Knee Follow-up

38°f in the morning, warming to the upper 70s, breezy and humid.

A beautiful old home very near the doctor's office.

Yesterday was my 6 month follow-up with the surgeon who replaced my knee. I wondered if it would be worth going because I never got any answers to my continuing issues at my previous 2 followups. But this time was different.

His first question was, "So how's it going?" And my response was, "Not so great." 

I described my continuing issues (pain, which disturbs my sleep most nights), pain when bending, nerve pain at random times, some swelling, some warmth, limited range of motion without a lot of pain), and he admitted that my issues were not normal for 6 months post-op. 

After much poking (ouch), prodding (ouch!), and bending (OUCH!), he has suggested several things: first, bloodwork; second, drawing out some fluid for testing. Then based on those results, following up with appropriate treatment.  

I feel much better about this now because I was right that something wasn't right. That affirmation is a big relief. I wasn't crazy, or being a baby, there is definitely an issue. It will be good to get to the bottom of it and begin getting it straightened out. The doctor had no answers, yet, but at least we can start investigating. 

Okay, enough about that! Here are a few more photos from Parkersburg, which is a town of about 30, 000 people, situated on the banks of the Ohio.

The view from the big home pictured above looks out over the part of town in the valley below, all the way to the hills of Ohio on the other side of the river.

Yet more of that home. I do not know its history, yet. 

Driving underneath the train! Such things still tickle me.

More homes...but these are not the best Parkersburg offers. Maybe next time I will take photos in the historic district. You can see some of them here, when I went on the Christmas home tour a few years ago.

Larry's lunch at Mary B's, easily identifiable as a great place for home cooking by the number of old folks eating there. They have things like chicken livers, meatloaf, stuffed peppers and liver and onions on the menu. Look at the size of tthat biscuit! He couldn't eat it all.m. which is saying something.

Today was haircut day,  little booth work, buying straw for the gardens and a few other stops, so I feel whipped. We took in our 150- pound anvil, and Larry wisely waited for some stout young men to come along to help unload it. Besides all that, we bought two cherry trees which Larry planted tonight, bless him, and I bought some flowers which I did NOT plant, as all I seemed good for when we got home was holding this chair down. We are expecting rain tomorrow so I hope to get them in before that starts. 

Our cell service is down already, and I fully expect to lose our satellite internet tomorrow, so 

I should be able to get some work done without those distractions!

Stay dry, friends.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Foraging

38°f, chilly after a rainy day yesterday.  Overcast.

Dandelion greens,

and molly moochers (morels)!

It's what's for dinner tonight.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Saturday

53°f/16°C, overcast, and rain expected later.

New shoes! I thought I better get a photo before I grubby them up, so snapped this yesterday evening. I love the colors; there are Merrell's, which I bought on eBay as new without a box. The first pair I ordered came with one shoe a full half inch taller than the other! They had to have been someone's special order or something. So those went in the trash after a full refund because the seller, a very nice person, had not noticed this oddity! 

Yesterday was booth restock day, after a terrible night's sleep, so I am going to take it slow today. The dogs decided to have a barkfest, and it took until 2am to get them quieted down and inside. I don't know what was out there, but I was worried that it could be coyotes or a skunk, so I finally convinced the dogs to give it up and come inside, lured by many treats. Then my knee started its antics, so it just wasn't a fun night. At least last night was a good one, and I slept like a stone!

We are having beautiful warm weather, and the grass may need mowing soon. But not yet! I refuse to start that routine until April. I look forward to this season although I do love winter. A commenter on a Facebook group said this, which perfectly sums up why I love the cold season:

"...winter has become a time to slow down, to reconnect, to think of it as, a time to do things indoors, to learn new things, to give myself permission to renew and connect with my family.  I also add lights and candles to every room in my house. My husband and I started trying new recipes, baking home made breads, trying new restaurants and coffee shops..Just being present, together, holding hands again. He loves winter and now I am learning to love it too! We rewatch favorite movies and TV shows with the kids and I started a new hobby (painting), I also do a lot of reading by the fireplace, while waiting patiently for spring and the sun to shine bright again. Finding contentment within the walls of my home and with my love ones."

I guessing am sinking into that same feeling today, coddling myself a bit by wearing a sundress instead of work clothes, making my favorite flavored coffee (not with that syrup stuff, but the flavored beans), sorting out my earrings, picking dandelion greens, and sitting out on the porch with the dogs.  Today is the annual auction sponsored by the local high school's FFA club (Future Farmers of America). We usually go and it is a lot of fun, but today I just don't feel like going anywhere. Some days, self-care is important,  and this is one of those days.

I took more photos of the gorgeous blooming pear trees. What a delight they are!

Of course, to take the top photo of the little tree (this is its first year of being in full bloom!) I had to go out on the back porch, where Larry works on furniture. The mess was so appalling that I ended up spending a half hour or more picking up the hundred or so things he dropped on the floor. Now the big trash can is over half full, cords are tucked away, tools are on the workbench, containers of nails and screws are back where they belong, and things are generally organized a bit. It is frustrating to see the mess every time I go out there, so I try to avoid it as much as possible! There is still much to be done, but at least i can walk safely out there...for now.

Now I am back in my rocker on the porch, drinking my warmed up coffee, and getting back into that hygge feeling. I think another cup of coffee is in order,  actually.

Have a lovely day, friends.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.