Fritzy 22's Journal, 03 Apr 24

I finally got in to see the 2nd orthopedist for another opinion about my knee. His office had postponed it twice. I'm really glad I went. My real estate agent referred me to him. It was about the opposite of what the first orthopedist said as soon as he walked in to the room after reviewing the MRI "I recommend total knee replacement". That is something I didn't want to even think about. The knee issue is new. It started on October 30th, so it's been 5 months. But during the time the issue has gotten better. Originally I couldn't put any weight on the knee for about a week. Then I could, I could walk with maybe a little limp but I got throbbing knee pain. Then that pain went away and has been just an ache. For awhile it was constant and now I rarely notice pain except at night. Why go through that awful surgery with a lengthy recovery and not being able to drive for at least 6 weeks when I hardly hurt? The new orthopedist told me a piece of bone and some cartiledge had broken off and there was a meniscus tear. He asked when it started and how I am feeling. I told him everything and said I am getting ready to put my house up for sale so I've been going up and down the garage and porch steps probably 20 times a day at least and have been on my feet for most of the day for about 2 weeks. He told me I'm not going to make the damage that has been done any worse by anything I do. I could get a new injury but to just go ahead and live my life. He did give me a cortisone shot and said that should get rid of most of the pain. If things do get worse and the pain continues he could go an arthoscopic procedure to clear things out and trim the meniscus. But it may not be necessary. He said knee replacement would be a last resort. I asked if I could walk my dog since the physical therapist said not to. He said to live my life as normal but did say it's best to avoid dirt trails where the ground is uneven and I could step on rocks, etc. He also said spending time off my feet can help as well. I asked why I couldn't put weight on my knee to begin with and then I could. He said the resting I did helped and the inflammation got better. What a relief to get that 2nd opinion!

My eating habits are still terrible. Getting the house ready to sell means I do not want to clean the stove! It's so much work getting the heavy grates off and cleaning it. So I am not using the stove. I admit to eating junk, not confessing more than that. But I hope to bring some healthy food on my road trip to Oregon in 2 weeks and likely will not eat too bad while there as long as I don't bring junk to keep in the room.

Taking Bobby to the vet this morning and then maybe even take him for a walk when we get home! He will be excited.

I spent Easter at my niece's house, about an hour's drive. Stopped at the cemetery first to put some flowers on my parents' graves. Bobby was excited to go to my niece's house. They have 2 dogs, smaller than Bobby and my sister was there with her 2 little dogs that Bobby knows well. He had so much fun with 4 dogs. Much more fun than at home where there are just 3 cats and him.