

3. Our marriage. Trying to do something like this without a dedicated spouse must be a nightmare. He was there for my hip, now I’m there for his knees.

4. All the surgeons, engineers, scientists, researchers and specialists that developed the hardware for joint replacements.

5. Western civilization. With reliable electricity, infrastructure to carry out what they do in an operating room and all the materials and labor that go into maintaining our way of life. We are the pinnacle of civilization here in the U.S. and I’ve never been more grateful to be American.