Surgery #3 - Total Knee Replacement

Look familiar?  This is where the journey of Bill's knee began in 2015 - his FIRST arthroscopic surgery for his meniscus tear.

After TWO arthroscopic surgeries, two rounds of gel injections, aspiration with steroid injections all  to try to repair torn medial and lateral meniscus and cartilage damage (the result of an injury at work), we ended up in Munster Indiana for a TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT!

~ OUTPATIENT ~

Yes, home the SAME DAY!

We are on day two of recovery at home.  

A home nurse will come for three days and Home Physical Therapy for 2 1/2 weeks and then he will continue physical therapy for at least 3 months and hopefully return to work a new man!

We had a BIG scare (which we still await a second opinion on).  During a routine CT scan for the knee, they found that Bill's lymph nodes are enlarged.  They were/are concerned because his blood work has been fluctuating a bit - which was thought to be due to the pain in the knee.  In order to be cleared for the knee replacement, they needed to do a biopsy on the lymph nodes a couple weeks back - so he's been through two pretty big surgeries in less than a month!  Thankfully the lymph nodes that were removed and tested came back negative.  Our primary care doctor wishes for us to go to a specialist for a second opinion to make sure we shouldn't look further into it.

Edward Hospital 2/15/17

On a brighter note - Ryan transferred to Lewis University in Romeoville to continue working on his Elementary Education Teaching Degree..... He earned ANOTHER degree from COD prior to transferring.

Here are my latest additions to my Skechers Collection.......

Keep Bill in your prayers as he continues to recover and heel from his surgeries and as we seek a second opinion on his lymph nodes.

SPRING BREAK!!

Spring Break has FINALLY arrived! 9 whole days off in a row! We don't have too much planned except for some spring cleaning, dentist appointment and some follow up blood work. When we return to school there will be less than two months to go. This school year has flown.

We had a field trip to the zoo two days prior to Spring Break - it wasn't much fun! The weather was freezing and many of the animals are not on exhibit. The most popular animals (elephants, dolphins and bears are at other zoos while they finish construction on their new habitats. The classroom teacher became ill a few hours prior to leaving which left me in charge of the adventure. ( I did get some awesome animal pictures!)

Bill has been working pretty steady lately - keeping our fingers crossed that it continues. I will be teaching an technology enrichment class in April for the PTA and continue teaching the extended day program until mid April. Although the certified staff has received their notifications if they have been released for the following school year, the classified staff still waits for official word on what will happen to our positions due to the budget cuts our school district faces for the upcoming year. (Trying not to think about it!!!! - I'm going into my tenth year with the district and hope I will be asked to return!)

We have been receiving information for the Driver's Ed program that Ryan will be taking during the summer. We should know more in May! STAY OFF THE ROAD! We've also been receiving all the information regarding the football summer camp. Looks like he will be busy most of the summer.

I continue to monitor my glucose readings and am happy to report I have always been in target range........most often I've been falling in the normal range. Bill and I continue to walk EVERYDAY at least a mile and a half. Bill has lost 30 lbs and me 17....... we are looking forward to walking more during the summer months! I'm hoping that my April blood work will show that all our efforts have made a significant impact!

Bye for now!

~Lisa~

February Already?

Can't believe it's been well over a month since my last post. Looking at my header I suppose I should have changed it to a Valentine's theme - however, it is still cold and snowy outside so I'll keep it as is!

2010 is starting off a little rough. Bill still isn't working regularly - however things appear to be starting to turn around-keeping our fingers crossed. After going for blood work I found out that I am glucose intolerant or pre-diabetic. With some hard work and life style changes I am determined to reverse it. Counting carbs and excerise is extremely important and since the day we walked out of the doctor's office Bill and I have walked AT LEAST 1.5 miles everyday (no matter the weather conditions!). I've been keeping a food journal to help determine how well we are doing on carb intake. I started testing my glucose levels twice a day to help determine if all our efforts are paying off. Each reading has shown either in the Target range or below - which means things are going very well.




The school district is offering free blood work on February 22nd and I'm anxious to see how much of an improvment I will see on my A1C test and fasting glucose level. (A1C is the blood work that determines how much sugar has been present in your blood levels for the past 2-3 months. Normal readings should be 6 and under. My levels was 7 which indicates higher than normal levels were present for October/November/December. Bill has been very supportive and has decided to change his lifestyle and eating habits which helps immensely!

Today Ryan turned 15~ can hardly believe it! He just brought home the information for Driver's Ed.! YIKES! He also made the honor roll for the first quarter of Freshman year! WAY TO GO RYAN!!

Check back again for another update........Lisa