Driving the road to recovery in an armchair

Hi readers, it's me! I'm back after a long hiatus. Have you missed me?

 

As I grow into my senior years, larger and larger parts of my conversations with others seem to center around health concerns. I’m finding that things I complain about maybe aren't all that bad, especially when others share their spouses’ health issues.

 

The word “bionic" is defined as the replacement of human capabilities using mechanical or electronic devices. I just talked to someone who has gone through total replacement of both hips, both knees and a shoulder. (No need for shocked horror, the replacements were not all done at the same time.) I'm now also a member of the senior citizen bionic replacement club. With bones grinding in both hips and both knees, the time arrived this past winter to get something done: I could no longer get around with a cane or walker. Common sense told me it would be logical to start with a hip replacement. Over the time since last November, I've had both hips replaced. 

 

The first hip was the right one. After many visits to many specialists I was ready for a total hip replacement. With the help of a laser and robot, a few screws and a new hip socket, Dr. Bowkowski had me in the recovery room after two hours of surgery. The team of providers at Mayo Health in Mankato was outstanding; I was home the next day. Good Samaritan, out of St. Peter, would provide my rehab and physical therapy. Nurses and therapists visited me regularly for weeks and were wonderful. 

 

Ironically, the “road to recovery” meant spending many long days in the fireplace room with Sammy, the wonderdog, at my side. Thanks to my many medications, I became an expert on the early morning news. No oxycodone for this camper, Tylenol would be my lone remedy for pain. The news would always have interesting wake-up stories: One was about a couple who had their cars towed during a snow removal emergency. The fee was $240 dollars per vehicle, $480 total; that story eased my pain. People camped overnight waiting for the new Krispy Kreme donut store opening in the Cities–that must be one special, wonderful, one-of-a-kind, tasty donut!

 

A big, full, green, tall evergreen grows in my neighbor’s backyard, in perfect view from my Lazy Boy. Every morning at day break and every evening just before sunset, Sammy and I watched a great number of birds who took shelter in the tree during below freezing temperatures. Most of them were sparrows. This conifer had a perfect shape to provide cover for the birds. Snow slid off its short, flexible limbs and branches stood strong in the heavier snowfalls. It was even the perfect shelter to keep the birds warm and toasty during the coldest and windiest nights of winter. 

 

So how do trees survive the frigid cold and harsh conditions? Both deciduous and coniferous trees have a natural antifreeze. Living trees are full of water: Since water expands and can burst open a tree, the tree cells produce sugar and other compounds to lower the freezing point to prevent major damage.

 

When deciduous trees like maple, oak and birch begin dropping their leaves in fall, it allows them to conserve energy and water while also moving nutrients into hardy, woody, trunk tissues. Coniferous trees, on the other hand, hold a little water in their needles, which have a hearty wax coating and therefore don't freeze. The needles continue to produce energy through photosynthesis all winter long, and so keep a green color. 

 

After eight weeks, I got clearance to drive; thanks to healing and physical therapy, I had regained the flexibility to move my right leg between the accelerator and brake. I was reawakened to the joy of autonomy as I took myself to get a haircut, shop at Walmart, or just take a spin around Clear Lake.

 

Spring was just getting a good start when, without warning, my left hip was done functioning. Lisa told me, “You really don't have a choice.” She pointed out I was either going to live in pain or get a second hip replacement. 

 

When I called the surgeon, he informed me “I have an opening in two weeks.” I replied “Sold!”

Suddenly I was having surgery the first week of May. After the recovery time, we’d still enjoy half a summer at the cabin. I'd just been through the process of all my pre-op appointments so I was able to cut some corners. 

 

The surgery went well, only this time it lasted 3.5 hours. The surgeon said it was one of the worst hips he had replaced. He had to cut out a number of arthritic bone spurs. 

 

Rehab with this hip was more difficult, but thanks again to the team of health care good samaritans, I mended the new hip while spending endless hours watching sports and movies once again. My son Marc talked me into a power electric recliner. My time spent in the chair was heavenly!

 

Spring was in the air and early every morning I would do a workout with the walker up and down the driveway. It was refreshing watching the trees bud. I was able to enjoy the sight of robins hop-hop-hopping in the front yard and appreciate the spring sounds of the dove on our roof top and the honking of passing geese. 

 

I've left an artificial Christmas wreath on the front of our garage for the past four years. Every year, birds build a nest in it. The last two years it has been a pair of finches. At first I thought my temporary neighbors were purple finches, but they prefer forests, avoid people, and are solitary. My tenants are smaller than a sparrow and have distinct red markings. A little research revealed that, in the early 1900s, these birds were captured in California and shipped out east to New York, where they were sold as caged birds under the name of Hollywood Finch. In the 1940s. new laws made keeping these birds illegal, causing pet stores and private citizens to simply release them. The birds adapted to living all throughout the US. I enjoyed watching them in our front maple tree every morning. I'd startle them when I opened my garage door, so they would wait for me to complete my workout before returning to the nest. 

 

Now, I'm back in the saddle again and moving nicely without pain. I still use a cane just in case. Our return to the cabin has been delayed. Seven straight days of temperatures with high humidity in the 90s with no breeze. Throw in a little smoke from the wild flowers of the north and even the thought of spending time at the lake loses its appeal. Next week looks much nicer and we will head to the lake and the cabin. 

 

Fate decrees I will be adding another piece to my bionic body, but fortunately it can wait until after my longing for time on the water has been satisfied.