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Nutrition surgery, often referred to as surgical nutrition, is a unique area that emphasizes the nutritional requirements of patients both prior to and following surgical procedures.
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Today, I put on a pair of jeans and left the house like a real goddamn person!

Normally, I sit around here, doing my usual boring stuff, wearing a pair of men's basketball shorts with one of my pairs of Dr. Martens boots. I look ridiculous but I don't even care.

But today- jeans! They're a size too big now and the fabric rubbing on my new scar makes it hurt and itch, but I left the house to go to the store and honestly, I'm tired of being the fat chick in the scooter-cart wearing sweatpants.

Soon I'll be able to wear jeans like a normal person because my scar will heal up and stop bugging me!

I had a right total knee replacement on May 16 and that gave me just over seven weeks to recover enough to go to Bristol. Around the same time that I found out I needed a total knee replacement, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson released his "Rock Clock" app (in fact, I downloaded it the morning it was released while I was in the waiting room for my pre-op blood tests). I set my "project goal" as
"Recover from Total Knee Replacement and as I explained in the caption in that Instagram post, I had seven weeks.

When my surgeon told me I'd need another knee replacement, I stammered a bit and told him I didn't have time! I mean, I had two weeks till Janesville, three weeks to a wedding (that I had to miss!), and only seven weeks between the surgery date and Bristol. I said: "The last time you fixed my knee, I went out and got a life!" (my other knee, not this one). He sort of chuckled and said that was what I was supposed to do. I told him that I sat indoors for so long last time that I wasn't going to miss out on life again. Not again, not anymore and I goddamn well did it!

I took this photo around 930 AM, while waiting in the "will call" line to get my season pass (the faire provides me with my season pass). I am exhausted, I took hundreds of photos, I even did some shopping, and I'm exhausted (yes, worth mentioning again!). And I get to do it all again tomorrow!

I got my staples removed today. Things are going well otherwise. I got a refill of pain meds because I ran out yesterday and last night was a rough night for sleep. So, now I get to sleep and have enough pain meds to push through some physical therapy.

The Disabled Guy surprised me with a visit from Gregg and at the end of the day, Gregg wanted to stay with me. Also, I tried to walk with just a cane today. It was shaky and I was slow, but I did it. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get into a normal tub-shower. If I can do that, then I can go home. (that's what has been keeping me here, my daughter's house has a walk-in shower and everything I need on one floor). So, fingers crossed!

...I WILL spend my afternoon with you!

I finished season 1 of "True Detective", did my PT, had lunch, did some laps, and then settled in with my ice pack and "Blow Dry" on Netflix.

When you have a major surgery like a joint replacement, little things become a big deal. Like, showering. Now, I don't need help showering, I just needed someone nearby in case I fell or has a problem. Last time, I had a shower chair and this time I don't. That makes showers very tiring.

I get tired of feeling gross and I can't get the Disabled Guy to come out here till later in the afternoon. Today, I said "Fuck this". I texted my daughter (who is at work) that I was taking a shower & I'd text her when I got out. (my son-in-law is a paramedic in the town where I am right now). My shower was uneventful and I had to rest (20 minutes!) before I got dressed... But here's the thing, I got dressed all by myself- nobody was here to help me with my shoes! But I managed to get them on anyway.

I got showered and dressed all by myself today!

Here are my scars from the open carpal tunnel surgery I had four and six weeks ago. The scars themselves aren't very big (or very visible). These red splotches are from the peeling skin that is common from the healing of this surgery. (I have to lotion them a couple times a day and massage them as well).

My left hand (six weeks) is pretty good. I still have moments of weakness in my grip, but for the most part, I'm back to normal with that one. (I mouse with that hand). If I'm using it too much, then it gets a somewhat tired-soreness to it.

My right hand (four weeks) is still sore when I try to grip anything. I have a weak grip in that hand, but I can at least open my own bottles and such now. I still wear a soft brace when I have to do things (like drive or whatnot, things that require sustained use of my hands). My thumb, index, and middle finger are still numb-tingly and I can't feel anything at all in my index fingertip and the tip of my thumb. I can feel half on my middle fingertip.

All the post-op instructions say that it can take anywhere from three to twelve months to fully recover. As long as I can grip my camera and handle the mouse for my RAW files, then I'll be happy.

D is for Damage in February's Alphabet Fun 2016....

This is the thought I had today while trying to come up with "D is for..." without too much effort: My hand had such severe nerve damage that I had no other choice than to get the surgery. So, to fix my years-long severe nerve damage, the doctors had to cause more damage to me. They cut open my hand, then they cut the lateral ligament at the base of my palm, and stitched me back up.

So, to fix damage, they had to cause more damage. And, the new damage is forever, but will definitely improve my quality of life.

I totally forgot that yesterday was A in February's Alphabet Fun 2016. So, here's today- B is for baby and brace. And that's ME as a baby! I was four days old (according to my mother's handwriting on the back).

Here's another phone photo of my face. It has been a long couple of days and my body chose today to remind me that even though it is being controlled, I do still have a chronic pain disease.

However, today is still a good day because every single day, my left hand is getting a little better. Yesterday's realization was that I have feeling in my middle finger. Each day though, my hand feels stronger. Yesterday, I barely had grip in my hand. Today, I can actually grip small things with my thumb and fingers.

Of course, with the return of strength and sensation, I'm also getting the aches that I was expecting from the beginning.

But, even with the pain, I'm feeling really optimistic because of all the leaps forward I'm getting with my hand.

Today in We're Here!, the theme is "Light bulbs" and I found a way to participate with a light bulb covering my stitches and using my phone. The bruising on my forearm and palm don't hurt, but my stitches sometimes do (like right now, typing, and whenever I forget and try to pick something up. I'm wearing a brace on it- per doctor's orders- and the stitches come out next Monday).

Three days post-op... My stitches come out next week and till then, I have to wear a carpal tunnel brace all the time. It makes typing challenging, but it is definitely better than that huge cast splint I had!

Hendrix is feeling much better, he got his helmet and had a spin on his bike this morning!

Hendrix is feeling much better, he got his helmet and had a spin on his bike this morning!